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Offcomer
An honest, affecting work of fiction about a young woman’s search for her place in the world, Offcomer is the powerful first novel from the acclaimed author of Longbourn . Against the backdrop of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, recent Oxford graduate Claire is a mess. She’s trapped in a disastrous relationship with a young academic, working a dead end job, stunned by the emergence of secrets from her mother’s past, and seemingly addicted to self-destructive behavior. But like the ceasefire that has brought renewed hope to Belfast, Claire too is afforded an opportunity to reflect, gradually learning to accept herself and to discover her sense of self-esteem and self-worth. Unflinching in its depictions of the uncertainties of youth, Offcomer (“An arresting debut” — The Independent (London)) is a novel of real and quiet power, from literary star Jo Baker.
308 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
17 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Jo Baker
19 books984 followersJo Baker is the author of six novels, most recently Longbourn and A Country Road, A Tree. She has also written for BBC Radio 4, and her short stories have been included in a number of anthologies. She lives in Lancaster, England, with her husband, the playwright and screenwriter Daragh Carville, and their two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 14, 2014
Beautiful writing. Terrible characters and plot. Would I recommend this book? No. But I do look forward to another book by this author if the story is better.
July 25, 2017
Claire Thomas is young, beautiful and smart. But she doesn't seem to know that. When we look in on her, we see she has made some terrible life choices, chief of which is her pathetic excuse for a boyfriend. She's followed him from Oxford to his home in Belfast, where there seems to be very little for her. She's an "offcomer", someone who just blew in to new territory where she doesn't really fit in.
Claire is depressed, and it's hard to understand many of her choices. But the story rings very, very true. When you're down, it's hard to do things to make yourself happy again. Yet Claire is not hopeless.
This book is very compelling, very real. It is the first novel of a great storyteller. I like this better than Baker's "Longbourn", and maybe not quite so much as "A Country Road, A Tree".
Claire is depressed, and it's hard to understand many of her choices. But the story rings very, very true. When you're down, it's hard to do things to make yourself happy again. Yet Claire is not hopeless.
This book is very compelling, very real. It is the first novel of a great storyteller. I like this better than Baker's "Longbourn", and maybe not quite so much as "A Country Road, A Tree".
July 23, 2016
i was a young woman living in belfast when i read this ... i think it was a little too close proximity-wise to really draw me out of myself. though i remember slightly enjoying the surreality of reading a hyper-realistic account of walking down a street, and then walking down exactly the same street later that day. the writing is beautiful and peaceful, but often too internally focused to really connect with me.
May 31, 2017
I really wanted to feel some compassion for Clair, a recent Oxford grad with no goals, back in Belfast and making poor choices one after the other. Couldn't do it, so I quit.
January 17, 2023
Given how many negative reviews this book has, I was prepared for it to suck, but I actually liked it. I am a big Jo Baker fan, and I thought she did a great job of showing how being in an abusive relationship can destroy a young woman's sense of self. I also think Baker almost always nails the endings of her book, so that even if I was lukewarm on it in the middle, I still really like how everything concludes.
May 31, 2016
Reissue of a Very Ordinary Debut Novel
"Jo Baker, bestselling author of Longbourn," it says on the cover. The success of her novel imagining the below-stairs life at the home of Jane Austen's Bennett family has encouraged the publishers to bring out a US edition of her debut novel from 2002. But this is a totally different side to the author. Instead of an imagined slice of social history from the early nineteenth century, we get a pretty ordinary "what do I do now I've left college?" story from the early twenty-first.
Being from Ulster myself, I was attracted by the promise of its setting: "Against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, recent Oxford graduate Claire is in a mess. [...] But like the ceasefire that has brought renewed hope to Belfast, Claire too is afforded an opportunity to reflect." This blurb is totally misleading. Parts of the novel are set in Belfast, right enough; there is a detailed description of the streets that Claire walks along from the University area to her job in a riverfront bar. But there is no reference whatsoever to either the Troubles or the ceasefire, except for a brief mention of armored vehicles three pages from the end.
So what do we have left? A fairly typical first novel, presumably semi-autobiographical. Claire, like the author, goes to Belfast after completing an English degree at Oxford. She is accompanying her boyfriend Alan, who has got a junior position in Philosophy at Queen's University. The reader can quickly tell that Alan is not at all right for Claire, and indeed they have split up before the main action begins. Claire is living with a not-quite friend, and working in a dead-end job at a bar; she is also given to cutting herself. After a couple of bad nights at the bar and the mistake of slipping into the wrong bed, she heads home to her village in what seem to be the southern fringes of the English Lake District. Here, various other subplots kick in: her mother's evasiveness about her Jewish ancestry, and Claire's envy of her best schoolfriend, Jen.
