The Elected Member by Bernice Rubens

 

First edition cover
Author	Bernice Rubens
Language	English
Publisher	Eyre & Spottiswoode
Publication date	1969
Publication place	Wales
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)

The Elected Member is a novel by Welsh writer Bernice Rubens. It won the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1970.

Plot

[edit]

The novel's main character is Norman Zweck, who is addicted to amphetamines and is convinced that he sees silverfish wherever he goes.

Awards

[edit]

The Elected Member won the 1970 Booker Prize. This made Rubens the first woman (and as of 2021, the only Welsh author) to win the prize.^[1]

The Elected Member by Bernice Rubens is a dark, psychological novel that explores themes of mental illness, family dynamics, and the complexities of human relationships. Published in 1969, it was the first novel by Rubens to receive significant attention and is often considered one of her most powerful works.

The story centers around a Jewish family in London, particularly focusing on the character of Emanuel, a brilliant but troubled young man who is suffering from a mental breakdown. He has been elected to a prestigious position within the family, but as the novel unfolds, his mental state deteriorates, and his descent into madness becomes more evident.

The plot revolves around the interactions between Emanuel and his family, especially his father, who is desperate to hold the family together, and his brother, who struggles with his own sense of guilt and responsibility. The novel offers a poignant exploration of how mental illness affects not just the individual, but also those around them, and the delicate balance between love, duty, and the inability to truly understand another person's internal struggles.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Elected Member is Rubens’ ability to depict the inner turmoil of her characters with a deep sense of empathy and psychological insight. The novel delves into the human condition with a focus on the family dynamic, exploring themes such as sacrifice, the limitations of familial love, and the challenges of coping with mental illness. It is both an intimate portrait of a family in crisis and a broader commentary on the struggle for identity, control, and understanding.

The Elected Member won the 1970 Booker Prize, which helped to establish Bernice Rubens as one of the most important voices in contemporary British literature. Her writing is known for its complexity and the emotional depth she brings to her characters, and this novel is no exception.

If you're interested, I can explore more about Rubens' other works or the themes of The Elected Member in greater detail. Let me know!