Kerry Hudson is not afraid to unleash the truth in her novel, Tony Hogan Bought Me an Ice Cream Float Before He Stole My Ma.
Growing up in harsh circumstances, Janie Ryan never had much of a chance. At 20 years old, Iris Ryan gave birth to Janie without any money, home or a supportive family. The two must grow together as Iris searches for ways to keep the two alive while she wrestles with the constant need for money and security. Along the way, Iris begins a relationship with the notorious Tony Hogan, and Janie is rapidly thrown into a world of abusive “uncles,” constant address changes and the “Ryan Temper.”
Told from an innocent child’s point of view, Hudson evokes sensitive emotions to the point where you’ll want to set the book down but then quickly pick it back up.
Tony Hogan is told with a different style than most novels. Instead of using chapters or breaks to separate the story, it is told straight through. Hudson uses a very matter-of-fact voice throughout the novel, which adds to the reality of the book.
One of the more interesting concepts about Tony Hogan is that it doesn’t have a traditional plot structure. Even with the lack of rising action, climax, falling action or even a resolution, the novel works because its structure mirrors what life really feels like. There isn’t one big thing that comes up in the middle or at the end. Things just happen throughout life, like they do in this book, and we have to cope with them.
Hudson smartly demonstrates this concept by revealing the truth in life. You may be constantly waiting for something to happen, and nothing does. Or you want things to just slow down, and they don’t.
Hudson makes you think. If you haven’t grown up in a world like Janie’s, you’ll start to understand just a little bit more about what it’s like to never know if there will be food on the table. You feel sorry for Janie’s mom, Iris, but you’re also angry with her because she won’t go get a job and expects her daughter to grow up mothering herself along with her ma.
The ultimate reason to like Tony Hogan is that it’s real. Janie and Iris do things we wish they wouldn’t, but they do them because they are real people. They make mistakes. They get hurt. They move on.
The only thing wrong with the book is that it ends too quickly. The moment the characters begin to make a change, the book ends. You’re left flipping through pages, trying to find the rest of the novel, and Hudson has you begging for more.