Several years ago, the publishing industry embarked on a significant shift, bringing to prominence voices that had previously been belittled or downright overlooked, particularly those of women and ethnic minorities. Narratives centred on heterosexual white men, once prioritised equally by review pages and award committees, were sidestepped as audiences began to realise the value of alternative – often superior – stories. This change has been generally well-received, even though it has resulted in fewer novels about men, and particularly about those exhibiting toxic masculinity.
Phil Harrison’s book, Silverback, presents a chilling narrative revolving around inhumane fathers and traumatised sons, depicted with stern, unforgiving language. It is a relatively short book, drawing you into a world littered with deceit, violence and darkness, and can be finished in only a couple of sittings.
The story begins with a courtroom drama. The protagonist, Robert Rusting, a notorious figure from Belfast, is on trial for patricide, while eminent surgeon James Fechner finds himself leading the jury. The early acquittal of Rusting isn’t a late-game revelation – the real shocker is when Fechner, one year later, stumbles upon Rusting and becomes strangely intrigued by him. Fechner ingratiates himself in Rusting’s life, and gets sucked into an underworld of petty criminals, illegal shipments of counterfeit electronics and toys from eastern Europe, and underlings eager to win their leader’s favour.
As a character, Rusting is both puzzling and unsettling. He is portrayed as someone whose past is marred by violence, reminiscent of Tony Soprano, always on edge but maintaining a façade of composed brutality. Careful scene-setting by Harrison illustrates the power Rusting holds over his wary community.
In stark contrast to his counterpart, Fechner is a dignified scholar known for his pacifism and passive nature. He silently observes his wife’s infidelity for months, choosing to remain uninvolved. He witnesses an incident where a young boy steals a woman’s bag, but his fear prevents him from intervening. With his entrance into Rusting’s sphere, Fechner seizes the opportunity to redefine what manliness means to him.
There is an enduring underbelly world, brimming with aggressive, complicated men, where a misjudged word can easily spiral into a brawl, if not worse.
The novel’s power lies in its portrayal of paternal trauma experienced by both men. Rusting, the offspring of an ex-loyalist freed due to the Belfast Agreement, struggles with the deep-rooted fear of his father, persisting even in his later life. Meanwhile, Fechner’s father never extended affection or praise, instead using him akin to an uncompensated servant. His remarkable recovery from an apparently fatal disease is portrayed as an unfaltering will of an elderly man determined to exhaust his inherent spite before death.
The abuse pattern continues over generations. Through a powerful scene, it navigates through Fechner silently watching Rusting scorn his son for playing with a figurine, deemed as a doll – too feminine for boys. Boys, however, do express their emotions through tears. Robbie, though his presence is transient in the novel, casts a worrying shadow over his fate.
Harrison’s narrative is deeply convincing and invigorating, fraught with tragic understanding about Fechner’s uneasy transformation, and displays an authentic understanding of northern gangland violence. One aspect that might be unclear to the reader is Rusting’s trust in Fechner, allowing him access and involvement in his business, even inviting him to a business trip in Serbia to gather fresh merchandise for his clientele. A bit more exploration of Rusting’s motives and goals would enhance this narrative.
Novels like Silverback remind readers about a different world that resides in the backcountry, filled with challenging and aggressive individuals wherein a mere verbal misstep could spark a brawl or worse. While masculine narratives may largely be in decline, as pointed out by a character from Harrison’s novel referring to the Troubles, there is still an ample supply for those who are interested. It is the captivating ones like this that deserve recognition.