S-S-SPIRALLING

When we visited Burgh House in Hampstead in the summer, we chanced upon this competition brief.  The room was full of objects, and you had to use them to put together a story or poem.

I didn't win or get a runner-up place, but I thought I'd share my poem with you.

It's a tad strange, but it's what the objects inspired in me.

The brief...

S-S-SPIRALLING

'S-S-Sissy, S-S-Sissy!'

He stutters my name with his sibilant hiss,

Words convoluted, love amiss,

Because my name is Hermione...

Identity desecrated I'm called by my other, named for my mother,

Who is my jailer, traversing this creeping mansion?

An excellent match, my guardians assured,

He sought them- they procured.

A dress already owned, Art Deco and old-fashioned,

A wedding band too, it fitted as if made,

What a curious thing to do!

Provide for a bride before finding a bride!

Did as I was bid, heart s-s-spiralling away,

That singular glint in his eyes; marked curiosity,

My wedding night whispering my name (her name),

Locked and ignored inside, except when he needed release.

Wandering around I found,

A portrait of my mother, painted by my father,

At our piano, way before they died,

S-s-savage memories.

Too s-s-scared of being pinched,

Rolling flesh between his fingers,

Though he still murmured her in my ear,

His bitterness projected at me.

The housekeeper told he was engaged to be wed,

Uninspired she cancelled just before the banns,

Ran with my father, whose face I wear,

Punished for their s-s-sins.

I found an old lamp, his weakness his cups,

Unconscious for hours, the housekeeper matching,

Wandering the Heath at night for companionship,

The nightwatchman in his bothy.

But he must have known, s-s-scratches at the door,

In flagrante delicto,

S-s-swelling in my tummy but my lord used a contraption,

Disgusting, reusable, s-s-spiralling his way.

He has power- my lover disappeared,

S-s-slipped me an overdose they said,

But I will haunt him- he took everything from me,

S-s-subtly- enough to make him think he's going mad.

An object disappearing here, a curtain floating there; a midnight taunt in his ear,

Bought his own chair- a Bauhaus,

A nest of tables for his beating tattoo fingers,

For when his deserved psychiatrist visits.

But I continued my vial of vengeance,

Until all left, smeared by association unneeded,

He now converses with a penguin in the corner- it's not real!

The asylum beckons- but I will haunt and never let up.

My name is Hermione, now that's the only name he ever whispers,

'Leave me be, Hermione! Leave me be, Hermione!'

S-s-spiralling into that monochrome vortex- respect gained,

But I will never stop until 'til his death takes its own s-s-sweet toll.

Copyright©Elaine Rockett 

The procured wedding dress...

The portrait of the mother...

The lamp...

The chair and nest of Bauhaus tables...

The penguin...

Here is the link to my full Hampstead blog:-

http://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2023/06/miss-elaineous-visits-hampstead.html

I hope you enjoyed my weird and wonderful poem!

TTFN

Miss Elaineous

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THE HIDING PLACE by AMANDA MASON

 THE HIDING PLACE

by

AMANDA MASON

THE BLURB:

The front door rattled gently on its hinges and something- the wind, surely- nudged against it. She placed a hand against the door, listening as Elder House seemed to shift and settle around her...

Nell Galilee, her husband and step-daughter Maude rent a holiday cottage by the sea. The cottage has been empty for some time, and from the start Nell feels uncomfortable there. Something just isn't quite right about the place...

Twelve-year-old Maude soon finds herself beguiled by the house's strange atmosphere. There are peculiar marks on the roof beams above her bed, and in another room, a hiding place, concealing a strange, unnerving object.

As the house gradually reveals its secrets, Nell becomes increasingly uneasy and Maude spellbound. But these women- and the women that surround them- also have things to hide, and soon events will come to a terrible head...

THE REALITY:

This turned out to be my Christmas read, and the title struck a chord in my memory- Katherine Webb also wrote a novel (although it wasn't supernatural; just clever) called something very similar (The Hiding Places, research further back in my blog reveals). This book was a big, unwieldy tome, and I can certainly understand feedback for my similarly sized first novel, which dictated that I should spread my 320,000 words into a serial, as the book simply wasn't easy to just drop into a handbag and go.

The novel didn't dictate exactly where the story was set, but I kind of worked out that it was Whitby, which I hope to visit for Whitby Goth Weekend. I did love the atmospheric cliffside location of the unsettling rented home, and the author conveyed the mystery and unease surrounding this property pretty well. I also loved the historical explanations attached to the holiday let, and was especially taken by the description of a beautiful tiered garden in a neighbour's property.

Character-wise, this book was a good study in mother/ daughter relationships, including those that occur with step-mothers and step-daughters, and the difficulties a “blended” family has. I felt especially sorry for (spoiler alert!) Evie, who was a disappointment to her mother because she was gay, and didn't quite manage to pick (another spoiler alert!) Carolyn out as the chief protagonist until she actually “performed,” right near the end. Although she did come across as a tad weird and unsavoury. I also understood Maude, who clearly feels like a fifth wheel as a twelve-year-old, yet kind of got her step-mother, Nell's point of view as well, so full marks to the author for good, explorative writing.

