The Muffin Man - Andre Rostant

The underbelly of London’s Soho has not seen much change in the last century. The disadvantaged face the brunt of society’s corruption, and this is becoming more common in the current climate of increasing fascism. Rostant’s frank exploration into the lives of those at the heart of bohemian Soho sheds much needed light onto the most pressing issues in society today and the desperate need for change. The honest depiction of the lives of street beggars and bag ladies highlights the side of London that readers don’t often see and the protagonist, a Big Issue vendor who suffers delusions and commits suicide, is at the heart of the novel. A novella that examines and contests commonly accepted narratives of exclusion, gender, sexuality and mental health. This is a transgressive piece of work that challenges cultural and religious hypocrisy, encouraging readers to reflect on their own views and perceptions, in particular surrounding poverty and homelessness, and to consider the ways in which they can incite change.