"All families have things to hide
but few can match the horrors that come to light in Atkinson’s
improbable, convoluted but very lively saga of murder, incest, child
abuse and the 'sado-masochistic, homo-erotic nonsense' of religion.
And it’s also often very funny, which books full of such things
aren’t supposed to be . . ." - Digby Durrant, The Spectator.
On
the face of it then, ladies, perhaps not a very entertaining read.
However, it marks the first appearance of Jackson Brodie who could be
described as a sympathetic male character. Ms. Atkinson has since
written a number of novels featuring Mr. Brodie, a few of which have
been televised. I’d be interested in your views on him.
The
review extract above suggests there will be an opportunity to think
about the sensitive subject of religion; and another opportunity to
consider the potentially destructive influence of the family unit. We
have been doing some very heavy reading recently, so we can only hope
there are some genuinely comic parts.
The
leader of my writing group used an extract from another of Ms.
Atkinson’s books to demonstrate one way of describing characters. I
enjoyed the writing. Let’s hope we all enjoy the novel.
Hello ladies! Hope you’re both well. I’ve finished with Case Histories and I decided to not procrastinate with my opinions. If you ladies aren’t finished yet, I apologize if this ruins anything you haven’t gotten up to yet. (I don’t think I have any spoilers in here but one never knows)
ReplyDelete‘ “If you were a dog, what do you think you would be?”… “A Labrador maybe?” and they both, in unison, shouted “No!” ‘ I’m afraid I agree with Jackson Brodie’s idea of what dog he would be. Labradors are loyal, loving and docile. This, too, would be my description of Brodie. Julia calls him a German shepherd but I greatly disagree. German Shepherds have more bark. They are loyal and loving but aggressive when they have to be. Brodie is not an aggressive character in this novel. Like an abused Labrador, Brodie kept on moving even though someone was trying to kill him. He turned the investigation over to the police instead of facing his attacker head on. Although Brodie does have admirable characteristics such as his commitment. Mrs. Rain’s cat search was a futile endeavor but Brodie maintains consistent contact with the lonely old woman; very endearing. Over all I found Brodie to be a kind of weak character. Sue, does he evolve in Atkinson’s other novels?
In my copy of this novel there are some questions for discussion and one of them particularly intrigues me. “Is not knowing the fate of a loved one preferable to being aware of his or her death simply because it allows room for hope? Or does not knowing present a new kind of grief that precludes any opportunity for closure and healing?” I find this question difficult to answer. Knowing that a loved one is dead, would most likely mean the presence of a body. Sometimes being able to bury a loved one provides an outlet for closure and healing. On the other hand, the hope that the person you love is out there still and able to be returned to you might be a wonderful thing. Do you think Theo would have been happier if he thought Laura might still be alive?
I liked how well the separate stories in this novel all tied together. However, I felt that Brodie’s past had very little connection to the events in the other tales. His sister and brother’s deaths explained very little about Brodie. It’s a portion of story that I felt could have been left out. Maybe this plays a larger role in future Brodie novels? As for now, it wasn’t necessary. The other story that seemed a little randomly placed was the presence of Shirley. She sleeps with Brodie, never finds Michelle or Tanya, and then isn’t brought up again. Her tale has no closure. I just thought they were odd portions of an otherwise good novel.
As always, I look forward to your opinions when you’ve finished the novel. Talk to you soon.
Much love,
Katie
Thanks for posting first, Katie. It’s always easier to have someone to respond to. I rather like Jackson Brodie, and am not sure I’d call him a weak character. Certainly, he’s a survivor – not just because Quintus fails to kill him, but because he survives his childhood, the army and the police. He seems constantly to have put himself in emotionally harrowing situations and survived with his sympathy for others intact.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, in this novel, he’s passive and/or a responder to many situations rather than being a “mover and shaker”. I’m not sure he becomes a more proactive character in other novels. Perhaps that’s meant to be his charm: he’s attractive, intelligent, thoughtful and sympathetic, but putty in the hands of dynamic women and reluctant to use the aggressive skills acquired in the uniformed professions. An old fashioned man trying to adapt to society’s changing expectations of men’s roles. Or maybe I’m showing my age?
