‘The Changeling’ by Robin Jenkins is definitely a story of its time, in this case the 1950s.
Set initially in Glasgow, then the popular seaside area known as the ‘Glasgow Riviera’, it features Charlie Forbes, a naive, well-meaning teacher who invites Tom Curdie, one of his pupils, to join him and his family on their annual summer holiday. Tom has been brought up in the Glasgow slums and has a reputation at school for being a thief. His day to day life is tough, but he is a clever boy and finds ways to survive. Charlie is unable to see how removing Tom from his current bleak existence for a couple of weeks to sample a more comfortable, cosy way of life is a recipe for disaster. Although the family tries to include Tom in their holiday activities, there is always that feeling of him being the outsider.
The Forbes family comes across as cold and self-centred at times, with only Gillian, Charlie’s daughter, eventually understanding how difficult life is for Tom and that the holiday is merely a brief respite in a chaotic existence. However, this comes too late as Tom knows that he must return to the drudgery of Donaldsons Court with his feckless mother, the awful Shoogle and the responsibility of taking care of his siblings. The realisation that he will never fulfill his potential, confirmed by the Forbes family holiday, casts a dark shadow over his time with them.
Jenkins is an excellent storyteller, giving deep insight into the contrasting lives of those who had and those who had not in 1950s Glasgow. Although ultimately a tragic tale, there are some moments of gentle humour, and many moral lessons to be learned. A thought- provoking read enjoyed by most members of the group.
Louise Elsome
Bookworms Group Coordinator