But the thing I loved most about the book was the supernatural/ witchcraft aspect, and how it crossed over with art and design, with the weird markings on the ceiling, Nell's profession and Gina's shop. The finding of the hiding place and its significance was interesting and a tad spooky, as were the odd goings-on. Although I found the ending a tad ambiguous, I kind of understand the bargain Nell makes with the supernatural- although with bargains like that, I can't help but feel that there would be a high price to pay. It's slightly uneasy and unsettling. A tale that seems to jump around a bit (although paragraphs clearly define whose point of view we're being subjected to) but is certainly very readable and worth a go.

FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD by C.K. WILLIAMS

 FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD

by

C.K. WILLIAMS

THE BLURB:

I AM THE REASON GIRLS ARE TOLD NOT TO TRUST STRANGERS. I AM THEIR CAUTIONARY TALE.

Nineteen years ago Linn Wilson was attacked. Seventeen years old and home alone, she'd been waiting for her friends to arrive when she heard the doorbell ring. But when she opened the door, Linn let in her worst nightmare. The culprit was never found.

It was someone I knew. I am going to find out who did this to me.

Now Linn is determined to get to the bottom of the night that changed her life forever. Returning to the village where she grew up, she knows that someone must know something. The claustrophobia and isolation of small town living means secrets won't remain secrets for long...

THE REALITY:

Possibly not the most cheery of novels to read when going through a sudden bereavement, as I was! This was found at Southend railway station, where they have a book exchange thingy going on, where you leave one of your old books and take a new one. This novel- although possibly not something I would choose- seemed the best at the time.

The main thing I liked was that the author really did keep you guessing and, for a long time, it was an “it could be any one of them” situation. Then the finger seemed to point at (spoiler alert!) Anna, and I liked the way that the idea of a female perpetrator was explored, along with the claustrophobic nature of living in a small town society, and how everybody knows everyone else's business. I also liked the way sexuality- and how times have regarding acceptance of alternative lifestyles- was explored.

Would I have guessed the perpetrator? Maybe and kind of, as (spoiler alert!) he came into the frame as a candidate somewhat far along the line, and I loved the way Linn worked out who it actually was and how she dealt with him. I also liked the (sometimes) one line chapters and how the book was carefully compartmentalised with each player getting a different chapter to his or her self.

(Big spoiler alert!) The information regarding how she adorned her creepy dead husband with flowers in the chapel of rest was something else, and enough to make your skin crawl!

Not my usual cup of tea, but it was certainly evocative, and worth a go.

YOUTUBE TRESCO VLOG LIVE...

 My Tresco, Isles of Scilly vlog/ photo montage is now live!

Click on this link:-

https://youtu.be/LyU9wlwhZkE

This island was the most verdant of all of the islands of the archipelago, although it probably seems that way because of the presence of the fantastic and historical botanical gardens; Tresco Abbey Gardens.  That really is a wonderful place to visit- don't leave the island without going there.  

There are other attractions to visit; such as King Charles's Castle, Cromwell's Castle and the Blockhouse, but we actually viewed these from the neighbouring islands of Bryher and St Martin's.

The thing I noticed most about Tresco was that it seemed ten degrees warmer than St Mary's, where we stayed, and travelled by boat from each day.  It's due to the Gulf Stream effect, and the fact that this island is sheltered between others.

As you know, I will always be a writer before anything else, so here is my updated Tresco blog link:-

https://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2022/10/miss-elaineous-visits-tresco-abbey.html

😀

Enjoy the video, don't forget to hit the subscribe, like and notification buttons, hit follow on this blog as well and I'll see you soon.

TTFN

Miss Elaineous

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SUMMER AT LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY by JENNY COLGAN

 SUMMER AT LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY

by

JENNY COLGAN

THE BLURB:

I (me, Jenny, the author, not Polly, who's the character in the book, and has much better hair than me)... Anyway, I often have this sense that any day now, everything in my life is going to fall into place and run smoothly and hurray! I'll have somehow figured out this whole 'life' business.

But, of course, my life never ever goes like that. As soon as one thing sorts itself out, something else falls totally out of whack, and I'm chasing my tail again.

If you are a very calm, sorted person, I envy you. But if you are more like me, well, you might really enjoy this book. One minute, Polly is baking bread in Little Beach Street Bakery in gorgeous Cornwall. Then she decides to buy a lighthouse and, well... let's just say it doesn't go quite to plan.

If you've ever dreamed of tossing it all up in the air and starting over, I hope you love Summer at Little Beach Bakery. And if you haven't- well, you know, it has a really cool puffin in it.

Very warmest wishes, Jenny XXX

THE REALITY:

Quite a nice touch, that- the author putting a personal message blurb on the back of the book, and this novel is real feel good chick lit. It is heart warming, and I picked it up from the charity shop shelf as it features Cornwall, which I love visiting. I also took it to read when I went there on holiday not too long ago, although I was a bit too busy to actually read it! I soon found out that fictional Mount Polbearne is based on real St Michael's Mount, which I've visited before (and did this time), so it was very easy to envisage. I also loved the fact that our heroine lived in a lighthouse, although I sense that the reality of that life-changing decision is more romantic in fiction than reality!

