This is the first of Jonathan Coe’s books that I’ve read, and I understand that it’s a departure for him. In many ways, The Rain Before it Falls shares many of the features of a book I read early in the year and hated, Tomorrow by Graham Swift in terms of structure and a truth that will be revealed, but in that way alone.
Here, we have the reminiscences of a dying old woman, Rosamond, trying to unravel the tragedy of a child’s life. The child is her cousin’s granddaughter, Imogen. The reminiscence is brought to us through tapes that Rosamond had recorded prior to ending her own life, and is structured around 20 photographs that she describes to Imogen, who we learn is blind.
These photographs describe the gradual unfolding of a family tragedy in which Imogen is ultimately the victim, coming as she does from a long line of broken relationships. Rosamond is, it turns out, a lesbian and that fact prevented her from becoming Imogen’s guardian at a time when society was not ready for such a family arrangement (her narrative begins in 1938 when she was about five or six). How pathetic it is that we’re still having these debates.
The Rain Before it Falls is poignant and beautifully written, although it never seems to take flight as one might hope. The structure Coe has chosen lends for a slightly false perspective: Rosamond is far too articulate and literary for someone speaking on tape, although her voice is convincing as that of a saddened, kindly old lady.
The tape recordings are topped and tailed with a more conventional narrative that rounds out the story, although these are certainly the weakest parts of the book for me. Never mind that though, this is an elegant, well crafted and affecting novel.
Possibly related posts:
Trackbacks
One Trackback