Letters From An Unknown Woman: A Novel (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
An excellent novel - infused with Woodward's usual ingenious sense of humour and sharp wit. Some of the plot twists and dialogue are hilarious, and yet the novelist's dealings with the central character's affair and her gamut of emotions after her husband's return from war are very delicately handled. As in August, his heroine is deeply memorable and multi layered. I thought the ending felt a little rushed, but this is a minor detail when taken with the achievement as a whole, which will last long in the memory. A story set in London during WWII and the 50s. Very quirky, with lots of twists of the plot but also of the writing style. The first 20 pages are hillarious, later on less so, though you get the sense that the author is somehow quitely amused throughout. I understood this book as a comment on the general uselessness of men. :) Our heroine Tory, and her mother, just do what is needed to get through life (including consuming possibly human flesh). The husband is at a prisoner of war camp, where he profits by sharing Tory's racy letters. When he comes home he is worse than useless, he becomes a positive tyrant until Tory decides to kill him with an axe (but doesn't). Tory's lover is a little more productive: he owns a gellatine factory (which, as is mentioned several times, is crucial to the war effort), but mosty obesesses about developing a gellatine-based food substitute. Really! In the meantime Tory works in places that rhyme with her name (first the factory, later the lavatory), brings up her kids, and works on a novel. A very plucky heroine indeed.
What do You think about Letters From An Unknown Woman: A Novel (2011)?
Entertaining but not thought provoking. I'd call it a beach read.
—Rang30wns
