Mary E. Trimble

Kate Morton’s novel, The Forgotten Garden, is a mesmerizing story of mystery and imagination.

In 1913 a little girl arrives in Brisbane, Australia on a ship from England. She’s alone with nothing more than a small suitcase containing a few clothes and a book of fairytales. No one claims the little girl, and the dockmaster and his wife take her in. She eventually becomes the oldest of five girls in a loving, caring family. It has always bothered the dockmaster that Nell doesn’t know that they aren’t her real parents; nor does the girl remember her origins. On her twenty-first birthday she is finally told how she became one of their family. It is shattering news to Nell, who feels betrayed.

Thus begins a life of seeking to find her identity. After her own family is grown, Nell is finally free to trace her true origins. Her quest takes her to Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast, the home of the Mountrachet family.

Years later, Nell’s beloved granddaughter Cassandra takes up the search to unravel the puzzle of her late grandmother’s past.

The Forgotten Garden’s intricate story leaps from 1913 to 2005, then 1975, back further to 1900, etc. yet all the while moving the story forward. It’s a time-line masterpiece with each cycle solving a bit of the mystery while new puzzles surface.

This is a novel that takes time to read and absorb. Kate Morton is a master story-teller with impressive research skills. It’s a large volume—552 pages in a trade paperback—in which Nell’s mystery unravels to explore why she was left alone on a ship, what role an overgrown garden played, and in the end, what constitutes family.

Book Review – Mothering Sunday: A Romance

Posted on June 10, 2019 by Mary

Graham Swift has written a compelling short novel, Mothering Sunday, that takes place in Berkshire, England, 1924. The story centers on the life of Jane, a maid in her early twenties, employed by an upper-class family. It is a rare, beautiful March day on Mothering Sunday, when servants are free to spend the day visiting their parents. An orphan, Jane instead has been bidden to spend time with her lover Paul Sheringham, the son of a neighboring family who is about to be married. His parents are away from home attending a luncheon in honor of his impending marriage. The Sheringham servants, too, were not at home, visiting their parents.

Jane and Paul have been meeting for seven years, but this is the first time they have met in his parents’ home, and likely will be the last time they will be together due to his coming marriage.

I enjoyed the novel’s leisurely pace and its sensuous treatment of an affair between a wealthy young man and a woman with whom he could have no outward or lasting relationship. The novel takes place in the aftermath of the First World War when so many of England’s young men perished in battle. Paul’s marriage, therefore, has special importance as he is the sole surviving son, having lost his two older brothers in war.

Graham Swift’s lean writing style is packed with strong images of sumptuous
scenes, of English homes, lush countryside, and the privileged mannerisms of bygone days. Tragedy and hope mingle as the main characters play out their respective roles. I enjoyed this short novel and vicariously visiting England during the quaintness of this soon-to-be vanished lifestyle.

Book Review: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Mary

Rachel Joyce’s debut novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, is spell-binding in its simplicity, yet profoundly moving.

Harold Fry receives a message from a former co-worker, Queenie Hennessy, that she is dying. He promptly sends a reply, but rather than posting the letter, at the last minute decides to walk the distance to say farewell in person. And distance it is—627 miles from the little English village of Kingsbridge north to a hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Harold isn’t equipped for such a strenuous walk. He’s wearing around-the-house yachting shoes and a light coat, shirt and tie. He soon regrets not having his cell phone, but after walking several miles, calls his wife, Maureen, collect. She’s irritated, but that’s nothing new. Almost everything Harold does irritates her, and has for many years.

As Harold’s journey progresses, he reminisces about his life, recalling sad and regrettable times. Along the way he meets people, many encouraging him on his journey.

The story occasionally switches to Maureen as she, too, looks back on their marriage of many years, acknowledging the joys, but mostly the sorrows and regrets.

I loved this endearing story of ordinary people. As Harold’s journey unfolds, I took my time to savor the descriptions of English countryside, and the genteel charm of a man who is so careful not to offend the people he encounters. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a lovely novel of profound insight.

