annethology
  • Home
    • About Annethology
    • About me >
      • A little more about me
    • About my books
    • Author talks
    • Contact me
    • Forthcoming events
    • World Mental Health Day
    • Privacy
    • Sign up for my newsletter
  • Sugar and Snails
    • Acknowledgements
    • Blog tour, Q&A's and feature articles >
      • Birthday blog tour
      • S&S on tour 2022
    • Early endorsements
    • Events >
      • Launch photos
      • Launch party videos
    • in pictures
    • Media
    • If you've read the book
    • Polari
    • Reading group questions
    • Reviews
    • In the media
  • Underneath
    • Endorsements and reviews
    • Launch party and events
    • Pictures
    • Questions for book groups
    • The stories underneath the novel
  • Matilda Windsor series
    • Matilda Windsor >
      • What readers say
      • For book groups
      • Interviews, articles and features
      • Matty on the move
      • Who were you in 1990?
      • Asylum lit
      • Matilda Windsor media
    • Stolen Summers >
      • Stolen Summers reviews
  • Short stories
    • Somebody’s Daughter
    • Becoming Someone (anthology) >
      • Becoming Someone (video readings)
      • Becoming Someone reviews
      • Becoming Someone online book chat
    • Print and downloads
    • Read it online
    • Quick reads
  • Free ebook
  • Annecdotal
    • Annecdotal blog
    • Annecdotal Press
    • Articles >
      • Print journalism
      • Where psychology meets fiction
    • Fictional therapists
    • Reading and reviews >
      • Reviews A to H
      • Reviews I to M
      • Reviews N to Z
      • Nonfiction
      • Themed quotes
      • Reading around the world
  • Shop
    • Inspired Quill (my publisher)
    • Bookshop.org (affiliate link)
    • Amazon UK
    • Amazon US
    • books2read

About the author and blogger ...

Anne Goodwin’s drive to understand what makes people tick led to a career in clinical psychology. That same curiosity now powers her fiction.
A prize-winning short-story writer, she has published three novels and a short story collection with small independent press, Inspired Quill. Her debut novel, Sugar and Snails, was shortlisted for the 2016 Polari First Book Prize.
Away from her desk, Anne guides book-loving walkers through the Derbyshire landscape that inspired Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre.
Subscribers to her newsletter can download a free e-book of award-winning short stories.

TELL ME MORE

Afterwards: Land of the Living by Georgina Harding

29/11/2018

4 Comments

 
Picture
Should these things be said, or not be said? If they were said in this dead time of the night, would the night take them away? As if the blackness might absorb the black and then in the morning it would be gone, but he also perhaps gone, sucked away in it.
Towards the end – and this isn’t a spoiler – of Georgina Harding’s profound and profoundly moving fifth novel, an older man stays overnight with a young couple on their Norfolk farm. India has recently gained its independence and Hussey, an amateur anthropologist and former colonial administrator in Nagaland, is currently unemployed. He isn’t visiting the Ashes in search of a job but picking up on a casual invitation from the husband, Charlie, a couple of years before.
 
Following the Battle of Kohima, Charlie was lost in the rainforest until rescued by some women from a tribe of head-hunters and nursed back to health in their village. Several weeks later, he was escorted to Hussey’s colonial outpost, a few days’ walk away. But now, married to Claire and expecting their first baby, he’s not sure he wants to resurrect the past. Claire certainly doesn’t: although resentful when her husband keeps his distance, she hasn’t been the best of listeners when he has tried to talk. When Hussey launches into a passionate defence of head-hunting, she takes herself off to bed.
 
At first the gap between husband and wife seems merely due to different levels of exposure to, and comfort with, diversity: it’s hard for an English rose to accept the merits her husband perceives in a “primitive” culture. And Charlie himself, even before leaving Asia, struggles to explain (p58):
 
already the story was beginning to change shape, the village becoming more distant and exotic, slipping between his words.
 
The gap’s widened by the trauma Charlie’s lived through; not so much in the village, but in the slaughter that brought him there. There’s an unacknowledged etiquette for bringing home tales of war (p41):
 
He had to tell it this way, didn’t he? Because that was what a chap did, wasn’t it, coming home, what chaps did who came home with this kind of story in them? Because he was Charlie, and that was the sort of person he was, at home, who made jokes and who made things matter-of-fact; the person she expected him to be, who must be matter-of-fact with her because she did not know that other man he might have been or might be inside.
 
Guilt makes up the third side of the wedge: the guilt of survival where others have died, along with the sharper guilt of being indirectly responsible with which the colonial administrator, Hussey, pollutes the peaceful post-war home. No wonder Claire removes herself and her unborn child from the room. But where will Charlie position himself in relation to these contradictory realities? Can there ever be a reconciliation between the domestic and war?
 
