Rediscovering ‘Brother of the More Famous Jack’

‘Brother of the More Famous Jack’ by Barbara Trapido, first published in 1982, remains a notable coming-of-age novel. Many first encountered the book in their 20s, finding it to be a fitting companion during that period of personal exploration. Trapido’s debut tells the story of an intelligent yet inexperienced young woman who often falls for the wrong men.

The novel recently reappeared through a New York Review Books’ Classics edition, featuring a cover that captures the 1980s mood but not the swinging late ’60s London setting of the story. Readers will find themselves captivated by Katherine Browne, the lively narrator who seeks to escape her bourgeois background. Her readiness to embrace adventure and her belief that disruptive behavior is educational define her journey.

Katherine’s story revolves around her relationship with the family of her university philosophy professor, Jacob Goldman. An outspoken patriarch, Goldman is unapologetic in his beliefs. His wife, Jane, and their two irreverent sons contribute to the family’s spirited dynamics. Katherine is initially shocked yet instantly moved by their openness, especially during her first visit on the eve of the birth of their sixth child.

Barbara Trapido was born in Cape Town in 1941 and migrated to England in 1963. By the time she penned her first novel, she was 40 years old, married to an Oxford professor, raising two children, and engaged in unfinished academic pursuits. ‘Brother of the More Famous Jack’ consists of 50 concise chapters filled with dialogue and incident. Unlike many first novels, Trapido’s is not autobiographical.

Since this work, Trapido has written six more novels. Her themes often include the complexities of social class and mental health, among others. Her later works, like ‘Frankie and Stankie,’ reflect a more somber tone and autobiographical elements, exploring life in apartheid South Africa.

Trapido’s novels often feature sibling pairs, but Katherine, the protagonist in ‘Brother of the More Famous Jack,’ is an only child mesmerized by the lively Goldman household. The title alludes to a lesser-known figure, artist Jack Butler Yeats, in contrast to his sibling, poet William Butler Yeats.

Critics have lauded the novel for its vivid portrayal of youthful disillusionment. Described as “literary comfort food” by Lily King, the book has been deemed “brilliantly lewd” by Rachel Cusk. Author Mick Herron, in his introduction to the new edition, celebrates the novel for its intellectual allure. Maria Semple, in a foreword to a previous edition, praises its duality, calling it both “endearing and shocking.”

Every edition of ‘Brother of the More Famous Jack’ offers a chance to rediscover a story rich with contrasts and insight. Whether encountering the novel for the first time or returning for another round, readers are encouraged to delve into this engaging narrative.