The Railway Man's Wife by Ashley Hay

"It's not what we forget

But what was never known we most regret

Discovery of"

Stephen Edgar 

Welcome to the month of May's book: The Railwayman's Wife by Ashley Hay. I have listed some points for discussion and to think about as you read the journey of Annika, Roy and Frank.

About the book

In a small town on the land’s edge, in the strange space at a war’s end, a widow, a poet and a doctor each try to find their own peace, and their own new story. In Thirroul, in 1948, people chase their dreams through the books in the railway’s library. 

Anikka Lachlan searches for solace after her life is fractured by a single random act. 

Roy McKinnon, who found poetry in the mess of war, has lost his words and his hope. 

Frank Draper is trapped by the guilt of those his treatment and care failed on their fi rst day of freedom. 

All three struggle with the same question: how now to be alive.

Written in clear, shining prose and with an eloquent understanding of the human heart, The Railwayman’s Wife explores the power of beginnings and endings, and how hard it can be sometimes to tell them apart. It’s a story of life, loss and what comes after; of connection and separation, longing and acceptance. Most of all, it celebrates love in all its forms, and the beauty of discovering that loving someone can be as extraordinary as being loved yourself.

A story that will break your heart with hope.

About the author

Ashley Hay is the author of five previous books including Gum, Museum (with visual artist Robyn Stacey) and The Body in the Clouds - her first novel, which was shortlisted for a number of prizes including categories in the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and the New South Wales and West Australian Premier’s Awards, and longlisted for the 2011 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.

A former literary editor of The Bulletin, she contributes to a number of publications including The Monthly, Australian Geographic, and The Australian, and her essays and short stories have appeared in volumes including Brothers and Sisters (2009), various issues of the Griffith Review, Best Australian Essays (2003), Best Australian Short Stories (2012), and Best Australian Science Writing (2012).

She lives in Brisbane.

Reviews & Quotes

‘Ashley Hay’s beautiful romance of grief and love set in the escarpment landscape that once enchanted D.H. Lawrence will come to speak for the south coast in the same way that Delia Falconer’s The Service of Clouds speaks for the Blue Mountains. 

Everything about this novel – sudden loss, unexpected love, misdirected hope and desire, as well as the mysterious power of the written word and the candesence of the coastal landscape itself – is expressed with a profound understanding of every nuance of emotion. An extended meditation on ‘the limitless surprise of being here’, to quote from the poem that is central to the story, The Railwayman’s Wife illuminates the deepest places of the human heart.’ - Debra Adelaide, author of The Household Guide to Dying.

For discussion:

1. 􀂊In Paula Grunseit’s review of The Railwayman’s Wife, she states ‘Many rhythms form the soundtrack to this story – the sounds of the ocean, the words of great poets and writers, the changing views in a kaleidoscope, and the constant presence of trains.’ 

Discuss Grunseit’s comment – how do these sounds and sights punctuate the novel, and bracket the major events within?

2.􀂊 Consider the following quote: ‘...Mac raised his cup and paused – the smallest toast – that was marriage, he thought, remaking yourself in someone else’s image. And who knew where the truth of it began or would end?’ The Railwayman’s Wife, p. 169. 

Do you agree with Mac’s interpretation of marriage?

􀂊3. In response to Isabel’s question about where Mac is after death, along with fallen soldiers, Annika states: ‘It’s probably like your kaleidoscope: you look at one piece of space, and every tiny twist or turn multiplies that into somewhere new – somewhere different. More than enough room for everyone’s version of everyone to fit in somewhere, to be doing different things we all think they ought to be doing.’ The Railwayman’s Wife, p. 175.

Discuss Annika’s thoughts and feelings when confronted with information and anecdotes about Mac after his death.

􀂊4. Both Mac and Roy think of Annika as an angel. Why do you think this is so?

􀂊5. What do you make of the conversation between Dr Frank Draper and Annika in the library, on their first meeting? (pp. 99 – 102)

􀂊6. Consider Roy’s poem, ‘Lost World’ (the poem appears in its entirety pp. 208 – 210). Do you think it is a nexus between the world he has seen torn apart by war, and what he has found in Thirroul.

