Hobsons Choice

In the illustrious pages of "Hobsons Choice," Harold Brighouse invites you to ponder the age-old conundrum of choice—or the lack thereof. Set against the backdrop of a bustling cobbled street in Salford, this 1967 edition from Samuel French serves as a delightful reminder that not all journeys lead to enlightenment, especially when your protagonist seems hell-bent on making the most curious selections imaginable. It’s a bit like asking a toddler to choose between Brussels sprouts and chocolate cake: amusingly chaotic and undeniably messy.

Picture, if you will, a world where the only choice you have is between the delightful option of “take it or leave it” and the rather less enticing “take it or leave it.” Brighouse’s characters swagger through the plot with all the grace of a one-legged pigeon, providing ample fodder for readers who enjoy ironic twists and the sort of societal commentary that might have made a Victorian gentleman clutch his pearls in dismay. Will they find true love? Or are they merely destined to stare at the cold, unyielding brick walls of their own making? Spoiler alert: it’s probably the latter.

The dialogue crackles like a cheap firework on a damp night, leaving you unsure whether to laugh or cringe. We’re introduced to the various characters who flit in and out like bad memories: a stubborn father, a downtrodden daughter, and a suitor so clueless he could trip over a rainbow. Each character is a delightful caricature, as if Brighouse gathered the local townsfolk for tea and asked them to share their quirkiest traits before weaving them into a narrative tapestry. You might find yourself wondering how many cups of tea were consumed during the writing of this delightful absurdity.

Now, let’s not forget that this book, while charming, comes with its own set of peculiarities. The 1967 edition may be used, but that merely adds to its character—or so we like to tell ourselves. What was once a perfectly pristine volume now shows the battle scars of time, much like the lives of the characters within. Each dog-eared page serves as a testament to the countless readers who have thumbed through its depths, perhaps hoping for a flicker of wisdom or a hint of romance. Instead, they got a masterclass in irony and an appreciation for life’s more absurd choices.

The themes that waft through the pages are as subtle as a brick through a window. Choices, or rather the lack of them, form the backbone of the narrative. As you plough through the witty yet curiously bleak observations, you may find yourself pondering the nature of free will while also contemplating what to have for dinner. Will it be fish and chips or beans on toast? The endless possibilities might just lead you to a complete existential crisis—or at the very least, a debate with yourself over the merits of mushy peas.

Condition: This book is a used specimen, which means it has lived a life as rich as the characters within. The pages may be slightly yellowed, with the occasional scribbled note from a previous owner who had thoughts about the existential musings of the narrative. Perhaps they were hopeful for deep insight into their own choices, or maybe they just wanted to remind themselves that, like our protagonists, they too were stuck between a rock and a hard place—though their rock might have been a particularly stubborn loaf of bread.

So if you fancy a read that’s as nostalgic as it is perplexing, “Hobsons Choice” is your ticket to literary galas where the only dress code is a slightly bemused expression. Discover the charm of a bygone era, enjoy the absurdity of life’s dilemmas, and reflect on the decisions that led you to pick this book up in the first place. Available now at Crappy Old Books, where we celebrate all things quirky, ironic, and just a little bit worn around the edges.

It also has a programme for No No Nanette by the Emmanuel Players.

Keep browsing: See more Poetry books Other books by Harold Brighouse