Alexander Masters: Stuart: A Life Backwards

Overview of “Stuart: A Life Backwards”

“Stuart: A Life Backwards” is a biography penned by Alexander Masters.
The text portrays the life of a homeless man named Stuart Shorter, whom Masters befriended while working in a homeless shelter.
Narrated in a reverse chronology, the text details Stuart’s life from the troubled adult years and goes backwards towards his tumultuous childhood.

Masters’ Language Use

Masters employs a conversational and direct style of writing, making the text engaging and intimate.
There are frequent uses of dialect and street slang that add authenticity and lend voice to Stuart.
Masters uses anecdotes and humour, providing relief from the sobering narrative of Stuart’s life.

Themes

Homelessness and Social Exclusion: The text reveals the hardship and struggles of those living on the streets in a brutally honest manner.
Childhood Trauma and its Effect: Stuart’s abusive childhood and its role in shaping his adult life is a prominent theme.
Friendship and Empathy: Masters’ relationship with Stuart evolves from mere acquaintances to a close friendship, thereby highlighting the importance of empathy and understanding.

Characterisation

Stuart Shorter is portrayed as a complex individual with conflicting attributes - he is both a victim and perpetrator. His authenticity and strength make him an engrossing character.
Alexander Masters is both the narrator and an active participant in the story. As the friendship between him and Stuart deepens, he emerges as a compassionate and sympathetic character.
Other characters include homeless peers, social workers, and police, all serving to construct a multi-faceted image of the street life.

Setting

The narrative takes place in Cambridge, revealing the city’s unseen side, despite its reputation for privilege and intellectual richness.
The contrast between the progressive city and the underprivileged life of Stuart intensifies the social critique in the narrative.
The settings of various homeless shelters, squats, hostels, and streets highlight the urgent societal problem of homelessness.

As you revise, pay attention to how Masters constructs the narrative and the effect of the reverse chronology. Mark out important dialogues and scenes that speak to the themes or add depth to character analysis.