7. Annika carries Kangaroo ‘like a literary Baedeker’ (page 21), using it to identify places around Thirroul. Discuss 

Suggested Reading

Novels:

Kangaroo – D.H. Lawrence

Jane Eyre – Charlotte Brontë

Foal’s Bread – Gillian Mears

The Service of Clouds – Delia Falconer

In Falling Snow – Mary-Rose MacColl

Currawalli Street – Christopher Morgan

The Body in the Clouds – Ashley Hay

Poetry:

Everyone Sang – Siegfried Sassoon

How Do I Love Thee? – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

On Being Asked for a War Poem – W.B. Yeats

Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven – W.B. Yeats

History of the Day – Stephen Edgar

‘Over the Brazier – Robert Graves

Credit: Allen & Unwin's Reading Guide

http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=94&book=9781743314449

Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park

 During a recent trip to Sydney, I stayed at Darling Harbour and spent one of my days taking a look around The Rocks. I am currently writing about The Rocks and its history.

I've been fascinated with The Rocks area for many years, dating back to my uni days in the early 80's, so much so it has wound up in the novel I am working on.

I enjoyed looking at the terrace homes and the lane ways, some still paved with cobblestones and short door ways. When you look closely you can see lots of indicators of a time gone by. I found, as always, the area completely fascinating with very rich historical fodder.

I took lots of photos and spent the best part of the day immersed in the history of the place, including a trip to the local museum and visiting Argyle Street and all it has to offer.

Terraces found at the Rocks

Learning about some of the locals and the history of the place got me wondering about what it might have been like to live in The Rocks back in the day and what would a child's life consist of?

A view of tight little rear yards that back onto narrow lanes.

During my research I heard about Ruth Park's book, Playing Beatie Bow, so as soon as I returned to Brisbane I searched on iBooks for it and downloaded an ibook version. I read it on my iPad and phone whenever in transit. It was an enjoyable story and one I had not read before. It was great to read so close after visiting the areas, because the names of the streets and places mentioned in the book were fresh to me from my wanderings around the area.

Time travel features in the story of Playing Beatie Bow and I'm totally interested in time travel and always keen to find out how authors who have ever used this concept in their work makes it happen for their characters. The idea Ms Park used satisfied me and made me believe it was feasible that time travel could happen the way it did in her story.

I talked about this book with some of my friends, some who said they had read it many years ago, back in their school days. But I had not even heard of it. How is this so?

When I first downloaded the book, I naturally thought it would be a children's book (I know, you should never judge a book by its cover), but it didn't take me long to realise it was targeted for an older audience; it is listed as a Young Adults book. Ruth Park used her insight and tackled some very realistic issues that many kids of today's society face each and every day, but manages to successfully weave them through a story that involves the issues that children and society faced one hundred years earlier. The comparisons are interesting, especially the view points of the characters from both eras.

A community garden growing down one of the old lanes

Merriman Street, The Rocks

A Most Immoral Woman by Linda Jaivin

My summer holidays are sadly drawing to a close. They say all good things must come to an end. But I ask, 'Why is this so?' Even though the holidays will pass, I know that it doesn't matter what part of the year it is, I will always be able to read a book. They are my constant companions, when I wish them to be.

I know I've been absent from blogging for a short while. I decided to take a break in order to fit in with the busyness of life so I could get some other things accomplished as well.

I'd like to share some of my holiday reading with you all and for this post I thought I'd start with Linda Jaivin's 'a most Immoral Woman.'

Back in September this year I attended the Brisbane Writers Festival and participated in a number of Writers' workshops, including one on Historical Fiction with Linda Jaivin. At each of the workshops, the authors promote their works and as a result, just like every year, I end my time at the Brisbane Writers Festival with an arm full of new books purchased for my 'stable'. That's the easy part. The hard part is finding time to read them all. So I made an end of year resolution for my holidays this year, that I would read as many titles from my purchases from the Brisbane Writers Festival as I could. As a result, I read a real mix of titles I might not normally reach for. This is a good thing because it stretches me and makes me richer for it. It also confirms what I enjoy reading and what I know is not my cup of tea.

I really didn't know what to expect with the novel, 'a most Immoral Woman'. I really enjoyed Linda's workshop and her stories of China, but I wasn't sure what the real angle of the story would take. I'm glad I read it. I really enjoyed Linda's style of writing and found it very easy to glide over the pages. She kept each chapter short, which I really liked. It moved the story along at a very nice pace.