But none of these come to much. Baker has an annoying habit of jumping around in time and from one viewpoint to another. But techniques that have a purpose in Faulkner just seem directionless here. There is no momentum, little point. The author has a particular fondness for remarks that are portentous but unexplained. Towards the end of a reunion with Jen, for example, Claire thinks, "This is wrong. This is immeasurably, irredeemably wrong." What? I read the page again, then the whole chapter that precedes it, and although I can sort of see what she might have been referring to, it certainly does not merit that kind of reaction. In many places, the narrative sequence is hard to follow, and it is harder still to care—at least unless you are a twenty-something young woman.
I suspect that this was the novel that Baker had to get off her chest before she could go on to better things, such as Longbourn. It might have been better kept in the drawer.
"Jo Baker, bestselling author of Longbourn," it says on the cover. The success of her novel imagining the below-stairs life at the home of Jane Austen's Bennett family has encouraged the publishers to bring out a US edition of her debut novel from 2002. But this is a totally different side to the author. Instead of an imagined slice of social history from the early nineteenth century, we get a pretty ordinary "what do I do now I've left college?" story from the early twenty-first.
Being from Ulster myself, I was attracted by the promise of its setting: "Against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, recent Oxford graduate Claire is in a mess. [...] But like the ceasefire that has brought renewed hope to Belfast, Claire too is afforded an opportunity to reflect." This blurb is totally misleading. Parts of the novel are set in Belfast, right enough; there is a detailed description of the streets that Claire walks along from the University area to her job in a riverfront bar. But there is no reference whatsoever to either the Troubles or the ceasefire, except for a brief mention of armored vehicles three pages from the end.
So what do we have left? A fairly typical first novel, presumably semi-autobiographical. Claire, like the author, goes to Belfast after completing an English degree at Oxford. She is accompanying her boyfriend Alan, who has got a junior position in Philosophy at Queen's University. The reader can quickly tell that Alan is not at all right for Claire, and indeed they have split up before the main action begins. Claire is living with a not-quite friend, and working in a dead-end job at a bar; she is also given to cutting herself. After a couple of bad nights at the bar and the mistake of slipping into the wrong bed, she heads home to her village in what seem to be the southern fringes of the English Lake District. Here, various other subplots kick in: her mother's evasiveness about her Jewish ancestry, and Claire's envy of her best schoolfriend, Jen.
But none of these come to much. Baker has an annoying habit of jumping around in time and from one viewpoint to another. But techniques that have a purpose in Faulkner just seem directionless here. There is no momentum, little point. The author has a particular fondness for remarks that are portentous but unexplained. Towards the end of a reunion with Jen, for example, Claire thinks, "This is wrong. This is immeasurably, irredeemably wrong." What? I read the page again, then the whole chapter that precedes it, and although I can sort of see what she might have been referring to, it certainly does not merit that kind of reaction. In many places, the narrative sequence is hard to follow, and it is harder still to care—at least unless you are a twenty-something young woman.
I suspect that this was the novel that Baker had to get off her chest before she could go on to better things, such as Longbourn. It might have been better kept in the drawer.
March 1, 2015
I did something I don't think I've ever done before; I read the first 100 pages and then skipped to read the last 20. I hated the book and was about to abandon, but I was very curious about how Claire would end up, so I decided to finish the book without wadding through all the confusing, depressing, slow narration in the middle. I might have been able to stick with the book if all of horrible Alan's POV had been edited out. He made me want to throw the book across the room.
