Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen

From the very first page of The House in Paris when Henrietta is collected from the train station by Miss Fisher, both wearing cerise cockades so as to recognize one another, I adored this book.  Elizabeth Bowen's genius as a writer is staggering and to anyone who doesn't agree or simply does not get on with her...I could weep for you.

Henrietta Mountjoy is meant to spend the day in Paris viewing attractions, her first choice being the Trocadero, as a break before reaching Mentone.  Arriving at Mme Fisher's house on a quiet side street she discovers that she is not the only child visiting that day but she is good-natured and understanding.  Leopold, with his skinny legs, is waiting to meet another woman, his birth mother.  While Miss Fisher is upstairs tending to her chronically ill mother who holds court in her bedroom, Leopold mischievously roots through her bag and discovers three envelopes.  One containing a letter from his adoptive parents, the second from Henrietta's grandmother and the third, postmarked from Berlin, is from his birth mother but is empty.  Of course Leopold reads the letters and has his eyes opened even wider to his situation.

In the middle section of the book, Bowen takes the reader back in time to when Karen Michaelis and Ray Forrestier are engaged, as is Naomi Fisher and Max Ebhart.  Barely out of school, the young ladies are aware that their destiny is to run a respectable house, to provide children and a layer of status for their future husbands.  But one of these two women seeks, if only briefly, to indulge not only her heart but her sexuality in a daring way prior to holy matrimony.  Considering this novel was published in 1935, it's quite an illicit storyline, but not to worry, there are enough glances and sniffs regarding class to keep the tone quite respectable.  Although, should you think this novel rips at the seams with buttons and bows, tea and cake, panelling and fripperies, think again!  There is a tragic twist that is quite brutal in the writing and was rather shocking as I didn't see it coming despite being riveted by every word.  I'll just mention that this is not a book to be plowed through, if you're looking for a quick read then grab something else.  My hope though is that you're intrigued enough to seek out this magnificently written story for yourself so I will leave the plot there.

The last section of the book brings the reader back to the present and the end of an emotion filled day.  For everyone involved their lives will never be the same.  But as the front door opens at the house in Paris and its occupants step outside, you feel yourself breathing in the cool night's air and the open space that is their future.  And once you've read the last page there is nothing to do but be in awe of Elizabeth Bowen and her masterful way with the written word.

14 comments:

  1. The word 'exquisite' in regards to prose always makes me sit a little straighter in my chair; I've only read one of Bowen's novels, but your thoughts make me want to read more!

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  2. It's so many years since I read this, Darlene, that I've completely forgotten it; you certainly make me want to pull it down from the shelf.

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  3. Reviews like this make me yearn for Melbourne as that is the place I find my books!!!! This goes on my TBR

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  4. Such a warm review insists that I search out this title. You have reminded us what a treasure we have awaiting us in Elizabeth Bowen.

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  5. I've had To The North quite high on my wishlish ever since reading yours and Rachel's (Book Snob) enthusiastic reviews on it. Now I'm gonna have to add this in as well. Lovely review. :)

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  6. Aaaaah Darlene what are you doing to me?!?! I am pulling this off the shelf as soon as I get home - it sounds spectacular!

    I could weep for people who don't 'get' Bowen either...she was such a genius with words.

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  7. Me too -- I long to read this NOW!!!

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  8. This is a wonderful review and makes me want to start this book immediately! I have all of her novels and don't think I have read this one. "The Death of the Heart" is the one most vivid in my memory. Thanks for another great recommendation!

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  9. Buried in Print, Lovely of you to drop by! This was my second novel by Bowen, the first being To the North. Both were so outstanding I've ordered three more!

    mary, That's the problem with reading these bloody reviews isn't it!? Everything sounds wonderful and then you have a case of 'bookish ADHD'!

    Mystica, I yearn for bookshops all the time. Well, here's to your next trip and it's so lovely to hear from you!

    Martina, Bowen was also extremely supportive of Elizabeth Taylor when other authors weren't being very kind. She is a star in my books!

    Michelle, Thank you! It was very tempting to edge this book out as my favourite of the two but I'm going to just let it sink in for a bit. But pick either one to start with, you won't be sorry!

    Rachel, Hahaha...so there! You would absolutely LOVE this book and how lucky that we're saying that quite a bit about books lately!

    harriet, My work here is done then! I really hope you enjoy it but then again, how could you not? My little pea brain had to really work at times but I'm sure you will find it a breeze.

    Sunday Taylor, I have that one on my shelf and a lovely old edition at that! This year is going to be a bit of a Bowen-fest I think. Have a super day!

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  10. And since DGR was also reading this book this morning it must be a sign for me to track it down.

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  11. Susan, Help! I don't know what DGR means. Plugging it into google got me 'dangerous goods regulations' and that can't be right!

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  12. I struggled my way through my only Bowen novel so far (The Last September) despite expecting to enjoy her.. but I did buy this one after Susan Hill raved about it in Howards End is on the Landing. I'll stiffen the sinews and summon the blood and give her another go sometime...

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  13. StuckInABook, Hahaha...don't make me weep for you! I've ordered three more Bowen novels and The Last September is one of them so perhaps I'm best leaving that one until last. Now get outside and enjoy the snow!

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  14. I've read a few of Elizabeth Bowen's novels and short stories and thought she was wonderful. It's been too long, though, and she seems quite popular now so I am planning on reading something else this year. She (like so many others....) is on my list! :)

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