Shirley, because she killed Kevin and subsequently failed Tanya, is a catalyst, though not well developed as a character. But she does show how easily Jackson can be manipulated by women. He knows she’s lying but still sleeps with her.
I found the snapshots of family life very depressing. The ways people coped or failed to cope (retiring to a convent, eating disorders, suicide, getting divorced, employing detectives . . .) just awful because they were so convincing - though perhaps Kim and her Russian connections and Jonathan and his family were too stereotypical? And Quintus was merely sketched in to move the plot forward. Did Caroline’s vicar get into the car, do you think?
I did like the way the plot developed through the characters’ perceptions: really enjoyable portrayal of the characters providing a variety of insights into and interpretations of events.
I have to say, though, the world was portrayed as a volatile, dangerous place.
I'll try and find something more cheerful next time.
Has anyone read Timothy Findlay "Not wanted on the Voyage"? Might not be cheerful either.
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteToday I am flood bound !!!!!
We were having gale force winds and torrential rain from a downgraded cyclone that has plundered all the east coast of Australia. Today the sun is out but the river has busted its banks and continues to rise blocking off our access to town but we're fine, we live on a hill.
So, no work for me for a few days yeh !!!!
I finished Case Histories quickly about two weeks ago and found it an easy and enjoyable read. I liked many things and disliked a few so all in all a success.
I enjoyed the Englishness of the novel ! I always find it fascinating in a lot of English novels the most mad and terrible things go on yet every one seems to carry on regardless, sometimes to the point I go back and reread pages to make sure I've read it right an example of this is when the sisters were talking of their father's abuse.
I really liked all the character's stories randomly crossing over as when Julia uses her puffer to save Theo in the park and when Caroline almost ran Jackson off the road in her flight from Johnathon. There were of course so many more.
I liked Jackson, although I found his taste in women dubious, I will allow though he probably wasn't thinking too clearly. I liked his vulnerability and his passion for justice. Katie, maybe the inclusion of his early life and the death of his sister and brother was to help us understand his passion for saving vulnerable women from all classes of life , from the prostitute of his former case to his care for Mrs Rain, to his obsessive protection of his daughter.
The only thing I found tiresome in the novel was the constant bickering between the two sisters. I wasn't too keen on either of the sisters if truth be told. I also didn't find too many
comic episodes in the novel although that did not lessen my enjoyment of the story.
What kind of a dog would you be?
I'd be something small and busy !!!!!! possibly a little a fox terrier !!
What about you ladies ? ha ha.
Your other question Katie, about whether it is better to know if a loved one is dead or missing but alive is an interesting one. I hope never to know the answer and can't decide about Theo either. Possibly because of his devotion and obsession he may have faired better if he could fool himself that Laura was alive.
The character of Shirley was so evil, an adulteress and a murderer perhaps that is the purpose of her being in the novel, I'm not sure. Maybe by making her so evil it was to highlight the many different faces the character's all showed at different times. Caroline's obvious double life, Amelia's faux boyfriend and Johnathon's family that seemed all about faking it.
In the end all mysteries are solved it seems too late to do much about them. I wonder what the sister's did with the knowledge that it was Sylvia who caused the death of Olivia, probably nothing.
Sue, we were commenting at the same time !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question, I don't think the priest was in the car with Caroline when she passed Jackson, he only mentioned the beautiful
I woman in the car. Who knows !!!
I haven't read your suggestion Sue, but I'll look into it. I have just finished Bram Stoker's Dracula and absolutely loved it.
