The “New Town”, written by Harry Blamires, presents some appealing deep observations about the Christian world view. It consists of 176 pages, and is divided into short chapters that each have a significant part of the story to tell. It is a story punctuated by hints that point to deeper core meaning.
Intuitively, we all have our duty and responsibility to memorize our lines in this life’s plot sequence- creation, fall, and redemption. With parallels that were used in this allegorical novel, it is easy to grasp on to the implied metaphors for the Christian life, and onto afterlife.
Unlike from some of Harry Blamires’ more famous works, New Town revolves on the personal encounters of Mr. Bernard Dayman, a single man. The book begins with Bernard, thinking he has died but he just falls into a coma, only to find himself moments later down a street in the decaying city of Old Hertham. Bernard begins to explore Old Town a bit more and learns that Old Hertham is destined to be ruined and so there’s a need to purchase a home about immediately.
In this story, some allegorical elements are quite obvious but most needs deep critical thinking and reflection. It becomes quite clear, conversely, that the housing market in Old Hertham is extreme far from ideal. Through the help of "Godfrey and Son" real estate, Bernard attempts to purchase a new, undamaged residence in New Town. But acquiring this is not as easy as it appears, for there are certain criteria to be met and specific references to be obtained before proceeding. Dispirited but not defeated, Bernard makes bold attempts to meet the stated requirements. But then he slowly realizes throughout course of the book, that he will never meet the requirements to have a residency in the New Town, which, though strange, is why he's a perfect aspirant.
What’s so good in this novel is that the themes are timeless and can be applied to anyone, anytime. It is a way to discover a thing or two about the Christian walk. Vivid metaphors are used. For instance, shadowing Godfrey as Jesus Christ, who personally lived for a time in Old Hertham and made the bridge constructed to have a possible access to his father's New Town. The use of code language imbedded in the prose stabilized the possibilities of the narrative. Just like for instance, Bernard should first join the “Society of Waiters” (S.O.W.) before he could considered as an applicant and he can continue to live in Old Hertham, except only so long as he holds a "Resident Inhabitant Permit" (R.I.P.). Of course, one cannot continue to live here on earth when one’s already rested in peace.
However, its verbal props are sometimes largely predictable and formulaic. But then the use of such, in the end, was still not off- putting.
Indeed, approach to truth or reality was being filtered in the story. It was a satisfying depiction of how we observe constantly going wrong things in this world, and our intuitive knowledge that it isn't supposed to be that way, and the like there is a better world ahead for us.
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