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A review by annrawson
The Child's Child by Barbara Vine
4.0
I generally love Ruth Rendell when she writes as Barbara Vine, and this was no exception. It's a fascinating story, and I enjoyed the unusual structure, of a novel within a novel. This allowed the story to show attitudes towards homosexuality and unmarried mothers in two different times - the present day and around the time of the second world war.
The novel within was, I think, a stronger novel. Perhaps in part because that story was not interrupted. Perhaps because the character of John was sympathetic, and that of his sister Maud increasingly unpleasant.
The comparison of social attitudes was interesting, and considering the violence in both was hardly a reassuring message about progress. Perhaps that was the greatest weakness - the ending of the outer novel seemed a little like a cop out. And the structure was a little unbalanced - that last section felt very rushed.
Still an excellent read, and the character of Maud will stay with me.
The novel within was, I think, a stronger novel. Perhaps in part because that story was not interrupted. Perhaps because the character of John was sympathetic, and that of his sister Maud increasingly unpleasant.
The comparison of social attitudes was interesting, and considering the violence in both was hardly a reassuring message about progress. Perhaps that was the greatest weakness - the ending of the outer novel seemed a little like a cop out. And the structure was a little unbalanced - that last section felt very rushed.
Still an excellent read, and the character of Maud will stay with me.