Something To Answer For

Percy Howard was an English novelist and broadcasting administrator. He was the first winner of the Booker Prize, his novel Something to Answer For having received the inaugural award in 1969. In this story the protagonist, Townrow, who is an ex-soldier and self-described embezzler is hit on the head. From that point on he is never quite sure of what is going on. He finds himself being asked to account for the British government’s role in the Holocaust. He is overwhelmed with events and cannot even remember what nationality he actually is. He gives up his identity as an Englishman, or any sort of identity forged in the context of ideals. He is, “away and alone, stark” and answerable only to himself. The loss of identity remains a constant theme. This thought-provoking, intelligently written novel will keep the reader pondering over its intrigue long after it is read.