But my favourite character was Neil the puffin, who made me cry buckets. Why, you might ask? Well, I had a long term boyfriend who nicknamed me puffin as “you have a face like one!” Well, I love puffins so that term of endearment was nice. But that boyfriend- who I'd remained friends with, despite him living in another country- passed away suddenly during my reading of this book, so Neil perhaps became specially poignant. Yep, this was a book read through tears.

As storylines go it was okay with a pleasant mix of characters. Villainous Malcolm was gross and it was easy to work out that it was Selina who (spoiler alert) wrote slag on Nan the Van. I have to say, the plot tripped along nicely but wasn't particularly spectacular. If it's light, bright and trite you're after then this book is for you. But the main thing for me with this read was the delightful Cornish setting.

YOUTUBE BRYHER VLOG LIVE...

My Bryher, Isles of Scilly vlog/ montage is now live...

Hit this link!

https://youtu.be/dvXnoByuUoU

This island was, to me, more about farming than anything else, mainly due to the fact that I seemed constantly to be stepping aside to let tractors past, and also due to Veronica Farm, which produces tasty artisan fudge, and the cows used to create it being very visible.

But it also has stunning views over ruins on neighbouring Tresco; a hangman's noose and jib; Fraggle Rock bar and a phallic blue penis soap...

Is your mind boggling?  Hurry up and give the video a watch!

As you know, I will always be a writer before anything else (well... most things...😉)

Here is my updated Bryher blog link:-

https://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2022/11/miss-elaineous-visits-bryher.html

Enjoy the video, don't forget to hit the subscribe, like and notification buttons, hit follow on this blog as well and I'll see you next time.

TTFN

Miss Elaineous

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A STEP IN THE DARK by JUDITH LENNOX

 A STEP IN THE DARK

by

JUDITH LENNOX

THE BLURB:

Simla, India, 1914. Married at 18 to the dashing Jack, beautiful Elizabeth Ravenhart is devastated when their dazzling party of a marriage is cut tragically short.

Without a penny to her name, Bess is persuaded by Jack's mother, the indomitable Cora Ravenhart, to return to England, leaving her infant son, Frazer, in his grandparents' care until Bess can afford to send for him, But Cora has no intention of parting with the boy, and Bess's desperate attempts to track him down come to a shattering conclusion.

Twenty years later, a knock on Bess's Edinburgh front door sets in motion a chain of events that no one, least of all Bess, could have foreseen. For Frazer has come to claim his family- and his birthright, the majestic, brooding Ravenhart House. None of their lives will ever be the same again...

THE REALITY:

It was the second time around for me with this book and it was weird- I woke up one morning and thought about the novel, and how I'd like to read it again (I tend not to keep all the books I read- if I did I'd have a veritable library!) Later that day I chanced upon it in a second hand book shop- coincidence and fate are weird beasts!

I have read most of Judith Lennox's work, after an ex-boyfriend found a proof copy of heart-touching Footprints on the Sand in a charity shop. The Shadow Child and The Dark Eyed Girls also feature up there with novels of hers that really caught my attention and enthralled, as did The Heart of the Night. A Step in the Dark tugged at me for a different reason, and that was mostly due to the beautifully described locations in Scotland, especially those involving the enigmatic highlands. I haven't been to Scotland since I was nine (although a trip to Glasgow and Edinburgh has been discussed for next year) and I found the intricate references to tumbling waterfalls, rippling, secluded pools as (spoiler alert!) a place for murder to take place, wild, overgrown valleys and the way the days are so short in midwinter really captivating.

As for the characters, I loved Bess and enjoyed reading about her developing relationship with Martin, who went on to become (another spoiler alert!) the love of her life. I enjoyed the way that women's choices- or rather the lack thereof- at the turn of the Victorian century were unpicked and put into novel form, and I could also relate to Bess's personality. She was someone not quite refined enough for genteel society, yet certainly at home around men; understanding how their minds worked (possibly not quite enough? Read it, and you'll see what I mean...) I also could strongly relate to Naomi, who had a real need for total and all-encompassing love, and the need to be loved, being a much-wanted daughter who disappointed her parents (the same happened to me) and Maxwell, with his need to be independent following a troubled relationship with a father who could resort to too much violence disguised as discipline at times. The homosexual inclinations of Frazer (yet another spoiler alert!) were something that was easy to spot before it was spelled out to you.

This was a saga that did draw you in, although I'm glad add-on characters remained just that (Hugh, Margot, Oliver and Billy moved the story on but didn't do much for me. I loved the intrigue that kept you guessing as to what Maxwell and Frazer's fate really was, and who was involved. I loved the way the important relationships in this novel were explored in depth, including what I once would have termed “the psycho-babble” but since studying the human psyche as part of my MA understand a bit more. But most of all I loved the Scottish scenery/ setting.

I flattened this tome in 48 hours, so it comes highly recommended on my part.