The story of a married woman who falls in love with another woman, this novel is, in many ways, like a lot of Trollope's work: fiction about women in villages in England who have to deal with a problem of some kind. With the exception of the lesbianism part. I think the thing I found most jarring about it was how dated it felt; either that or how much Trollope doesn't know about gay people or their history. I don't want to give away too much here, but I just found the reaction by most people in this story to be kind of shocking. I get that there is going to be little support for Alice (who has the affair), but almost no one was able to be supportive of Clodagh, who just happens to be a lesbian. The book was published in 1989 and I think is meant to be set then. 1989 was not 2014, but it wasn't 1919 either, and some of the way this was written made it seem as if it might be, as if lesbians only existed in London and New York. I also found Richard's reaction to Alice's affair totally bizarre, and it kind of seemed like Trollope was endorsing his view of her desire for a woman, which was kind of insane. I really like Trollope a lot, and I found this novel as readable as all the rest, so I'll certainly be back for more, but I can't say this was one of her more successful.
I love Joanna Trollope's writing style ... the feel of the small English town, the dry humour. At first I found this book a bit sad, but by about a third or so of the way through I no longer felt this way. Big plot surprise that I didn't expect ... and a story that gives the reader a quite enjoyable visit to small English town life, and an interesting study on marriage and family life.As an aside ... I LOVED the format of my edition of the book -- a compact little hard-cover edition about 4 x 5" in size. I actually researched what other books were available in this format, as it's just a perfect size (and sturdier than a paperback) for my public transit commute to work. Alas, not too many books are available in this compact edition. Just an aside, but it's a great format!I'm really enjoying Joanna Trollope's books, and bought 2 more titles on a used-book shopping trip earlier this week.
What do You think about A Village Affair (2002)?
Alice Jordan is frustrated with her life. She is searching for something…but she doesn’t quite know what. Her marriage has grown weary, and the care of her three small children has grown tedious. She and her husband Martin move to the Grey House, a beautiful home is a small village, and Alice hopes that the move will make everything “all right” again. Clodagh Unwin is the daughter of the family whose estate is part of the village. She befriends Alice and eventually declares her love as a lesbian for her. Needless to say, this results in scandal in the village, and torn apart lives for the two families. Not one of Trollope’s very best, but still a good story.
—Linda
Alice Jordan is a young wife and mother who ostensibly has everything she has ever wanted in her life: a beautiful house in the quiet little English village of Pitcombe, a dull but well-meaning barrister husband and three adorable young children. Instead of being overjoyed, however, Alice - once an extremely talented artist - is depressed and, since the birth of her children, unable to paint. When she meets Clodagh Unwin - the imperiously wayward daughter of local nobility - Alice's life changes
—Mary
As a fan of Joanna Trollope, this novel contained all the features I like best in her her classic novels. Readers new to Trollope will enjoy the parochial setting of a small village and it's list of eccentric citizens complete with dotty spinsters, busy-bodies and a very funny dirty old man. The novel is centered on the character of Alice, who ofcourse is of a very middle class background (Trollope's novels contain University Lecturers as much as Catherine Cookson does 'Consumption'! )The story itself is quite straightforward - harrased young Mum takes up with local lesbian much to the delight and/or disgust of the gossping villagers and vicar.Although I doubt it was intended, some might pick up on the fact that Clodagh, the wayward daughter of the local squire is portrayed somewhat as somehwhat predatory in her seduction of the lovely young Mum. Enjoyable with plenty humour throughout.
—Gillian
