0 Reactions

Mothering Sunday (novel)Mothering Sunday was published in 2016 by English author Graham Swift, and won the Hawthornden Prize the following year. It 2021 it was adapted into a film of the same name directed by Eva Husson and starring Odessa Young, Glenda Jackson, Olivia Colman and Colin Firth.

The entire novel is set on March 30, 1924 which is Mothering Sunday when a young maid, Jane Fairchild, goes to meet her lover, Paul Sheringham, who she has been having an illicit affair with for seven years and who is about to be married in a few weeks to a rich young woman in his social circle, Emma Hobday.

Plot
On March 20, 1924 the Nivens, an upper class family who lost both their children in World War I, still observe Mothering Sunday, a day in which servants are permitted the afternoon off to return home and spend the time with their mothers. While the Nivens plan to spend the day away with their neighbours, the Sherringhams, their maid, 22 year old Jane Fairchild, thinks about spending the afternoon on the Nivens' estate reading a book loaned to her by the Nivens. Her plans change when she receives a phone call from her lover, Paul Sheringham, inviting her to the Sheringham estate, Upleigh.

Jane and Paul have been lovers since childhood, with Paul initially paying Jane for sex and the two eventually developing a close relationship. Paul is the only surviving son between the Sheringhams and the Nivens and is thus treated as a son by both. He is due to marry a woman in his social circle in a few weeks and Jane wonders whether this is to be their final encounter.

After they have sex Paul dresses to go meet his fianc�e, Emma Hobday, and leaves Jane alone in the house, warning her of when his parents plan to return. Jane uses the time to wander through the house nude, examining how Paul lives. Finally leaving Paul's home she returns to the Nivens' estate, Beechwood, early planning to spend the rest of her afternoon reading. She is met by Mr. Niven who informs Jane that Paul has died in a car accident.

Jane goes on to eventually leave the Nivens to work in a bookshop in Oxford. She marries a famous philosopher and goes on to become an incredibly successful author.

Back on Mothering Sunday Mr. Niven informs Jane he has returned early to inform the maids of Upleigh that Paul has died. It is also implied that Mr. Niven is there to clean up after Paul as there is some thought he might have left behind a suicide note as his car accident was caused by his car driving directly into a tree on a route that was familiar to him. Mr. Niven asks Jane to accompany him to Upleigh where they find that Jane's counterpart, Ethel, has returned. She takes the news stoically and Jane is relieved that any signs that she was there have already been cleaned away by Ethel. On the way home Jane comforts a weeping Mr. Niven as he is devastated that all 5 of the sons of the Sheringhams and the Nivens are now deceased.

Later that night unable to sleep Jane finally continues to read her book which contains the short story Youth by Joseph Conrad. He becomes an influential writer to her, triggering the series of events that leads to her becoming a writer. Later Jane reflects on how even in her old age she keeps the secret of what happened on Mothering Sunday to herself.

Free books android app tbrJar TBR JAR Read Free books online gutenberg

Load Full (0)