“The kitchen was the heartland of Allersmead. Of course. That is so in any well-adjusted family home, and Allersmead was a shrine to family.”
Family Album by Penelope Lively
The Allersmead home is like a throwback to another era. Set in contemporary times, the family in question lives in a shabby Edwardian mansion. For Alison nothing was as important as showing how close the family was, but the six children, and the au pair who lives with them well after the children have grown, are anything but close. As a matter of fact each one remembers moments from their lives where events were glossed over in an effort to present a picture of a perfect family.
Charles, the father who seems to live on the periphery of the family, only engages with his children when he talks of the books he is writing. It almost impossible to think that he and Alison once were in love and dated, and likewise, I never saw that Alison resented his lack of participation with the family. She seemed to be too busy keeping up a front and smiling along as she prepared meals, threw parties and was so self-satisfied and perhaps a bit smug even with the image she presented of a happy homemaker.
The novel weaves through the lives of the six children; Paul, Gina, Sandra, Katie, Roger and Clare. Each one so different and each one ready to part ways with Allersmead. They grow up and go away except for Paul who keeps returning home. It’s curious that what Alison was trying so hard to do, keep the family together, was the one thing she couldn’t control. It vexed her to think that her children didn’t want to stay around Allersmead once they were grown.
Where their views on family distorted by what they saw at home? Perhaps, as some seem to have a hard time making permanent connections with significant others and no one wants that many kids, if any. Is the mom to blame? The father? Or are they just rebelling against the way they were brought up?
While each character had a unique perspective on how events unfolded and it was interesting to see that develop, the most enigmatic character is Ingrid, the au pair. The young Scandinavian woman came to the family and never left. At times she seemed resentful and could be cutting with her remarks but no one seems to take exception to that. What drove Ingrid to make her decisions?
Some actions and things are never spoken about in families but somehow they are known by everyone and that is what is at the heart of this book. I think the way that was portrayed in this story was very believable. As was Alison really because despite the fact that she knew things weren’t perfect she was not going to show or give up on how she presented herself to others.
A quiet family drama that simmers with what is left unsaid and the resentments held by each member.
Source: Personal copy
Yes, Penelope Lively is very very good at bringing the “unsaid” into the story. This sounds like a most interesting book. Thanks for the review!
I can’t think where I have heard the name Penelope Lively before. I am going to have to search her books out now, to stop it bugging me.
“A quiet family drama that simmers with what is left unsaid” — Ooooh, you’ve got me. I’ll be looking this one up.
Incidentally, Iliana, I must tell you that after all my whining someone has created a bookmaking class in my area!!! It filled up before I even heard about it, but I’m so thrilled. I’m now following the people who are in charge, hoping they’ll do a second class.
ds – Glad you enjoyed that. I definitely want to read more by her after reading this book. From some reviews I saw it seemed like this wasn’t one of her best and I really liked it so I can’t wait to read more.
vivienne – haha… Oh isn’t it funny when that happens. I hope you’ll find what you were looking for!
Bookfool, aka Nancy – Yay, so glad you are adding to your list. And, I’m doing a happy dance that you get to take some bookbinding classes, hopefully soon. It is so much fun and the variety of books you can make with all the papers, cloth, recycled materials, etc. is amazing. You’ll have to keep me posted if you take the class and what you’ll learn!
This one sounds like an interesting family drama. great review 🙂
I love the last line of your review…it hooked me enough that I’m definitely going to have to pick this book up when I’m at the library next. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!
Where is the novel set? Do all the kids move away?
I had seen a lot of books by this author on the used books site and kept on wondering if I should buy them 🙂
I think I like this one, family drama and all.
bookworm – Thank you. I love family dramas! So much easier to deal with than one’s own right 🙂
Samantha – Thank you! I hope you’ll find it at the library. It’s not very new so there’s hope 🙂
Isabel – England and all except for one who’s a bit of a loser really. I didn’t talk about him but I wonder if readers would blame the parents for how he turned out being that he was “the favorite”. Interesting.
Veens – I’ve only read another book by her but it’s been a long time and I can barely remember what it was. I believe she won the Booker prize for one of her novels and I’d definitely like to check that one out!
Your review of this one makes me really curious. All that simmering beneath a quite domestic surface….
I’ve yet to read anything by Penelope Lively, though I have a book or two of hers on my shelves. I like family dramas so I may have to check this one out.
I love books like these and explore the complexities of family relationships.