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A review by desterman
Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift
4.0
Graham Swift's interesting little novella, Mothering Sunday (2016), was recommended to me quite a while ago. Set in 1924 in the English countryside, the protagonist, Jane Fairchild, is a housemaid to the Nivens - a kind couple whose staff have been reduced since the death of both their sons on the battlefields of France in World War One. Jane is an orphan and so on "Mothering Sunday" has no one to visit and nowhere to go. After being bestowed some additional pocket money by her benevolent employer she considers the day her own to do with what she sees fit - perhaps a long walk or time spent reading a book. At the same time, the Nivens are planning to meet with the Sheringhams and the Hobdays whose son and daughter respectively (Paul Sheringham and Emma Hobday) are to be married soon. The families intend on meeting in nearby Henley to celebrate the impending nuptials of their only remaining children, and the subsequent joining of the families.
As Jane prepares to depart, she receives a phone call which changes the course of her day. Jane is summoned to the Sheringham's house as Paul has the morning and house to himself. We discover that Jane has been Paul's secret lover for years, but that their meeting will not only adjust the course of Jane's day but her entire life. Jane will become a writer and continue to reflect on this day as the start of her journey down this path.
Essentially a short story, the novella just managed to engage and hold my attention for the duration. The lightness of the beginning of the story turns deftly to darkness with the arrival of the unforeseen tragedy that interrupts what begins as a seemingly ordinary Sunday. The writing is very English - contained, yet elegant and thoughtful. There is a strange sense of foreboding throughout, but also aspects of humour, romance, and eroticism. It's a well-crafted examination of the nature of fiction, but also the way writers hone their craft through observation and reflection, carefully choosing what to include and omit. Thematically it tackles the unpredictability of life, intimacy, loss, and grief, as well as the small moments that can completely pivot one's intended direction. There are lots of tropes of the fairy tale genre used too, which causes further consideration of Jane’s musings on where story telling really begins for us – in childhood, or is it awoken in us when we begin to become the lead protagonist in our own life story?
As Jane prepares to depart, she receives a phone call which changes the course of her day. Jane is summoned to the Sheringham's house as Paul has the morning and house to himself. We discover that Jane has been Paul's secret lover for years, but that their meeting will not only adjust the course of Jane's day but her entire life. Jane will become a writer and continue to reflect on this day as the start of her journey down this path.
Essentially a short story, the novella just managed to engage and hold my attention for the duration. The lightness of the beginning of the story turns deftly to darkness with the arrival of the unforeseen tragedy that interrupts what begins as a seemingly ordinary Sunday. The writing is very English - contained, yet elegant and thoughtful. There is a strange sense of foreboding throughout, but also aspects of humour, romance, and eroticism. It's a well-crafted examination of the nature of fiction, but also the way writers hone their craft through observation and reflection, carefully choosing what to include and omit. Thematically it tackles the unpredictability of life, intimacy, loss, and grief, as well as the small moments that can completely pivot one's intended direction. There are lots of tropes of the fairy tale genre used too, which causes further consideration of Jane’s musings on where story telling really begins for us – in childhood, or is it awoken in us when we begin to become the lead protagonist in our own life story?