Between friends (by Kathleen Rowntree)

(Amazon UK link)

"There was nothing to suggest an earth tremor occurring in Tessa Brierley's kitchen, or a maverick surge of electricity, or a tidal wave sweeping through. Sunlight continued to fasten on blue and white plates lining the dresser..."

I love this opening! Kathleen Rowntree's novel 'Between friends' starts with a major crisis, of earth-shattering importance as far as Tessa is concerned, yet life carries on around her. She continues sipping coffee with her best friend Maddy, as they have done so many times before, with no outward signs at all of the dramatic revelation that has come to Tessa, quite out of the blue.

Tessa is married to a charming philanderer called Nick, and has forgiven him many affairs in the past. The revelation - as we learn on the second page - is that Nick's latest conquest is not another student at his place of work, but Maddy herself. A chance comment of Maddy's has made it clear that she must have seen Nick at a time when Tessa was pretty certain he was with his latest girlfriend.

The rest of the book explores Tessa's reactions to this new knowledge - or suspicion; for shortly after she realises it has to be true, she begins to wonder if she's imagining things, and considers all kinds of other scenarios. Through her eyes, the book also examines the commitment of marriage, and the ties of friendship, as Tessa has to balance the two somewhat precariously, against what she thinks she knows.

'Between Friends' is in the genre best described as 'village stories'. Tessa and Maddy live in Wychwood, an old-fashioned and idyllic village complete with a Squire and his wife, and a bachelor Rector with an elderly but delightful sister. Despite being set in the 1990s there's an underlying class-consciousness and snobbery that can perhaps only be found in small English communities such as this. But rather than trying to follow the lives of all the residents, as some authors do with this genre, Kathleen Rowntree focuses primarily on Tessa and her relationships with her many friends, both in and out of the village.

I found Tessa a remarkably realistic person, perhaps because she reminded me in some ways of myself. When Maddy accidentally drops her bombshell, Tessa doesn't show any outward reaction, nor does she ask for an explanation. Instead she withdraws inwardly from the potential conflict, deciding - at least to start with - that it's better not to know for certain. Later on she weighs up the consequences of confronting either Maddy or Nick, and realises how easy it would be to lose either or both of them.

There's a fine line between hiding one's head in the sand and refusing to admit to emotional problems, and standing firm for the sake of harmony while well aware of what's going on. In my view, Tessa is on the latter side of the line: apparently weak and ignorant, but in reality stronger than anyone realises. Maddy on the surface is a far more dominant character. She organises the Women's Institute, and just about every other activity in the village. Without stating it overtly, however, the book shows how Tessa's strength of conviction comes to the fore in dealing with Maddy's surprising weakness.

Not that it's at all easy for Tessa. She's rather a bohemian, an artist who makes her living painting illustrations for children's books. She doesn't get involved in village life as much as Maddy does, and while many people like her, she doesn't have many close friends other than Maddy. Whereas she had told Maddy about all Nick's previous affairs and discussed what to do, while complaining about him in the assurance of female sympathy, she cannot tell anyone about this, nor ask for advice.

There isn't much major plot, and there's very little action that would appeal to those who prefer thrillers. Yet there are cleverly inter-woven subplots and minor characters that appeal to my emotions in differing ways, and who draw out further the different strengths and weaknesses of both Tessa and Maddy. There's a girl on the verge of nervous breakdown who is befriended and helped by Maddy; rivalries between the upper-middle classes and the working classes; an old friend of Nick and Tessa's who is dying.

I've read this book twice now: the first time about six years ago, then again last year. I was pleased to find that I had forgotten almost everything about it when I picked it up the second time, and that I enjoyed it even more than I had remembered. It was the first book I ever read by Kathleen Rowntree - I picked it up inexpensively in a second-hand bookshop - but since then I've collected nearly all her other novels. I think this one is still my favourite.

The style is light, paced just right for my tastes. with good characterisation and a sprinkling of humour alongside sufficient depth to be quite thought-provoking in places. I didn't find it un-put-downable, but that's not a bad thing when trying to read in odd moments. I read it over three days - it's only 320 pages, and I read fairly fast. I think it would be ideal for a holiday when you want something that has depth, but isn't too challenging. The ending was satisfying from my perspective, though others might disagree. It could have been trite but I didn't find it so at all.

Don't expect anything explicit in this book. Although it's about infidelity, it's all fairly low-key. Hints abound, but there are no intimate details. I prefer books that way myself.

Recommended if you like thoughtful women's fiction.