A quirky short story - just 80
pages or so - which starts off rooted in the earthy reality of
football, adultery and jealousy but becomes increasingly bizarre as
the narrative progresses. Leo and Trevor are twins. Separated
shortly after birth, they were unaware of each others' inexistence
until a chance encounter led to their reunion. Augustus relates in
direct and dramatic style how that reunion affects their lives and
ultimately comes full circle, accounting for manipulation and human
weakness which led to their separation. This is gritty humanity
unwritten with emotion; its family dynamics interlaced with
spirituality; it’s the south London immigrant community meets
psycho. Patrick's style is forthright, choppy, and very funny in
places, which keeps the narrative moving along at a cracking pace.
In the end though, although I
thoroughly enjoyed Don’t' Make Me Laugh, I found it a little
unsatisfying. I wanted to know more of the brothers, more of their
mother who abandoned them, and more of their father and more of how
the pain and betrayal that each has inflicted on the others affects
their lives.
