 | Would you want to read a novel set on Peterborough Railway Station? If you don’t live in England, you might not have even heard of Peterborough but, for me, having spent a bit of time hanging around that particular station, it was a pleasant surprise to pick up this book and find it located there. Even so, it doesn’t have the charm of London St Pancras with the drop-in piano sessions or the glamour of New York’s Grand Central. So it takes a skilled writer to render that ordinary setting intriguing and Louise Doughty is certainly that. |
Still, you might wonder why she’s made that choice, as I did initially. The descriptions of the routines of a November night shift reminded me of my psychoanalytic studies of workplace observations. (They were pretty creative too.) But bear in mind that, while most of us think of railway stations as places of arrival and departure, for some, the perfect suicide is to throw oneself in front of a train.
In this instance, not only does a man’s suicide affect his family and the staff on duty, but it triggers something in a woman who’s been stuck in the station since her own death there eighteen months before.
I’m not drawn to ghosts as characters, but this one was timely for me as I’ve been musing over a possible novel about a woman sent back in time to wreak revenge on the man who ruined her life. But I think I’d have enjoyed following Lisa’s journey even without that coincidence. It turns out – and forgive me for taking so long to get there – not only to be the story of an insufficiently investigated murder but probably the best thing I’ve read about the dynamics of coercive control. One of my favourite reads so far this year.
In this instance, not only does a man’s suicide affect his family and the staff on duty, but it triggers something in a woman who’s been stuck in the station since her own death there eighteen months before.
I’m not drawn to ghosts as characters, but this one was timely for me as I’ve been musing over a possible novel about a woman sent back in time to wreak revenge on the man who ruined her life. But I think I’d have enjoyed following Lisa’s journey even without that coincidence. It turns out – and forgive me for taking so long to get there – not only to be the story of an insufficiently investigated murder but probably the best thing I’ve read about the dynamics of coercive control. One of my favourite reads so far this year.
| I wrote this review about a month ago, but I’ve been so wrapped up in that awkward novel I haven’t had time to post it. Nor did I respond to any of February’s flash fiction challenges. But since today’s prompt is awkward, I thought I should have a go. Although I’ve found it extremely awkward condensing my opening scene into a 99-word story. |  |
The Awkwardness of Access Denied
When the mist lifts, Matty finds herself standing before the pearly gates. A handwritten sign attached to the railings reads UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT. She’d hoped her mother would be here to meet her with a nice cup of tea.
A gentleman jogs towards her, tightening the knot in his tie. “Welcome. I’m St Peter. Let’s get you checked in.” He retrieves an electronic device from his jacket pocket and clips it to her finger.
“Matilda Osborne?” St Peter scans a scrap of lined notepaper with a ragged edge. “You’re not on my list, Matilda. I can’t let you in.”
When the mist lifts, Matty finds herself standing before the pearly gates. A handwritten sign attached to the railings reads UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT. She’d hoped her mother would be here to meet her with a nice cup of tea.
A gentleman jogs towards her, tightening the knot in his tie. “Welcome. I’m St Peter. Let’s get you checked in.” He retrieves an electronic device from his jacket pocket and clips it to her finger.
“Matilda Osborne?” St Peter scans a scrap of lined notepaper with a ragged edge. “You’re not on my list, Matilda. I can’t let you in.”
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