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REVIEW: How to Leave the House by Nathan Newman


It's Natwest's last day before he leaves for university, and there's only one thing on his mind: the deeply embarrassing package he ordered to his house - which still hasn't arrived. He won't leave town without it. Any alternative is too distressing to consider ...

This is the story of twenty-four hours in the life of NATWEST, and his small-town odyssey in pursuit of the missing package. And yet it's also the story of a MIDDLE-AGED DENTIST who dreams of being a respected artist - but the only thing he can seem to paint is the human mouth. And it's the story of a TORTURED IMAM involved in a quasi-romantic entanglement with the local vicar; and an OCTOGENARIAN mourning the death of her secretive husband; and a TROUBLED TEENAGER whose nudes have leaked on the internet. It's the story of Natwest's obnoxious EX-BOYFRIEND, and his CLASS-TRAITOR MOTHER and her CHILDHOOD BOYFRIEND, and the life-changing secrets he knows about Natwest's past.

How To Leave The House may take place over one short day, but it’s going to stay with me for much longer. An impressive, impactful trailblazer of a book that takes an absurd slice of life and puts it under the microscope for the reader, with witty observations and tragically funny conversations about the strangeness of being alive. Despite the dark humour and sad moments, it was brimming with hope and had a sense of wonder about life and humanity.

Natwest was a wonderful narrator to follow but we soon learn there isn’t such a thing as a main character in life and as we cycle through the day again and again through different eyes our first impressions change and grow - the story was told with such lyrical language that was creative and fun to follow, painting such clear pictures and taking time for the small details - painting a picture of what should be a mundane daily image but just had that something extra. At times the conversations turn entirely odd, and the sexual scenes get a little much for me (no to the sweaty balls thanks) but it’s oddness gave it such charm.

As the day goes on, more people get added to the mixture and we see a web of interconnected lives passing each other by and sometimes joining together if only for a moment; our cast dealing with different worries and joys from religion and belief, marriage and love, body image and insecurity, sexuality and identity to basically not knowing what to do with your life. Instead of following your average linear structure, it’s a little invitation into these characters days. Each little interaction was fabulous; it really made you stop and think about the different versions of you in people’s minds, the different ways a single relationship can change over time and how a small moment can be everything and nothing depending on where you’re looking.

Weird and wonderful, this is a touching journey into the strangeness of being alive and the power of human connection.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • How to Leave the House will be available from 2nd May with Little, Brown Book Group. I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title.
  • This title contains sensisitve subjects including self harm, pregnancy, underage sex, homophobia, antisemitism.

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