Thursday 1 November 2012

Alys, Always


You know I'm always looking for well-written contemporary fiction and most of the writers I like are American woman.  Anne Tyler, Elizabeth Strout, Curtis Sittenfeld, Ann Patchett, Barbara Kingsolver and Louise Erdrich to name but a few.  So I was delighted to discover this little gem of a novel set firmly in and around London by the English writer Harriet Lane.

With more than a nod to Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, this is the story of literary journalist Frances who happens upon a road accident where a dying woman exchanges a few words with her.  Frances can tell from the woman's 'cultured, expensive' voice that she is privileged and later discovers that she is the wife of a famous writer.

Frances then takes it upon herself to replace the dead wife and insert herself into the writer's life  although - as with all unreliable narrators - you can never be quite sure of her motives and whether she is really as cold-hearted as her actions convey.

There are wonderful descriptions of London and the gossipy, insular world of a literary magazine.  If you are looking for an autumnal read with a bit of a sting in the tale you may want to pick up a copy of Alys Always.

11 comments:

Bonnie said...

You have certainly hooked me. I am adding it to the top of my list. Thanks!

Audrey said...

I'm hooked, too!
(And thanks for your good wishes after the storm. It wasn't really all that bad where I live - but just as terrifying for us to watch on TV!

Joan Hunter Dunn said...

It does sound like a good winter read, I shall write it down in my notebook.

Cornflower said...

It's excellent, isn't it!

Darlene said...

Thanks to Cornflower's post on this book I placed a hold on it at the library but my turn came up at a bad time so back it went. Off to replace that hold...

Kat said...

Thank you for the recommendation! The title sounds vaguely familiar, meaning I must have read something about it somewhere. But I like the books you read, and so I will seek this out.

Alex said...

Well, if she matches up to your list of American authors I'm off to look for this immediately. Thanks for the recommendation.

Lindsay said...

I've been thinking about this one for a little while and your review has given me more encouragement to get hold of a copy.

Sunday Taylor said...

Oh this one sounds good! Thanks, I love books set in London.

Darlene said...

Nicola, I would love it if you would send me an email just to say 'hi' so your address is stored in my list. It would be lovely to meet up with you during one of my trips. The next one probably won't happen for a couple of years now but half the fun is the planning! My email should be accessible through my blog..have a great day!

Vintage Reading said...

Bonnie, sometimes it seems there is nothing I want to read but at the moment there is so much good fiction around.

Audrey, it looked terrifying on the TV. Glad its over.

Joan, Harriet Lane is certainly a writer to watch.

Karen, can't think how I missed your original review - I've tracked it down and read it now!

Darlene, hope you can get it from the library - well worth a read! I will send you my email, would be great to meet up when you are next here.

Kat, yes it was vaguely on my radar, too. Not a great deal of publicity for a first novel though.

Alex, I love American contemporary fiction. Some fabulour writers around right now.

Lindsay, look forward to your review!

Sunday, I think you would like this, do post a review if you read it.