Brodie Crellin's Debut Novel "A Sense of Occasion" Explores Family Dysfunction

Brodie Crellin's debut novel, "A Sense of Occasion," delves into the complexities of a dysfunctional family brought together by a funeral, offering a surprisingly dark and humorous perspective on strained relationships. The narrative centers on three maladjusted individuals grappling with death and their intricate, often confrontational, connections to one another. The story begins in the aftermath of loss, exploring a family where conventional bonds may not exist, and the illusion of normalcy has long since dissolved. Crellin's prose is characterized by a sharp, observant eye and a wry sense of humor, which imbues the story with significant emotional depth.

The central characters include Patch, a deeply anxious individual prone to emotional outbursts, who is haunted by past traumas, including the suicide of a postman, and sports a particularly unfortunate haircut. His father, Robin, is described as "gay, yes, mostly, but mutable," indicating a fluid understanding of his own identity. Complementing them is Jude, a domineering and highly competent playwright known for making dramatic entrances. These three are linked by the recently deceased Mary, who was Robin's ex-partner, Patch's mother, and Jude's aunt. Mary herself is characterized by her specific, and somewhat peculiar, social judgments, notably her acceptance of gay men but her lukewarm feelings towards lesbians. The narrative also features Juliette, Jude's ostentatiously wealthy mother, and Mel, Mary's neighbor, who orbit this central "isosceles" family structure. Even minor characters, such as Mary's neglected "empath" labrador named Leonard, are rendered with a remarkable degree of realism, contributing to the novel's rich tapestry of characters.

The plot is set in motion as Jude arrives from Naples, signaling a charged convergence of past grievances and present realities. As the funeral approaches, simmering tensions escalate, and Crellin skillfully navigates the emotional landscape, exploring how these characters confront their shared history and individual struggles. The novel examines the nature of family, questioning what defines it when traditional structures are absent or fraught with conflict. Crellin's accomplishment lies in presenting a family that defies easy categorization, instead showcasing the raw, often uncomfortable, truths that emerge when individuals are forced into proximity by profound life events. The novel's strength is its ability to find humor and poignancy in the most challenging of circumstances, making "A Sense of Occasion" a memorable and thought-provoking debut.