Photo of the week
Totally involved in debut novel Courtney Gallery Book Group
THE group had another good discussion, this time of the debut novel Golden Hill by Francis Spufford.
It is set in 1746 in New York, a small town of 7,000 people set on the tip of Manhattan Island.
The story centres around a young, naive and mysterious young man Richard Smith, fresh off a ship that has arrived from England.
His first stop is at a counting house where he presents a money order for £1,000, a fortune at that time.
He is prepared to wait 60 days for payment.
During this time suspicion thickens around Smith, what is his background, what are his intentions and how did he acquire such a large amount of money?
However, Smith carefully conceals these details from the local gentry, therefore setting up a challenge for the careful, astute reader to spot the three major twists, one of which is more difficult than the other two.
Golden Hill has been described as “the best 18th century novel since the 18th century”.
Like Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones, Smith is propelled through an assortment of adventures and a colourful miscellany of social scenes.
He goes from being feted at the King’s birthday dinner, to being chased by a frenzied mob across the rooftops of Manhattan on Pope’s Day, to being imprisoned for fraud, to being challenged to a duel and lastly being put on trial for murder.
And he still finds time to fall in love.
However, the reader needs to delve beneath this series of romps to find the many serious themes that are explored.
Set 30 years before the American War of Independence, Golden Hill captures a fledging community of diverse citizens, currencies and costumes.
A production of Joseph Addison’s famous play “Cato, A Tragedy” highlights the political issues of Republicanism versus Monarchism.
Other themes include freedom versus constraint, slavery, fickleness of friends and the place of women.
Several of us struggled with the first chapter which contained long sentences, detailed descriptions and unusual words. (cf Henry James).
But as the pace quickens we all became totally involved.
The ‘set pieces’ are elaborately described, verging on farce with a strong element of bawdiness.
We all appreciated the influence of Hogarth in the setting of events.
The character of Tabitha was more difficult to understand, she was a strong-willed woman growing up in a society where ‘polite’ women were seen and not heard, but she was not strong enough to take the opportunity that arose to break free.
This novel is definitely worth a second read, when all the clues would be more apparent.
The next book to be discussed will be The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey.
Beverley’s blooms gave taste of Spain Ashbourne and District Flower Club
THE Flower Club had a fabulous demonstration at St John’s Church Hall last month with Beverley Artis and “Viva Andulasia”.
The most beautiful and unusual examples of known blooms, depicting aspects of Andulasia, a part of southern Spain.
A two tone blue hydrangea called Dali and delicate pale yellow fringed gerbera to give just two examples.
Multiple tips were given on how to preserve cut flowers and some myths were expelled.
A stunning flamenco dress completed the evening before six lucky raffle prizewinners took home the arrangements.
On May 23, at 7.30pm, we have Lynne Sharpe, another NAFAS area demonstrator with her topic “Garden Magic”.
On May 27 to 30 the Flower Club is running a stall at Tissington during the Well Dressing week selling plants and floral paraphernalia in aid of club funds and charity. Do come and see us.
In June there is no demonstration but we are visiting Hopton Hall Gardens when we are sure their roses will be at their best!
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