Psycho-therapist George Williamson struggles to help his patients and increasingly realises that he is himself embroiled in complex psychological problems as he attempts to interpret and deal with himself, his patients, and the world around him. It has often been said that three topics should stay off-limits in literature – politics, religion and sex – but this book tries to show that there are times for hard story-telling about touchy topics, and that too often the over-cautious language used to talk about sexual misdeeds, religious biases and political prejudices, in particular, risks back-firing even when intentions are good. This book openly and unashamedly addresses sexual misdeeds and misconduct, as well as thoughts about religion and politics, without hiding between an over-moralistic façade of artificial restraint. The result is a politically incorrect story that cynically and polemically broaches complicated and challenging topics such as sexism, religion, political bigotry, friendship, marriage and divorce, nihilism, Brexit, alcoholism, gambling and drug addiction, poverty, philosophy, thuggishness, misguided masculinity, complex gender issues, dysfunctional relationships … you name it. It is a novel of intolerance and compassion, resilience and vulnerability, love and loss, with at its centre a flawed but, at times, sympathetic character whose life is rocked by actions and emotions often beyond his control. It panders to human’s raw instincts and the fact that our brains get off on many of the things we are ashamed of. It is about power and relationships and hovers uncomfortably at the intersection between violence, desire and madness. Reader, be aware, there is no safety net in this story. Proceed at your own peril.