How do we live authentically in a world that is both beautiful and intensely cruel? How do we return to the ordinary when we’ve been taken closer to the edge than most? With my own abiding interest in these questions, along with the author’s gently lyrical prose, Land of the Living easily earns its place among this year’s favourite reads. Thanks to Bloomsbury for my review copy; Ros Ellis thought I might like it, and she was right!
 
For more of Georgina Harding’s writing, see my review of The Gun Room from two years ago this month. My short story “Habeas Corpus” about a photojournalist’s struggle to return to the land of the living after being kidnapped my newly-published short story collection, Becoming Someone. You can watch me read the opening here.



You’ll find other readings on my YouTube channel and you might even feel tempted to buy the book!
Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
4 Comments
Norah Colvin link
30/11/2018 10:03:13 am

It sounds like a powerful story, Anne. I must admit that I often contemplate these same questions: 'How do we live authentically in a world that is both beautiful and intensely cruel? How do we return to the ordinary when we’ve been taken closer to the edge than most?' Life must be particularly difficult for those who have faced tragic circumstances.
I enjoyed listening to you read the opening of Habeas Corpus. I hadn't read it before. I think I would have remembered it. You create some very vivid images in it and, of course, you address those questions. It is an interesting story with quite a hero's journey and perfectly matched with Charli's 'Into the dark' prompt this week.
After reading HC, I went on to read the next story (it's difficult to stop at one) 'The Arrangement', which is also very interesting but of a very different kind. I was surprised by the wily wife, but no more spoilers from me.
I know I'm going to enjoy reading all you stories, Anne, but what I also love about your book is the tactile experience. The paper is good quality and pleasant to touch and the texture of the cover is lovely - very touchable. And of course I love the colours and images of the cover. All in all, it is a beautiful book providing a very pleasant reading experience. (The dedication adds to it also. Thank you.)

Reply
Annecdotist
1/12/2018 03:22:40 pm

Thanks for reading this review, Norah, and my stories too. I hadn’t thought of “Habeas Corpus” and the hero’s journey, but I agree it fits. And it also fits with some of my reservations, as a big part of Dougie’s adjustment difficulties is that he doesn’t feel like a hero. As for Leticia in “The Arrangement”, as far as I can recall she started off as the main character, but more like Julia’s prejudices. Although I’m not sure many women would take her position, I had fun giving her more control.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the stories and the physical feel of the book – quite a few people have commented on that actually. Glad you approve!

Reply
Charli Mills
5/12/2018 06:04:09 pm

I can see why this book would be among your favorite reads for the year, Anne. I love both a good story, and deep questioning of our roles in life. To me that is a vital part of a good story. Going deep. Not easy to master though, but I'm reading your short stories and have renewed appreciation for the depth to which you take your writing. And I agree with Nora regarding the tactile experience of your book! In an era where even NY Times bestsellers feel cheap in the hands, yours has a luxuriant, soft feel of lasting quality. Learning of Inspired Quill through you, I know they are also committed to environmental responsibility so I'm doubly impressed. When I showed the Hub your book, he also remarked on the feel. Somehow, I don't think "stories you'll want to pet" would be a winning brand statement, though! Ha! But secretly, readers will feel that way.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
6/12/2018 03:01:36 pm

Thanks, Charli, I agree it’s a challenge to hit the right balance between depth and accessibility but that’s definitely what I want to achieve for my writing. I so admire how Georgina Harding nails the sociopolitical element as well as the psychological and tackles what are often perceived as male topics.
I’m so pleased you – and your husband – like the feel of the book. But, yeah, we need a better strap line than stories you’d like to pet ;-)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Free ebook: click the image to claim yours.
    Picture
    OUT NOW: The poignant prequel to Matilda Windsor Is Coming Home
    Picture
    Find a review
    Picture
    Fictional therapists
    Picture
    Picture
    About Anne Goodwin
    Picture
    My published books
    entertaining fiction about identity, mental health and social justice
    Picture
    My latest novel, published May 2021
    Picture
    My debut novel shortlisted for the 2016 Polari First Book Prize
    Picture
    Picture
    My second novel published May 2017.
    Picture
    Short stories on the theme of identity published 2018
    Anne Goodwin's books on Goodreads
    Sugar and Snails Sugar and Snails
    reviews: 32
    ratings: 52 (avg rating 4.21)

    Underneath Underneath
    reviews: 24
    ratings: 60 (avg rating 3.17)

    Becoming Someone Becoming Someone
    reviews: 8
    ratings: 9 (avg rating 4.56)

    GUD: Greatest Uncommon Denominator, Issue 4 GUD: Greatest Uncommon Denominator, Issue 4
    reviews: 4
    ratings: 9 (avg rating 4.44)

    The Best of Fiction on the Web The Best of Fiction on the Web
    reviews: 3
    ratings: 3 (avg rating 4.67)

    2022 Reading Challenge

    2022 Reading Challenge
    Anne has read 2 books toward their goal of 100 books.
    hide
    2 of 100 (2%)
    view books
    Picture
    Annecdotal is where real life brushes up against the fictional.  
    Picture
    Annecdotist is the blogging persona of Anne Goodwin: 
    reader, writer,

    slug-slayer, tramper of moors, 
    recovering psychologist, 
    struggling soprano, 
    author of three fiction books.

