I jumped at the chance to read Christine Dwyer Hickey’s Our London Lives, getting stuck in as soon as it dropped through my letterbox. Hickey writes beautifully crafted thoughtful novels, often from the perspective of women. The Narrow Land, her last one, told the story of Edward Hopper’s marriage from his wife’s point-of-view while The Lives of Women explored the fallout from a small tragedy long after the event. Spanning almost forty years, her latest is a love story set against the backdrop of a changing London.
They don’t talk much about the past, not if they can help it. They stick to the present. And as for the future – they certainly won’t be going anywhere near that.
Eighteen-year-old Milly arrives from Ireland in 1979, knowing no one, needing a job and a place to live. Shorthanded, Trish puts her to work immediately at the Faringdon pub a friendly barman has directed her to, serving the boys from the boxing club and the women from the sewing machine factory. Milly is soon installed in a room upstairs, awaiting the approval of the landlady who’s recovering from an accident. Not long after Mrs Oak returns, she takes Milly aside directing her to a mother and baby home and telling her there will be a job for her when she returns. Milly has taken to the job well, a quiet favourite with the regulars, one of whom has caught her eye as she has his. Pip’s a promising young boxer under the wing of the coach at the local gym. Nearly forty years later, Milly is still behind the bar when the pub closes its doors. Faringdon isn’t the place it was, trade has all but dried up and the developers are looming. Meanwhile, Pip has completed yet another programme of rehab, moving in with his brother in Notting Hill, struggling to stay sober and carrying around a set of letters of apology to those he’s hurt including Milly.
His father had taken months to die. Hanging on with all the tenacity of the true atheist who knows he’s got nowhere else to be.
Hickey unfolds this gorgeous, immersive love story in alternating narratives: Milly’s beginning in 1979; Pip’s in 2017, threaded through with memories of his rackety life and troubled childhood. Milly is quiet but determined, a strong independent woman grieving the daughter she was tricked into giving up for decades but finding a family in Mrs Oak and Trish. Pip is a complicated character, capable of enduring love yet dogged by alcoholism which leads him into trouble. With a quiet acuity, Hickey carefully builds her characters, subtly revealing details which click into place explaining how each has become the person they are. Theirs is a story of bad timing, missed opportunities, stubbornness and bad behaviour played out against a background of a lovingly described London, evoking the city so vividly it’s almost a character in itself. I’ve enjoyed all of Hickey’s novels I’ve read, but this is my favourite. The ending left me quite tearful.
Atlantic Books London 9781805461326 512 pages Hardback
So glad to hear you enjoyed this. I’m looking forward to it. Christine is coming to HomePlace next month and I can’t wait to hear her chat about it.
I’m sure that will be a brilliant event, Cathy. She’s such a fine writer.
As chance would have it, I started reading this only yesterday. It’s early days yet, but I’m loving the slowly developing story, and the unfolding histories of the two main characters.
That is a coincidence! I’m please to hear you’re enjoying it. It’ll be on my books of the year list, for sure.
It’s looking very promising.
Hurrah!
I can’t wait to pick up a copy soon. Fabulous review Susan
Thanks so much, Mairéad. I’d be amazed if you didn’t love it!
Great review. This has gone straight on my wishlist.
Thanks, Cathy. I’m delighted to hear that. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
This sounds great… I still think her best novel is The Cold Eye of Heaven, which tells a man’s life story backwards. It was so cleverly done.
Is he stranded on the bathroom floor after a stroke? I think you’ll like this one, Kim, particularly as you’ve lived in London.
It sounds brilliant, I’m glad you reviewed it! Will definitely look out for it.
Highly recommend it, Jennifer. One to lose yourself in.
I’m so glad I read this author on your earlier recommendations. Definitely one to look out for. Her character work is, as you say, exceptional.
I’m delighted you enjoy her writing, Victoria. She’s excelled herself with this one.
Christine’s book is getting great reviews here in Ireland. I will be putting it on my TBR list. Interesting to see the Booker shortlist this week has five female authors. I believe James is still the favorite though. Will need to read some of the rest on the list. Rachel Kushner’s is one that particularly interests me.
It is good news about the Booker list, isn’t it.about time, too! I’m so glad Elizabeth Strout has been getting the attention she deserves here and in Ireland. Such a quietly perceptive writer.
I seem to have got ahead of myself having just checked my Strout review for publication before replying to your comment but I’m pleased to hear the our London Lives is being well received in Irealnd.
This does sound sad, and unmissable. I’ve really enjoyed CDH in the past, her characterisation is so sensitive. Farringdon has changed so much, it sounds like she really captures it.
I think she knows that area very well. It’s so well drawn. You’re absolutely right about her characterisation. Such an acute yet sensitive observer of human relationships.
I do love books where the place becomes a character in itself. Sounds excellent even otherwise though likely a emotionally heavy read.
I should have said they were hopeful tears! Yes, London really comes alive in this one.