Jon Doyle's 'Communion': A Charged Debut on Sin and Solace
In Jon Doyle's ambitious and affecting debut novel, Communion, readers are plunged into the turbulent world of Mack O'Brien, a young man whose life takes an unexpected turn in Port Talbot, Wales. Mack, who once studied for the priesthood but left the seminary due to a lack of true calling, returns to his family home, grappling with uncertainty and a deep sense of displacement.
A Family in Turmoil and a Local Play
Cheek by jowl with his ailing, devout mother and a father consumed by grief over recent family deaths, Mack finds himself drawn into a local theatre production. He joins the cast of Owen Sheers's now-legendary Passion of Port Talbot, an immersive community-led re-enactment of the crucifixion that originally took place over several days in 2012, starring Michael Sheen. Mack steps in after a steelworker from the plant where he works as a security guard drops out, setting the stage for a complex narrative.
A Reunion with Siwan and a Sinister Plot
On the same night he agrees to participate in the play, Mack bumps into Siwan, a young woman from his school days. Their past connection was subtle yet profound, centered on nights at the Plaza cinema where they shared silent moments in the dark. Siwan's mother was an environmental activist who ended up in prison, and Siwan herself carries a heavy burden. She had visited Mack at the seminary, uttering the cryptic words, "forgive me father, for I am about to sin." This sin becomes the novel's focal point as Siwan reveals her plan to blow up the Port Talbot steelworks during a strike weekend, aiming to protest lay-offs without causing casualties. Mack's role as a security guard makes him an unwitting accomplice, manipulated by the one person who once offered a glimmer of connection.
Emotional Depth and Narrative Shifts
The novel is rich with emotional charge, exploring themes of loneliness, manipulation, and nihilism. As the story unfolds, certain elements, such as Mack's mother's illness and the strike, recede into the background. The play itself loses significance, with Mack dismissing the crucifixion as "silly" and donning priest's vestments for the bombing plot. This shift transforms the narrative into a focused exploration of a man haunted by his past, unable to escape his solitude. Mack's decision to assist Siwan stems from a desperate need to feel something, even if it means destruction.
A Devastating Journey
Communion ultimately becomes a poignant via dolorosa, depicting Mack's wrong start in life and his confrontation with colossal loneliness. Doyle masterfully weaves a tale that is both intense and heartbreaking, highlighting the human struggle for meaning in a dead-end future. The novel's setting in the steelworks of Port Talbot adds a gritty realism, underscoring the environmental and social tensions at play.
Published by Atlantic at £17.99, Communion is a compelling debut that resonates with readers long after the final page. Its exploration of sin, solace, and the search for connection makes it a standout in contemporary fiction.
