Hangover Square
Author | Patrick Hamilton |
---|---|
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Genre | Black comedy |
Publisher | Constable (UK) Random House (US) |
Publication date | 1941 |
Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
Hangover Square is a 1941
A black comedy, it is often cited as Hamilton's finest novel, exemplifying the author's concerns over social inequalities, the rise of fascism and the impending onset of World War II.
Synopsis
Set against the backdrop of the days preceding Britain declaring war on Germany, the main character is George Harvey Bone, a lonely borderline
During his disordered episodes, he is convinced he must kill Netta for the way she treats him. Upon recovering from these interludes, he cannot remember them. However outside these he embarks on several adventures, trying in vain to win Netta's affections, including a would-be romantic trip to Brighton which goes horribly wrong: Netta brings Peter along, and also a previously unknown man with whom she has sex in the hotel room next to George's.
Apart from being a source of money and alcohol, George has another attraction for Netta: his friendship with Johnnie, who works for a theatrical agent. Netta hopes that through him she will get to meet Eddie Carstairs, a powerful figure in the theatre. However, in a final reversal of fortune it is George, not Netta, who ends up attending a party amongst the theatrical great and good whilst Netta is cast aside by Eddie who — unlike George — has immediately seen her for the unpleasant person she is. George suddenly realises what it is like to be surrounded by people who are interested in him as a person rather than for what he can provide.
This potentially promising turn of events in George's life is dashed, however, when he suddenly clicks into a dead mood and resumes his murder plans. He executes his murder of Netta (and also of Peter, whom the narrative describes as a "fascist" moments before he is murdered) before escaping to
Title
The title of the book is a wordplay on the name
Reception and adaptations
Hangover Square was immediately lauded on its publication. James Agee, writing in the Daily Express, called it "a magnificent thriller".[1] Hamilton's friend Michael Sadleir considered it his best novel. John Betjeman in The Spectator referred to it as being in "the top class of English novels".[2]
Such was the novel's success that it was rapidly adapted for a film which was released in 1945. Starring Laird Cregar, Linda Darnell, and George Sanders, significant changes to the novel were made, most notably the plot's re-location to the Edwardian era.
References
- ISBN 0571143539, p. 168
- ^ French, p. 255