The Art of the Body

by Alex Allison

'A bold, unflinching debut . . . Finely written and thoughtfully devised' GUARDIAN'Raw and powerful' IMAGEMaintaining one person's dignity comes nearly always at the expense of someone else's. I have learned this for you.Janet is caught between care work and caring for herself. Her life revolves around Sean, a talented fine art student, living and working with cerebral palsy. Both Janet and Sean are new to London and far from their families. Both are finding a means of escape through pushing their bodies to the limit.When Sean is faced with an unexpected and deeply personal tragedy, Janet must let her guard down at last and discover what she's prepared to fight for. The Art of the Body is a novel about dignity and intimacy, tenderness and brutality, unafraid to explore uncommon bodies in unusual ways.

Genres: Fiction, Disability

259 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2019

About the author

Alex Allison was born in London in 1991. He studied Art History (BA) at University of York and Creative Writing (MA) at University of Manchester.

Alex currently works for BCG, delivering upskilling programmes to clients across the globe. Prior to this, he previously held positions at PwC and at the British Library.

Alex is the author of The Art of the Body, a novel published by Dialogue Books in September 2019. Winner of the 2020 Somerset Maugham Award and longlisted for the 2020 Desmond Elliott Prize. His second novel, Greatest of All Time, will release on 30th January 2025.

Reviews

[Anni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrated with a dispassionate, unsentimental approach to the subject, this is an uncompromisingly candid portrayal of a young man with cerebral palsy and the impact on his carer's role. It is an uncomfortable read at times, as well as a challenge to the common perception of disabled people as being defined by their disability.

Read and reviewed for Whichbook.net

[Phee · Rating 2 out of 5]

So here’s the thing.

For the past 5 years I have worked in residential care. One of the main things you learn and are taught, is how to look after someone with dignity and respect. No matter what your role within the care sector. It’s the cornerstone of good care. This book was to me, a very inaccurate exploration of looking after someone with complex needs. It was problematic in its language and much of it felt unnecessary.

It felt underdeveloped in nearly all aspects. Sometimes a novel about art, sometimes a novel about abuse. It’s characters are horrible and pretty cruel. While it doesn’t shy away from some pretty heavy subject matter, I wouldn’t say it deals with it well either.

Honestly, I just feel pretty icky now.

[my bookworm life · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sent a copy of this title from the publishers to read and review, all views are my own.

This one is very different from anything i have read before but what initially interested me in it was the subject matter and the central characters themselves, being centred around a carer (which i used to work as) and the man she cares for. So instantly i related to and could warm to the character Janet, i thought she was so interesting and complex. And equally i warmed to Sean too! i loved how he was put across here, a character with a disability but that was in no way the only thing about him that was present and mattered, he was in every way his own person.

I thought the whole concept of Sean's art that he did with the help of Janet was really interesting and at times moving too, he was drawing attention to his body and disability but on his own terms and in his own highly original and powerful ways. It was shocking and very different but i completely understood where he was coming from with doing it.

The connection and partnership that Sean and Janet had was wonderful, it had all the emotions you go through while being a carer, and i'm sure all the emotions you have when being the one on the end of of that care. The frustrations and the anger, which i loved that it was included here because it's so valid and important! , and then the doubt in yourself and others too. Also all the positives too of course.

What i mostly loved about this book was how the spotlight on a person with a disability and he wasn't just a character used as prop in a story, or more importantly someone who was used for mocking etc. He knew his own mind, and was highly creative and a really great character.

A beautiful , raw and unflinching look inside the life of a disabled person and their relationship with their carer. I would recommend to anyone who has worked in care or had any experience with care settings etc.

[Tash Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not expect to read this all in one day! I have very mixed feelings, especially about the ending, but it's undeniably a gripping and affecting book.

[Meg Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is super gripping but incredibly uncomfortable to read at times. super interesting mix of art history and societal perceptions of disability

it’s kinda nuts this only has 5 chapters

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a breath of fresh air. The writing is very distinct, raw and a little uncomfortable at times, the characterisation superb. Within the writing, Allison has captured Sean's character perfectly; the person masked beneath the disabilities. Most novels focus more on societal views of people with severe/profound disabilities and not the 'insider's' point of view as this book does. I urge you to read this emotive and powerful book.

Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC for which I have given my voluntary and unbiased review.

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know what to think about this one. On the one hand I found the narration fascinating in a twisted way but on the other hand a story of a disabled artist is told through his dispassionate carer and I feel like it could’ve been a much better book for actually having his perspective.

[Megh Mcconnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Maintaining one person's dignity is always nearly at the expense of someone else's. I have learned this for you." The opening line to a book written from the perspective of a care worker, Janet, who assists Sean, an art student living with cerebral palsy.

The Art of the Body is described as being "a novel about dignity, intimacy, faith and sacrifice, unfraid to explore uncommon bodies in unusual ways." I found this book so thought provoking. I have filled two pages of a journal with notes, have scribbled thoughts out on multiple post-its, and spent 20 minutes, or longer, talking at my partner about it. It's lead me to ask several questions about several issues, and really got my brain whirring. I hope someone else I know will finish reading this soon because I feel a strong need someone to discuss it with.

As far as readability, it is well-written, I was immediately drawn into and interested by the story. Although layered and complex, I would not say it's a difficult read.

I found the narrator, Janet, personally relatable. There's a very real struggle for her between how she is choosing to see herself, how she is letting that inform her thoughts and decisions, and how other people see her, which seems to be a less distorted and kinder view. This is intimately connected with one of the central themes of the story - is she doing care work "just for the pay" or does she really care?

As the book suggests, it's also very much about the art of the body. This is explored through how uncommon bodies are depicted in art, as well as the juxtaposition of Janet's body against Sean's and how they interact and impact each other, and what that says about their relationship.

