The last book
Departure(s) by Julian Barnes
At university we read Great Expectations and The Mill on the Floss, but only afterwards did I discover Julian Barnes—along with other British writers such as John Fowles, Hilary Mantel, Martin Amis, Zadie Smith and others. Barnes’s Flaubert’s Parrot impressed me immensely; it’s one of those books I want to read again.
Now, at 80, he has published what he says will be his final book. Departures is simply lovely. The reader receives a letter from a well-read, curious person with an excellent sense of humour. He speaks directly to the reader, sharing his thoughts, ideas and experiences—in that sharp, intelligent British way, with a clarity of expression that has become rare.
He reflects on articles and books he has read. He enjoys reading about oddities: “…my interest tends towards the ghoulish and the extreme.” He would have enjoyed You. He tells of the man whose toenails had grown so long he could no longer walk; strange objects swallowed or inserted into the rectum, the oddest being miniature busts of Napoleon Bonaparte; the man who pulled out his tracheotomy tube and inserted a cigarette into the opening.
He writes about memory, which fascinates him. He revisits Marcel Proust’s madeleine moment and discusses IAM (involuntary autobiographical memory) and HASM (highly superior autobiographical memory)—people who remember absolutely everything. Friedrich Nietzsche, in Also sprach Zarathustra, repeated an incident word for word from a book published half a century earlier. His sister was convinced he had mistaken a resurfacing memory for original thought. There was also such a case in Afrikaans literature.
In a roundabout, rather elaborate yet always fascinating and entertaining way, he tells of two friends he had at Oxford. He introduced Stephen and Jean to each other and they began dating. At the end of their studies they decided they must either marry or break up. The latter happened, and the three friends lost contact.
About forty years later, he brought them together again and they resumed their relationship. Would it last? He philosophises about relationships, second chances and thwarted love.
Read for yourself how it turns out. In between, he reflects on ageing and decline, farewells and departures. Finally, he addresses the reader directly:
Still, I hope you've enjoyed our relationship over the years. I certainly have. Your presence has delighted me – indeed, I would be nothing without you. So, I'll just rest my hand briefly on your forearm – no, don't stop looking – and then slip away. No, don't stop looking.
How sad that our finest literary penpals disappear from the scene one by one. It’s a huge pleasure to read.
Departure(s) by Julian Barnes is published by Vintage Publishing and costs R510 at Exclusive Books.
Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore
This gripping crime story is set in the small town of Table Rock. Leah Radcliff is a policewoman. She is married to Brad Draper, the town’s hero—a former football star and police officer who won a medal for bravery. His father is extremely wealthy and owns much of the town. Brad is charming and devastatingly attractive. What no one knows is that at home he vents his dangerous temper on Leah. She is beaten black and blue where no one can see the bruises, intimidated and humiliated. She attributes it to work stress and tells no one.
One night she follows him—suspecting an affair—and witnesses a suspicious transaction. It appears Brad and his friends are corrupt policemen. At home she confronts him, and he becomes murderously angry. While he is strangling her, her searching hand finds his service pistol and she fatally shoots him. This isn’t a spoiler—it happens at the beginning of the book.
Now Leah is the most hated woman in town. His father hires the best lawyers, and she is convicted of murder—their version is that she shot him in his sleep.
In prison Leah befriends a strong woman and finds the Lord. In the background throughout has hovered a righteous man: Officer Clint Tanner, who has loved her since youth. He is also a believer and continues to pray for her.
I won’t reveal more. A reader doesn’t always enjoy being preached to about the power of prayer, whether you agree or not. Yet it is highly suspenseful and deeply human. I read faster and faster toward the end, (fairly) certain that justice would prevail.
Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore is published by Tyndale House Publishers and costs R381 at Exclusive Books.
Want to Know a Secret by Freida McFadden
Ja, no well, fine—I read all the Freidas. It’s like fast food: crackling, crispy, and addictive. This one is reminiscent of Big Little Lies: it deals with competitive, catty school moms. April Masterton is an influencer—a cook on YouTube. Her brownies melt in your mouth. She always uses chunks of butter. She herself eats almost nothing, because she has to look good on camera.
They get new neighbours, and someone texts her to say she doesn’t know where her child is. Luckily the kind new neighbour comes to her rescue, and they become friends. She helps Maria gain acceptance into the exclusive mommy clique. Yet things begin to go increasingly wrong for April. Who is undermining her and harassing her via WhatsApp? Is her husband (again) being unfaithful? Who is spewing so much hate speech in response to her video clips?
It’s domestic noir. April is the narrator—and remember: narrators are not reliable. That’s the nature of the beast.
I can’t reveal more. It’s highly suspenseful, and by now I know not to make assumptions.
Want to Know a Secret by Freida McFadden is published by Poisoned Pen Press and costs R266 at Graffiti.