June 9, 2019
In Offcomer, Claire Thomas is a young woman from the North of England who, following her graduation from Oxford, has moved with her boyfriend Alan to Belfast, where he has found employment as an academic at a university. The time is the late 1990s, and a fragile truce prevails between opposing factions in Northern Ireland, though tensions remain high. An only child of a doting father (now disabled by a stroke) and emotionally withholding mother, Claire is habitually unsure of herself and her place in the world. She and Alan met in a drawing class, where he excelled but the only conclusion Claire reached was that she was wasting her time because she had no talent. Initially optimistic and forward looking, after the move to Ireland Claire discovers that living with a moody, controlling, career-driven narcissist is no easy thing. Often, she is reluctant to return home after work, and, when there, finds herself tip-toeing around the flat, navigating a wary path around Alan’s aggressive mix of disapproval, sexual need, jealous mistrust and petulant displays of stony indifference. Though employed at a pub and interacting regularly with other people, some of whom are considerate and even kind to her, Claire remains convinced that as an “offcomer,” she will never really belong or fit in, and, moreover, that she doesn’t deserve to. The reader learns early in the book that the political situation is not the only thing that is fraught and fragile: Claire’s state of mind is equally so, a fact that is presented in graphic fashion in the opening scene of the novel, in which we witness her engaged in an act of disfiguring self-harm. Claire, as it turns out, doesn’t feel at home anywhere, including inside her own skin, and her life is a constant struggle with crippling indecisiveness and self-loathing. Jo Baker’s quietly powerful and wrenchingly claustrophobic debut novel chronicles Claire Thomas’s slow escape out from under a condition of emotional dependency on a man who cares about nothing but himself and whose behaviour toward her is calculated to snuff out any spark of self-esteem that might light her day, and into a fragile truce with herself in which she learns trust and how to accept the spontaneous generosity of people who give freely without expectation of return. Along the way, her longing for an emotional connection with another human being causes her to make some poor decisions, and a discovery about her family is both painful and liberating. Admittedly, Offcomer is a novel that demands patience of the reader: the story of Claire’s small gains and gradual emergence into self-awareness is related at a measured pace. But the novel is written with great assurance, and readers who persevere to the end will find their patience amply rewarded.
July 2, 2018
This is a beautifully written book about a woman who finds herself in a very dark place. Baker nails that feeling that’s let’s you know she has been there. It’s a compelling tale of depression and the depths that we all find ourselves in at some point - and she ends it with the hopefulness that there always is. Claire is a nicely developed character and although she’s done something very wrong, it’s hard to to feel for her, empathize with her and find yourself pulling for her. Nicely done and easy to read novel.
June 18, 2019
I listened to this book while I was doing other things - so I lost my place numerous times. I also wasn't drawn into the story, which was a problem too.
I did gather that it was about a young woman who suffers from low self esteem. She "cuts" herself to mask the pain she feels. Her boyfriend treats her terribly, adding to her lack of self confidence. There is hope for Claire at the end of the story as she struggles to find her place in the world.
I did gather that it was about a young woman who suffers from low self esteem. She "cuts" herself to mask the pain she feels. Her boyfriend treats her terribly, adding to her lack of self confidence. There is hope for Claire at the end of the story as she struggles to find her place in the world.
August 11, 2023
I’m never sure how to rate a book that’s well-written and perceptive and real, but that I didn’t particularly enjoy. I was impatient with the main character, and found this book put-down-able for that reason, but I’d happily read something else by this author.
February 4, 2018
Weird
January 31, 2019
Another book that I really wanted to like but had a hard time with the way the story jumped around and following the family story line.
April 22, 2021
did not finish. got half way thru hoping it would get better. It did not. Have liked her other books.
May 20, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up...just not a huge fan. I had high hopes because it is mostly set in Belfast but mostly it was just a bit of a slog.
August 1, 2015
What a waste. The best part of this book was the description on the back cover, which is why I bought it, and the back cover is misleading. The only example I can give not a "spoiler" is the back cover says the book is "set against the background of The Troubles in Northern Ireland." That would lead a reasonable person to assume there might be something in the novel about The Troubles in Nothern Ireland. Other than a few references in passing, there is not. The secrets the female protagonist's mother was hiding, by which Claire is "stunned," would leave most of us yawning. Nobody in the book is particularly likeable (in fairness, they are not unlikable either; they just are.) EVERYONE IS FOCUSED ONLY ON THEMSELVES. The main thing is that "there is no there there." Nothing really happens in this novel. It is all descriptive. Some of the descriptions are lovely, and, after awhile, I wanted to shout, "STOP JUST OBSERVING AND DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!" So it goes," Kurt Vonnegut would say. Think an unlikable version of John Barth's "End of the Road." OBVIOUSLY, I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.
August 23, 2015
Right off the bat, if you loved Longbourn, know that this book is not that. The writing is quite good, though sometimes the switch from one time period to another is a little hard to follow. However, it becomes apparent that this is not actually that important, as the book is not so much about "what happens" as about who the main character, Claire, is. Or who she thinks she might be or might become, or who she was. It's a character study of a girl who's attended university at Oxford and is too easily swayed by those around her, how she deals with her self-doubt and lack of confidence... which lead her into a relationship (or two) which are not appropriate for who she could be. Even that is not as important as her struggle within. But, for me, the story was not as compelling and well-crafted as Longbourn. Partly I was reading it because she writes well and I want to improve my own writing. So, it's a pretty quick read if you want a book like that.
