Review: Whither, Willie Wicked? by Jan Ewing

In Whither, Willie Wicked? Jan Ewing has produced a terrific piece of work, tackling hard subjects that are both topical and magical, melding the real with the imagined.

The story follows Thomas Llewellyn Gareth, known as Gareth, a private investigator tasked with locating the punk rock star Jeff Christopher after his disappearance in light of a rape accusation. All is not as it may seem, with rumors that Jeff Christopher has turned into someone else, Willie Wicked, and questions arise as to his father’s intentions after Gareth learns Jeff squeezed him out and lost his father a lot of money.

This mission sets off a chain of events that pull the story into the realm of fantasy. The magical elements to the story (are they wizards?) adds a level of intrigue that allows the narrative to twist and turn in strange and wonderful ways without the breaking of one’s suspension of disbelief. Curiously, we are able to imagine this world where the Illuminati and ISIS join forces, but the novel still retains its core believability.

The prose, at times, has the tone of cerebral speculative fiction – philosophical, poetic, knowledgeable. The musings are never frivolous, despite what may be suggested by the premise, as the book asks intriguing questions that are ultimately answered in the story itself. When faced with the reality of the terrible goings-on, Gareth attempts to assign meaning – things can’t happen for nothing, they have to happen for a reason. Death and destruction have a purpose here and the prose is strong enough to deliver an intelligent message with its story, without ever being overwrought.

There is no wasted storytelling here, and characters satisfyingly evolve as the story progresses. Thomas Gareth is a strong, witty character who in the face of terrible situations always knows how to wriggle free. The two characters that do stand out as needing work are the Chongs. The choice of stilted English vernacular pulls the reader out of the world and draws the focus away from what is being said to how it’s being said.

That’s really a small issue with the overall narrative, which is strong throughout. The main trouble with the book is the title and cover. On first glance, the book presents itself as a children’s book, when really, it is the furthest thing from one. The title as well seems out of place, especially with the use of Whither that conjures images of Victorian tales. The title could have survived with a different cover, but not both. This is a real shame, as this is a highly inventive modern novel with a cover that doesn’t at all reflect what is inside.

In terms of pure storytelling, Whither, Willie Wicked? is a continually surprising read. Those who enjoy a good detective story will find the novel gripping and unique, and the novel will also appeal to fans of magical realism. It’s a tricky blend of genres, but Ewing successfully pulls it off in a novel where turning the page can take you anywhere.