Henry Henry by Allen Bratton: A Review
Henry Henry, a debut novel by Allen Bratton, delves into the complex dynamics of an aristocratic family in England during the 2010s. The story revolves around Hal, the young heir to the Lancaster house, who spends his days in hedonistic pursuits, frequenting pubs and parties while neglecting his nominal role at a think tank. Amid his reckless lifestyle, he maintains religious observances and occasional visits to his father's elite club.
Hal’s father, Henry, a stern and quietly tyrannical figure, is frustrated by his son's behavior, which threatens the family's already declining fortunes. The tension intensifies with the introduction of Harry Percy, a family friend with political ambitions, leading to a complicated and tempestuous romantic relationship with Hal.
Bratton, who studied medieval English kingship, draws parallels to Shakespeare's Henry IV. However, unlike Shakespeare’s grand political narratives, Henry Henry focuses on personal turbulence and the lingering shadows of privilege. The novel captures Hal’s struggle with his identity and familial expectations amid a backdrop of wealth and tradition that is slowly eroding.
Set within the confines of luxurious albeit decaying estates and filled with detailed observations on physical and emotional states, the novel juxtaposes moments of satire and dark humor with a sympathetic portrayal of its protagonist. Henry Henry examines themes of duty, guilt, and the quest for personal happiness against a backdrop of aristocratic decline.