THE OBSERVATIONS by JANE HARRIS

THE OBSERVATIONS

BY JANE HARRIS

THE BLURB:-

Scotland, 1863. In an attempt to escape her past, Bessy Buckley takes a job working as a maid in a big country house. But when Arabella, her beautiful mistress, asks her to undertake a series of bizarre tasks, Bessy begins to realise that she hasn't quite landed on her feet. In one of the most acclaimed debuts of recent years, Jane Harris has created a heroine who will make you laugh and cry as she narrates this unforgettable story about secrets and suspicions and the redemptive power of love and friendship.

THE REALITY:-

Not many books have me laughing out loud only a few pages in, and then throughout the novel, but this is one of them!

Written in the first person, through the slang-afflicted and razor-sharp tongue of Bessy Buckley, it is unique in its use of the English language. A true lesson in bawd, this novel would suit anyone with a lavatorial sense of humour; such delights as the contents of chamber pots, sniffing the devil's bum, catching farts and keeping someone's motions as a personal keepsake are all mentioned!

The ghostly setting of the farm house, and the village, are brought magically to life and the plot has enough interest and twists and turns to hold your interest. It is the characters and their foibles and shortcomings which make this novel a thoroughly good read, though.

If you are easily offended and of a delicate disposition (and more fool you for being so), and don't like talk of bums, willies, fannies and turds, then perhaps this book isn't for you. But if you like a good romp that will keep you awake at night (like the double entendre?!) then read on!

This was a brilliant debut novel, and has the honour of being a stayer in my book cabinet.