Francis Spufford's Nonesuch: A Dazzling Wartime Fantasy Novel
In the realm of creative writing, the element of fun is often undervalued, yet it remains a crucial indicator of an author's connection to their material. Francis Spufford's latest novel, Nonesuch, exemplifies this principle with exuberant flair. This historical fantasy, set against the backdrop of the Second World War, is a popcorny delight that combines dark magic, fascism, and romance in a blitz-stricken London.
A Genre-Spanning Oeuvre
Nonesuch marks Spufford's fourth work of fiction, showcasing his versatility across genres. The story opens in August 1939, as war is declared but its grim reality has yet to descend upon London's streets. Iris Hawkins, an ambitious office clerk, navigates the sun-baked West End in a slinky dress, only to find herself on a disastrous date that leads to a surrealist film club in Bloomsbury.
There, she encounters two pivotal characters: Geoffrey Hale, a sweetly apprehensive BBC television engineer, and Lady Lalage Cunningham, an icy aristocratic beauty with worrisome political sympathies. This fateful meeting sets the stage for chaos, as Iris is drawn into a time-travelling plot by "magical fascist lunatics" aiming to assassinate Winston Churchill.
The Blitz as a Backdrop
Spufford's portrayal of bombed-out London is both vivid and poignant, serving as a fitting match for his adroit prose. The novel delves into the psychological confusion of wartime, with bombs falling "as indifferently as raindrops astrew with pits and horrors and splintered places." Through supernatural energies, Spufford draws revealing analogies to the Nietzschean will to power that underpins fascistic thinking, asking whether magic is any harder to believe than the brutal realities of war.
This setting is not new to Spufford, who previously explored the blitz in his 2021 novel Light Perpetual. However, Nonesuch stands apart as a true fantasia, unburdened by the conceptual weightiness of its predecessor, allowing for a more exuberant and imaginative narrative.
Character Dynamics and Critique
The mercurial Iris Hawkins and the patrician Lady Cunningham form a superficially interesting pairing, though their characterisations occasionally jar. Iris's strident proto-girlbossing, expressed through desires to be a financial titan like Rothschild or Rockefeller, may not resonate as empowering for all readers. Meanwhile, Lady Cunningham, described as "a Christmas tree fairy among fascists," often lacks menace, reminiscent of PG Wodehouse's parody Roderick Spode.
A late-game revelation about her motivations feels contrived, attempting to add depth to an otherwise cartoonish villain. Despite these quibbles, the broad sweep of the novel remains dazzling, with Spufford's formidable insight shining through in both supernatural and mundane elements.
A Popcorny Delight with Substance
Nonesuch is a pasticcio of romance, occultism, non-Euclidean geometry, and airborne adventure across London's rooftops. It is a testament to Spufford's skill that such a madcap denouement holds together, offering not just entertainment but also commentary on the absurdities of wartime life. The ending hints at more to come from Spufford's fantasy multiverse, promising further delights for readers.
Published by Faber at £20, Nonesuch is a formidable achievement that celebrates the joy of storytelling. For those seeking a novel that balances historical depth with imaginative exuberance, this wartime fantasy is an unmissable read.