I do hope you have plenty of food and drinking water, Nancy. You sound incredibly cheerful. I'm full of admiration. We're having strong winds which keep blowing the outside gate open so it bangs against the wall, and I've been so cross getting out of bed to fix it. Meanwhile, you're in "real weather" and merely say you won't have to work for a few days! You can tell why Brits are regarded as whingers.
ReplyDeleteYes, I couldn't find any trace of the vicar either. And I'm sure Sylvia would be left peacefully to her madness. Shirley is probably left circulating because evil is left circulating, too. Nasty thought. I'd rather know if someone was dead. Not a very good thought either.
The question of what dog I'd be is difficult to answer. Something solid, determined. My Chinese horoscope sign is an earth ox, and that sometimes seems to sum it up.
I was thinking of "Not Wanted on the Voyage" as a choice for us, but I see we are occupied until July, so maybe another choice could wait a little while.
I do hope you are all O.K. Nancy. When is the water expected to recede? Take care of yourself.
Hello again ladies!
ReplyDeleteSue, I actually found Case Histories to be an easy and enjoyable read. I liked Jackson Brodie because as Shirley put it.. He must be the only good man in the world. He is chivalrous and endearing. The problem though was that he was just too weak next to dominate female characters (such as Shirley) and even next to some of the male characters (such as Quintus).
I cannot say why, but I hope the vicar got into the car with Caroline. Maybe I just find something hopelessly romantic about it. haha.
As for the dog question, I'd love to be able to say I was a big dog type such as a German shepherd. But the reality is I'm probably more akin to one of those little things that yaps and bites ankles. A coworker recently told me I'm "cantankerous". Opps.. haha
Sue I have not read "Not wanted on the Voyage", so I'm fine with adding it to our ever wonderfully growing list.
Nancy! How terrible! Hope you didn't suffer too much property damage and I hope you guys are dry enough. As Sue wishes, I hope there is plenty of food and water for you and your household.
On this side of the world the weather has been pretty random. Winter one day, spring the next. But Franklin and I have been paying little attention to the weather. Some exciting news from our world, we're expecting! The baby is due in August.
Talk to you both again soon,
Take care
Katie
Hello,
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS KATIE AND FRANKLIN SUCH WONDERFUL NEWS !!!!!!!
Ivars and I send our love and hugs.
Life is certainly going to become exciting for you two from now on, enjoy every minute.
We are still floodbound and so far all supplies are holding out, it is good to get reacquainted with the bottom of the freezer again ha ha. Water should be down enough to get to town tomorrow, however no supply trucks have gotten through so I imagine the supermarket shelves are fairly empty anyway.
We are all high and dry and giving thanks we have no damage.
I will add "Not Wanted on the Voyage" to our fab list, I am so proud of our little book club !!!! Thank you for our choice this month Sue, I really enjoyed it. Have you seen the TV show? Was it good? It wasn't aired in Australia which I'm surprised about, we seem to see every other British production here, no complaints from me though, one of my favourite shows is "New Tricks"
Take care
Love
Nancyxx
Such exciting news, Katie. We are so happy for you. Jay and I send you and Franklin many congratulations. A new home, new job and a baby all in a year. You've been very busy. So happy for you both.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't imagine you as cantankerous, Katie; but if you ever were, the early stages of pregnancy may well be the reason.
I do hope you got to town, Nancy, and that whatever you needed could be found. So glad there was no damage, but there will be all kinds of work to do now (this from a city girl!) not the least of it cooking to replace the freezer contents. Good luck.
And yes I did see a Jackson Brody series, but it wasn't a book I recognised, though Jackson was well cast, whoever he was. We don't have a television, so I pick and choose on the iplayer when I have time - currently watching "Borgen". And I've never heard of "New Tricks". Clearly, I'm missing out.
Again, congratulations, Katie and Franklin, and good luck with the supplies, Nancy.
So pleased this book club keeps us in touch, and I look forward to "The Kite Runner".
Love to you both
Sue