Simon Mayo’s latest novel, Blame, utilises a similar approach. The world he sets his slightly futuristic story in is eerily familiar, probably even more so than when he started writing the book. He uses familiar names and locations. He has a tootle down the motorway at one point. There’s much of modern Britain here, just framed from a slightly different angle. Caught in the midst of this are Ant and Matty, a sister and brother who are housed in ‘Spike’. Spike is the family wing of a huge, amalgamated prison by the name HMP London, and it’s clear very early on that this is a prison close to breaking point. Corruption is rife, unease is everywhere, and the assorted drones and cameras are keeping an eye on what pretty much everyone is doing. Mayo swiftly sets this up (no small feat, I’d argue), supplying a glossary of the prison slang he uses right up front. He switches languages with real skill, although I can’t say I found myself referring to said glossary while I was reading. In truth, there was an element of hanging on, as the story continually tore forward. It’s an unflinching world too, and whilst Itch – Mayo’s previous fictional creation – was aimed a little younger, Blame is a hard-as-nails young adult piece. It’s in the tone more than anything. There’s a key, prolonged sequence that’s full of peril, danger and material to test how quickly you can turn pages. Near the end – and I’m staying well clear of spoilers here – there’s a further sequence that had me wincing at the sheer cruelty of it. It’s a harsh read at times, and it’s worth being aware of that before opening the cover. Crucially, it’s also a book with a character to really, really root for. Ant is the real highlight here, a complex 16-year old girl, social niceties long since knocked off by a society that’s punishing her in many ways for things she’s had no control over. When the focus is away from her, you really feel it too: Ant is the driving force, and it’s she you yearn to spend time with. Oh, and in Assessor Grey there’s a foe who we may not get too many glimpses of – and there are shades of Kermode when we do – but what we do get is really quite unsettling. For those who have watched their fair share of prison movies, perhaps less so. But for the book’s target audience? Mayo doesn’t give the impression of punches pulled. It’s fiction with something to say this is, but with its eye on keeping readers engrossed in it. I enjoyed Blame a lot, and hope that further books will explore its world further. Best not show a copy to the leader writers at the Daily Mail, though. They might just think all of this is a good idea… Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.
