Pale Shadows by Dominique Fortier, Rhonda Mullins (Translator)
Publisher: Coach House Books
Special thanks to Coach House Books for sending a copy for review.
Summary:
Dickinson after her death: the story of the trio of women who brought the first collection of Emily Dickinson’s poems out of the shadows Grieving the loss of her sister and alone in a big house, Lavinia goes through Emily’s things and wonders what to do with her sister’s poems. She enlists the help of Susan, Emily’s best friend and brother Austin’s wife, who rouses herself from a deep depression to put the poems into some order to approach a publisher. Lavinia also brings Austin’s mistress, Mabel, into the project for her worldliness and connections. In the wings, there is Millicent, Mabel’s daughter, a little girl like Emily in spirit, wise and strong-willed, and fascinated by things big and small in the world around her. Delicate like lacework with dark threads running through it, Pale Shadows picks up the story of Emily Dickinson where Paper Houses left off, to explore the place of women in history, their creativity, and the enduring power of Dickinson’s poetry (Goodreads).
Thoughts:
Pale Shadow written by Dominique Fortier is an endearing novel that brings the legacy of Emily Dickenson to life through poetry. Emily’s passing brought on the perspectives of her unwavering sister, Lavinia; her brother’s driven mistress, Mabel; and his pitied wife, Susan. They were all mourning their loss whilst piecing Emily’s poems together.
Pale Shadows is a poignant story crafted with the utmost care and intention. Fortier artistically narrated the events in a non-traditional form: short paragraphs are used to imitate glimpses into the characters’ lives. In addition to the shortness of this novel, Fortier has created a captivating story that is a sure page-turner. The writing is whimsical and carries a lightness that is a pleasure to read. Mullins has done a fantastic job translating the French text into English. Fortier’s storytelling carries a steady pace that is easy for the reader to follow. Her descriptions and awareness of length allow for the perfect amount of imagery without dragging it out.
What truly caught me by surprise was how Fortier was able to craft such complex characters succinctly. Matched with Fortier’s writing style, the characters emulate a grasp that is interpersonal and close to the heart. Susan, a grief-stricken wife of Austin Dickenson and the late-Emily’s closest friend, demonstrates immense growth in her ability to cope with loss. Susan’s character is written in a sensitive manner, in which readers will deeply sympathize with. On the other hand, Mabel–the mistress of Susan’s husband–is a tenacious character dedicated to bringing Emily’s works to the limelight. Although Mabel is a source of pain for Susan, Fortier examines the complexities of their relationship through scenes with Mabel’s daughter, Millicent. When Susan encounters Millicent, she does not treat her with the hatred she stifles for her mother. Rather, Susan opens her arms to Millicent and treats her as her own. There is true beauty in how Fortier details these interactions to encompass the intricacies of human behaviour. From beginning to end, each character brings a new perspective of Emily and her writing; however, more importantly, Fortier clearly shows the character’s self-growth.
Through Emily Dickenson’s poetry, Fortier explores the peculiar grasp that literature has on people’s lives. Pale Shadows is a magnificent collection about the people behind Emily Dickenson’s impact on American literature. This is a must-read!
Reviewed by Zoe Y.