Box Hill

In 1970s England a young man encounters a slick motorcycle rider and quickly enters into prolonged but abusive relationship with him. A swift sharp hit of discomfort and sexual violence. The protagonist here recounts us of the relationship as if he’s reading from his diary, there’s a matter-of-fact tone to it but also a slight hint of nostalgia both for the relationship itself but also of times gone by in general. Mars-Jones gives his protagonist dignity and a sense of humour in the face of low self-esteem, and the tension between that and what actually happens in the relationship carries all the way to the end. Not an easy read but an engrossing and vital one. Reply by email