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A review by bianca89279
Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift
3.0
Another author ticked off of my (non-existent) list of authors I need to read.
Mothering Sunday is aimlessly meandering through one day - 30th of March, 1924 - in the life of the twenty-two-year-old Jane Fairchild, who's a maid. She's been having a seven-year amorous relationship with Paul Sheringham, an upper-class young man, who's soon to marry for convenience. On that particular day, a day when servants were given the day off to go visit their mothers or families, Jane goes into Paul's house, for yet another hanky panky session, this time in his bedroom. This book is all about Jane's thoughts on her lover, their love-making, her situation, and a few observation on her employers. I wouldn't be able to say if Jane loved Paul, although she was aware that their relationship was mostly carnal.
Nothing much happens.
Except that, on Mothering Sunday, a tragic event occurs that will change the course of Jane's life, who'll become much more successful than ever thought possible, especially for a woman who was an orphan.
The last third of this very short novel is about Jane waxing lyrically about her own life, few memories here and there, and the importance of books - especially of Joseph Conrad in her discovery journey of good literature, that ultimately pushed her into wanting to become a writer herself.
This was a pleasant enough novel, but nothing mind blowing or life altering. I'm not sure what the message of this little book was. Swift can write very well. Despite all that, I was kept at a distance, never really feeling much or empathising with Jane, who was the narrator.
3.5 stars
Audiobook: excellent!
Mothering Sunday is aimlessly meandering through one day - 30th of March, 1924 - in the life of the twenty-two-year-old Jane Fairchild, who's a maid. She's been having a seven-year amorous relationship with Paul Sheringham, an upper-class young man, who's soon to marry for convenience. On that particular day, a day when servants were given the day off to go visit their mothers or families, Jane goes into Paul's house, for yet another hanky panky session, this time in his bedroom. This book is all about Jane's thoughts on her lover, their love-making, her situation, and a few observation on her employers. I wouldn't be able to say if Jane loved Paul, although she was aware that their relationship was mostly carnal.
Nothing much happens.
Except that, on Mothering Sunday, a tragic event occurs that will change the course of Jane's life, who'll become much more successful than ever thought possible, especially for a woman who was an orphan.
The last third of this very short novel is about Jane waxing lyrically about her own life, few memories here and there, and the importance of books - especially of Joseph Conrad in her discovery journey of good literature, that ultimately pushed her into wanting to become a writer herself.
This was a pleasant enough novel, but nothing mind blowing or life altering. I'm not sure what the message of this little book was. Swift can write very well. Despite all that, I was kept at a distance, never really feeling much or empathising with Jane, who was the narrator.
3.5 stars
Audiobook: excellent!