Best of the Spectator The Book Club: M. John Harrison
Deeply Personal Novel Roots
- The Course of the Heart is a deeply personal and autobiographical work despite its metaphysical content.
- It focuses on the death of someone close and the attempt to connect beyond that loss.
Why M. John Harrison Says Escapism in Fiction Often Fails Us
M. John Harrison explores how escapism in fiction often leads to psychological entrapment rather than liberation. In his novel The Course of the Heart, characters perform a magical ritual they cannot fully remember, trying to escape grief and pain, but ultimately this escapism "catches up with them" causing damage rather than relief.
He emphasizes the importance of grounding fantastical stories in a realistic setting to make the metaphysical elements feel authentic. Harrison also critiques traditional science fiction and fantasy's escapism, highlighting his own shift away from writing "stories where people hit one another over the head with swords" to more authentic, experiential narratives based on his own life and surroundings.
His work reflects a broader philosophical question about knowledge and reality: that humans do not get definitive answers but make narratives to explain a fundamentally unknowable universe. This makes his fiction deeply intertwined with a skepticism about how we understand the world and how fiction mirrors that uncertainty.
Escapism's Costs Explored
- The novel explores failed escapism through a ritual that haunts its four characters.
- It critiques escapism in fiction and society, mixing horror with metaphysical themes.
