There is lots to admire in Francis Spufford's first novel. The picture and feel of eighteenth century New York are particularly vivid. Not only is Smith, our hero, but also a different third person narrator are also obviously from this time: "the careful removal, meantimes, from out his conversational reach of all the women except Tabitha". And there is the main disappointment. Tabitha is by far the most interesting character ( we somehow never quite get under the skin of Smith) but she almost disappears after halfway through.
The crux of the story, the thousand pound order presented by Smith on his arrival, takes far too long to be revealed. I'm all for keeping us in suspense, but not until the last pages. Please! Some of the set pieces are nerve jangling but others just seem contrived. The writing is good, especially some of the witty dialogue. But it is New York itself that shines through. And the superb last twist.
P.S. Heather at book club explained that not only was the book written in the style of an eighteenth century novelist, but that the contrivances and the time it takes for the final revelation are also of the period. Now I know.
We now have a new way of choosing books to read in that we take it in turn to come up with a suggestion. We are now at the end of the first batch of books chosen this way and what an amazing cross section they are:
Jenny: “Missing, Presumed” by
Susie Steiner
Heather: “The Loney” by Andrew
Michael Hurley
Linda: “This Boy” by Alan
John son
David: “The Talented Mr Ripley” by
Patricia Highsmith
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