willemite

Ok, I selected this from our stacks because it was of reasonable length, and I figured that if it was good, I could blast through two others of hers that we have on hand. BUT, I wondered what the hell I was reading in short order. There is payload about the small, isolated, Lake District community, Mardale, in which the action is set. The story has to do with the Manchester Waterworks coming to town and telling folks sorry, but we will be filling up your lovely valley and village. A dam is planned. The messenger is the suave, somewhat mysterious Jack Liggett, who has a knack, and seems determined to get the town to agree with the rationale for the project. He seems to want to be liked. Then there is Janet Lightburn, the strong, intelligent and feisty daughter of Sam and Ella. Is this a serious novel or a silly romance? 200 pages in, I felt no real desire to read anything more by this author. By the end of the book, I was a little more open to the possibility.

There is some very nice writing in here, to be sure, and we do learn something about the area and the times (depression). She does a lot with water, the image of which pervades the book in various forms. And her nature writing is quite lovely. I was troubled by the jarring shift in character applied to Janet, the very strong leading lady, who, after a very dire event, completely loses it. Her final swipe at the project seemed rather pathetic. And I wanted for much more to be done with her brother, Isaac. He was intriguing while on stage, but was never explained or given much depth. What happens with him also seemed inexplicable. I suppose one can forgive such in a first novel. Does Hall improve enough with subsequent works to be granted a second chance? That feeling of bodice-ripping lingers.

Why was it that the lovemaking between Jack and Janet was always violent, leaving one or both bruised or bleeding every time?

The eagle Jack has killed was intended to be an affront to the uppers among whom he swims, but when it is brought to him, he feels shame for what he has done. This echoes his mixed feelings at killing Marden. He dies trying to make some amends for this sin.

Why must the strong, strong, strong Janet fall to pieces at the end?