I've obviously been very struck with The Art of the Body. I do recommend this book.

[Antoni Less · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unflinching view on a subject matter which will be alien to so many, uncomfortable to read at points, yet we'll all find something to relate to within it. The Art of the Body posits two simple, yet profound truths: It is impossible to maintain someone else's dignity without losing something of your own, and we all are dependant on other people. If this sounds a bit heavy, I should assure you that reading the book is easy, the subject matter is handled with dexterity and grace, and the moral messages creep in; they're not broadcast at a distressing volume. In fact the novel makes no attempts to teach the reader a lesson, it takes an almost detached view of proceedings, inviting the reader to draw their own conclusions and find their own meaning. Reading it you feel very much as the main character, the author presents her views in a candid, natural way - you will find yourself embodying Janet even after putting the book down. There's no attempts at sensationalism, no attempts to grab the reader by the scruff of the neck, and yet you feel taken by the story and its characters, understanding -feeling- in a very real way the conflicts of the characters and the dynamics of the world they inhabit.

[peg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is longlisted for the 2020 Desmond Elliott prize, awarded to a debut novel that is usually innovative and somewhat experimental.
The two main characters, a young man crippled by cerebral palsy and the woman who is his main caregiver are the main reason for the 5 stars I awarded it. Also appreciated the way this author was able to weave in the main plot with some ideas about contemporary art and its value in emotional healing.

I haven’t read all 10 books on the list but so far this is my pick to win!

[Calvin Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art of the body, is an deep dive into the complex life of an artist, with extreme disabilities. The novels conflicts are magnified ,with pros that carry the reader into a world of creativity. The protagonist Sean is full of ambition to tell stories that convey his unique point of view . With the help of his complex and loving assistant, the novel takes you to a place of love and loss. Thoroughly entertaining and full of companion and spirit. Would make a good film.

[Eskay · Rating 5 out of 5]

so i mostly wanted to read this because fake art remains the best kind of book, but then actually it's the amazing meditation on religion, family and bodies?

but also good fake art.

[Claire The Bristol Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Art of the Body is a daring debut about Sean, a talented young artist with severe cerebral palsy, and his carer Janet, a complex and at times unlikeable character.

Sean makes controversial art using his own body. He challenges perceptions of disability and almost tortures himself in the process. Janet's role as a carer is described in intimate, unflinching detail - the reality of caring for a disabled person is fully laid bare here, which I really admire.

This includes the physical exertion of being a carer, plus the often 'uncaring' feelings that Janet has towards Sean and her job, despite the fact that she is so tender towards him.

Author Alex Allison writes in a dispassionate, matter of fact style that some readers may find uncomfortable. He doesn't romanticise or soften the situation, which I think is such a brave move.

What he does do is raise the profile of disability in literature, present a believable disabled character who is not simply a plot device, and challenge readers to think about the role of carers in our society as well as so much more. It's an excellent debut and I look forward to seeing what Alex Allison comes up with next.

Thankyou to Dialogue Books for sending me a free copy!

[Mark Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beauty and pain are inextricably entwined in this account of the relationship between an artist with cerebral palsy and his seemingly reluctant carer. It's a surprisingly simple and elegant narrative, given the complexity of the relationship and the narrator's psyche, in particular (Although, the epilogue becomes a little deeper and more profound in places)

The art of the body is explored and contrasted from a number of perspectives, including its representation in art throughout the ages, but it is never stuffy or pretentious - far from it; interesting ideas are gently elevated and explored, provoking engagement and reflection rather than preaching to the reader.

Whilst this feels more like a character-study than a heavily plotted narrative, the more dramatic moments are conveyed simply and powerfully, stirring emotions rather than manipulating or terrorising them.

(Thankfully) we are denied a clear-cut, happily-ever-after ending but the overall result of reading this book, is that we understand the beauty and the pain of the mind as well as the body and are able to better appreciate the art in both.

[Row · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very powerful prose.

[Holly McGill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so much a book about caregiving as it is a book about a deeply shitty person who is also a caregiver.

"When Sean is faced with an unexpected and deeply personal tragedy, Janet must let her guard down at last and discover what she's prepared to fight for." Except she doesn't let her guard down. And she isn't prepared to fight for anything, except maybe physically fight the person who's trusted his care to her for nearly a year.

2 stars because the longer the book went on, the less of a fuck I gave about Janet and the more I wished she'd fall down a hole. Poor Sean.

[Tilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think this would be everyone's cup of tea, but for me it spoke of all my favourite topics so I was completely hooked. Art, art shool, the body and disability!

I think the portrayal of Sean's character is sigificant and important. However some of Janet's internal monologue is quite uncomfortable.

The book is really easy to read, I plowed through it in no time at all. It is super intimate, raw, fast, and keeps you on your toes!

[Fran · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book covers a lot of issues, however many of these issues are left unresolved at the end of the book. Whilst quite engaging, none of the characters are particularly likeable, specifically the main character. Her story is not entirely explained and left to much speculation. The story stops rather abruptly and confusingly.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best book I should have read last year. The relationship between a disabled young artist and his carer and, as The Guardian said, their "balance of power, cruelty and compassion".

[Anna Vladi (Rakhmanko) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It reveals quite interesting topic - art and body. It gives in some way new perspective on disabilities of the body but the end of the book feels a bit smudged.

[Kat Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's comfortable to be in this world. The characters are quickly familiar, and the storytelling is soft. Plus, I like anything that is, at its core, about art.

[Gem · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book by an able-bodied man with “limited experience of doing care work” (his words), writing about a woman who cares for a man who has cerebral palsy. There are so many inaccuracies that I just couldn’t escape them.