# Exploring Male Estrangement in Rupert Thomson's Dartmouth Park
Written on
Chapter 1: The Awakening
In the opening scene of Rupert Thomson's recent novel, Dartmouth Park, readers are instantly immersed in a familiar yet unsettling experience reminiscent of a panic attack. A seemingly innocuous event jolts the protagonist, Philip Notman, into a state of distress, where the world around him shifts and nothing feels secure. While a part of him recognizes that his reaction is irrational, this awareness does little to quell the overwhelming dread that engulfs him.
Picture a caged bird observing an oven suddenly engulfed in flames: the information is there, yet the ability to act is absent. For Philip, this triggering moment occurs in Bergen, Norway, where he is attending an academic conference. The simple sound of a woman scanning her tram card sends him spiraling into a profound realization of the artificiality that defines modern existence, leaving him feeling ensnared.
Navigating the journey back to London, Philip ultimately arrives at Dartmouth Park, where he lives with his wife, Anya, in a home they could only afford due to a significant inheritance from her family. It becomes evident to both Philip and the reader that his unsettling experience in Norway was not a fleeting episode; rather, it signals a deeper transformation within him.
Chapter 2: A Journey to Reconnect
Feeling unable to articulate his inner turmoil to Anya, Philip embarks on a trip to Cadiz to reunite with Inès, a captivating Spanish colleague with whom he shared a fortuitous day during the conference tour in Bergen. Surrounded by exquisite music in a serene country estate, the two find themselves enveloped in beauty, leaving Philip feeling momentarily enchanted. He believes this rekindling of joy and wonder is what precipitated his subsequent mental health crisis on the tram.
The narrative initially leads the reader to anticipate a conventional portrayal of a mid-life crisis characterized by predictable milestones: feelings of discontent, erratic life choices (such as fleeing to Spain without explanation), and a potential affair with a younger, alluring woman. However, Thomson charts an unconventional path for Philip, steering him away from simple pleasures and toward a more profound resistance against contemporary Western life.
Chapter 3: The Discontent with Modernity
Through his eloquent and poetic writing style, Thomson adeptly challenges the reader’s preconceived notions about 21st-century life. By the novel's conclusion, Philip’s rejection of the "civilization sickness" that pervades modern London—characterized by its utilitarian nature, noise, and soul-sapping qualities—seems to resonate as the only rational response.
A particularly striking moment occurs when Philip observes the comical yet bleak reactions of white-collar workers missing their bus. Philip's internal struggle is compounded by the haunting presence of his 19-year-old son, Seth, whose earlier struggles remain a persistent undercurrent in Philip's growing disdain for the society that has caused his son considerable distress.
As Philip’s journey unfolds, a stay in Greece ignites a spiritual awakening, leading him to embrace the sentiment: "If your cause is just, you take up arms." Dartmouth Park stands out for its candid exploration of mental health as a legitimate, perhaps even enlightened, response to the challenges of contemporary existence. Philip never wavers in viewing his anxiety as a natural reaction to a society that offers mere consumerism as a remedy for life's harsh realities.
Section 3.1: The Complexity of Urban Life
For those familiar with London, Philip's deep-seated aversion to the city may reflect more of his personal struggles than an accurate representation of the vibrant metropolis. While the London Underground may be a marvel of modernity, Philip perceives it through a lens of disillusionment. His disdain for contemporary life raises questions about his perspective, particularly given his low-tech inclinations. He requires assistance from his friend Jess to create a simple chyron for his YouTube video, often forgetting his phone and showing little interest in retrieving it.
In contrast to the frenetic, self-referential tone seen in contemporary works, such as Patricia Lockwood's No One Is Talking About This, Thomson's Dartmouth Park feels somewhat out of sync with the present day. Philip's discontent with modern conveniences—airports, buses, and healthcare—does not feel entirely novel, suggesting a timelessness in his struggles.
Chapter 4: The Enigmatic Protagonist
Thomson's masterful writing brings certain scenes to life with vivid clarity, evoking a sense of nostalgia for moments that feel almost tangible. Philip’s transformative experience while driving to a monastery in Greece is reminiscent of an exquisite painting brought to life. Despite the challenges of navigating Philip's anxiety, the portrayal of his experiences remains one of the most authentic renditions I have encountered in literature.
Yet, Dartmouth Park possesses a distancing quality, perhaps reflecting Thomson's struggle to deeply engage with Philip Notman. While Philip is at times unlikable, his own enigmatic nature leaves him largely a mystery to the reader. This intentional ambiguity serves to dilute the urgency of his journey, culminating in an ending that feels abrupt and somewhat insincere.
Section 4.1: The Heart of the Matter
At the novel's core lies Seth, whose presence could have illuminated Philip's existential crises. He represents the key to understanding Philip's emotional turmoil, adding depth to the narrative.
The British tendency toward emotional restraint may explain the absence of the frenetic energy found in Lockwood's prose, yet it is the former style that more accurately encapsulates the relentless trap of modern Western life. Philip's lamentation about the pace of life in 2023 highlights a deeper danger: the distraction from tangible reality and the insistence that one's online persona is the more genuine self. This struggle against digital addiction is notably absent from Philip's narrative.
In conclusion, Dartmouth Park is a beautifully crafted exploration of male estrangement and existential reflection. It invites readers to delve into the complexities of modern life through its lyrical prose. It is a must-read.