Recently I re-read Airs and Graces by Erica James. It's a book I re-read every year or so, mainly by listening to the audio version read by Eve Matheson. Every time I read or listen to it, the same thing happens. The worry I experienced the first time I read it years ago comes flooding back.
What had me on tenterhooks? Did I agonise over whether Ellen would see through the new boyfriend? Was I anxious about the letters she ignored from from ex? No, what worried me was her job.
Ellen Jacobs, newly divorced and strapped for cash, sets up in business making and selling dried flower arrangements. That made me worry dreadfully about her, because - with apologies to everyone whose job is making dried flower arrangements - I simply couldn't see how she was going to make ends meet. The fact that she was an engaging character who was having a tough time in other respects made me worry for her all the more.
It took some time for it to sink in that it doesn't matter whether in the real world dried flowers can earn you a living, enabling you to pay your way, support your child and maintain your cottage and the barn that houses your business. In the world of the book, it was up to Erica James to decide whether Ellen's business venture would succeed. If she wanted Ellen to do well, then she had to make it possible within the structure and logic of the plot. In fact, Ellen's struggles in business formed an essential part of the story, because they were part of what made her vulnerable in her personal life; and at a time when some of her personal decisions were questionable, her resolve to make a success of her work showed her as hard-working, determined and brave.
Not that knowing all that prevents me from worrying afresh with each re-reading....
What do you think? Was I daft to tie myself in knots over Ellen's financial and business welfare? Have you ever worried about a character, and why? (I bet your reasons were more sensible than mine!) Have you ever latched onto an aspect of a novel that wasn't the main thrust of the story, but which struck a chord with you? And are the rules different in fiction to those in real life? I'd love to hear what you think.
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Comments (4)
Although I've read the books many times, I always worry about the characters in the 'Little House' books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. They faced so many obstacles and on each reading I get that little flutter inside - will they make it through? The Ingalls family is almost as dear to me as my own family.
Thank you, as always, for a thought-provoking post.
Louise - thank you so much for commenting about my novel. I'm so flattered. I used to run a shop (a teddy bear shop rather than a florist shop) so I'm really pleased that a level of knowledge came through without boring the reader! I wanted to get that contrast between control over her business and lack of control over her personal life too so really glad that came through. You've made my day xx