Earlier in the year, I read and really loved the odd, cold, psychologically fascinating novel Told in Winter by Jon Godden (sister of the more famous Rumer). So I was keen to try more of her things, and I’m a sucker for novels about older women – so Mrs Panopoulis (1959) winged its way to me. Isn’t the cover gorgeous?
(I should say, at the outset, that I read this in the peak of my eyes getting back to working, and with quite a lot of dizziness, so it wasn’t the ideal time to take it all in. But it has a big font and it’s quite a simple story, so I thought it would be a good place to try reading again. And clearly that was a few months ago, so here goes nothing with this post! For those asking so kindly, health continues to be up and down but eyes have largely been fine, praise the Lord.)
Mrs Panopoulis woke early, as the old do, but even earlier than she usually did because the ship’s engines had stopped. To her it was the stopping of an enormous heart. She lay on her back on the berth, and before she opened her eyes she moved her hand cautiously up to her breast. Her heart was beating unevenly, as it always did, but it was still beating.
Waves of light were running across the white-painted ceiling; she knew that they were reflections from the sea outside, but for a moment she could not remember where she was. The sound she heard in her sleep came again, a high, shrill mewing. “Seagulls!” she said, still half asleep, and then, “We have arrived.”
Typing that out now, I really like Godden’s writing. Maybe I wasn’t in the right state to appreciate it when I read it. Anyway, Mrs P and the people on her cruise have arrived at an island off the coast of ‘Portuguese East Africa’, whatever that is or was. Among the group are a pair of young things who have yet to acknowledge that they love each other, Martin and Flora (Mrs P’s great-niece) – Martin has travelled to meet a business partner whom he idolises. And Mrs Panopoulis has determined that she will shape their destiny.
The depiction of the island hovers on that line between interesting travel literature and not-very-sensitive cultural hierarchies. It isn’t out-and-out racist, but it also isn’t the most comfortable read. I’m felt that Godden was on safer ground when she was talking about the tourists who’d travelled there and the ex-pats who lived there. Mrs Panopoulis herself is a little sharp and rude, but driven by a thirst for adventure and an impatience with her own increasing age.
There were a lot of things to like in Mrs Panopoulis, not least the fully realised depiction of an old woman who doesn’t fall into any of the old-woman stereotypes. But, overall, I wish the novel had a bit more depth, a little more cultural sensitivity, and, without giving anything away, an entirely different ending.
So, this Godden isn’t in the same league as Told in Winter, but it might be one to revisit at some point, to see if I missed anything the first time around.
You have made me fancy reading both these books by Jon Godden – I love Rumer and hadn’t realised Jon also wrote books. However, audible and kindle have not heard of them, and they are expensive on Amazon and ebay, often postage more so. Ah well, when I feel ok about going to the library…
Ah, shame – hopefully you’ll be able to find them at the library. I got Told In Winter as a gift; hadn’t realised it was a tricky one.
Very interesting to learn that Rumer G had a sister who wrote! Jon Godden sounds like she’s worth checking out, but I’d be inclined to try “Told in Winter” first (just read your review of it, which I had missed).
They even wrote one or two books together! I have one, as yet unread.
Along the line of old women, I so enjoyed the series with Mrs Pollifax. I stumbled upon them when I was doing the challenge of reading 50 books set in different countries, as each book is set in a different country. The audiobooks are awesome, great narrator.
But I’m sure you are very familiar with al of the above
I haven’t heard of her, thanks so much for recommendation!
I read all my Rumers pre-blogging, but I found A Winter’s Tale (which might be the same book as A Winter’s Tale?) old-fashioned. The sexism hasn’t weathered well, and I wonder if perhaps Rumer might not either, so I’ve never ventured to a re-read, but am content to have happy memories of reading her novels instead.
See https://anzlitlovers.com/2016/01/31/a-winters-tale-by-jon-godden/ if interested.
Yes, definitely a lot of sexism in there, but I felt that it said more about the male character than the novel overall.
Portuguese East Africa is of course Mozambique!
Interesting use of ‘of course’:D
I only discovered the two sisters when I read their memoir earlier this year, about growing up in India. Before that, I’d only read Rumer’s stories and now you’ve made me wish that Jon’s books were available over here too. How fortunate to have a sibling who shares a passion for storytelling! (I’m so curious about the ending. Was it the “right” ending, you just wish it was different? Or did it feel all wrong for the story? I can forgive that when I know it was the right decision for the book!)
It felt very jarring with the novel, in my opinion – it could have worked if it hadn’t been so sudden. That’s all I’ll say without giving anything away :D