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Good Reading : March 2004
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PPerhaps love stories are rarely innovative, and perhaps they shouldn’t be; not in 2004, when the world is in thrall of the cult of the individual. Common to all love stories is the creation of a space of reassurance, a getting of comfort. It is very simple, and it is prompted by the author offering the reader this pledge: such blinding goodness once existed; it was very real. Charlotte Wood’s The Submerged Cathedral is veritably cushiony in its provision of this pledge and, much like idealised notions of romantic love, sacrifices something of individuality to together ness with its genre. This is no small undertaking for a work of art: its object is balminess, a salve for the soul. Jocelyn and Martin’s life together is replete: they are safe and sanctified.The couple live on the beach at Pittwater, sur rounded by a blazing blue sky. Dur - ing the day Martin drives to his medical practice in the city and Jocelyn sits in the cool of their verandah, proofing a set of encyclopedias on the flora and fauna of Australia and planning a won- drous native garden. This state of grace is abruptly shaken, however, by the ar rival of a letter from her adored but dominating elder sister Ellen. Some - thing is very wrong. Ellen is fleeing England; she is leaving her husband; their daughter, Cassandra, is with her; she is pregnant again. So Jocelyn fractures her perfect life with Martin. She returns to her and Ellen’s childhood house in the Blue Mountains, readies it for the new arriv- als. Having Ellen and Cassandra at home has its difficult moments, but it is exhila - rating too. Martin visits on weekends; he has agreed to deliver Ellen’s baby. And herein lies the second little throb of wrongness: Martin can’t help but think Ellen has been less than honest with Jocelyn. His observations as Ellen’s doc- tor do not support the reasons she gave for leaving her husband. Inconsistencies accumulate, tragedy strikes, and Jocelyn’s home is fractured once again; but the rupture is more fateful this time. It will propel Martin into spiritual crisis and Jocelyn halfway across the globe. Resolutely destined and insist- ently immediate, The Submerged Cathedral demands little but delivers much. It is a product for and of love – sexual and sisterly both – and its ventures into the realms of mission, penance and redemption pale in the shadows of its captivation with love’s golden face. ★ RG Vintage $22.95 Reviewed by Michelle Kelly This section gives you a comprehensive coverage of some of the best books available this month, reviewed by famous names and new voices, all of them passionate readers, just like you. We’ve given a ★ rating to all the books our reviewers have selected for special praise and an RG rating to books that would suit reading groups. We’d also like to include a selection of your reviews, so tell us about books you’ve enjoyed that you’d like to share with us, in 150 words or less, and fax them to 02 9810 2488 or email us at editor@goodreading magazine.com.au wordofmouth The Submerged Cathedral CHARLOTTE WOOD 28 (GoodReading)
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