Literary Review Highlights Dark Secrets and Amoral Love Triangles in New Retro Reads
This month's retro reads from Elizabeth Jolley, Elizabeth Jenkins, and Eva Ibbotson offer compelling narratives of suppressed desires, manipulation, and unexpected turns.
This month's selection of retro reads includes three novels that delve into complex themes of human nature, secrets, and relationships. Elizabeth Jolley's "The Well" explores the unsettling bond between a lonely landowner and a teenage orphan, while Elizabeth Jenkins' "Honey" dissects casual cruelty and amoral love triangles. Eva Ibbotson's "A Glove Shop in Vienna" presents a collection of short stories rich with wry humor and explorations of love and heartbreak.
The Well by Elizabeth Jolley
"The Well" centers on Hester, a solitary, middle-aged landowner who hires teenage orphan Katherine to assist on her farm. Their relationship deepens, with Hester becoming fiercely protective of Katherine and isolating her from the outside world. The narrative takes a dark turn when, after an accident, Hester disposes of a man's body in a dried-up well. This act becomes a metaphor for Hester's repressed desires, threatening to expose their secrets and leading to a disturbing unraveling that leaves many questions unanswered.
Honey by Elizabeth Jenkins
The novel "Honey" by Elizabeth Jenkins is characterized by its precise portrayal of adult cruelty and its examination of sexual power dynamics. The story follows the beautiful but venal Honey, who lures Roland away from his wife and son. When Roland's ex-wife dies, their teenage son, Brian, comes to live with them. Fearing her waning allure, Honey schemes to seduce Brian while she and Roland squander his inheritance. The tables turn when Brian finds solace with a devoted school friend and his family. The tale is a sharp exploration of lust, greed, and aging, ultimately suggesting the redemptive power of love.
A Glove Shop in Vienna by Eva Ibbotson
Eva Ibbotson, known for her children's literature, demonstrates her skill in short story writing with "A Glove Shop in Vienna." The collection, often set against the backdrop of pre-war Vienna, features wry humor and focuses on love affairs, secrets, hopes, and heartbreak. The title story humorously examines a pragmatic, sexless marriage, while "Christmas Angel" touches on a child's loss of innocence. Other stories include "A Rose in Amazonia," which reunites separated lovers, and "A Little Disagreement," known for its unexpected twist. The collection is described as a series of stories to be savored.
