Closing the Book [Hardcover]

Ruth's life is plunged into turmoil with the illness of her partner, Bridie. As the story unfolds, Stevie Davies explores relationships in this exquisitely-written novel. One could be forgiven for thinking the topic would make for a depressing read. This is not so. Those familiar with the work of Davies will know she has an engaging sense of humour and it is ever-present in this novel. As Ruth struggles to come to terms with her partner's illness, Davies is at her best - probing Ruth's inner and outer struggles with both the past and the present; her past happiness with Bridie and her present trauma with Bridie's illness.

It may seem strange that a book about terminal cancer, grieving for a partner and family breakdown can be uplifting. However, this is the case with Stevie Davies's beautifully-written 'Closing the Book'. Ruth has given up her family, including custody of her two daughters, to live in a lesbian relationship with Bridie, the founder of an Oxfam-like charitable trust (about which Davies writes very well). Although grieving for the loss of her daughters, Ruth is radiantly happy with Bridie and believes the sacrifice has been worth it. But then Bridie develops cancer, is told that it is terminal, and changes from a calm, controlled and caring woman into a screaming harpy. Ruth has to ask for Bridie to enter a hospice. There, cared for by nurses including the gentle Nigel, Bridie gradually achieves a new serenity. Davies sensitively explores Ruth and Bridie's relationship, Bridie's illness, her final reconciliation with Ruth and the aftermath of her death from a number of perspectives. Elaine, Bridie's former best friend (and co-founder of the Trust - we are never sure if she and Bride were also lovers), is given a new purpose in life by Bridie's command that she takes over the Trust. Ruth mourns Bridie's rage at her, but develops a closer bond with her daughters, and is able to be strong and support Bridie in her last days, when Bridie finally returns home to die. Davies also writes very well about Ruth's family: Gavin, still missing Ruth and trying to console himself with his secretary Val (a well-meaning but slightly girly woman), Lizzie the older daughter, who turns her misery at her mother's desertion and general anxiety at the world into furious attacks on her father and Val, and into violent political and social action (throwing stones through a butcher's window because of cruelty to animals and eventually joining an animal-rights terrorist group) but remains under the surface vulnerable; Sarah the younger daughter, a troubled soul trying the policy of appeasement, who eventually bonds with her mother over their shared love of music and art. Although the Lizzie sections of the book can be unbearably painful, they are also brilliantly written (we pity Lizzie while feeling a certain amount of horror at her wild behaviour), and Sarah is also a very well observed character. Ruth, Bridie, Elaine, Gavin are all characters that we find ourselves caring a lot about as well.

Ultimately - though the final image of the book is of Lizzie's dubious political activities - the message of 'Closing the Book' is a heartening one. While death is terrible, the care that one receives on the way can mean a lot, the end is rarely as terrifying as we think, and mourning a lost one doesn't mean that we lose our capacity for joy.

A wonderful, superbly thought-out book. I'm now looking forward to reading a lot more Stevie Davies.