Synopsis: small-town sisters Clara and Nora lead very different lives. Clara is a school teacher in the village of Whitfield, lives alone and is generally living out her days quietly. Nora heads to the Big Apple to pursue her dream of radio stardom, banking on her looks, charm and talent to pave the way for her. Clara worries about Nora in the big city - worries that she will be taken advantage of or will be forced to have her illusions shattered by nasty show business. Sadly, it is Clara who has her world shattered. The story quickly takes unexpected turns, leaving the reader breathless and slightly dazed by what they see unfolding before them.
Written in the fashion of letters and journal entries, I found it fascinating to have Clara and Nora's life stretch out before us almost as it happens, in the moment, despite it being seventy years in the past. Large and small events, both familiar and unbeknownst to us, are treated with the casual air of someone who really is watching it happen without prior knowledge. I was kind of expecting some heavy-handed foreshadowing, but no - just a gentle unfolding. The often jarring stop and start of something - well, that's life isn't it? How does one know that their her entire existence is about to change that afternoon when they wake up and make tea for breakfast?
I really did enjoy Wright's style and wit, his ability to give such unique voices to his characters (I didn't need to read the addresses in the top right corner - I could actually tell who was writing anyway). A wonderful read and a worthy addition to the Giller shelf.
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