The reviews on the book’s cover give glowing testimonials to this journalist‘s first published novel. It does focus on the evocative and our reading group became quite animated during the review.
A slow start introduces the Redfern family. A spineless and down-trodden wife, Anne has evidently done little to nurture or protect her very troubled daughter, Charlotte. They have lived in fear and awe of the tyrannical and abusive, Charles. Their patriarch, conveniently, lies unconscious in bed and is very much at their mercy.
The dialogue between these disengaged women by his hospital sick bed shows no hint of any changes that might alleviate their dissatisfaction with their lives, or their relationships. Charlotte’s boyfriend Gabriel is the only character in the plot to develop and change. No one is particularly likeable or interesting. If Anne is truly worn down by submission she never really demonstrates her frustrations or anger, except when she changes the furniture. Whilst acknowledging that change is scary, we questioned why Anne had married and stayed with Charles. As a young woman she was supposedly both intelligent and very attractive. It might have been more easily understood if she had been just a ‘plain Jane’, like her loyal friend Janet who Charles despised.
There is no real build up, or increase in tension, just one unprecedented physical demonstration of frustration from Charlotte in the hospital and, even that, is futile. There is a distinct lack of drama and anguish and therefore little enticement for the reader to become involved in the women’s presumed misery and the background to it. We suggested an alternative ending could have given some clarity, possibly retribution, or at least more defiance than Anne changing the sofa that Charles loved.
The time changes are confusing and although it was most likely set in the 1990s there were indications of it being more recent. The likelihood of this being a true story was also suggested. Possibly the idea came during an interview with a victim of child abuse or mental cruelty.
Like a tortuous, never-ending game of ‘Paper, Scissors, Stone’, these unlikable family members attack each other and there is no winner.