Hangover Square – Patrick Hamilton

This is a barnstormingly brilliant novel from an author that doesn’t seem to get much critical kudos but surely deserves it.

The plot revolves around a man with what used to be called schizophrenia but is now called dissociative personality disorder. Most of the time George is a downtrodden failure living a booze-sodden existence in Earl’s Court and hopelessly pursuing Netta, the girl of his dreams. When his brain “snaps”, however, he becomes murderous and starts plotting the killing of Netta.

The book was written in 1941 during the blitz, but is set in 1939; the sense of foreboding in the plot mirrors the approach of the war and the resigned gloom that settled over London.

I reckon that the combination of thrilling story and portrait of a very specific subculture at a critical moment make this a masterpiece, and I don’t say that about many books.