Jaivin's work in the first instance is fiction, however, it is inspired by real people and real events. Linda Jaivin writes:

"The idea for the novel came to me while reading Peter Thompson and Robert Macklin's 2004 biography of George Ernest Morrison, 'The Man Who Died Twice' (republished in 2007 as The Life and Adventures of Morrison of China). Fascinated by the authors' brief discussion of Morrison's affair with Mae and wanting more information, I turned to my bookshelf and found Cyril Pearl's 1967 classic biography 'Morrison of Peking,' and was then sufficiently intrigued to track down Mae's family archive with its phenomenal collection of love letters from admirers including Willie Vanderbilt Jnr and Congressman John Wesley Gaines, as well as the long-suffering, thrice-engaged George Bew. Of all the written sources I consulted, Morrison's own diaries and letters and the Pearl biography were most central to my understanding of the man himself. Another very important historical source was Peter Slattery's 'Reporting the Russo-Japanese War, 1904-5:  Lionel Jame's first wireless transmissions to The Times' (Global Oriental, Folkestone, Kent, England, 2004). "   

(excerpt taken from Acknowledgments, "a most Immoral Woman" page 367)

Every character is flawed in this novel and that made it quite endearing to me. The characters were not perfect, nor was the time in which the story was set. There was an air of turbulence with the war and with Ernest and Mae's affair.

Set in 1904, we find our protagonist, forty-two year old Australian G. E. Morrison, a Peking correspondent for The Times of London, who was considered the most eligible bachelor in China still single and yet to meet his match. But one night he encounters Mae Perkins, the ravishing daughter of a Californian millionaire and a turbulent affair begins.

The backdrop for their encounter is the war between Russia and Japan for domination over northeast China. Morrison's colleague Lionel James has an idea that will revolutionise war correspondence, but only Morrison can help him achieve his goal.

"Inspired by a true story, 'a most Immoral Woman' is a surprising, witty and erotic tale of sexual and other obsessions set in the 'floating world' of Westerners in China and Japan at the turn of the twentieth century. At its heart stands an original and devastatingly honest woman, as seen from the perspective of the extraordinary man who was drawn to love her."

Jaivin's clever writing hooked me at the end of every chapter, enticing me to read on. Knowing that the chapters were short, she usually won out and several chapters further on, I'd decide it was time to do something else. I found the writing flowed well and was interesting in the way she ordered the words upon the page. I found her chapter titles a little frustrating and flowery, but they did alert me to what was coming up next and I must admit sometimes, because of them, I kept reading.

It's a great little read and not really being a war buff, I did actually enjoy learning a little about the war, the people and the variances of cultures brought together during this time.

I recommend this book to those interested in Historical fiction. I don't think Ms Jaivin will disappoint.

Until next time,
happy reading...

Reading in Between

 In between reading what's on the booklist for book club, I often read a number of other books on the go. My bedside table is regularly stacked with 'wanna be read' titles that wait patiently for their turn. I'm sure there are many book lovers out there who are just like me.

A couple of books worthy of a mention are the following: One Day by David Nicholls and The Mystery of the Cleaning Lady by Sue Woolfe.

I bought One Day some time ago, pretty much on a whim and the fact that I actually liked the cover of this particular book. I found it very appealing. I know...you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but nevertheless, I found myself drawn to it, simply because of the cover. At the time I purchased my copy, I didn't have time to start reading it, so I added it to my 'to read' pile, which, by the way, keeps growing every time I visit a book store.

Then, one day I was flicking through the movies on FOX and there it was. Usually, I refuse to watch a movie before reading the book, however, I decided for some strange reason to for-go this usual practice and decided I felt like watching, what I thought was a romantic comedy. I wasn't sure what to expect and felt for sure it would be reasonably light-hearted. The movie was a mixture between light-heartedness and many other emotions that accompany relationships. Little did I know I was in for a few surprises. I must admit though, I did enjoy the movie a great deal. It inspired me to elevate the waiting book to top priority of 'a must read - and soon' category. Now I wanted to see how closely the movie followed the book. So glad I did. I really enjoyed the by play between characters more so than the actual characters I think. Even though there were traits that I didn't particularly enjoy in the character of Dex, he still managed to grow on me. I felt a certain empathy toward him, even though I knew he probably didn't deserve it.

I enjoyed the way author, David Nicholls stitched the book together. It was well written and quite plausible. The characters were ordinary people trying, at times, to be extraordinary. And, as life sometimes has it, timing is everything and how many people do you know can relate to the whole out of sync routine? I know plenty. I'm not here to give anyone a blow by blow description of what happens. You can google that information, or read the book. Sometimes, I just like to share my thoughts about an author's work as I am doing here. Reading the book really helped me understand some of the movie that I didn't quite 'get'.

