Bitter Orange, by Claire Fuller
Claire Fuller is a favorite at my bookstore; I discovered her debut novel Our Endless Numbered Days and fell in love with her fantastically paced writing and a plot that moved slowly but inexorably towards an explosively creepy conclusion. Her second book, Swimming Lessons, was even better paced and cemented her as a skilled author with a deft hand at revealing plot lines piece by delicious piece. Bitter Orange, Fuller's third novel, manages to be a page-turner even though not much actually happens, a testament to her ability to draw you into the atmosphere she weaves. Plus, knowing Fuller's previous novels, it was damn near titillating watching her piece the story together, knowing the conclusion would rock me. I won't spoil it for anyone, but you can be sure that it did.
In 1969, Frances is a 39-year-old single woman who's mother, for whom she'd cared for a decade, has finally passed away. A self-taught architectural historian, Frances is hired by an American to survey and report upon the state of the grounds and gardens of an estate in the English countryside. Frances is not the only one there; to generate a similar survey of what remains inside the house, the owner has also hired Peter, an antiques expert. With Peter is his wife, Cara, who quickly proves to be high-spirited and somewhat troubled. Frances is extremely tentative at first, having never been comfortable with others, but Peter and Cara's vivaciousness wins her over and she gradually opens up to them, adopting their lifestyle of drinking, smoking, and lounging at all possible moments. The estate is decrepit, and as its secrets are slowly discovered, so too is the past that all three inhabitants are hiding from each other.
While I'd certainly call this a gothic novel, the setting during a heatwave in high summer changes the atmosphere in a really interesting way. There are no chill winds or empty tree branches scrapping at windows. Instead, there is the lushness of the garden, overgrown and overripe; the cool relief of the lake, full of weeds; cool gin cocktails that addle the senses. This is another stellar novel by Claire Fuller, and, as always, I gleefully await the next.
Pre-order it from your local bookstore!
In 1969, Frances is a 39-year-old single woman who's mother, for whom she'd cared for a decade, has finally passed away. A self-taught architectural historian, Frances is hired by an American to survey and report upon the state of the grounds and gardens of an estate in the English countryside. Frances is not the only one there; to generate a similar survey of what remains inside the house, the owner has also hired Peter, an antiques expert. With Peter is his wife, Cara, who quickly proves to be high-spirited and somewhat troubled. Frances is extremely tentative at first, having never been comfortable with others, but Peter and Cara's vivaciousness wins her over and she gradually opens up to them, adopting their lifestyle of drinking, smoking, and lounging at all possible moments. The estate is decrepit, and as its secrets are slowly discovered, so too is the past that all three inhabitants are hiding from each other.
While I'd certainly call this a gothic novel, the setting during a heatwave in high summer changes the atmosphere in a really interesting way. There are no chill winds or empty tree branches scrapping at windows. Instead, there is the lushness of the garden, overgrown and overripe; the cool relief of the lake, full of weeds; cool gin cocktails that addle the senses. This is another stellar novel by Claire Fuller, and, as always, I gleefully await the next.
Pre-order it from your local bookstore!
Comments
Post a Comment