Seven Types of Ambiguity: a book destined to become a classic

Seven Types of Ambiguity by Elliot Pearlman could be called a psychological thriller. To, me this would suggest that the reader is on the edge of their seat while dangerous mind games are played out with dire consequences. This very long book is definitely enthralling, and, yes there will be dire outcomes of life and death.

But it is more than a psychological thriller! It is a book of scholarly literary adventure with great depth into so many facets of our mind and of human behaviour. It is also a story of so many kinds and lengths of love and is. therefore, a romance as well. For me, it is a very complex book to review.

Elliot Perlman has woven, and refers to, the literary skill of William Empson, who wrote the original Seven Types of Ambiguity in 1930 (more in relation to poetry). He very skilfully uses ambiguity as continuing thread throughout.

Each of the seven sections of this saga is introduced so that the reader is lead into the minds of the main characters. It takes just the right amount of time for the reader to realise who is telling their story and to whom they are addressing their account. Each person owns their story so that in one person’s telling I became caught in varying emotions, such as empathy, sympathy, understanding, dislike, disgust, abhorrence, anguish and curiosity for the individual. Most of these feelings changed when the same story and perspective was told by another key player.

The beginning is intriguing and took a while to figure out. Who is the storyteller? Who is he addressing the story to? It appears that Simon, an out of work school teacher, is going to be the central character and the narrator is a psychiatrist. (Much later in Part 3, the latter’s name is revealed as Alex Klima). 

In this first chapter, adult parenting of their children, unrequited love, obsessive behaviour, prostitution, politics, ideology and of course the power of ambiguity in our language all set the scene for the introduction of Anna, Simon’s girlfriend of 10 years ago, Angela, a very special prostitute, Joe, ‘businessman’ and now husband of Anna, Empson, delightful dog owned by Simon and, most importantly, six year old Sam, only son of Anna and Joe.

One afternoon Sam disappears from school. The chain of events that follow leave the reader spellbound. This event has a profound effect on everyone even though Sam is unharmed and missing for only a short while. The reading of this book has also had a profound effect on me as it will, I believe, to a universal audience.

There are so many issues addressed by Elliot Perlman including political wheeling and dealing within our government, medical issues and practices, Work Cover, police cold-bloodedness within the boundaries (and outside) the law, maximum security prison, empty marriages and social hypocrisy, education, lust, love, morality, immorality, the ruthlessness of businessmen, gambling and the stock market, powerlessness and loyalty and friendship that is almost inexplicable, deep and powerful.

While so often including the verse of poetry as a means of communication and expression of thoughts and philosophical ideology Perlman’s style of writing waxes lyrical and is also poetical. A remarkable insight into human thought and behaviour is revealed.  For example, Angela speaking of Simon writes, “he said that if you had books you need never be alone. But of course during that time, during the golden age, I was never alone” and from Anna, “The ability to relive past emotional states is both an aptitude and a curse…. Every cut every bruise, every rejection yields a harvest which is then stored, the pain is kept on ice and can be relied upon to taste as fresh as the day it was inflicted”.

I really expected Anna’s story to be the finale, but not so. The culmination is another unexpected and powerful twist that reveals the force and power of love. So many questions are answered and I became so involved and was surprised that somehow I had forgotten Angela whose story it is also. It is perfect that the reader is left with one question unanswered. A reflection of real life.

This book is and should become a classic and a definite inclusion in most university courses. I am so looking forward to the ABC six-part television series and count myself fortunate to have read Perlman’s book.

The one drawback is the incredibly small print which made it a physical challenge to read. A book of this quality deserves better.

Seven Types of Ambiguity by Elliot Perlman, originally published in 2011, has been republished to coincide with the new ABC series. It is available now from Dymocks. Click here to learn more.