Before you read a word of Nathan Newman’s How to Leave the House, it might be helpful to know that a TV adaptation is already in the works. This book unfolds as if it were destined for the small screen. “It was a sunset like in the movies: pinks, oranges and shades of blue… Beneath it all was the lonely Natwest, a single figure on the empty street…” This passage comes about halfway through the book, but you get what I mean. There are other parts that read like stage directions, and the novel’s perspective shifts from the head of our “hero,” Natwest, to the perspectives of various townspeople he encounters throughout the day.
Let’s go back. This is the story of a young Englishman called Natwest. It’s the day before he leaves his home town for the first time to go to university. He’s intelligent, has strong opinions and plans to study art history. He’s ordered something embarrassing and the Royal Mail hasn’t delivered it on time. The item in question is revealed on page 50 but it’s too funny to give away. The plot, such as it is, unfolds over the course of 24 hours as Natwest initially leaves his house to go to the post office. When it turns out that another townsman has taken possession of the package instead, Natwest’s journey of discovery really begins.
During his encounters with the townspeople, Natwest’s perspective begins to change. The arrogant and self-centered young man becomes someone whose inner monologue towards the end sounds like this: “Natwest had always imagined himself as the main character. … He had always thought he would leave them (the townspeople) behind, but now it dawned on him that it was more likely that they would leave him behind. He was just a supporting character in their lives.”
These lives are full of pathos and humour. There’s a dentist in love with a trans woman who loves to paint but only human mouths. There’s an imam who’s a film buff at heart. And a teenager who has suicidal thoughts after nude pictures appear on the internet. Mix that with a mystery surrounding Natwest’s own origin story and you start to see why it might make a better TV series than a book.
But don’t let that put you off reading. A word of warning: The descriptions of sexual encounters are very graphic and it doesn’t shy away from difficult topics like self-harm. The humor helps to ease the tension a little, but Newman definitely has something to say about the rising generation. This is a brave new voice to keep an eye on.
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