Gabriel’s parents have recently separated. His mother was fed-up with his father, a musician who knew a short period of success in his past, and who continued to live on these fumes from long ago, and was happy to kick him out of their house. All of this drama is confusing Gabriel and instead of focusing on his art and the making of his film, he finds himself wasting precious time trying to take care of his depressed father and making sure that the new independence that his mother found does not take her down dangerous paths. Gabriel is a teenager, trying to grow-up in London. His parents are over-protective and still treat him like a little boy, despite his fifteen years. It turns out that Gabriel has true talent. Even though his mother is constantly telling him that he should not follow in his father’s footsteps, and that pursuing art can be tricky for his future, Gabriel’s art is respected in his family, and he carries his art supplies around with him regularly.

His father, Rex, used to play with the extremely successful seventies rock-star Lester Jones. Even though Rex’s music career was short, he is still respected in certain circles from the past, and Gabriel has the unique opportunity to visit Lester in his heavily guarded hotel room together with his father. Lester surprisingly takes interest in the boy and they have a short conversation about art.

This visit is significant to Gabriel and leaves a deep impression on him. Lester’s compliments on Gabriel’s talent strengthen Gabriel’s self-confidence, and focus him on the path he wants to take in his life. Lester gives Gabriel a gift – a drawing that Lester made. Both his parents want this drawing – his father in a hope that he can sell the drawing and get much needed money in order to repay some of his amounting debts, his mother who wishes to hold on to the drawing for the future. Gabriel, inspired by his conversation with Lester, decides to give both his parents what they wish but to also keep the original for himself, out of respect to Lester, who gifted the drawing to him and to him alone…Using his extraordinary talent, Gabriel copies the drawing, twice, and by this is able to do so.   

However, this act that initially seemed pretty innocent to Gabriel starts to become complicated, and Gabriel has to step into the world of the grown-ups once again in order to solve the mess that this forgery has created.

I found the conversation about copying art so interesting; it is a concept that runs through the book. Just last week I wrote a blog post about copying art (see post here) and this clearly connects.

“’The thing is,’ said Gabriel, blushing, ‘I’ve been copying other artists. I don’t know why…it inspires me, I suppose. Is that wrong?’

‘It’s what you make of the stolen objects that’s important. If you take something and use it, then it’s worthwhile. If you just copy it and it stays the same, then nothing’s been done.’” (pg. 50)

Another point that relates to creativity is also part of Gabriel and Lester’s conversation – art must be cultivated, no matter how much talent a person might have.

“Talent might be a gift but it still has to be cultivated. The imagination is like a fire or furnace; it has to be stoked, fed and attended to. One thing sets another ablaze. Keep it going.” (pg. 50) 

This is an important message to every person who wants to do creative work, of any kind, to improve in it and to create work that is worthwhile. We must keep working on our art – consistently.

Hanif Kureishi’s writing is a true pleasure. The reader connects to Gabriel, who is so talented and also wise despite his young age. Gabriel manages to maneuver the grown-ups surrounding him, and not only his own parents, but in a positive way. I found it to be a delicate story, yet extremely touching. There are no grand gestures here, and perhaps the beauty of the book lies in this exact point.