Marilyn Duckworth

A few years back I saw this novel recommended on one of the book blogs I like to read, and made a mental note of it, not thinking I would ever get to it. Only a few days later I was browsing in my local English Language bookstore, and there was a copy going for a song! (Obviously they were trying to get rid of old stock that was taking up their space). Since then it’s been waiting patiently on my shelves, and at last it was its turn to be read. I’m so glad I gave in to that whim to buy it all that time ago.

The story starts with the introduction of three children, a thirteen year old boy and his two younger sisters. So far they seem to have had an idyllic childhood, but this is now disrupted because their mother is unwell and has to spend some time in hospital. When their parents can’t think of anyone local to look after them their mother thinks of an old school friend of hers with whom she still corresponds. In her words: “Poor old Jean, she’s just the right person.... She’s ever so sweet. A bit shy...” So the children are taken to stay with Jean Brodie, a young mother of one who is happy to share her ‘matchbox’ house with them. It’s soon evident that Jean might not have been such a perfect choice. Her marriage has broken down, her husband is having an affair, and as she begins to lose herself in a world of fantasy, her own shortcomings and needs render her incapable of taking on the care of three additional children.

The narrative voice shifted back and forth between the various characters and although the writing was not spectacular I thought that Jean’s loneliness and gradual descent into some form of derangement were beautifully captured. I also found myself entranced by the children. Their age, their sex and their own individual character affected the way they each responded to the confusing and irresponsible behaviour of the adults that now surrounded them but the writer left nothing unnoticed not even the most subtle of changes. A wonderful little story!… (more)