2008-01-06 Beautiful, but very much 'of its time'

Consuelo does have a wonderful gift with words. She is described in the preface as a wonderful storyteller and the poetic turns of phrase in the novel will make you double back and read it again, or say a line aloud.

The memoir does relate a fascinating life. She moves from place to place, meets amazing people and survives First World War France stealing pigs and forming a tight-knit group of friends. However, I found myself hundreds of times just screaming aloud, "You stupid woman!" I understand the book is of its time, and women had very low place in society, but Antoine treats Consuelo appallingly- even she recognises this. And yet every single time, he summons her and she comes. Her friends tell her "It is your duty as a wife." And it is full of very distressing lines such as "With my wifely duties gone, my woman's heart was useless." Antoine abandons her time and again, has countless affairs and treats her with no greater affection than a lovable pet.

The plot is also unfounded at times because Consuelo spends much of her time merely listing time and place, and only pays lip service to certain important events. What I loved most were the single-scene events she would relate, such as the saving of the roses, her conversations with the captain, which I think she summarises as "we talked about everything." The language is beautifully translated and Consuelo is articulate without being overdetailed. But there were times I wanted much more. I could have grasped much of her life from history books. The personal narration was the most compelling part of the novel.

A beautifully written and touching novel. Difficult to read, as a woman of the 21st century- it does put you off men for some time- but I suppose great novels often are.