Read
April 17, 2015Claire, recent Oxford grad, is in Belfast, living with Alan, a sullen, self-posessed git and working in a pub, barely making ends meet. She self-harms with a razor.
When she goes home, she realizes that the famiky history that her Mother has touted all these years is simply make believe. Her friend, Jen, has become a different person than she was in childhood.
Back in Belfast, she has a one-off with Paul,Grainne's beau.
Story skips around in time.
She begins to find herself thanks to Gareth, her boss at the pub. He sees the good in her and how circumstance has conspired against her. He gives her her job back at the pub, promotes her, gives her a room in his house And tells her to stop cutting. She decides to start drawing again.
Beautifully written. Didn't really understand the part about her Mom's family.
When she goes home, she realizes that the famiky history that her Mother has touted all these years is simply make believe. Her friend, Jen, has become a different person than she was in childhood.
Back in Belfast, she has a one-off with Paul,Grainne's beau.
Story skips around in time.
She begins to find herself thanks to Gareth, her boss at the pub. He sees the good in her and how circumstance has conspired against her. He gives her her job back at the pub, promotes her, gives her a room in his house And tells her to stop cutting. She decides to start drawing again.
Beautifully written. Didn't really understand the part about her Mom's family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2012
Jo Baker is a writer from somewhere quite close to where I live and I must admit the only reason I picked this book up in town was because she was signing copies. It took me a number of days to get through this book as I found the characters and story itself just didn't stick with me as other books I have read recently have. I can identify with the central character Claire, and the fact that she considers herself an outsider within the society in which she lives and works, but that is as far as my attachment to this book really goes. I don't plan on reading it again and it's not one I would recommend.
July 15, 2016
Chose this book because so enjoyed Jo Baker's Longbourn. Expecting the same quality, I eagerly dove in. Managed to get to the end of the book (with difficulty) and ended up disappointed. The central character is a "cutter" who self-inflicts wounds on various parts of her body. It's never clear to this reader what exactly fuels her self-loathing. She's portrayed as the consummate loser and it's tiring to read about her comings and goings (in long, descriptive passages that this reader easily got lost in.) A sub-plot involving her mother, photographs, foster kids, etc. left me equally lost as to the narrative purpose of it. Hence, I cannot recommend it as an enjoyable read.
July 26, 2018
A good first novel.
Didn't like the characters but think that was in part intended as the main character didn't seem to like herself. Not keen on the way the narrative jumped around from place to place and time to time but in saying that it did all make sense. Would have liked a more workable outcome with regards to Claire's mother as this seemed to be left in the air, did they or didn't they find out any history, as this appears to be part of the problem Claire faces.
In spite of this I did enjoy it and could relate with Claire and the way the story ended.
Didn't like the characters but think that was in part intended as the main character didn't seem to like herself. Not keen on the way the narrative jumped around from place to place and time to time but in saying that it did all make sense. Would have liked a more workable outcome with regards to Claire's mother as this seemed to be left in the air, did they or didn't they find out any history, as this appears to be part of the problem Claire faces.
In spite of this I did enjoy it and could relate with Claire and the way the story ended.
Read
March 4, 2015I can't decide how I felt about this book; it felt very raw and real, but none of the characters were particularly likeable. Claire was a bit, mostly because I identified with some of her self-consciousness and feelings of being outside and inadequate. I felt sympathy for her, and pity, and while I was glad she grown quite a bit by the end I wanted to see a bit more.
January 23, 2015
In this early novel by the author of Longbourn, Claire is trying to find her way in Belfast after finishing college. Although none of the characters are likable, kept me reading with her great writing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
June 28, 2015
I read over half of the book and my husband told me it was due. I sent it back. I just didn't understand the character, I didn't want to understand her and this book just dragged. It was very disjointed and had few, if any, redeemable characters.
May 26, 2023
The writing is excellent but this is her first novel and it shows.. didn't finish, glad I discovered her later works which are sensational
February 20, 2015
My least favorite of this author's novels.
May 19, 2015
Beautifully written but very slow. Took me forever to get through ½ the book and it is doing nothing for me. I'm abandoning the book.
June 6, 2015
I didn't finish the book. The second chapter had some questionable activities so I stopped. I was hoping this book would be like Longbourn however it is the total opposite.
February 2, 2016
This book started off slow but by the end I was pretty involved in the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews