Bernard and the Cloth Monkey

by Judith Bryan

When Anita finally returns home to London after a long absence, everything has changed. Her father is dead; her mother is away; and she and her sister Beth are alone together for the first time in years. They share a house. They share a family. They share a past. Tentatively, they reach out to one another for connection, but the house echoes with words unspoken.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Race, Book Club

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 17, 1998

Reviews

[BookOfCinz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bernard and the Cloth Monkey is one of the books in the Black Britain Writing Back series that Bernardine Evaristo curated. This curation came out of the need for to bring back lost writing into circulation, especially books that tells of the Black Britain experience.

Judith Bryan writes a book that makes you think and thoroughly explores the theme of sisterhood, grief, trauma and mother-daughter relationships. The book opens up with the death of Bernard, the father and breadwinner of the house. With his death, his long suffering wife heads off to a Caribbean cruise with her sister. Beth is the daughter who decided to return home and assist her ailing father, even after he dies, she does not leave home. Beth’s sister Anita returns home after being gone for over two years, even with the death of her father she does not return home. With these two sisters being home together, a lot of family secrets are exposed, cracks emerges, and confrontation happens.

I felt this book was well written and told a strong story. Yes, there were some areas that I wish could be named or stated clearly. At times I felt I was second guessing what was happening in the book, so I do think the writing could be clearer- or maybe I am looking to be spoon fed.
If you love themes around sisterhood, mental illness and motherhood, this is a great place to start.

Judith Bryan is a great writer and I am happy I got to read this book.

[Eric Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernardine Evaristo made history when she was declared the joint winner of the Booker Prize in 2019. It's shocking that a black woman hadn't won the award before that point and “Girl, Woman, Other” has gone on to receive deserved success as a bestseller. It's great to see that Evaristo is using her fame to highlight black British writers from the past whose books went out of print by curating a series for Penguin Books called 'Black Britain, Writing Back.' These include newly reprinted editions of books by a variety of black writers focusing on different subjects in different genres. Evaristo states that these aren't meant to form a new canon, but begin to correct how “Black British writers rarely appear on these reading lists, are rarely taught to new generations of readers and unless they become commercial successes, their legacy very quickly disappears.”

I'm looking forward to exploring all the books in this series and the first book I read from it is Judith Bryan's “Bernard and the Cloth Monkey” which was first published in 1998 and won The Saga Prize. Anita or “An” returns to her family home in London after the death of her father. There she reconnects with her sister Beth who cared for their father during his illness. Their mother has gone on an extended holiday leaving the sisters alone together for the first time in years and this gives them time to sift through their troubled family past. As they care for and inhabit this home it takes on such a strong presence as the rooms seem laced with memories. The author evokes these through the eyes of the sisters whose narrative sometimes slips into the second person or takes on the characteristics of a fairy tale when describing the past. At first I found these shifts jarring but they came to make sense and feel very moving when I better understood the mentality of the sisters and the different traumatic events they experienced. It's a psychologically suspenseful story as well as a powerful portrait of the deleterious effects of complicit silence within the family home.

Read my full review of Bernard and the Cloth Monkey by Judith Bryan on LonesomeReader

[Udeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best fiction books I have ever read. A tender and beautifully written account of two sisters, their shared childhood and a reckoning with a dark past. A note perfect evocation of London in the 1970s and 80s. Thank goodness Bernadine Evaristo brought this gem back into print.

[Khai Jian (KJ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"At the end of the day, I was only given one mummy and one daddy. I had to make the most of them. Even if they didn't always make the most of me"

Winner of the 2019 Booker Prize, Bernardine Evaristo, curated a series called 'Black Britain, Writing Back' whereby a variety of books (from different genre) written by black writers are chosen by her and reprinted by Penguin Random House. Her aim is to "correct historic bias in British publishing and bring a wealth of lost writing back into circulation". This is such a generous and ambitious project and I would say, Bernard and the Cloth Monkey is truly a gem that needs to be rediscovered by readers!

Upon the death of her father Bernard, Anita decided to return to her family home in London. With her mother travelling, Anita was left with her sister Beth (who has been taking care of their father during his illness). Dark family secrets were unveiled thereafter. The story alternates between multiple timelines, memories (from the past and present), as well as the use of third and second person POVs. Interestingly, childhood stories were incorporated at the opening of certain chapters. I would admit that this is definitely very confusing as I am trying very hard to grasp the timelines and understand the metaphors that the author is trying to portray through these childhood stories. When I reached the end of the book, all the pieces start to fit together and it is truly a heartbreaking story.

*SPOILER WARNING* The author examined the theme of incest, teen pregnancy, domestic abuse, child beating by playing with the plot structure of the story. This is brilliant. Anita's traumatic experience and the aftermath (whereby she was affected mentally and psychologically) was brought out in a very unique and complex manner. The polarized characterization of Anita and Beth is definitely a highlight. The character arc is executed in perfection: the rivalry between sisters and at the end, redemption and reconciliation. Both sisters have experienced great misfortunes and they are definitely victims of the culture of silence. And I quote Evaristo's introduction: "The novel is a rebellion against silence, a testimony to the human capacity of survival and it shows the transformative power of literature at its best". Definitely a 5/5 star read. Thanks to Times Read for this amazing review copy!

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evocative, poignant, gorgeously written
Bryan is a master of language. She packs a lifetime of understanding into the most breathtakingly simple sentence, bringing the steaminess of a hot London summer to life.
The two sisters push and pull in that tragicomic dance all siblings know, both locked in their own suffering and self righteousness. A beautiful, slow burn. Highly recommended.

[Holliekins · Rating 3 out of 5]

An at times painful read about two sisters Beth and Anita rediscovering each other and their childhood home as well as facing up to the reality of their relationships with their parents - in particular their father - in the wake of his death and while their mother is away. I liked some the storytelling devices which included fairytale style writing to fill in these two women's back stories. I did want some of the text to be a little more explicit in some parts as it leaves the reader open to interpretation of what has happened in this family, however this makes for a good book group discussion. The absent father figure looms over the house with his words being echoed in the sisters' thoughts and what they say to each other as they come to terms with the past and the people that they have become and how this has been influenced by their parents. "At the end of the day, I was only given one mummy and one daddy. I had to make the most of them. Even if they didn't always make the most of me

[Leona the avid dash user · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to review Bernard and the Cloth Monkey without revealing any plot elements. As such, I'll keep my review as general as possible and in doing so, I will be depending heavily on Bernadine Evaristo's introduction.

In fact, Bernard and the Cloth Monkey is the second book I read from Evaristo's Black Britain: Writing Back series. This book could be labeled as domestic/ psychological fiction that diversifies the voices of Black women, especially in the context of mental health issues that are often buried under the overwhelmingly male-dominated publishing industry.

This novel is primarily a novel that touches on the topics of difficult childhoods and the ways upbringing shapes adulthood. Some of the issues explored in the novel include sexual abuse, absent or abusive parents, favoritism, racism, difficult family set-ups, dysfunctional mothering, the act of silencing/ discrediting victims, and the human capacity for survival. Essentially, this book highlights Anita and Beth's life after Anita's return to London following her father's death. However, the relationship between the two sisters does not reconcile after this long-awaited reunion and both of them are tired of each other's presence.
Both of them are trying their best to reach out to each other for connection, but the past memories, the rivalry and disapprovals between sisters, and the unspoken past always water down their efforts. The author's strength lies in her innovative and unconventional way of presenting multiple POVs of characters, whether it is in second or third person narrative, or in one switch of a paragraph, the story could be narrated via childhood stories or in the form of African folk tales. Impressive.

In summary, this book opens my perspective on the unheard stories of Black British Women in the British Culture. It's definitely an important representative picture of the country and also a powerful rebellion against silence and violence against women. Highly recommended.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up Bernard and the Cloth Monkey. I tend to read books that are much longer, most of which are over 400 pages, so I wasn't sure how I would deal with a book half that length. Would I have time to engage with and understand the characters, themes and plot? I was pleasantly surprised.
Bernard and the Cloth Monkey is a insightful look into coming to terms with shared trauma and abuse. The way it moves between characters, times and locations is seamless and compelling. The characters feel well thought out and real with their attitudes and interactions feeling real to who they are and their past experiences. Right from the start of the book you really get a feel of the situation and the emotions radiating from the prose.
The author does a great job constructing a family story with so many different layers in short book like this. By showing the complex nature of a family by the end you're left questioning actions taken by characters at the start of the book.
I enjoyed Bernard and the Cloth Monkey. The way it can communicate so much with out directly saying things made it great to read.
#BlackBritainWritingBack

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Bernadine Evaristo announced her intention to bring back lost works by Black British authors, I was intrigued and having now read "Bernard and the Cloth Monkey" I feel it's a heavy shame that it hasn't had the recognition it deserves. It's a rich and brilliantly crafted novel featuring the intense relationship between two sisters and an examination of toxic relationships, family dynamics, deep rooted secrets and coming of age. First published in 1990s, it feels fresh, contemporary and still very relevant today. The novel covers quite devastating themes which makes for bittersweet reading and I'd recommend reader discretion. Although heart-breaking at times, the story is delivered with skill and flair full of twists, turns and time-hops that make for a compelling read and one that will stay with you long after you've finished it. #BlackBritainWritingBack

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually I avoid novels that deal with child abuse or neglect, as I don't find it easy to engage with that kind of pain while reading fiction, something I do for pleasure. But I am glad to have read this book.
I invested in the Black Britain Writing Back series to hear from these voices that have been lost from the UK literary canon. According to the introduction from series curator Bernadine Evaristo, this award-winning book received little of the attention it deserved at launch, so I hope this new series will bring it the attention of a new audience. It deserves to be read.
The topic at hand is a difficult one, but it is presented with grace in beautiful prose. Judith Bryan tells the story of sisters Anita and Beth with real humanity, exposing their fears and foibles, as well as their strengths. The details of events past and present are often merely alluded to, but the sense we have of how the sisters feel is more than sufficient to fill in the gaps. Outstandingly well written. This story will stay with me for a long time.

[Hannah Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book and possibly a little highbrow for me. If I look at this as piece of literary fiction, it’s jarring and disjointed narrative is masterfully applied and mimics the complicated nature of family, especially those families touched by trauma and abuse. That being said, it was a difficult read, not a light Sunday afternoon novel. Worth a read.

[Gemma W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the painful story of two sisters who find themselves together again after the death of their father, and the secrets and tragedies of their family start to seep out.

The narrative flicks between past, present, memories, real and imaginary as the story of their past gradually starts to piece together. It is a really domestic type of novel where you really feel like you are there to witness these personal, resentful dialogues that are really the preserve of the family home. Behind the net curtains type of thing.

I'd advise as much as possible to reserve a long reading stretch for this as the shifts in time and memories was not always obvious, and I had a fair number of head scratching moments, especially when picking the book up again after a break in reading. I think much of this confusion was a deliberate attempt to depict the way our memories work and I very much enjoyed the reader joke about how complicated Russian novels were to follow because of all the variations in the characters names, when the girls then proceeded to refer to each other by a panoply of different nick names.

Should also mention that this book contain domestic abuse and violence, which people may prefer to know before picking this up.

This was second in the Writing Back series for me, and once again I really enjoyed this.

[Ki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly this is the first book in a long time that I won't be able to finish. I for it really difficult to follow what was going on which made the story feel very disjointed.

[Engrossed Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernard and the Cloth Monkey is a quietly harrowing look at a slice of West Indian culture in London's 1990's. The story of a fractured family is deftly revealed in present day conversations and as each daughter reminisce on their past. Just tragic.

Abusive relationships are shit for everyone involved, who isn't conducting or condoning the abuse. For example, an abused wife will put up with a lot because of the belief that there's no where else to go, how will this affect the children and that culturally held thought of " what will people say". Children who are abused and receive no support from the non/less abusive parent (or any trusted adult) are splintered and must remake themselves.

With no valid role models, how can a child do so and be whole, without numerous scars?

"Nothing happened, it's all in your head." - Mummy

It's not that easy to dismiss thoughts that you don't want to hear. You can intentionally not think about issues that disturb your equilibrium but it always remains in the back of your mind bubbling, occasionally revealing itself in quiet moments, violent actions, raised voices, disassociation.

We never get to meet Mummy and Daddy in the present day and that is a blessing as they are awful people. Daddy has recently died and Mummy has gone on a cruise. What we know of these parents are disclosed by their children.
Mummy ignores Ann, side lining her because it's easier than confronting her husband. Because whenever she has, Mummy has been pushed down verbally and physically. It becomes easier to turn her eye and cast the blame (her pent up anger and distress) anywhere but where it truly belongs.

The girls are pitted against each other and the sibling relationship is damaged as they seek security and love outside of the family home. This leads to misfortune, no devastation for both Ann and Beth

For all that it is a heart breaking, it is also an important read on domestic violence, sexual abuse and family relationships. I listened to the audiobook and really had to pause in places because it was hard going, particularly when a stray thought or throw away sentence illustrated another terrible occurrence.

The equal parts of rage and sadness leaves me with much more to say. I'm sure sometime soon, there will be a longer blog post on themes that I've yet to touch on or fully develop.

My thanks to The Libraries Consortium ( elibrary) and their curated list for Black History Month 2023: Saluting Our Sisters, for bringing this book to my attention.

[Mrs Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came to my attention via the new selection of books that have been picked for the 'Black Britain, Writing Back' series (penguin) curated by Bernadette Evaristo (first black women booker prize winner), who I have huge admiration for and continues to highlight the need to 'reconfigure black literary history'.

Bernard and the Cloth Monkey is a beautifully written book, telling us the story of sisters, An and Beth. An returns to the family home following the death of her father and the author, Judith Bryan, takes us on a journey of memories of a childhood of pain and confusion, gently weaving it's way through the traumatic marks this has left on them and how they've learnt to live and overcome them in their own way. I loved the way the house was used to tell the story, with gorgeous imagery, use of childhood stories to evoke the meaning of the past without telling you explicitly. It's not until the end that all the pieces fit together. It's a book I know if I read again, it will give me more and more.

Can't wait to read the rest of the 'Black Britain, Writing Back' series and I look forward to Judith Bryan's next book!

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

'She was like a bird. A sad bird, but somehow indomitable, like an eagle.'

This is a powerful exploration of childhood trauma from two sisters perspective.

It is begins with the death of Bernard, the patriach of the family, who immigrated from the Caribbean with the aim of providing a better life for his family.

Beth, the oldest daughter has stayed near the family home and moved back to help her mother nurse her dying father.

'An' refers to herself as the prodigal child and had missed her father's death and funeral. When she arrives home, her mother has left on a cruise with an Aunt.

'An' reconnects with her sister and family home, noticing the changes and the things that remain. An's twin sister Greta is also referred to and what happened to her is implied.

This book displays how the past and the present are always in interplay and can trigger traumatic memories.

It shows how the silence in a family is toxic. The unspoken consent. The blind eye is just as culpable as the perpetrator.

However the ending does feel hopeful. That a person can become more than their past.

[Rebecc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Bernardine Evaristo for bringing this fascinating book by Judith Bryan back into the public eye. It's about a family & the various dynamics between the 3 sisters (a pair of twins & an older sister) & the parents, complicated by a somewhat toxic environment including domestic violence. There are many interesting aspects of this novel; Anita & Beth's stories are told most thoroughly & the 3rd sister barely at all for a good reason. By the time of the novel's setting the father is dead & the mother absent on a cruise (I would dearly have loved to have heard an account of her marriage from this character). Despite being a few years since publication Bryan's writing still feels fresh & vital & I was constantly reminded as I read that no-one ever knows what goes on behind closed front doors & even within a household. Every family has it's secrets, some darker than others & it's fascinating reading about them!!

[Taiwo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of Hamish Hamilton’s (Penguin) Black Britain Writing Back series curated by Bernadine Evaristo, with the aim of republishing books from Black British authors that have been out of circulation, which is an amazing mission. Saddens me to think that I probably wouldn’t have read this incredible book without it!

Was fortunate to meet Judith Bryan recently and heading her read a passage from this book, I was immediately hooked by the storytelling, and the rest of the book certainly did not disappoint. Bryan writes beautifully and really captures the nuances of a dysfunctional family and sibling relationship. Bryan also keeps an air of mystery throughout about Anita’s past (and what she’s capable of) which had me wanting to make time throughout the day so that I could devour the book.

Bryan mentioned that being selected for this anthology has given her the confidence to write again and so I very much look forward to reading whatever she writes next!!

[Rieper42 · Rating 1 out of 5]

In this novel significant choices have been made that sacrifice narrative flow for artistic vision. Each line break poses the reader several questions for the upcoming section. Will this be past or present? Will it be Anita or Beth? Which of the many names (one of which 'An' is easily confused with an indefinite article) will be deployed to refer to them? Will it be happening or imagined? Will it be third or second person? And who is the second person narrative supposed to be?

Each re-orientation ejects the reader from the narrative and the novel is not interested in helping them reconnect. It grapples with difficult themes to be sure, but the difficulty in reading comes more from the text than the subject. And I do see what the novel was intending to convey with this, I just don't think it was a good idea.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of grief, mental illness, abuse, familial relationships, forgiveness and healing.

A somewhat chaotic writing style that’s reflective of these themes, the story gradually reveals the lives of the two sisters, Anita and Beth, the happy, the sad, the trauma, and finally, the healing.

The writing style is a little challenging and the story often leaves the reader to draw their own conclusions as opposed to being explicit with the details. However it is a powerful and hopeful story of the strength and resilience of human nature.

[KFK · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a book. A non-stop one day read describes it already as a great book. Its fiction that describes so many realities we still try to hide, not believe, keep "in the house".

I thought the writing itself was a bit confusing, took me a while to understand what was what and who was talking. But other than that the story gave goosebumps, made me feel sick, made me cry and smile. Life is not just about your privilege of gender or colour, but also the safety and support when growing up. All of this shapes us.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a difficult review to write. So much beauty in the writing, evoking images which were often difficult to read. The ability to survive and adapt is captured vividly and the subject of difficult childhood memories and the intricacies of family secrets is so thought provoking. Bryan skilfully layers the chapters one upon another until we begin to understand the complexity of the psyche of someone who has suffered terribly. Not an easy read because of this, but perhaps an important one.

[Sophy H · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was disappointingly all over the place.

The story jumped around in time, the narrative jumped around in character perspective, the setting felt inconsistent. This just didn't work for me at all. And the subject matter of childhood sexual abuse; in all honesty if I'd known the story was about that then I probably wouldn't have picked this book up at all.

Back to the library for you Sonny Jim!

[Nyasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bryan's writing of the characters and description was great but I found the book overall not so enjoyable. While it does touch on family, healing and trauma well, I kind of wanted more. I thought Greta was actually Anita's dead twin and she had an 'unfortuante attack' or something from one of the parents.

I did think Beth's story was the highlight of the book. But now my only question to the author is why it was called Bernard and the Cloth Monkey? I'm curious.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of two sisters dealing with the death of their father and coming to terms with their own lives. The book slowly reveals secrets within the family and the impact upon the reader , as we learn of the complicated relationships each had with their father, is emotionally difficult. This was an excellent read which should be better well known but is introduced by Bernadine Evaristo as part of her personally curated series of 'Black Britain' fiction.

[Toksyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

TW: Themes of physical and emotional abuse as well as child sexual assault.

This book needed an extreme Trigger Warning for the casual descriptions of the varying child abuse (emotional and physical) themes including sexual assault by multiple perpetrators including the deceased father. The storytelling being disjointed and jumping between different time zones also didn't help.

Though I can imagine this would have been a revolutionary book when it was first released.

[Jaward · Rating 5 out of 5]

heartbreaking, I wanted to reach through the pages and pull An into a big tight hug. Been a long time since a book has made me feel that way about a character. Heavy subject matter and abuse warnings though

[Liberty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully, movingly and intriguingly written.

However, I did feel uncomfortable about how much blame seemed to be placed on the mother for not protecting her children from abuse by the father who was also abusing her.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly heartbreaking.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5