Treacle Walker by Alan Garner

 

There are three characters in this novel.  The first is Treacle Walker, a rag and bone man who visits the other main character.  Joe is a small boy who lives alone and has a lazy eye.  Thin Amren is a character who seems to be spiritual; a creature who lives in the nearby bog.

Joe wants Treacle Walker to help him make the world make sense.  He wants a cure for his eye and for his vision to be perfect.  Treacle gives him gifts and some allow Joe to see Thin Amren and help him while others take him into other dimensions.  Joe also is interested in marbles and comics.  His comics often come to life, making them surreal to Joe.

This short novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.  It is full of imagery and nonsense terms.  Alan Garner, who is in his late eighties, is known for his works of fantasy and the use of English folklore in his works.  There can be much discussion about what is meant by the various characters and their traits.  Joe seems to be attempting to find a vision, both his physical vision and a more poetic one that will help him interpret the world.  Treacle Walker is like a favorite uncle, always teasing but indulging one's desires.  This book will be discussed for many years and is recommended for readers of literary fiction.