Both these novels address mid-20th-century fascism from unusual angles: the first through the preoccupations of a Jewish family in Mussolini’s Italy; the second through an alternative history in which Britain, instead of going to war against the Nazis, has succumbed to colonisation in everything but name.
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Tonight Is Already Tomorrow by Lia Levi translated by Clarissa Botsford
When introduced to a Jewish family in a fascist state in the 1930s, the reader inevitably anticipates trouble ahead. Never mind that they are middle class and secular, and living in Italy rather than Germany, we worry for their future. Never mind that the biggest concern when we meet them is that only son Alessandro has somehow taught himself to read before he starts school. His mother assumes he’s a genius, but sharing a classroom with children two years older isn’t always fun.
Nevertheless, he manages to keep an independent mind, despite his mother’s snide comments. His education continues when Mussolini blocks Jewish children from attending ordinary school. It continues when his father is exiled from Genoa, not because of race or religion but because he’s a foreigner with a British passport. By the time the family is ready to use that to their advantage, it’s too late.
It seems churlish to complain that a novel set in such a dark period of history lacks tension, but that was my experience. Mostly due to the style of writing, and partly familiarity with a narrative that is so much worse. I did admire the ending, however. Thanks to publishers Europa editions for my review copy.
Nevertheless, he manages to keep an independent mind, despite his mother’s snide comments. His education continues when Mussolini blocks Jewish children from attending ordinary school. It continues when his father is exiled from Genoa, not because of race or religion but because he’s a foreigner with a British passport. By the time the family is ready to use that to their advantage, it’s too late.
It seems churlish to complain that a novel set in such a dark period of history lacks tension, but that was my experience. Mostly due to the style of writing, and partly familiarity with a narrative that is so much worse. I did admire the ending, however. Thanks to publishers Europa editions for my review copy.
Widowland by CJ Carey
In 1953, the whole of England throbs with excitement about the Coronation. With few luxuries, and most resources diverted to the Mainland, people welcome a little colour into their lives. But otherwise, the population is generally uncomplaining. They know their place, especially the women. They know not to look back to before the Alliance with Germania, nor to speculate about the future. The Leader has their best interests at heart.
Confused? You needn’t be. The mechanics of this alternative history are well – perhaps too well – explained. So we know not to envy Rose, assigned at sixteen to the high-caste Gelis, who reads for a living. As a member of the Correction team (Fiction) in the Ministry of Culture, she’s tasked with excising subversive elements from classic texts like Jane Eyre.
Although advised to approach the work mechanically, she can’t help being affected. So when she’s sent to interview the lowest ranking women in Widowland, to try to uncover the roots of a recent rebellion, she’s not sure whose side she’s on.
Part thriller, part misogynist dystopia, part tribute to the humanising power of literature, this is a fun novel which reminds us never to take our freedom for granted. Thanks to publishers Quercus for my advance proof copy.
Confused? You needn’t be. The mechanics of this alternative history are well – perhaps too well – explained. So we know not to envy Rose, assigned at sixteen to the high-caste Gelis, who reads for a living. As a member of the Correction team (Fiction) in the Ministry of Culture, she’s tasked with excising subversive elements from classic texts like Jane Eyre.
Although advised to approach the work mechanically, she can’t help being affected. So when she’s sent to interview the lowest ranking women in Widowland, to try to uncover the roots of a recent rebellion, she’s not sure whose side she’s on.
Part thriller, part misogynist dystopia, part tribute to the humanising power of literature, this is a fun novel which reminds us never to take our freedom for granted. Thanks to publishers Quercus for my advance proof copy.
| Rose works in an office, allowing me to segue into the prompt for this week’s 99-word story. Except I’m not sure I’ve met the criteria of a new way to office, in building my flash fiction around Janice, the young social worker in my new novel, Matilda Windsor is Coming Home. Maybe it’s enough that’s she’s reappraising the shared office in her new job. And it fits with my current preoccupation with humour and mental health. |  |
Mad to work here?
When she first saw the poster, Janice cringed. Sure, it wasn’t as corny as the one in the secretary’s office: YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE MAD TO WORK HERE, BUT IT HELPS! But shouldn’t social workers be above laughing at Alice and the grinning Cheshire cat?
As the institution tentacled around her, the poster – with coffee, kettle and cups shelved below it – became a shrine. Humour an island of calm amid the chaos that infected staff and patients alike. Carroll’s cat wiser than any psychiatric textbook, decrying Us and Them divisions. I’M MAD. YOU’RE MAD. WE’RE ALL MAD HERE.
When she first saw the poster, Janice cringed. Sure, it wasn’t as corny as the one in the secretary’s office: YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE MAD TO WORK HERE, BUT IT HELPS! But shouldn’t social workers be above laughing at Alice and the grinning Cheshire cat?
As the institution tentacled around her, the poster – with coffee, kettle and cups shelved below it – became a shrine. Humour an island of calm amid the chaos that infected staff and patients alike. Carroll’s cat wiser than any psychiatric textbook, decrying Us and Them divisions. I’M MAD. YOU’RE MAD. WE’RE ALL MAD HERE.
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