I'm a true romantic at heart and so this book was right up my ally. I loved/hated the near ending. If you've already read the book, you'll understand what I mean. I hated what happened at the end, but I loved the twist of fate - it was unexpected and I really enjoy that in stories. If you haven't read the book and you decide to, I don't think you'll be disappointed if you enjoy reading about love. This book is the journey of two people who were meant to be together, but just didn't seem to get the timing right and all the things in between.

The next book I'd like to share with you is, 'The Mystery of the Cleaning Lady', by Sue Woolfe. I thoroughly enjoyed this non-fiction work about creativity and how novelist, Sue Woolfe worked and created her ideas when writing her book, 'The Secret Cure'. It was an insight to how this particular author thought, came across her ideas, and wrote down obscure things and how they all pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle, eventually. I enjoyed reading this informative book as much as Stephen King's book, 'On Writing'.

I'm sure every writer, at some point, tries to analyse what makes them tick in the creative process department. I know I am fascinated by how creativity works or is born. As a teacher to primary aged creative writing students, I also have a vested interest in finding out as much as I can. I often wonder if you can actually teach creativity or is it that you provide a vehicle/inspiration for it to flourish?

Creativity is baffling. Is it a co-incidence? Is it simply recycled? Is there anything remotely original these days? Lots of questions that require answers. Not all questions will be answered by reading this book, however, I can assure you that many questions will be touched on and some outcomes are very interesting.

If you are a writer, at any stage in your career, or just someone who is curious about creativity, I am sure you will find this book intriguing.

So, until next time,
happy reading

Book Review: Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Some stories entertain, some enlighten, some make us laugh out loud, some teach, some make us cry, some tug at our emotional heart strings at all levels, they might keep us up all night, on the edge of our seat, some are forgettable and some leave us truly touched with a memory seared on our heart forever.

Sarah's Key will haunt me for the rest of my days and I add it to a couple of other memorable reads about The Holocaust that I've pored over my life time.

The first book, back in 1984, about the Holocaust was by Nobel Peace Prize writer Elie Wiesel called, Night, and it changed me — forever. It taught me so much about humanity. The words and story were seared to my heart and caused it to ache. It left me sad and, resolute that I never wanted something like this to happen in world again. A few years later I felt ready to read The Forgotten, also by Elie Wiesel and this time I not only learnt more about the Holocaust, but a little about Alzheimer's. I would forever be compassionate to this degenerative condition and something I had to face later on in life with my own mother.

A couple of other memorable reads about the topic include: The Diary of Anne Frank and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne (visiting author attending 2012 Brisbane Writers Festival) and Irene Nemirovsky's, Suite Francais.

Sarah's Key meets all expectations of a novel foundational upon the Holocaust. The difference to this novel from the others is that whilst it is a work of fiction, it looks more specifically at the great Velodrome d'Hiver roundup, which took place on July 16, 1942 in the heart of Paris.

The author, Tatiana de Rosnay states: 'It is not a historical work and has no intention of being one. It is my tribute to the children of the Vel' d'Hiv'. The children who never came back. And the ones who survived to tell."

Sarah's Key begins with tight tension as the great Vel' d'Hiv' roundup begins and suddenly impacts the life of ten year old Sarah and her family. The reader is suddenly plunged into Sarah's nightmare and it's a nightmare that no one can wake up from. The reader's heart races along with Sarah's as the panic builds and desperation sets in. Is there no end?

During the first section of the book, de Rosnay flicks backwards and forwards from 1916 to 2002, seamlessly. Sometimes this technique can get a little annoying, however, not in this case. Each chapter is over within a couple of pages and this actually helps build tension and anxiety and, forces the reader to turn the page. The pace is quick, yet devastating. The author writes simplistically and the text flows effortlessly, urging the reader on.

Sarah has a dilemma that no ten year old child should ever have to face and the devastating consequences - no child should ever have to endure. But yet, how many children are born into circumstances that require them to endure heartache, heart break and mountains to climb?

What happens in Sarah's life becomes a fabric of the past and is interwoven into the future of others, including Julia, an American journalist living in Paris with her French husband, Bertrand and daughter, Zoe. But the life of this young girl leaves a much larger impact on many others and really brings to light how one person's life can influence many.

