This novel, originally composed in Dutch, profiles two famous English-language poets. Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes romanced, married, and had two children together. While the children were extremely young, Plath committed suicide after Hughes had an affair. This tale, written from Hughes’ perspective (apparently later in life), imagines how his inner life was haunted by her downfall. It accurately captures human nature and the depths of two poets’ struggle with the unfolding of life and fame.
The translation flows well and engages the English-language reader. In fact, I did not notice that English was not the original tongue until after I completed the book. Though a fan of poetry and aware of literary history, I am not familiar with either Plath’s or Hughes’ work, so I cannot critically examine this work for reliability. I entrust the reader to other reviews for such critiques.
Instead, I focus on more traditional measures of novels, like a compelling tale and interesting characters. This book succeeds on both counts. The author tries to put herself in a great poet’s (Hughes’) distinct voice. For the most part, he appears to be unbiased and factual, but one cannot help but feel that he cannot remain objective about his unfaithfulness and his wife’s subsequent death. It had me wondering, is he a reliable narrator or does he, too, have something to hide?
Of course, such questions are fodder for book clubs and discussions, of which this book will surely spawn many. It poignantly depicts the struggles of two prominent poets. (Hughes even went on to become poet laureate of England.) Fans of twentieth-century poetry will enjoy seeing these two dramatized. with many avenues of intersectionality and intrigue opened. It’s a reminder of how much death can haunt life.
Your Story, My Story: A Novel
By Connie Palmen, translated by Eileen J. Stevens and Anna Asbury
Copyright (c) 2021
Amazon Crossing
ISB13 9781542004633
eBook
Genre: Fiction
www.amazon.com