Kindly lent to me by Simon T from Stuck in a Book, it turned out that I had actually already read Three sisters by May Sinclair, before embarking on this challenge. But it is such an intriguing and well written read that I actually sat down and enjoyed reading it again!
In a setting very similar to that of the Bronte's in Haworth, the book tells the story of three sisters, Mary, Gwenda and Ally who live with their unpleasant vicar father in a rectory. It is a desolate existence in the Yorkshire village of Garth with nothing much to look forward to:
" "Is it ten yet?" "No". Mary smile, but the word shuddered in her throat like a weary moan. "How long?" "Forty-three minutes" "Oh, Lord...." Gwenda laughed the laugh of brave nerves tortured. From her sofa beyond the table Alice sighed. At ten o'clock Essy Gale, the maid-servant, would come in from the kitchen and the Vicar from the inner room. And Essy would put the Bible and Prayer-book on the table, and the Vicar would read Prayers. That was all they were waiting for. It was all that could happen. It happened every night at ten o'clock".
But the sisters all have dreams, predominantly centring around finding a husband since that seems to be the only means of escape from constant service in Sunday schools and daily prayers. When an eligible young man, the new doctor, Steven Rowcliffe arrives in the village. Of course all three of the sisters are interested in attracting his attention, to the extent that one makes herself physically ill. It's certainly not a light-hearted "search for a husband Jane Austen-esque" read.
It's an extremely powerful novel, and having read May Oliver: a life, I am now looking forward to the other Sinclair VMC, which is The life and death of Harriet Frean.
It's just been published once by Virago with an original green cover.
This sounds really intense, I felt claustrophobic reading the quote! I love the Bronte painting on the cover too.
ReplyDeleteHaven't read this one but I have read "Harriet Frean", not recommended if you are in need of cheer & comfort :)
ReplyDeleteVerity, I loved this book! I'm so glad you wrote about it. I have some May Sinclair on my Sony Reader and have been meaning to get to it. Now maybe I will.
ReplyDeleteI love the Brontes, and I'm so glad I read this review, because I will now hunt this book down.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of this before; it sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteYou might be interested in reading Sinclair's The Three Brontes, her biography of the sisters (long out of print, but some libraries may have it). She was quite obsessed with the sisters and felt an infinity to their struggle to write in a man's world, but also, she lost some of her siblings early too. Sinclair also wrote the introductions to a number of Bronte novels in the early part of the 20th century - the one for Jane Eyre is quite interesting as she really focuses on its comedic aspects. I've always thought The Three Sisters is her having a bit of fun with the Bronte myth. The "hero" Rowcliffe as a type of foolish amalgam of Rochester and Heathcliff. I love the scene on the "romantic" moors when he's trying to propose but keeps stumbling on the ruts in the ground.
ReplyDeleteBlithe Spirit - that's absolutely fascinating - I didn't realise that Sinclair was so into the Brontes - the novel makes a lot more sense now. I shall have to find out some more about her!
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