André Rostant, above, wants The Muffin Man to make people think about ‘those who live on the street’

A SOHO vendor of The Big Issue, who grew up within earshot of Big Ben and has a masters degree, has published a novel focusing on the “invisible crisis” of homelessness.

André Rostant, who has been selling the magazine for more than 10 years in Soho, writes the story of his changing neighbourhood complete with Pret A Manger and other multinational chains.

The Muffin Man is told through the eyes of George – a homeless person selling papers in the West End – and aims to challenge people’s perceptions of poverty.

But Rostant said: “It’s not an inward looking book. It’s not about me. I want people to think of what they are reading and challenge their attitudes towards those who live on the street.

“The book gets at what it actually feels like for those having a rough time and selling The Big Issue,” he said. “It’s an exercise in psychology, looking at all of those that are involved.”

The street vendor turned author attempts to paint a psychological portrait of the people working in the street
and those who interact with them.

“It’s a story of extreme alienation,” he said, explaining the extent of the social isolation felt by many of those who do this sort of work. “Just because you’re up shit creek, it doesn’t mean you aren’t thinking and engaging with the world around you.”

Mr Rostant aims to shine a light on the everyday experience of people living in what he calls an “invisible crisis”.

He said: “There’s this idea that poor people are helpless or thick. They are very misunderstood. It’s no surprise that people experiencing homelessness are so much more likely to attempt suicide.

“In fact, you could read [the book] as an anatomy of a suicide.”

The Big Issue, where he now works part-time as a mentor to people facing poverty, helps homeless people with funds but also as a vehicle for a “soft confrontation” with passers-by, he said. “When you meet a vendor you’re put in front of the reality of homelessness. You can’t ignore these people entirely.”

The 60-year-old single father became homeless around the time of the 2012 London Olympics and lives in temporary accommodation in east London.

Already armed with an MSc in anthropology, he told the Extra, he had been in the process of researching a PhD proposal about homelessness before deciding it would reach a wider audience as a novel.

He said anthropology and social interactions were his main focus as he urged people to opt for face-to-face when buying the book. “It’s the more human thing to do,” he said. “Get it from your local bookshop, don’t buy it online.”

The book is available from Waterstones and WHSmith and also from the publisher Arkbound.