Guaranteed to stir the heart, mind and generate tears, this is quite simply, a beautiful strong and determined story of adversity faced by a people, how they survived, if they survived and the repercussions of history.

A highly recommended read.

Book Review: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Snow flower and the Secret Fan is a beautifully written story that depicts the life, times and culture of two extraordinary women in an ancient and feuding China. 

From a very young age, Lily and Snow Flower's lives entwine when the local matchmaker, Madame Wang, sees something special in Lily and decides she should have a laotong , a lifelong female confidante. After Madame Wang examines Lilly thoroughly, she becomes very excited for Lily, her family and of course, herself. Lily has perfectly shaped feet, a prize of great magnitude for a Chinese family and she shares this news with the family. "The girl is indeed very lovely, but golden lilies are far more important than a pretty face. A lovely face is a gift from Heaven, but tiny feet can improve social standing. On this we can all agree. What happens beyond that is really for Father to decide." She looked directly at Baba, but the words that traveled into the air were meant for my mother. "It is not such a bad thing to make a good alliance for a daughter. A high family will bring you better connections, a better bride-price, and long-term political and economic protection. Though I appreciate the hospitality and generosity that you have shown today," she said, emphasising the meagreness of our home with a languid movement with her hand, "fate--in the form of your daughter--has brought you an opportunity. If Mother does her job properly, this insignificant girl could marry into a family in Tongkou."

And so the cruel practice of foot binding is revealed to the reader and the fate of two women are set in motion. Boy children have a much higher standing within Chinese families and their worth is highly regarded and so, for a girl to be elevated to high stature within a family because of her feet is quite remarkable. Lily's family is very humble and this news means much to them. Madame Wang matches Lily to Snow Flower as her laotong. Snow Flower's family is of high standing from the village of Tongkou. 

The the women's friendship and journey is beautifully told through the eyes of Lily. There is an edge to the tale depicting the harshness of the times and how families cope. Lisa See reveals to the reader the art of secret language between men and the adaptation of this language into the secret writings between the women.

This novel is insightful to the ways of Asian culture. It unveils some of the mysteries of hardworking people's lives and customs in remote villages scattered throughout China during feudal times. The author successfully marries fiction with historical facts to create an enlightening story magnifying the intricate relationship between two lifelong friends.

This novel is highly recommended if you enjoy reading about other cultures. If you enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha, Fallen Leaves or Wild Swans, then you'll love Lisa See's work, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.

August Book Club Title: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Novel Tea 'n Pages Book Club members are currently reading, 'Snow Flower and the Secret Fan' by Lisa See.

The story is set in China during the 19th Century and encapsulates life in Chinese society for women, including the tradition of foot binding and the life expected of those put through this painful ordeal. The novel addresses the formalities and rankings within traditional families and allows insight into the way women cope and live.

In one remote county, Ms See writes of women who have developed their own secret code, nu shu – "women's writing" – the only gender-based written language to have been found in the world. She speaks of some girls who were paired as "old-sames" in emotional matches that lasted throughout their lives. These women painted letters on fans, embroidered messages on handkerchiefs, and composed stories, thereby reaching out of their windows to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. Her story embraces the special relationships formed between these women that last a life time.


Below are some discussion questions to ponder as you read this month's selected novel.

Book Club Discussion Questions

1. Lily endures excruciating pain in order to have her feet bound. What reasons are given for this dangerous practice?

2. Did See's descriptions of footbinding remind you of any Western traditions?

3. If some men in 19th-century China knew about nu shu and “old same” friendships, why do you think they allowed these traditions to persist?

4. Reflecting on her first few decades, Lily seems to think her friendship with Snow Flower brought her more good than harm. Do you agree?

5. Lily's adherence to social customs can seem controversial to us today. Pick a scene where you would have acted differently. Why?

6. Lily defies the wishes of her son in order to pair her grandson with Peony. Does she fully justify her behavior?

7. Lily sometimes pulls us out of the present moment to reflect--as an old woman--on her youthful decisions. What does this device add to the story?

8. How would you film these moments of reflection?

9. If Lily is writing her story to Snow Flower in the afterworld, what do you think Snow Flower's response would or should be?

10. Did you recognize any aspects of your own friendships in the bond between Lily and Snow Flower?

(Credits for Book Club Discussion Questions:  http://www.lisasee.com/sfbookclub.htm )


For more titles by Ms Lisa See, please visit her website:  http://www.lisasee.com/snowflower.htm

So until next time,
happy reading...