Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Brightness by Elizabeth Jenkins

'...Marion Sugden, whose house it was, produced a cigarette pack from her bag; the cigarette she put into her mouth was the last, and she threw the empty packet with its pulled-out silver foil and tissue-paper on to the grass, chucking it as far as she could, for naturally she did not want the litter just outside her own front gate.  The weightless object dropped too near for her satisfaction, and she took a step after it, scuffing it with her toe a little farther off.'

Persephone Books has just reprinted Elizabeth Jenkins' book Harriet which I look forward to reading but in the meantime it is another of her books which has been occupying my time.  After stumbling upon a gorgeous black Virago edition of The Tortoise and the Hare two years ago and quickly becoming a fan of Jenkins' style of writing, I went back and scooped up Brightness for 75¢.  It's worth ten times that amount and then some.

Una Lambert lives in wind-swept New Broadlands with her son, Richard, just out of his teens.  Her husband drowned while serving as a naval officer barely two years into their marriage leaving her a young widow.    Raising her son while being useful to her neighbours and community keeps Una from feeling lonely.  She could not be more opposite in values to Marion Sugden whose family is very much part of the 'nouveau riche' set.  The local women who work part-time at the Sugden's house as domestics barely lift a finger as every mod-con in production make housework a breeze.  Their son, Derek, is nineteen years old and despite his father wanting him to make his mark on the family business he is not interested in anything which doesn't revolve around sports cars, flash clothes, women and himself.  I haven't run into such a narcissistic dynamic duo in literature as this mother and son in quite some time.

For the first three-quarters of the book the reader is immersed in the day-to-day events surrounding the Sugden and Lambert families.  Richard is beyond his years in accepting the Sugden's for what they are and through his words of wisdom and saintly guidance, Una, bears news of vacation plans and posh purchases with resolve.  One indulgence too many though brings about an horrific event that shatters these two families (note: tissues) and presents a dilemma to citizens within the community.  One voice in particular campaigns for justice and vows to stop at nothing until it is served.

If you thoroughly enjoyed Jenkins' The Tortoise and the Hare it is a cut above Brightness but the experience is still a richly satisying one so don't hesitate to pick it up...if you can find it.

16 comments:

  1. What a find, Darlene, and for 75c! The only one I've read, apart from Tortoise and the Hare, is Dr Gully - which seems to have quite a lot in common with what I've been reading about Harriet.

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    1. There were two very yellowed copies of Dr Gully on the shelf when I bought Brightness. It might be worth checking to see if they're still there!

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  2. What a lucky find, Darlene! It sounds fascinating! I have Harriet ready to read and am really looking forward to it! :)

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    1. Just about as lucky a find as your bargain basement gems from Charing Cross Road! It's stamped as a discard from York Public Library so goodness knows how many homes it has stopped in. Enjoy your 'hot off the press' copy of Harriet!

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  3. Why do I never find these gems? Jenkins is a wonderful literary critic, too. Her Jane Austen book is one of the finest I've read. Loved Tortoise and the Hare, too.

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    1. Haha, the place where I found this was not a second-hand bookshop but a place where people take items they clear out of houses or that didn't sell at a garage sale. It's a retro-lovers dream! Look for something like it in your community and you just never know.

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  4. Where are you finding books for 75¢, Darlene, in this country of over-priced books?!? I haven't read anything by Jenkins yet but it sounds like she is an author I definitely need to try!

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    1. At the Reuse Centre! Check your community for something similiar, Claire. It's basically a dumping ground for things people clear out of homes so they're not precious about the books, they just want rid. Not very pretty but you can't beat the prices!

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  5. I have just read (and reviewed) Harriet, which I absolutely loved, and am just starting a re-read of The Tortoise and the Hare. I would LOVE to read this too -- EJ is my newest passion. Thanks!

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    1. I read your wonderful review! Harriet, you would love this book so keep your eyes peeled if you're in second-hand shops. Who knows? It may even be another reprint in the offing...fingers crossed.

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  6. Our Tasmania State Library has one copy of this book tucked away so I have just placed a hold on it to see if I get it. Sounds like a good read. Enjoyed the review, Pam

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  7. Pam, Oh that's great! My library disappoints so often when I hear about a gem so hopefully yours comes through for you. Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. Thanks so much for this review! I found a beat-up paperback of Brightness (minus the covers) a while ago, but haven't read it yet. A Silent Joy (another Jenkins) is also waiting on my shelf. I so love The Tortoise and the Hare; it's now in my top 15 faves, so I look forward to the other two!

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    1. Leticia, You're welcome and oh my goodness! a paperback minus the covers is definitely a beat-up copy. Good thing you didn't send it to the bin though, it's a good one!

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  9. Thank you for introducing a new author to me.

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  10. Hi Darlene, Thank you for this. I had been looking for something else along the lines of the Tortoise and the Hare by Elizabeth Jenkins, but only coming up with the biographies and history books. And luckily a online search of my library's website unearthed a copy of Brightness in their HQ stores. I've placed a reservation and I'm looking forward to reading it.

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