NYRB Classic Book Club Jan. Selection
Society
does not like women of a certain age. Let’s
be honest. Look at most of the Hollywood
productions and actually look at the age of the mothers and in many cases, the age of the actress
playing the mother will preclude her being the mother of the child. There are expectations
– everyone loves Betty White.
Carrington’s
novel details the end of the world,
perhaps, told from the viewpoint of old woman, with even an older mother but who
is shuffled off to a old folk’s home that is very far removed from Shady Pines.
Though
it is run by a Mr. Gambit.
But what
the story really is, in some ways it is many things, is a creation story. A creation story with a difference.
Early in
the book, Marian thinks, “Strange how the bible always seems to end up in misery
and cataclysm. I often wonder how their angry
and vicious god became so popular.
Humanity is very strange and I don’t pretend to understand anything,
however, why worship something that only sends you plagues and massacres, and
why was Eve blamed for everything?” (26).
 |
| by Leonora Carrington |
The
answer to question, the reader knows, is because she was a woman. And in many ways, the novel is a rebuttal to
this question. Drawing on Andersen, in
particular the Snow Queen, as well as legends about the Knights Templar and the
Holy Grail. It is part fairy tale, part
creation myth, and part medieval legend.
(Pope Joan is even referenced).
But
above all, it is that rebuttal to those who would dismiss older women or, in
the case of Christabel Burns, women of color.
But it isn’t a commune of peace, love and women getting along. It isn’t totally devoid of men either, though
it is worth noting what type of men do make appearances as well as what type of
women.
It is
difficult to put a pin into this book.
Magical realism, fantasy, fairy tale, legend. All describe it. It is a magical reading and will stick with
you.
Leonora Carrington with cat
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