I went through a Salley Vickers phase some years ago and decided to pick a couple of the books up again recently. Looking online there are several more now to enjoy should I choose to go further and read her new writing.
It is not surprising to find that Salley Vickers is a qualified psychoanalyst although she now writes and lectures full time. I say that because an interest and concern in how her characters are thinking and feeling and what might have caused those particular thoughts and feelings pervades all her stories. On the whole they are books to retreat to when you need something other than a fast paced thriller or a grisly murder.
The Gardener
The Gardener begins with the toxic relationship of two sisters and their legacy of parental discord and distrust. They optimistically buy a large house on the Welsh Marches with money left to them by their father, with Margot planning to visit for weekends from her well paid job in London, while Hassie will settle there supported by her freelance illustration work. Salley Vickers creates some delightful characters who live in the tiny village of Hope Wenlock. They are beautifully drawn, real and recognisable.
This story is about new beginnings, regeneration and, as Patrick Gale puts it ‘the healing power of seed packets,’ ( reminder to self: must read some more of him.) There is profound insight in the way Salley Vickers explores the characters of the two sisters and there is a powerful sense of place as healing and redemption begin in this large, overgrown garden. The implication is that nature may work far better than a doctor’s prescription, on occasions of course.
The Cleaner of Chartres
This is more complicated than ‘The Gardener’ and emotionally quite challenging at times. Agnes is the said cleaner and whilst seen as doing small acts of kindness around the cathedral where she cleans, her background is tragic in ways over which she had no control. I suppose this book could be said to be a moral and psychological drama, played out in front of the reader as the many layered narrative unfolds.
This is elegant storytelling with an unusual mysterious quality to it. More than one reviewer notes that if you like ‘Chocolat’ by Joanne Harris then you will probably enjoy the writing of Salley Vickers and in particular this book. I agree, partially because all the ends are not quite neatly sorted out and tied up. There is a waft of magic, only slight but it is there. If you enjoy the suggestion of a numinous atmosphere then maybe this would work for you.
‘There’s always another story, there is more than meets the eye.’ WH Auden