Recently I posted Liz's comment on Sue Gee's new novel Trio, and having finished the book now I can echo Liz's words; I haven't read a work of fiction as good as this for quite some time.
Trio exhibits all Sue Gee's* hallmarks - an unhurried narrative, measured handling of material, particularly of the story's emotional substrate, a calmness and restraint in plotting, beautifully drawn characters, and a feel for place such that she could be called a landscape artist with words.
Trio is set in Northumberland in the late 1930s where Steven Coulter, a young history teacher, loses his wife to tuberculosis. Finding solace in his work, Steven is helped through his grief by his friendship with his colleague Frank whose cellist sister Diana is a member of a trio. As, for the first time, Steven experiences the expressive power of music, its ability to transport and to heal, so he becomes close to the musicians - Diana, Margot and George - and enters their world of country houses, shared history, and repressed emotion. When one of the friends breaks the charmed circle to follow a path they can, in conscience, no longer avoid, everything changes for all of them.
I'm always drawn to books which feature music**, as a knowledgeable and sensitive treatment of the subject provides a rich extra dimension, and this one incorporates it seamlessly and perfectly. Done with care, integrity and balance, the musical element both enhances the novel itself and leads the reader to find recordings and listen closely to the specific pieces described - a bonus, to my mind.
But as I've said above there's so much more than that to Trio, and I can't recommend it too highly. Sue Gee is a writer of clarity and quality, a Bawden or Ravilious, a Reynolds Stone or Clare Leighton of prose, and reading her work is pure pleasure.
* There are links to posts on some of her other novels here.
I took this book away with me on the basis of your recommendation (always very reliable!) and wanted to say thank you! What a beautiful ,exquisitely written novel it was and will stay with me. I have read others of Sue Gee, who seems very underrated, and have loved them all but this book is, I think, her best.
Posted by: Deborah Vass | 31 July 2016 at 01:55 PM
I'm so glad you loved it, Deborah!
It is astonishing that Sue Gee is, as you say, underrated; we must all shout about her a little more loudly.
Posted by: Cornflower | 31 July 2016 at 04:16 PM
I got this from the library at 8pm last night-started it just before bed- and was still engrossed at 5am when I turned out the light and realised I'd read all night.Long time since I've done that!
Posted by: Mary | 10 August 2016 at 02:47 PM
Wow!
Posted by: Cornflower | 10 August 2016 at 03:13 PM
I've just added all of her books to my Goodreads "To Read" list. Can't wait to get started!
Rita
Posted by: RITA B CALDWELL | 01 February 2017 at 07:30 PM
Excellent!
Posted by: Cornflower | 03 February 2017 at 02:19 PM
just re read Sue Gee's Coming home and Hours of the day. Love her books and delighted to recommend them to friends who always appreciate them. Not read Trio, must put it on my library reserve list. Marjorie.
Posted by: marjorie mapstone | 14 April 2017 at 08:51 PM