How Late It Was, How Late

How Late It Was, How Late is a novel published in 1994 by Scottish writer James Kelman. The work employs a stream-of-consciousness narrative style and a Glaswegian dialect of the Scots language variety. Set against the gritty backdrop of Glasgow, the narrative recounts the life of Sammy, a working-class man who, after a heavy drinking spree, gets into an altercation with local police agents and loses his sight as a result. The novel offers a stark portrayal of Sammy’s struggle to navigate a world that has become both physically and metaphorically dark. By focusing on the marginalization and disenfranchisement experienced by the protagonist, How Late It Was, How Late is a visceral exploration of disability, social injustice, and resilience. The use of dialect, the stream of consciousness narrative, and the lack of a clear plot challenges conventional literary norms. The narrative is not organized into chapters or sections. Rather, the narrative is continuous and ambiguous, switching from first to third person and back, while maintaining the focus on the Sammy’s perspective.

James Kelman was born in Glasgow in a working-class family. In his writings, he represents his social background. Kelman was the first Scottish writer to win the Booker Prize with How Late It Was, How Late in 1994. However, the award was highly controversial, as some of the judges stated that the novel was unreadable and made excessive use of vernacular language, and accused Kelman of “literary vandalism” (Jordison, Sam. “Booker Club: How Late It Was, How Late by James Kelman.” The Guardian, 14 Sept. 2011). However, the literary style of Kelman’s early novels has inspired a generation of writers, among whom are Irvine Welsh, Alan Warner, Amit Chaudhuri, Kirsty Gunn, and Alan Warner.

This study guide refers to the 1998 Vintage eBook edition.

Content Warning: The source material features depictions of police violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and ableism against people with sight loss.

Plot Summary

The novel follows the turbulent life of Sammy Samuels, a 38-year-old working-class Glaswegian man who wakes up one morning in a drunken stupor and starts a fight with a group of plainclothes policemen. Two of the policemen beat him up severely. Subsequently, he finds himself in a police cell, disoriented and experiencing sight loss.

Sammy’s immediate reaction is one of disbelief and anger as he struggles to come to terms with his disability. Trying to navigate the world without sight, Sammy encounters numerous obstacles that test his resilience. He makes his way home with difficulty after he is released by the police. There, he realizes that his girlfriend, Helen, has gone away without an explanation. Throughout the novel, Sammy becomes increasingly worried about Helen’s prolonged absence. It is eventually revealed that the cause of Sammy’s drinking session prior to his sight loss was a brawl with Helen.

Sammy is determined to fight for survival. He faces bureaucratic red tape when he tries to claim disability benefits and is met with indifference and disdain by the authorities.

As Sammy is at home taking a bath, police agents enter his apartment and arrest him. At the police station, Sammy faces a prolonged interrogation over his connections with people suspected of political agitation and threats of terrorism. The police let Sammy go for the time being, although the narrative implies that there is always a threat of them returning.

As Sammy’s journey continues, he becomes increasingly angry and frustrated. This leads to acts of defiance and resistance, including confrontations with the police and other authority figures.

Amid the chaos and turmoil of Sammy’s life, there are moments of tenderness and vulnerability. The description of Sammy’s relationship with Helen, though tumultuous, is marked by genuine affection and a desire for companionship. Sammy’s relationship with his son, Peter, also depicts their mutual warmth and care. The novel ends with Peter and his friend, Keith, helping Sammy to pack and escape a group of policemen to board a train to England.