Blaming – Elizabeth Taylor (1976) 190 pages
Blaming was Elizabeth Taylor’s last novel and features all of her characteristic wit, sharp observation, compassion and lack of sentimentality.
It is the story of a relationship between Amy, a middle-class, middle-aged housewife, and a younger American novelist, Martha:
“Amy seemed to have remained at the age of seventeen, or thereabouts; but it was the English girlhood of her own class and time. The like never come again, Martha, much younger and American, decided.”
They meet on a cruise, and at a desperate time for Amy, Martha is there for her. They have nothing else in common except this shared experience, and when she returns home Amy has no plans to ever see Martha again. Martha has other ideas, and what follows is a brilliant dissection of a relationship built out of a sense of obligation, of politeness, and of unspoken, unacknowledged needs.
What makes this tale so compelling in its characterisation and circumstance is that Martha isn’t a monster. She’s not horrible or domineering or rude, but she’s unaware, a bit selfish and slightly irritating. It’s all so ordinary, and Amy is at a total loss as to what to do:
“Lolling back in her chair, steadily eating biscuits as if to satisfy a long-felt need, Martha dropped crumbs onto her lap, and occasionally brushed them off onto the carpet. She is going to be untidy about the place, Amy was thinking. Two long days. She glanced up at the clock. What could she do with her for all that time? The long evening ahead for instance. They could not – surely – just talk all the time.”
In her portrayal of Amy’s life and wider family, Taylor captures how relatives can also feel a sense of obligation, and even affection, that at the same time is arduous and would easier to live without. Her daughter-in-law and son like Amy well enough, she in turn likes her slightly irritating grandchildren. It would be easier for them all not to spend time together, but that is not how families work:
“He knew she was weeping for herself, not for his mother. She had never been drawn to her – no cosy women’s chats; but in spite of warmth, their relationship was exemplary […]
‘We will make some good plans,’ James said reassuringly. ‘It’s nice of you to care so much. Certainly a long weekend some time can’t be too terrible a strain on anyone.’
So nothing was done.”
In Blaming, Taylor demonstrates how the deepest pain that people experience can – and most often does – live alongside, the boring, the banal, the everyday. She shows how guilt is a powerful motivator for people who aren’t good or bad, just ordinary and fairly decent.
Blaming is a novel where you can sit back knowing you are in the hands of a masterful artist. Taylor is a brilliant, incisive writer, intelligent and humane. Any work of hers is a gift to the reader.
Elizabeth Taylor is one of those authors who I keep meaning to read – this sounds marvellous.
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I think you’d really love her Liz!
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I do hope that you try her, Liz. She’s wonderful! (Think DDM….)
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Well, how can I resist both you and Madame B? Have bought a kindle version 🤣
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Hooray! Mission accomplished 😊
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🤣👏🏻📚
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She is indeed a marvellous author, and so acute in her observations of human behaviour. And spot on about guilt and obligation – I wonder if this is a particuarly British trait?
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Yes, so acute! I don’t know if guilt and obligation is particularly British, but I do think there’s something so British about her characterisation and dynamics. She does seem a very British author.
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I keep meaning to thank you for yet another marvellous selection this year, Madame B. A well-written novella is a wonderful thing and I had no idea there were so many!
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Thanks Sandra, I’m really glad you’re enjoying the posts! A well written novella is a joyous thing 🙂
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Oh my gosh, this sounds amazing! I have to be in the right mood for an Elizabeth Taylor – but when I am, I am completely blown away.
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This really is such a strong work by her. The whole situation and people in it are so carefully observed.
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Agree entirely with your closing comments, and the account of this novella.
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Thanks very much – glad you enjoy her too!
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This sounds a fine if excruciatingly accurate portrayal if that second quote is anything to go by.
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Excruciating is the word! Taylor captures those little social irritations so well.
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I’ve put it on my list but may not look forward to reading it!
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Wonderful review. Taylor’s observations and the way she creates awkward relationships is brilliant.
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She’s so good at capturing that awkwardness isn’t she? The unspoken everyday difficulties human beings find with each other.
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Just skimming this for now as I have a copy in my TBR and would rather not know too much about it beforehand (if that makes sense). Good to see that you were impressed, though. I’ve been worried that this might be a bit weak compared to her others, particularly as it was published posthumously. Clearly not!
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That makes total sense! I think although it was published posthumously, it was a completed work intended for publication – there’s a lovely affectionate afterword by her daughter who describes Taylor writing this. I hope you enjoy it Jacqui!
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Yes,that’s true. It was polished and composed with care and she completed the editing process while she was still well enough to do so independently.
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I’ve never read Elizabeth Taylor, I should try one, one of these days.
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I think you’d like her Emma. She’s very good at quiet observations of people.
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Is she like Ann Tyler?
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I’m not totally confident to say because its been a good few years since I read Anne Tyler, but from what I remember I would say they’re both interested in ordinary people and the significance of small moments that go unremarked but can have a big impact. I have A Spool of Blue Thread in the TBR, I should get to it!
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I have a little contribution to make to A Novella a Day in May: I read The Years, Months, Days by Carlos Rojas and my review is here: https://anzlitlovers.com/2020/05/20/the-years-months-days-by-yan-lianke-translated-by-carlos-rojas/
cheers, Lisa
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That’s wonderful! Thanks Lisa, I will visit.
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It seems so fitting that many novellas are preoccupied with grief and loss. Something we can all obsess about.
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Yes, the intensity of grief can feel obsessive, and novellas are good for capturing that intensity.
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This was my first Elizabeth Taylor. Not my favourite but still excellent. These family obligations can be very arduous indeed.
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Absolutely – she captures that so well! My first Elizabeth Taylor was Mrs Palfrey… and I think that’s still my favourite.
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It’s one of two I like the most. The other one being a Game of Hide and Seek.
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Oh yes, A Game of Hide and Seek is wonderful!
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