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A review by tillydaisym
We Were Very Merry by Susan Furber
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
We Were Very Merry is a beautiful sequel to The Essence of an Hour.
The story follows Lillie Carrigan in her twenties as she carves a life for herself between her homeland of America, the glamour of France, and the academia of England. Flowing effortlessly on from the first book, this second book echoes many of the earlier themes, while giving the protagonist a more honed voice as she transcends from girlhood to young adulthood.
Still preoccupied with her past transgressions and tragedies from her rigid Catholic upbringing, Lillie ponders the 'what ifs' that have led to heartbreak and guilt, while contemplating her future as a 'modern' woman (the book begins in the 1940s).
Once again, the author eloquently captures the overwhelming array of intricacies that make up being female. Friendships stretch at the seams and unravel, a craving for love intermingles with sexual desire, ingrained religious thoughts remain oppressively present despite faith disintegrating, and excitement comes in short bursts, only to result in (self) destruction. Ultimately, this is a book about the longing to belong and for a woman's voice to be heard, beyond marriage, beyond motherhood, beyond the home.
I saw so much of myself in the character of Lillie. I'd highly recommend both books for fans of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and the Neapolitan Quartet by Elena Ferrante.
*ad-pr note: I was kindly gifted a copy of this book by the author/publisher, but all thoughts are my own xo
The story follows Lillie Carrigan in her twenties as she carves a life for herself between her homeland of America, the glamour of France, and the academia of England. Flowing effortlessly on from the first book, this second book echoes many of the earlier themes, while giving the protagonist a more honed voice as she transcends from girlhood to young adulthood.
Still preoccupied with her past transgressions and tragedies from her rigid Catholic upbringing, Lillie ponders the 'what ifs' that have led to heartbreak and guilt, while contemplating her future as a 'modern' woman (the book begins in the 1940s).
Once again, the author eloquently captures the overwhelming array of intricacies that make up being female. Friendships stretch at the seams and unravel, a craving for love intermingles with sexual desire, ingrained religious thoughts remain oppressively present despite faith disintegrating, and excitement comes in short bursts, only to result in (self) destruction. Ultimately, this is a book about the longing to belong and for a woman's voice to be heard, beyond marriage, beyond motherhood, beyond the home.
I saw so much of myself in the character of Lillie. I'd highly recommend both books for fans of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and the Neapolitan Quartet by Elena Ferrante.
*ad-pr note: I was kindly gifted a copy of this book by the author/publisher, but all thoughts are my own xo