    LATEST POSTS HERE
    I don't post to a schedule, but average  around ten reviews a month (see here for an alphabetical list), 
    some linked to a weekly flash fiction, plus posts on my WIPs and published books.  

    Your comments are welcome any time any where.

    Get new posts direct to your inbox ...

    Enter your email address:

    or click here …

    RSS Feed


    Picture

    Tweets by @Annecdotist
    Picture
    New short story, “My Dirty Weekend”
    Picture
    Let’s keep in touch – subscribe to my newsletter
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Popular posts

    • Compassion: something we all need
    • Do spoilers spoil?
    • How to create a convincing fictional therapist
    • Instructions for a novel
    • Looking at difference, embracing diversity
    • Never let me go: the dilemma of lending books
    • On loving, hating and writers’ block
      On Pop, Pirates and Plagiarism
    • READIN' for HER reviews
    • Relishing the cuts
    • The fast first draft
    • The tragedy of obedience
    • Writers and therapy: a love-hate relationship?

    Categories/Tags

    All
    Animals
    Annecdotist Hosts
    Annecdotist On Tour
    Articles
    Attachment Theory
    Author Interviews
    Becoming Someone
    Being A Writer
    Blogging
    Bodies
    Body
    Bookbirthday
    Books For Writers
    Bookshops
    CB Book Group
    Character
    Childhood
    Christmas
    Classics
    Climate Crisis
    Coming Of Age
    Counsellors Cafe
    Creative Writing Industry
    Creativity
    Cumbria
    Debut Novels
    Disability
    Editing
    Emotion
    Ethics
    Ethis
    Family
    Feedback And Critiques
    Fictional Psychologists & Therapists
    Food
    Friendship
    Futuristic
    Gender
    Genre
    Getting Published
    Giveaways
    Good Enough
    Grammar
    Gratitude
    Group/organisational Dynamics
    Hero’s Journey
    History
    Humour
    Identity
    Illness
    Independent Presses
    Institutions
    International Commemorative Day
    Jane Eyre
    Kidney Disease
    Language
    LGBTQ
    Libraries
    Live Events
    Lyrics For The Loved Ones
    Marketing
    Matilda Windsor
    Memoir
    Memory
    Mental Health
    Microfiction
    Motivation
    Music
    MW Prequel
    Names
    Narrative Voice
    Nature / Gardening
    Networking
    Newcastle
    Nonfiction
    Nottingham
    Novels
    Pandemic
    Peak District
    Perfect Match
    Poetry
    Point Of View
    Politics
    Politics Current Affairs
    Presentation
    Privacy
    Prizes
    Psychoanalytic Theory
    Psychology
    Psycholoists Write
    Psychotherapy
    Race
    Racism
    Rants
    Reading
    Real Vs Imaginary
    Religion
    Repetitive Strain Injury
    Research
    Reviewing
    Romance
    Satire
    Second Novels
    Settings
    Sex
    Shakespeare
    Short Stories General
    Short Stories My Published
    Short Stories Others'
    Siblings
    Snowflake
    Somebody's Daughter
    Stolen Summers
    Storytelling
    Structure
    Sugar And Snails
    Technology
    The
    The Guestlist
    Therapy
    TikTok
    TNTB
    Toiletday
    Tourism
    Toxic Positivity
    Transfiction
    Translation
    Trauma
    Unconscious
    Unconscious, The
    Underneath
    Voice Recognition Software
    War
    WaSBihC
    Weather
    Work
    Writing Process
    Writing Technique

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Picture
    BLOGGING COMMUNITIES
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from havens.michael34, romana klee, mrsdkrebs, Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It., adam & lucy, dluders, Joybot, Hammer51012, jorgempf, Sherif Salama, eyspahn, raniel diaz, E. E. Piphanies, scaredofbabies, Nomadic Lass, paulternate, Tony Fischer Photography, archer10 (Dennis), slightly everything, impbox, jonwick04, country_boy_shane, dok1, Out.of.Focus, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region, Elvert Barnes, guillenperez, Richard Perry, jamesnaruke, Juan Carlos Arniz Sanz, El Tuerto, kona99, maveric2003, !anaughty!, Patrick Denker, David Davies, hamilcar_south, idleformat, Dave Goodman, Sharon Mollerus, photosteve101, La Citta Vita, A Girl With Tea, striatic, carlosfpardo, Damork, Elvert Barnes, UNE Photos, jurvetson, quinn.anya, BChristensen93, Joelk75, ashesmonroe, albertogp123, >littleyiye<, mudgalbharat, Swami Stream, Dicemanic, lovelihood, anyjazz65, Tjeerd, albastrica mititica, jimmiehomeschoolmom