The Siblings by Roy Brown
**Overview of "The Siblings" by Roy Brown**
"The Siblings" is a poignant narrative set against the backdrop of London's grim urban landscape, focusing on the troubled Shepherd family, particularly their daughter, Debbie, who struggles with severe mental health issues. The story unfolds primarily through the lens of Inspector Bates, who interviews family members to investigate Debbie's mysterious disappearance. Central to the narrative is the relationship between Debbie and her twin brother, Ian, who bears the brunt of her care, often struggling to manage her violent outbursts. This family dynamic is complicated by their father, Jack Shepherd, an administrator for Social Services, who seeks to suppress the investigation and avoid scrutiny over how the family has handled Debbie’s psychosis.
The novel sheds light on the broader themes of mental health care, familial obligation, and the social challenges faced by disadvantaged families. It paints a stark picture of urban despair and the impact of bureaucratic systems on vulnerable individuals. With a focus on the emotional toll of caregiving, particularly on Ian and the exhausted mother, the story highlights issues of guilt and helplessness among the siblings. Critics have noted Brown's ability to evoke empathy and understanding about psychosis, despite Debbie never appearing directly in the narrative. "The Siblings" is widely regarded as one of Brown's most significant works, addressing enduring social problems and the human spirit's resilience amidst adversity.
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Subject Terms
The Siblings by Roy Brown
First published: 1975; also as Find Debbie, 1976
Type of work: Domestic and social realism
Themes: Crime, family, and social issues
Time of work: The mid-twentieth century
Recommended Ages: 13-15
Locale: London
Principal Characters:
Debbie Shepherd , a psychotic teenager whose erratic behavior has scarred her whole familyInspector Bates , the police officer assigned to the caseIan , Debbie’s twin brotherMr. Shepherd , Debbie and Ian’s father, a social worker who copes with his family problems by staying away from homeMrs. Shepherd , their mother, who uses drugs as her escapeTerry , the twins’ older married brotherBrenda , the twins’ older sister, still living at home
The Story
Set in the dreary back alleys of London, the story of Debbie Shepherd is told almost in a stream-of-consciousness fashion, as Inspector Bates interviews each member of the family and seeks to understand the background of Debbie’s disappearance.
Debbie’s father, Jack Shepherd, is an administrator for Social Services. His concern is to quash the investigation and any probing into the way that the family handled Debbie’s psychosis. Rather than seeking help through social service agencies, Mr. Shepherd chose to hide Debbie’s plight by having her cared for at home by his wife and other children, in spite of the highly destructive effects this has had on the family.
The main burden of Debbie’s care has been borne by her twin brother, Ian, who is apparently the only one who can quiet or control her in her rages. Ian shares a room with Debbie, both because of lack of space and because of his ability to control her. The room is dirty and barren and has a boarded-up window. Debbie destroys everything she touches and cannot be left unattended. Ian seems to be the only family member who has not given up on Debbie. He alone can communicate with her.
Brenda and Terry are the two oldest children. Terry has married and left home, while Brenda lives at home and works at a library. Both of the older siblings feel guilty in the knowledge that their mother and brother bear the brunt of Debbie’s care, but neither knows what to do. It is left to an exhausted, defeated mother and to Ian, Debbie’s twin, to manage the situation. As Inspector Bates, an almost retired detective, starts to build his case, unexpected roadblocks appear as a result of Jack Shepherd’s influence. The grime and despair of life in London’s slums, the problems of urban living, the politics of the human-services bureaucracy, and the hopelessness of the family situation add to the tension.
Context
Under the title Find Debbie, The Siblings was rated by School Library Journal as one of the best books of 1976. Gloria Levitas, in her review, found that “it celebrates the triumph of life and of human spirit against the ever-present threats of death and madness.”
The story of Debbie is a disturbing one. Care of the insane is a continuing social problem. The Shepherds’ attempts to cope are very graphically presented in a lean, spare manner that adds to the realism and drama of the story. Although the reader never meets Debbie, the grimness of her life as the prisoner of a distorted mind leads the reader to a better understanding of psychosis. Although Debbie is always just out of reach, Brown’s skillful touch with characterization keeps the reader focused on finding out just exactly what is going on.
Oddly, at first it is Ian who seems the least concerned about Debbie. As the story builds, however, so does his anxiety and suspense. Ian seems the least believable of the characters. Even a twin would balk at the burden of Debbie. The final resolution of Debbie’s disappearance is unexpected and horrifying, but quite believable.
The Siblings, considered by many to be Brown’s best work, exemplifies his major interests. The story includes a city background, deviant youngsters, and the difficulty people have in behaving in a humane manner. The Collision Course (1980), a later book by Brown, is probably the most similar in theme. This story is not a suspense tale, however, but rather a social commentary.
In the mystery line, Brown produced the Chips Regan series, which used urban settings and exploited his knowledge of London. Brown’s books all deal with the problems of the disadvantaged, the alienated, or the social outcast, in keeping with the concerns of the 1970’s. His books were popular and were very effective in acquainting young people with urban and humanitarian concerns.
Several of Roy Brown’s junior novels have been translated into German, French, Italian, and even Japanese. He produced over thirty junior novels, as well as several plays and radio scripts. His first book, A Saturday in Pudney (1966), was based on his teaching experiences; these experiences proved to be a nondepletable resource that he used again and again.