Bryan Washington, the acclaimed author of 'Memorial' and 'Family Meal', returns with his third novel, 'Palaver'. This stylish new work delves into the strained reunion between an estranged mother and her gay son in Tokyo, revisiting and remixing the signature themes that have defined Washington's celebrated career.
A Tense Reunion in Tokyo
The novel centres on two unnamed protagonists: a son who has lived in Tokyo for nearly a decade, teaching English, and his Jamaican-American mother who unexpectedly arrives from Texas. Their relationship has been fractured for years, and the story unfolds over a tense week and a half as they navigate their shared, painful history.
Communication is a struggle. The son, guarded and prone to adolescent eye-rolling, avoids meaningful connection. He retreats into his established Tokyo life of heavy drinking with his witty gay friends, Grindr hookups, and unfulfilling relationships. His mother, meanwhile, becomes a determined flaneuse, exploring the city's neon-lit streets, shawarma stalls, and hostess bar districts on her own, gradually building the confidence to bridge the emotional gap with her son.
Fragmented Narratives and Thematic Depth
Washington employs a non-linear structure, weaving flashbacks into the present-day narrative. Readers learn of the mother's childhood in the Caribbean and the complex origins of her hostility, linked to her charismatic brother, Stefan. There are also threads involving the son's brother, Chris, who has been in prison, and recollections of the mother's emigration to Toronto.
This fragmented approach, punctuated by photographs of Tokyo's streetlife and domestic scenes, mirrors the characters' sense of powerlessness and the unpredictable course of their lives. The core themes of alienation, exile, and the search for home bind these scattered elements together, delivered in Washington's characteristically sparse and downbeat prose.
Signature Style and a Call for New Ground
Fans will recognise all the hallmarks of a Bryan Washington novel: mumblecore dialogue, a deep interest in Asian culture and cuisine, messy gay bars, a chosen family of queer friends, and frank depictions of sex. However, this very familiarity presents a critique. While 'Palaver' is a finely written and moving exploration of reconciliation, it can feel like a remix of the author's greatest hits.
Some may find the move towards mutual understanding somewhat predictable, and the dialogue occasionally veers into overly simplistic 'therapy-speak'. Yet, the novel's power lies in its empathetic portrayal of two flawed people groping towards understanding. As one character advises: "go see what it is elsewhere"—a pertinent nudge, perhaps, for this talented writer to now apply his sharp eye to entirely new literary territories.
