The Inconvenient Need to Belong

Alfie is not the most likely protagonist, he's slightly arrogant, self absorbed and a tough nut to crack but underneath there is a softer, vulnerable side.

Alfie is eighty-six and lives in a care home. He has to share a room with someone who is messy and talkative and needs help getting out of bed in the morning. He doesn't know any of the staff's names, except for Julia and would rather not join in with any social activities apart from their weekly trip to the library. All in all you can excuse Alfie's lack of socialism and mood as he doesn't really have anything to look forward to and has no visitors. Alfie's highlights are when he sneaks out on Saturday mornings to the local park to feed the ducks and his library visits.

On Saturdays, Alfie talks to Fred, a teenage boy, who he starts to tell his life story to: from his early home life escaping the confinements of his parents, his time in the travelling circus and revealing his greatest loves and regrets. He also finds a pen pal who he starts to write to, a woman in her thirties living in America. This communication he has with Anne is heartwarming; both are lonely and open up to each other despite being strangers. Through their correspondence we see a different side to Alfie and learn more about the secrets he is hiding.

Having read and enjoyed books like A Man Called Ove and Three Things About Elsie I was delighted to read this book. The sadness of old age and deteriorating health is always an interesting topic to read about as it can hold so much emotion for the reader. Loneliness was definitely a key theme running through the book as was remorse and sorrow. I think we all look back on our lives and have some regrets or are embarrassed by some of our actions and The Inconvenient Need To Belong accentuates this brilliantly in Alfie's tale. You really feel for him during certain parts of the novel and want to comfort him. However, as well as being sympathetic towards Alfie I also felt infuriated by his actions and choices. I think this book will definitively divide readers and their feelings towards Alfie, thus promoting lots of discussions.

I loved how the book alternated between Alfie's present day to the past and how the character's had their own back story that we got to hear a bit about. I found it to be a moving, thought-provoking novel and one I will definitely put forward as a book club recommendation.