Grandmothers

Salley Vickers tackles families and, in particular grandmothers, and the challenges of relationships between multiple generations. Motherhood, and grandmotherhood, are not easy roles and while we may have clear ideas of the archetype the women who occupy them are far more complex and varied. See Nan, Minna and Blanche, three very different women struggling to maintain relationships with their grandchildren. The family ties are strained as they have been disappointed by, or have disappointed, their children but dote on their grandchildren. All three women are haunted by the regret of past mistakes. They are flawed but they have spirit. I found Minna's story particularly moving since she is not related to her faux-grandchild, the child of a neighbour. but has come to occupy that role of warmth and support and love so often associated with grandmothers. It's less subversive and challenging than The Librarian but an excellent read nonetheless. Salley Vickers is an excellent writer and her grasp of character and dialogue reminds me of the wonderful Elizabeth Taylor, as does her ability to write these quiet novels that are full of insight, wit and (often) heartache.