Anne Tyler is one of my favourite authors and, having read all of her later novels, I am back tracking to earlier books, of which "Celestial Navigation" is one. It has the most wonderful beginning. Jeremy is a 38 year old bachelor and still at home. We first think he is just a bit difficult, but it turns out it is more than that. When his mother dies, he has to tell his sisters Amanda and Laura who live a long way away. But guess who has to do everything. The author has to describe Jeremy in the third person (his sisters tell their own story) and it's hard for her to tell us what it is like to be him. Yes, he has learning and behavior difficulties but it's up to us to put a name to his condition.
People make allowances especially as he is left alone to mange an old house full of boarders who never really take advantage and give him some support. A new boarder arrives, Mary Tell with a young daughter Darcy. Her story is quite heartbreaking, she married the wrong man. "I'm entirely dependent on a man I don't really know". The novel then becomes a story about Mary and Jeremy, their life together and their family. It's all so surprising given Jeremy's affliction. They are still in the same house, some people stay, some come and go. Tyler gets inside the head of this awkward but harmless man. Sometimes we suffer as he does. There are uplifting moments and the prose shows the maturing writer. But generally is a fairly depressing tale.
Tom Kettle has settled into retirement after a notable career as a senior detective with the Irish constabulary. On his own in an annex of a rambling mansion. But he actually retired nine years ago and who should suddenly turn up on his doorstep but two of his old team. They never really explain why they are there and perhaps a visit to the station would help. When it takes until halfway for that to happen, we realise this is all about Tom's life. For instance Chapter 4 begins with nearly six pages of unbroken prose. No paragraphs, no breaks. Concentration on the writing is a must. Then who should arrive but his old boss. Two visits in two days when he hardly ever sees a soul. Another conversation but still no indication of why he is there.
We hear about some of Tom's previous cases as he tries to think why he might be required. He also talks about the little changes in old age. Not just the interruptions of sleep for the toilet but "a hundred other intimations of infirmities ahead". When he forgets his cap the February sunshine is "beginning to cook his scalp". There is a lot about old age that resonates with this reviewer.
We hear about his childhood in care and that was not good. We hear a lot about his wife, they both have their stories of being in care. These are painful memories. But Tom tells us how they met, the honeymoon and then the children. Happier times.
So it is not until half way through that Tom makes his way to the station and we still don't know what they want to talk to him about. There is one particular case that rears it's head in Tom's thoughts. Again it involves members of the clergy and abuse. So this is not a happy story, far from it. Nine years of retirement has been a blessing to calm Tom's memories, but here they are again. For me, it's only Barry's superb prose that kept me reading. Boy do I need a happier book next time.
In some ways this book feels far too familiar in it's portrait of Britain from the end of the second world war through to 2020. So less of a novel, just how one family is traced through the years. I was six months old for the first chapter "VE Day 8th May 1945". Obviously I cannot remember the celebrations and my father is still not back from the war. There seemed to be more emphasis on Churchill's speech on the radio than how Sam and Doll Clarke and their two children were coping. Mary is eleven years old and she provides the main thread as we travel through the years.
The book then fast forwards to 2nd June 1953 and the "Coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11". I was eight and my memories are on my blog. Including crowding round a new tiny TV and how bored I felt as the broadcast went on and on.
Next comes 30th July 1966 and the "World Cup Final" at Wembley. Sometimes the book is far too contrived as it is here. Mary is now married to Geoffrey and they have a son Peter. They meet the other half of the family from, you've guessed it, Germany. I was twenty one and had that season ticket for all the games in London.
I was not sure that the "Investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales" was a major event on the 1st July 1969. But this chapter is like a short story, where Peter is eight and David Foley is ten. It is drafted from a diary David kept for that holiday in Wales. It is terribly boring.
Then "The Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer". It all seemed very obvious with the family huddled around the TV. That chapter was, of course, followed by the "Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales". One of those I remember exactly where I was moments. I felt that this was the best of all the chapters so far as it shows the different reactions of each member of the family. Later on there are a few marvelous pages where Peter is talking to his mother Mary, and how they can now communicate so much more.
"The 75th Anniversary of VE Day" on 8th May 2020 reprises the first chapter when I was six months old and here I am 75. Somehow, this last piece is by far the most interesting and best written. Little things from the past that seemed trivial at the time now take on greater significance. We are, of course, preparing for lock-down, and all those other familiar restrictions from only four years ag0.
