House of Trelawney

St Just Monday Morning Reading Group 31st May 2021.

House of Trelawney. Hannah Rothschild.

Not very much of a success with this group! Everyone did agree that is was an easy read, and one or two readers said they enjoyed it as very much a ‘light read’ and not to be taken too seriously. But others were bored and not impressed much with the characters, plot, or writing style.

Good points were thought to be the unusual characters – Jane was particularly sympathised with; the contrast between crumbling aristocracy and high finance; the humour of ‘attracting visitors to look at decay’ at the family castle; and the Cornish setting.

Particular complaints were the relationship between Blaze and Wolfe, which was so on/off that readers seemed to lose interest in it; and the fact that so many loose ends were left untied, in particular what happened to Ambrose, and what Ayesha was really up to. In general, the characters were criticised as caricatures, and the comic elements of the book as unsuccessful. The opening of the castle to the public aroused quite a lot of comments – some found this humorous, others ridiculous.

The general impression was of an overblown, purposely ludicrous narrative, which either resonated with the reader or it did not – in the case of this group, largely it did not!

This book was read during May 2021 and the continuing restrictions due to the Covid-19 virus, and so the discussion was not 'live' as usual, but took place via a Facebook group, email and telephone conversations.