Book Review: The Letter

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Mary

Kathryn Hughes’ compelling novel, The Letter, takes place in England and Ireland, and toggles between the early days of World War II and the 1970s.

While processing donated clothes where she volunteers at a thrift store in Manchester, England, Tina discovers an unposted letter in the pocket of a man’s old suit. The letter is obviously very old and she can’t resist opening it. Written by a distraught young man to the woman he loves, the letter apologizes for his behavior when he learned the woman was pregnant. Tina’s curiosity drives her to learn more about the letter and the obvious tragedy behind it. Why wasn’t the letter delivered? Who were these people? In any event, the project takes her mind off her own troubles dealing with Rick, her abusive husband.

The story goes back to 1938, to the home of a domineering father, a doctor, his wife, a midwife, and their daughter, Chrissie. Chrissie, 19, is seeing Billy a young man whom her father disapproves. Much to her intense dismay, she discovers she is pregnant. When her father learns of her condition, he immediately sends her to live with his wife’s sister in Ireland.

The story goes into some detail about the horror of unwed mothers being sent to convents and the harsh treatment they endured, invariably ending with relinquishing their babies to adoptive families.

The Letter held my rapt fascination as it weaves the stories of Tina and Rick in the 1970s and Chrissie and Billy in the late 1930s. As Tina delves into the story, another character appears, an American, which adds to the mystery.

I enjoyed The Letter, even though some of the harsh treatment depicted, though believable, was hard to read. The author does a good job of describing the attitudes and conditions of the day of both generations.

Book Review: Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Mary

Helen Simonson’s debut novel, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, is a delightful, charming story centered around Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired).

In the small English countryside village of Edgecombe St. Mary, Major Pettigrew, a widower, is attracted to a lovely widow, Pakistani shopkeeper, Mrs. Jasmina Ali. Although Mrs. Ali was born in Great Britain and, in fact, has never been to Pakistan, she follows many of the traditions of her culture.

The Major and Mrs. Ali are drawn together by their love of literature and loneliness resulting from the loss of their spouses, but soon find themselves caught up in stronger feelings than mere friendship and a good pot of tea.

When they attend a country club program that spirals out of control, they find their relationship threatened. The village considers the Major a pillar of their community, while regarding Mrs. Ali as a foreigner.

The author, Helen Simonson, was born in England and raised in a small village. The English humor and way of expression is part of the enchantment of this novel. At one point the Major finds himself in a stressful situation. “He calmed his voice to a tone suitable for placating large dogs or small, angry children.” Great emphasis is placed on tradition, the importance of one’s family, and appearances. The threat of change can be one’s undoing, or can it be a good thing?

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is a fun read, but it also has its moments of truth, issues most of us face in our modern world. I loved spending time in the English mindset, particularly of an older man happily set in his ways. And I particularly appreciated Major Pettigrew’s wit. To learn more about the author, visit http://www.helensimonson.com/

Book Review: On Chesil Beach

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Mary

On Chesil Beach (Anchor Books), a novella by Ian McEwan, is a burst of fresh air, a book that swiftly moves along and took my heart with it.

Both virgins on their wedding night, Florence and Edward can only imagine what the evening will hold. They eat dinner in the honeymoon suite as they gaze out onto Chesil Beach. Florence tries not to think about what will soon happen; Edward hopes he’ll know what to do and when to do it.

The book, set in England in 1962, flashes back to when they met and how their love gradually blossomed. Although a university graduate, Edward’s vocation was still illusive. Florence, however, never doubted her choice as a professional musician. Their differences melt away as their love develops.

Back to their wedding night, Edward anxiously begins to make love as he has so often fantasized. Florence, overwhelmed with this sudden closeness feels herself mentally backtracking. The inevitable plays itself out, but not as they expect.

I found this small book haunting, yet filled with compassion. McEwan is a master at detachment while evoking intimate details. On Chesil Beach is a profound novel, a story that demonstrates that what isn’t said can transform lives.