Pilcrow (novel)

The Pilcrow is a 2011 debut novel by British author Adam Mars-Jones. It explores the themes of disability, sexuality, family relationships, and language through the perspective of John Cromer, a young boy with severe hemophilia. The narrative is unconventional, employing extensive footnotes and asides that often overshadow the main storyline. This fragmented and self-aware structure reflects John's own physical and emotional fragility.

The novel's title, "Pilcrow," refers to the paragraph mark (¶), a typographical symbol that is visually distinct and signifies a break in text. This is symbolic of the breaks and disruptions in John's life, as well as the novel's own fragmented narrative style. Pilcrow received critical acclaim for its innovative structure, its nuanced portrayal of disability, and its complex exploration of identity. However, its unconventional style has also been noted as potentially challenging for some readers. The book was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2011.