How Late It Was, How Late

James Kelman

Save:

Find on Amazon

blindness and disability

stream of consciousness writing

glaswegian vernacular

societal neglect

complex character study

urban isolation

deliberate pacing

themes of resilience and vulnerability

judgmental society and bureaucracy

internal monologue and chaos

lowlife mental state

'How Late It Was, How Late' by James Kelman is a novel that follows the story of Sammy, an ex-convict who wakes up blind after a drunken binge and a confrontation with the police. The book is written in a stream of consciousness style, narrated in a Glaswegian vernacular, with an extraordinary amount of swearing. Sammy navigates through Glasgow, facing challenges with bureaucracy, law enforcement, and his own personal struggles, all while coming to terms with his new disability.

The novel delves into Sammy's internal monologue, showcasing his defiance, resilience, and vulnerability as he tries to cope with his blindness, loss of memory, and the complexities of his relationships. Kelman captures the essence of Sammy's character, portraying him as a determined, relatable, and complex individual facing adversity in a harsh and unforgiving world.

Characters:

The characters primarily revolve around Sammy and his interactions with a judgmental society, showcasing a relatable yet complex individual struggling with his circumstances.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is distinctively Glaswegian, employing stream of consciousness techniques that immerse the reader in the protagonist's chaotic thoughts, with heavy use of profanity.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Sammy, a troubled man who loses his sight after a drinking binge and confronts various challenges as he attempts to cope with his disability and societal rejection.

Setting:

The urban setting of Glasgow serves as a backdrop that influences themes of isolation and societal neglect, reflecting the harsh realities faced by the protagonist.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate, often slow, emphasizing the characters' internal struggles and isolation, which can challenge the reader's engagement.

YE WAKE IN a corner and stay there hoping yer body will disappear, the thoughts smothering ye; these thoughts; but ye want to remember and face up to things, just something keeps ye from doing it, why...

Notes:

The book is written in a stream of consciousness style from the perspective of Sammy, a small-time criminal from Glasgow.

It features a heavy use of Glaswegian dialect and contains many instances of strong language, which may not be suitable for all readers.

Sammy wakes up blind after a violent encounter with the police following a drinking binge.

The novel explores themes of isolation, bureaucracy, and trust, particularly as Sammy navigates life without his sight.

Character development is significant, and readers often feel a deep connection to Sammy despite his flaws.

The narrative vividly illustrates Sammy's mental state, fluctuating between paranoia and acceptance of his condition.

The book won the Booker Prize in 1994, generating controversy among judges, with one judge resigning in protest of its selection.

Readers have noted its unique approach to depicting the challenges faced by marginalized individuals in society.

The portrayal of bureaucracy and social services highlights the difficulties faced by individuals like Sammy in seeking help.

Many readers found the initial difficulty with the language rewarding as they got used to it, leading to a deeper understanding of Sammy's character.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include strong language, themes of violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues.

From The Publisher:

WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE

'A passionate, scintillating, brilliant song of a book'

Guardian

Sammy's had a bad week.

Most of it's just a blank space in his mind, and the bits that he can remember, he'd rather not. His wallet's gone, along with his new shoes, he's been arrested then beaten up by the police and thrown out on the street - and he's just gone blind. He remembers a row with his girlfriend, but she seems to have disappeared; and he might have been trying to fix a bit of business up with an old mate, he's not too sure.

Things aren't looking too good for Sammy and his problems have hardly begun.

Reader Stats (3):

Want To Read (3)

What can you read after
How Late It Was, How Late?

See the list (46 books)

About the Author:

James Kelman was born in Glasgow in 1946. His books include Not not while the giro, The Busconducter Hines, A Chancer, Greyhound for Breakfast, which won the 1987 Cheltenham Prize, and A Disaffection, which won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and How late it was, how late, which won the 1994 Booker Prize.

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.