The Stationmaster's Daughter
(Pamela Oldfield)
Published in 1986 by Century Hutchinson, The Stationmaster's Daughter brings the imaginary town of Gazedown and the activities of its' inhabitants to life - it's the turn of the 19th century and Amy Turner, The Stationmaster's Daughter, is left to take care of her family - brother 10 year old Sam, father Tom the Stationmaster and bedridden grandfather Ted. It's the talk of the small town as to what has happened to their wife and mother, and nobody is letting on, but it is this family secret that affects them all in various ways - Sam is led to deviant behaviour at school, Amy has had to give up her own future, Tom's career has been blighted and Ted's health has been affected.
Set against the backdrop of the Station the residents of Gazedown - Arnold, the mentally challenged station assistant whose highlight in every day is to be taught to read by Amy, Tim and Harry at the station, Don Leckie who has caught Amy's attention although he is courting another and Lorna, who is the employee and sometimes target of Mr. Hatherly's overt advances - live in peace until the arrival of one Mr. Ralph Allan, an author who is going to "take care of himself" - unheard of for a gentleman at the turn of the century. It soon becomes clear that Ralph Allan too has a past - this is the story of how pasts intermingle to make the present, and the future. Amy offers Ralph the chance of healing, while Ralph offers Amy a small chance at following her goals.
Will Amy be content to be a housewife and mother to a family that is not hers by marriage?
Will Mr. Allan become a published author and complete his work?
Pamela Oldfield's English setting and historical commentary charms the reader, yet the issues confronting the main characters are issues which we can relate to today. I find myself thinking what decision I would make if I was in Amy's shoes, wondering if I would have had her patience and wondering if I could have done what she did with quite such a good grace!
Go to bed with tea, chocolate and The Stationmaster's Daughter. It will be a night to remember.
Resumos Relacionados
- Family Matters
- Little Women
- Nicholas Nickelby
- Incest
- The Winds Of Autumn
|
|
