Milkman by Anna Burns

This novel is about the informal sanctions used to control society and behaviour during the extremes of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. None of the characters have a name. They are described by the social roles that they play, for example, mother, eldest daughter and boyfriend. None of the places in the book have name; they are described by the role they play in that society, eg Ten Minute Square, and Red Light Street.
The highlight of the book for me was the way the plot was interwoven with the protagonist's comments on how the society was regulated. It was as if an automatic tennis ball server was randomly lobbing words to her at various angles at high speed, and she skilfully caught them all; assessing them, grouping them and placing them into different categories according to their meaning and then throwing them back in an ordered, fluent and meaningful way, according to the ideas she wanted to discuss. There was a lot of subtle sarcastic humour that commented on the narrowness and stupidity of the people and ideas she presents.

I did not find this book easy to read in one go. I took it in stages over many months; it warrants a lot of study. But I am glad I did as it has been very rewarding. Anna Burns is a very clever writer. She can control and manipulate her words with ease. She has my total respect.