What We Can Know - Ian McEwen

What We Can Know begins in 2119. Thomas Metcalfe is an academic who has travelled to the Bodleian Snowdonian Library to study the journals of Vivien Blundy, wife of the famous poet Francis Blundy. Metcalfe’s interest is in ‘The Second Immortal Dinner’ of 2014 at which Francis presented his famous love poem, A Corona for Vivien to his wife and a group of their friends. The only copy of the poem has disappeared. Metcalfe and his colleague, Rose, are hoping to find it.

We learn that the oceans have risen and England in the 22nd century has become an archipelago. The way people live has changed for the worse with floods, resource wars and roving gangs. Protein bars and acorn tea seem to be the main source of sustenance. All the data in the world is stored in Nigeria. It’s a dystopia.

The story shifts back to the dinner itself at the idyllic countryside retreat Francis has built for himself and Vivien. A few close friends are gathered to hear Francis read the poem. It will not be published as that would reduce the intimacy and weight of the work which has been handwritten on vellum.

We also get to read Vivien’s journal which puts a new spin on the story.

The book is about history and what we leave behind, climate change, love and grief  and human frailties. I was engaged from the start (McEwen is a master of the good opening) and when I was finished I went back to reread sections. It was the best novel I have read in years.