Sorrowful Tale of Consequences to a Child's Impulsive Act
THE STORY OF LUCY GAULT
By William Trevor
ISBN 0-676-97544-5
Alfred A. Knopf Canada
Reviewed by Sharon Greer
Reading William Trevor's latest novel, The Story of Lucy Gault, I was swept up by this haunting and harrowing tale of a privileged family in 1920s Ireland.
The family is besieged by a handful of local residents determined to rid the town of this Anglo-Irish pedigree. One night, with the threat of arson continually looming over their heads, the patriarch of the family decides to try to defend and protect his wife and child. He ends up shooting and wounding one of three men involved in a plot to burn them out of their home.
After attempts to reconcile with the family of the wounded man fail, the Gaults are forced to leave Ireland for England. But their nine year-old daughter, Lucy, is devastated by the news of leaving her beloved Lehardane, their beautiful country home.
On the day before their departure, Lucy runs away convinced her parents will change their minds and stay. Her plan tragically backfires and instead Lucy sets off a series of calamitous events and consequences affecting all of the inhabitants of Lahardane, including the perpetrators of the arson attack, for the rest of their lives.
Trevor's tale is a story of sorrow and anguish from start to finish. He is an excellent storyteller whose wonderful, lyrical prose delights the reader throughout this absorbing narration. The way in which he is able to convey Lucy's terrible loneliness, guilt and grief is simply remarkable.
This is a heartbreaking but brilliant story of altruistic love and ultimately forgiveness. The Story of Lucy Gault is one of the most tender and sorrowful novels I have ever read. It's a real gem and highly recommended reading.
William Trevor was born in Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland in 1928. His previous works include Two Lives and Felicia's Journey.
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