A drunken, rambling mess of a man stumbles through a Glaswegian nightmare.
That’s James Kelman’s How Late It Was, How Late in a nutshell, though calling it just that would be a criminal understatement.
Published in 1994, this Booker Prize-winning novel thrusts us headfirst into the chaotic internal monologue of Sammy Samuels, a recently blinded ex-con, navigating a world suddenly rendered both alien and agonizingly familiar.
Sammy’s Dark Descent
This isn’t a story for the faint of heart.
Kelman’s unflinching prose mirrors Sammy’s disorientation and rage, capturing the raw, unfiltered essence of a man grappling with both physical and societal blindness.
How Late It Was, How Late is less of a traditional narrative and more of an immersive experience, dragging the reader through Sammy’s drunken brawls, bureaucratic nightmares, and increasingly desperate attempts to comprehend his new reality.
The novel challenges our notions of what constitutes literature, pushing boundaries with its stream-of-consciousness style, relentless profanity, and working-class Glaswegian dialect.
Navigating the Narrative of “How Late It Was, How Late”
The novel’s structure, or perhaps anti-structure, is key to its power.
Dispensing with conventional chapters and paragraph breaks, How Late It Was, How Late mimics the disjointed and often overwhelming nature of Sammy’s thoughts.
We are plunged into the relentless torrent of his inner voice, a chaotic mix of anger, confusion, and dark humor.
This stream-of-consciousness approach creates a sense of immediacy and claustrophobia, forcing us to experience the world as Sammy does, blind, bewildered, and constantly on the verge of explosion.
While the lack of traditional structure can be challenging, it ultimately amplifies the novel’s impact, creating a visceral reading experience unlike any other.
The Profanity and the Poetry of “How Late It Was, How Late”
Kelman’s use of language is both shocking and poetic.
The novel is peppered with relentless profanity, reflecting the harsh realities of Sammy’s life and the social milieu he inhabits.
This unapologetic use of language, while potentially off-putting to some, is essential to the novel’s authenticity and emotional power.
It’s through this raw, unfiltered language that Kelman captures the desperation and alienation of a man struggling to be heard.
However, beyond the profanity, there’s a surprising lyrical quality to Kelman’s prose.
He masterfully captures the rhythms and cadences of Glaswegian speech, transforming everyday conversations into something unexpectedly beautiful.
The interplay between the harshness of the language and the underlying poetry creates a unique and compelling reading experience, showcasing Kelman’s remarkable command of language.
A Deeper Dive into Sammy’s World
How Late It Was, How Late is not just a story about blindness; it’s a story about societal blindness.
Sammy’s experiences expose the injustices and inequalities faced by marginalized communities, highlighting the struggles of those living on the fringes of society.
His blindness becomes a metaphor for the ways in which society often fails to see and understand the struggles of those who are different.
Kelman’s depiction of Sammy’s interactions with the police, social workers, and medical professionals exposes the systemic barriers faced by individuals like Sammy, who are often treated with suspicion, indifference, and outright contempt.
The novel forces us to confront these uncomfortable truths, challenging us to reconsider our own perceptions and prejudices.
Who Should Read “How Late It Was, How Late”?
This is not an easy book, and it’s certainly not for everyone.
It requires patience, a willingness to immerse oneself in a challenging narrative, and an open mind.
But for those willing to take the plunge, How Late It Was, How Late offers a truly rewarding reading experience.
It’s a raw, visceral, and ultimately unforgettable exploration of the human condition, a testament to the power of language to illuminate even the darkest corners of our world.
If you’re looking for a challenging but ultimately rewarding literary experience, this book is for you.
This is for readers who appreciate unconventional narratives, unflinching prose, and a deep dive into the complexities of the human spirit.
This is for readers who enjoy challenging literature that tackles social and political themes, and who are fascinated by the exploration of character through stream of consciousness.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted beach read, this is definitely not it.
However, if you’re a fan of books like Irvine Welsh’s “Trainspotting” or Anthony Burgess’s “A Clockwork Orange,” then you should definitely give How Late It Was, How Late a try.
You might just find yourself captivated by its brutal honesty and surprising beauty.
If you appreciate experimental literature and powerful narratives, How Late It Was, How Late is a must-read.
Check out more contemporary Scottish literature here: [https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading/book-lists/contemporary-scottish-fiction](https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading/book-lists/contemporary-scottish-fiction).
This novel stands as a stark reminder of literature’s power to confront, provoke, and ultimately, illuminate the human experience.
How Late It Was, How Late is a true masterpiece of contemporary literature, and it’s a book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it.
It’s a testament to James Kelman’s skill as a writer, and it’s a novel that deserves to be read and discussed for years to come.
