Last month I read Louise Levene's first novel A Vision of Loveliness, and I thought it was extremely well done, though I do agree with Litlove's comment (on this post) about the overall tone grating after a while. However, neither that nor the relative lack of plot put me off picking up the author's second book, and this one, Ghastly Business
, is superb!
It's set in London in 1929 when young Dora Strang, denied the chance of becoming a doctor by her Harley Street physician father who considers medicine an unsuitable career for a woman, and - it must be said - by a lack of ability on her part, takes a job as secretary to the eminent pathologist Dr. Alfred Kemble. As she types up the notes of his post mortem findings, sits in on his morbid anatomy lectures and assists with his forensic enquiries, she finds her strong stomach and all her early reading of her father's medical textbooks standing her in good stead. She's resourceful, professional, and having won the school cup for "Good Manners under Difficult Circumstances", is rarely thrown by the somewhat peculiar nature of the work she is called upon to do.
Kemble himself is quite the boss. The Big White Chief of the hospital, he is something of a celebrity as far as the newspapers are concerned as his appearances as expert witness in so many murder trials have raised his profile far beyond the laboratory. He is dashing, handsome, distinguished, and having a rather unconventional bedside manner, shall we say, is an embodiment of Dora's colourful fantasies, but when even his wife describes him as "ghastly", this cannot bode well.
If you don't mind the fairly grisly subject-matter (you'll learn a lot about 1920s medical procedures here) then there is much to love about this book. It's stylish, witty, written with brio, and there are so many good lines which show off Louise Levene's flair for a well-turned phrase or a gimlet-eyed observation, while characters, even minor ones, are pinned to the page in mercilessly exact fashion, rather like butterflies preserved in a specimen drawer. In addition, there's the research - beautifully placed detail setting the book firmly in time and place and social milieu (a very strong feature of A Vision of Loveliness, too), so all in all it's a seamless, perfectly paced piece of work, highly accomplished and great fun!
I did enjoy A Vision of Loveliness and I thoroughly agree with Virginia Ironside's comments about the vivid portrayal of the period (so I'm told anyway - I was only a very small child at the time!)but I do see what you and Litlove mean about the tone becoming very acidic and cynical by the end.
This new book looks fascinating though and I do enjoy stories set in the 20's, so it will have to be added to my list of ones to look out for!
Posted by: LizF | 09 September 2011 at 03:09 PM
Yes, the VoL characters were cold and calculating so a reader might feel they'd spent long enough in their company, but the whole 'set' of the book was great.
Despite its dark deeds, the new book has a lighter feel and more warmth and charm. I loved it!
Posted by: Cornflower | 09 September 2011 at 08:59 PM
I would certainly read Louise Levine again - the end of her first novel wss indeed a bit bitter for me, but the rest of it was extremely good. I am, though, a tad, well all right, very, squeamish. Perhaps I can just skip the gory bits and enjoy the rest?
Posted by: litlove | 12 September 2011 at 08:11 AM