Transformative Magic in West Norwood’s Catacombs

The extract from Ian Watson‘s debut novel, “The Tunnels,” plunges readers into a “suburban science fantasy ghost story” set in West Norwood, drawing inspiration from local landmarks like its cemetery. The scene unfolds deep within the West Norwood Cemetery catacombs, specifically beneath the Dissenter’s Chapel, a labyrinthine space said to house over 3,000 coffins belonging to “misfits and ingrates”—Takara’s term for interesting, unconventional people.

The narrative centers on a conversation between Takara and Sam, where Takara reveals her idiosyncratic views on invention, positing that true discovery arises accidentally from failed attempts to copy existing ideas, rather than from singular geniuses like Da Vinci or Edison, whom she dismisses as “fakers.” The central magical element is a pair of glasses worn by Takara, which she taps to instantly manifest dramatic transformations.

Takara demonstrates two distinct personas. The first is a “traumatic nightmare death bride,” appearing in a fluorescent white wedding dress adorned with barbed wire lace and blood splotches, a vision inspired by a dream of a fashion show in a plague pit where onlookers “dropped gracefully to the floor.” The second transformation presents her as a “creepy nightmare circus demon” or “shaman matador,” complete with a black sequined suit, collapsed top hat, and a meticulously groomed moustache. Notably, this second outfit causes her to present as a man, a detail Takara claims to have “forgotten” but clearly savors for its dramatic effect on Sam.

The “benefits” of these magical glasses are primarily for self-expression, identity exploration, and theatrical amusement for Takara, allowing her to embody diverse, powerful, and unsettling personas. She revels in the reactions and the ability to challenge conventional perceptions. However, the “risks” are evident in Sam’s growing unease, his questioning of reality, and the disturbing, macabre nature of Takara’s chosen forms and anecdotes. The scene concludes with Takara delighting in Sam’s overwhelmed reaction, choosing to remain in her current “man” presentation, highlighting the blurring lines between reality and illusion, and the unsettling power of her magical artifacts.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/books-and-poetry/the-tunnels-ian-watson)