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From Denmark we have “The Murder of Halland” by Pia Juul, according
to the back cover, “one of Denmark’s foremost literary authors. She has
published five books of poetry, two short-story collections and two novels.” A
poet writing murder mystery’s – is this Denmark’s version of John Banville (aka
Benjamin Black)?
Another great short read from Peirene Press (167 pages), our
story begins with our first person narrator and protagonist Bess, leaving her
partner Halland to go to bed, whilst she writes through the night. She is woken
by the front doorbell and a man arresting her “For the murder of her husband”.
He claims this as Halland’s last words were “my wife shot me”
In chapter two we have Bess explaining that she isn’t
married to Halland, in Chapter three she says “maybe I should set up an auto
reply saying my husband has been murdered”. I’m guessing this is like all good
murder mysteries, what is the truth, and will we ever find it?
In the past – though now I found
the obsession ridiculous, even disturbing – I had likened strangling to a
caress but considered shooting as callous. I had wanted to write a story about
the difference between them. Now I was unable to fathom my excitement about
intimate forms of murder (passion/strangulation) as opposed to calculated,
remote forms of murder (callousness/shooting). Murder was murder, I thought, as
the figure approached. I was overcome by a feeling of nausea. I imagined hands
closing around my throat. Someone was aiming a rifle at me from further up the
hill.
Not being a follower of the crime genre I’m probably not the
one to comment on that aspect of the novel, however this is a multi-layered
story, it explores the question “do we really know the people we’re intimate
with?”
“Being there for each other in the proper way is a fine art.” Peter
Seeberg, SHEPHERDS
Each chapter begins with a quote, and as the front page
reminds us “PS. Don’t skip the quotes”. Without being too revealing they are a
subtle reference to the upcoming action, in the case above it precedes a
chapter about Bess’s relationship with her mother, her estranged daughter and Halland.
As one of our characters is killed in the opening chapter
and the story takes us on a journey through his partner’s grieving, the events
leading up to his death, mysterious asides about churchyards or hunters and
other “red herrings”, an in depth review about the machinations of this novel
is a little hard. Primarily the main theme is relationships, failed ones,
doomed ones, mysterious ones, hatred, perceived love, estranged children,
partners who may/may not be having affairs, pregnant strangers and reactions to
them and a whole lot more.
I’ve never found that the words
people said to each other revealed to any great extent what happened between them.
An interesting quote given that it is made up of merely
words attempting to reveal a little more about what is happening between our
characters. As the Economist review on the back cover says “Anything but a
standard crime novel. The mystery at its heart is the mystery we are to each
other”. A story which explores, through our tortured protagonist, the
shallowness of perceived relationships with her friends and family – are we all
players in this game?
I recognized the handwriting. I
couldn’t breathe. That’s enough. Secret pregnant nieces, Secret rooms. And what
kind of secret was this? Maverick? I know what goes on in Halland’s mind. I
fell in love with him, of course I know. I can read his slightest passing
thought; I can sense him without touching. I can hear the modulations in his
voice when we speak on the phone, and I know exactly what each of them means.
Such is true love.
Do we truly know each other? Such is true love!
As per usual there are no spoiler alerts here. Another fine
read from Peirene Press, this time their Small Epic Series. Will our author
reveal the true nature of relationships along with Halland’s murderer? Hmmm.
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1 comment:
Nice review, Tony. I love the way this book plays with and pushes back against your expectations of a 'murder' narrative. Bess is such an interesting character...one for the re-read pile I think.
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