The Whirlpool

I really like Jane Urquhart's writing.

This novel is set in the late 1890s in Niagara Falls. The undertaker's widow is taking over the business and is busy with the usual summer increase in deaths at the falls. Military historian David McDougal, obsessed with Laura Secord, is studying the war of 1812. His wife, Fleda, is obsessed with poetry, in particular that of Robert Browning. She is living in a tent in the woods and contemplating her life. Patrick, a poet, is in the area for some remedial rest. He becomes obsessed with Fleda.

What is interesting is that David seems happiest when he projects Laura Secord's looks and personality on Fleda. Patrick is happiest when he sees Fleda only from a distance and a silence is maintained between show more them. Neither seemed to see her as herself. As Fleda develops a sense of who she really is and what she really wants, she becomes more distanced from both of them.

This is a very atmospheric, poetic book with a deep message about knowing ourselves. show less

This is one of those books that is probably above my "reading age". I like Urquhart's writing very much and found the story interesting despite my general lack of enthusiasm for 'historical' novels. However I'm not generally a big fan of poetry as I don't usually understand it. This story has a focus on poetry, and in particular on the poetry and life of Robert Browning. Quite a bit of the book seemed very mystical to me and I'd rather read something more concrete and down to earth. Nonetheless, Urquhart remains an author of interest and I have three more of her books on my TBR pile.

This was Jane Urquhart's debut novel and I must say that if I had read this first I probably would not have gone on to read any more of her work (and would have missed out on a great read). Actually this is a haunting book. I continue to think about it so I do think it is a well written and intriguing look at life in late nineteenth century Canada.

In a small town just below Niagara Falls we follow the lives of four characters over a few months - there is the undertaker's widow who continues her husband's business; a military historian and his wife; and a government clerk who is staying at his uncle's farm. There is some connection between the characters but on the whole we follow their separate paths, even when they meet. So there was a show more very disconnected feel to the characters and there isn't really a coherent story. Thinking about it the disconnect can be perceived as a strength - the four characters whose stories are told are all very self absorbed with their own lives and even when interacting with others don't seem to see outside of their own interests.

In conclusion a beautifully written but slightly unsatisfying read. show less

The lives of four people interlock in the town of Niagara Falls, Ontario, in the summer months of 1889: Maude Grady, the widow of the town undertaker, left to run the business and care for her oddly silent son (never named!) when an epidemic carries off her husband and in-laws; Major David McDougal, an anti-American historian obsessed with the War of 1812 and most especially Laura Secord; his poetically-minded wife Fleda who spends much of her time alone in the woods near the title whirlpool of the Niagara River; and the poet Patrick (is his surname ever given?), in the area for naturalistic pursuits as a rest cure and a break from his wife, who watches Fleda from a distance, then gradually interjects his life into hers and David's. -- show more An odd book. The author has a lovely way with words at times ("There it [the piano] stood, so calm, so monumental, discreetly keeping its potential for music intact during times of silence.") and captures the place so vividly: during thee summer months, Maud's business sees a higher incidence of bodies related to fatalities at Niagara Falls, and she has many mementos/effects of the deceased in her office. The book seems almost haunted by the Whirlpool (Patrick announces his intention to swim it) and Maud's small son, who begins to speak words he has heard...to eerily parrot people whom he hears. Thrown in for good measure, there are also the curious Prologue and Epilogue, which deal with the final hours in Venice of the life of English poet Robert Browning in December 1889. On the whole, however, not an altogether satisfying reading experience -- at least for this reader. I desperately wanted to like this more than I did. show less

It's 1889 and this story's quirky Victorian characters are each caught up in their own obsessions; whether for a woman-from-a- distance, nature and poetry, war history, details of death-by the undertaker's widow, or Niagara Falls and the lives its whirpool claims. Robert Browning's last days in Venice are also present as brackets (first and last chapters) to the main story.
Rich language, fascinating historical details. Awarded the Best Foreign Book Award in France. Highly recommended.

I have read 5 of her other novels:

Away***+
The Underpainter****
The Stone Carvers*****
A Map of Glass***** (my favourite)
Santuary Line***+

Jane Urquhart never disappoints