Talking to the Dead

At the height of a heat wave, Nina arrives at her sister's house in the country to assist after the sister, Isabel, has given birth. From the first pages, the reader knows something tragic happens, but it's not entirely clear what. The heat and isolation of the house make for a claustrophobic setting, and Dunmore creates an unsettling atmosphere almost from the first. The reader slowly learns more about these two sisters and their relationship, with some flashbacks to their childhood. But Nina is an unreliable narrator and as time goes on, the narrative becomes even more disturbing and unsettled.

This was a great novel - a bit Gothic, gorgeously written, and with a compelling pace. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen.

4.25 stars

Suspense, Mystery and Family Skeletons in the Proverbial Closet.

Despite some very mixed reviews of this book I found myself so drawn to this book that I literally could not put it down. The close, yet somewhat prickly relationship between the two sisters, Isabel and Nina sets a wonderful landscape against which their stories, both separate and together, unfold to build a tale where metaphor and symbolism become the shrouds beneath which the characters become revealed. Be prepared to do a complete 180 on which characters you like, and who you don't, as you read this book. I know I certainly did.

Dunsmore's language is rich and vibrant, and in many ways directly contrasts the the nature of the characters themselves, particularly in respect show more of Isabel who, while a new mother, is anything but maternal and nurturing, despite initial appearances.

In fact, nothing can be taken at face value in this book. As I have alluded, that which we are encouraged to dislike in the beginning becomes the anchor around which, as readers, we can ground ourselves because it is 'normal' and as such, the discordance sense of suspense, and the oppressive atmosphere of the book is emphasised. The reveal - when it comes - is shocking (if not unexpected), and the resolution of the book all the more powerful.

The book has a very visual quality, perhaps because of the vivid descriptions, and has a sensuality to the prose that is both enticing and repellent in turn. I couldn't help but wish that someone would make a movie of it, because I think it would translate well between media. show less

I have read a few of Dunmore's novels but nothing rivals the first one, I read of hers- The Siege, which was amazing. I wanted to try another one and I had Talking to the Dead on shelf. This one is about 2 sisters. The youngest is visiting the eldest, just after the latter has her first baby. They are both seriously haunted by the death of their infant brother. This is a messy family tale, with many thorny issues peppered about. It is not always a pleasant read but what saves it, is Dunmore's strong, lyrical prose. I was saddened to hear that Dunmore died in 2017, at 64.

I'm no expert, so I'm not going to say whether she is a 'good' writer, but Helen Dunmore's writing definitely works for me. In this novel she created a story of two sisters who are close and yet somehow mysteriously separated. What makes closeness? What produces separation? What is 'truth' in relation to our memories of our childhood? These questions are posed but never definitely answered. I felt very close to both of the sisters who are the main characters, although at the same time I didn't really understand either of them. I know this isn't a very well written review....but I think I'm trying to say that there's a power in Dunmore's writing that for me is well beyond what I can express. Maybe as I think more about this book I'll show more come to a better understanding of my own response. But for now, Helen Dunmore goes onto my Favorite Authors list.
ETA: Having given the matter some thought, I've decided that it's Dunmore's ability to create an *atmosphere* which impresses me. In this book there's a separate "atmosphere" for each of the character pairs. When they're together we get a certain feeling about the relationship. We can feel the tension, the attraction, the disdain, the passion etc. She doesn't need a whole lot of words, just careful selection of points of emphasis. . . I'm really not sure how she does it, but, as I said, it works for me. show less

I’m not too sure how to construct a review of Helen Dunmore’s Talking to the Dead (1996), except to say that for a so-called ‘literary author’ (whatever that means) it was well-structured, with a forceful narrative that kept you turning the pages. Isabel and Nina are sisters, living an enmeshed life ever since the death of their baby brother, Colin, when he was a few months old. Now adults, the story describes the elaborate dance and rituals of their relationship immediately after the birth of Isabel’s first child. Nina is staying with her sister and brother-in-law, when she embarks on an illicit affair with Isabel’s husband, Richard. Events take place during the height of a sweltering summer in the Sussex countryside, and show more drawn into the ever-deepening emotional storm are Isabel’s best friend, Edward, and Susan their live-in nanny. So far, so middle class predictability, but this being Dunmore, things are more complex than at first they seem; as the summer heat intensifies, the secrets, lies, traumas and misunderstandings of a dysfunctional family get played out over the course of a week that moves inexorably towards further tragedy. As is usual with Dunmore’s writing, the sense of place is palpable, and her descriptions of the minutia of everyday life take on a significance and meaning far beyond the mundane. I have to say that for the most part I didn’t really warm to the characters, and with the exception of Susan, they had few redeeming features. But it’s the skill of Dunmore’s prose that transcends this surface dislike, and I can certainly see why this particular novel won the Orange Prize. Highly recommended for those who enjoy intelligent and beautiful writing.
© Koplowitz 2012 show less

This novel is set in the heat of an unusual English summer. Isabel has had a baby and her sister Nina is staying to help her sister but, of course, nothing is that simple and the novel unravels the relationship between Nina and Isabel and the relationship of Isabel and her husband Richard. Helen Dunmore builds up the tension with the heat and it is clear that something dramatic is going to happen, it is just a matter of what that will be. An engaging enough read.

Fiona Griffiths is an interesting character, and I liked the workaday office atmosphere created in the story too. I just found her illness a little too far fetched... Or rather, that someone with it would become a high functioning brilliant detective. Would be 3.5 stars.