Rose Tremaine: The Darkness of Wallis Simpson (September 2017)

This book is a collection of Short Stories written by Rose Tremaine.

She is regarded as one of the most atmospheric British Novelists, having won many award for her books. She mainly concentrates on novels but has also included a few some short story collections.

She was born in 1943 and educated both in East Anglia and the Sorbonne in Paris. She has been married twice and has 1 daughter.

Her books have been described as sophisticated, poignant and thought provoking; and regularly conveys the fears and foibles of her individual characters , allowing insight into the humanity behind the darkest deeds and secrets.

These are the threads and themes which the Group found prevalent in all the stories within this book. Although each story is separate and individual, nevertheless there is a “darkness” within the main characters, who are searching for closure to their lives which appear to have become stagnated or floundering – dispirited and viewing a future with no meaning. The mood is often of depression and hopelessness and a bleakness of happy memories which have been erased by pain, confusion or sadness and dreams of “what could be”.

These comments may deter some people from reading this book but that would be a pity as the intelligence and brilliance of the author in conveying these emotions and painting clear pictures within these unusual and incredible stories is outstanding. The stories range from 4 to 30 pages, but within each one, the author produces characters and stories so strong, that one can’t help but admire.

I will mention 3 of the stories.

The Darkness of Wallis Simpson

This is based on the period of her life, when she is widowed and bedridden in a Paris Hotel, isolated and suffering from dementia. Her only companion being her lawyer, who appears to be a complex person, loving one minute and abusive the next. The author supposes what might have been going through Wallis’s mind and dwells on her first 2 marriages before the Duke of Windsor and her relationship with Hitler and the Nazis. It is thought provoking and the Group had mixed feelings regarding it, ranging from wonderfully created to not liking or unsure.

The Beauty of the Dawn Shift

This is a story of a young soldier from Eastern Germany reflecting on the probable social changes due to take place after the destruction of the Berlin Wall and the effect on his life, and whether to choose the new Western opportunities or remain within the familiarity of Eastern culture. He decides he would achieve happiness and a better future to stay and Russia would be his ideal home. Therefore with no money and few possessions he starts on a journey to seek peace and freedom. He intends to ride his bike through Germany and Poland in freezing temperatures to reach his “Utopia”. However he faces mockery, suspicion and untoward physical miseries, struggling to retain his patriotic identity.

It is a touching story, but one which the Group again was divided upon, ranging between admiration of the author’s capacity with words and the sadness of the theme.

How It Stacks Up

This is a story contained within 4 pages, of an Irish family living in England, and of the father yearning for his life back in Ireland, unfettered from responsibilities and enjoying the freedom and enjoyment of his younger days. This idealism is further stoked when he reaches his 46th birthday. Gathering at his birthday meal in a friend’s restaurant he surveys his indifferent wife, his rebellious teenage son and his uninspiring daughter bringing things to a head, – the dirty plates and dishes and left over food stacked before him as a symbol of his life – cold and a heavy burden. Will he send them crashing to the floor in thousands of pieces ? – well you will have to read the book to find out !

This collection of stories certainly instigated a lively and stimulating discussion with our group with divided opinions but which were both challenging and invigorating.

Margaret Cunningham

24th Oct. 2017.