This book was read for Reading Ireland Month (read about it at 746 Books here) and in fact came from Cathy at 746 books last year: she reviewed it here and then had a competition to win a copy, which I won! So it seemed only appropriate to read and review this book for this year’s month of Irish literature. I started it before I went on holiday and finished it on my return, even though it’s a slim volume, but I picked up the threads just fine.
Janet McNeill – “The Maiden Dinosaur”
(25 May 2018, from Cathy at 746 Books)
50-year-old Sarah Vincent lives in a flat in her old family home, with two old school friends occupying other flats and the daughter of another, a young mum with a flighty husband, in the stable block. One of her contemporaries is a resigned wife, the other the brilliant, fragile and beloved monster, Helen, whose every whim must be attended to. Yes, she has had her tragedies in life, but she’s from a guess not an ask culture and poor Sarah spends a lot of energy guessing what she wants from her, while watching her go through other people’s husbands. Oh, also living in the house are the ghosts of Sarah’s parents, but not of her governess, who still holds on and has to be visited in her nursing home. School pupils of Sarah’s come to special teas or lessons and thoughtlessly trample her smallish life.
Sarah is a Good Woman, a devoted, dowdy teacher, visitor of the afflicted, listening ear to her cousin, and never thought of as having her own life or emotions. She’s beautifully drawn and you do root for the worm to turn. Her life and those of her old friends are skillfully interwoven and described, with the layers you see of the schoolgirl in your old friend, the tiny triumphs and rivalries of ageing, the terrible indignities of trying to buy a decent dress, and the karmic kindnesses returning to you.
There’s something of an experimental form in this quiet but not predictable novel, with shifting locations, all presided over by the Irish landscape and narratives from the point of view of other characters every now and again. One character hears a phone ring three times but it’s ringing in three different places for three different people, something that unfolds until you remember that sentence about Addie hearing the rings as she settles into bed – beautifully done. And is that a glimmer of hope at the end?
Cathy746books
Mar 26, 2019 @ 21:17:10
Oh that scene in the dress shop! So glad you enjoyed this one
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Liz Dexter
Mar 27, 2019 @ 21:37:33
So horribly true!! I really squirmed reading it and cheered when she found her champion.
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Ste J
Mar 27, 2019 @ 02:21:34
This sounds pleasant, I like the bit about ageing and rivalries. That is one dramatic title for a book though.
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Liz Dexter
Mar 27, 2019 @ 21:38:13
It is, isn’t it! I’m not sure it is pleasant, it’s quite close to the bone under its cloak of a story about middle-aged ex-schoolfriends.
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Ste J
Mar 28, 2019 @ 00:51:27
Even better!
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heavenali
Mar 27, 2019 @ 12:38:16
I really enjoyed this one too. I remember a little better than one of others by McNeill I read from this publisher. If you haven’t read them though I would recommend Tea at Four o’clock and The Small Widow.
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Liz Dexter
Mar 27, 2019 @ 13:03:33
That’s good to know – I’d certainly like to read more of her and will keep an eye out for those.
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juliana brina
Mar 27, 2019 @ 14:16:07
Great review, Liz! I read Tea at four O’Clock by McNeill a couple of years ago, and loved it. I am happy to know that you enjoyed The Maiden Dinosaur, and I feel I should read more by her. I will try to find this novel now 🙂
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Liz Dexter
Mar 27, 2019 @ 14:38:08
Oh, great – yes, I will definitely be looking out for more of hers!
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kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 27, 2019 @ 14:27:00
Nice! Am I right in thinking Ali’s reviewed her too? And I like the somewhat experimental sound of the prose.
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Liz Dexter
Mar 27, 2019 @ 14:38:49
She has, including this one. Not hugely experimental in a European lit kind of way but subtle shifts and differences.
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Slán go foil to Reading Ireland Month 19!
Apr 01, 2019 @ 12:48:47