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The Stillest Day
Bethesda Grant is an artist and a teacher. Her village life is order-ed and calm, until one day the sudden vision of a man's face sears itself onto her mind's eye, an imprint of sensual, hypnotic power. She begins to paint fragmented images of Mathew Pearson, secretly and obsessively. But Mathew Pearson has a wife, a small, laughing, preg-nant creature, whom Bethesda's mother befriends. On the stillest day Bethesda performs an act so bold and violent that it shatters all their lives - she performs a very bloody and risky emergency caesarean on Mathew's wife, using a piece of mirror glass, to deliver a baby daughter, leaving the mother dead. The Stillest Day is an exquisitely taut and shocking novel about a young woman at the turn of the century who transgresses - both in life and in art - the limits set down for her.
210 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
2 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Josephine Hart
27 books157 followersJosephine Hart was born and educated in Ireland. She was a director of Haymarket Publishing, in London, before going on to produce a number of West End plays, including The House of Bernarda Alba by Frederico Garcia Lorea, The Vortex by Noel Coward, and The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch. She was married to Maurice Saatchi and had two sons. She was the author of Damage. Hart died, aged 69, of ovarian cancer in June 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 28, 2015
Rarely do we get to see the intimate thoughts and ever-consuming emotions of others causing us to believe that we are unique with our own feelings. Yet, humans all share a dark edge, inescapable even if avoidable. Josephine Hart explores this depth in her psychological novel, “The Stillest Day”.
On the surface, “The Stillest Day” is a simple novel in terms of plot: the pages merely profile the range of emotions and compulsions of Bethesda Barnet, whom lives a routine life broken by her sudden obsession with a new man in town. This sounds easy enough but there is more to “The Stillest Day”. Much, much more.
“The Stillest Day” is an extraordinary piece of writing combining simplicity with elegance and depth in a novel which feels like classically-written literature but on an accessible level. Containing elements of suspense, stream of consciousness, philosophy, and emotional/character studies; “The Stillest Day” is a sort of gothic-noir piece. Yet, Hart doesn’t force any of this; as the text flows freely and speaks for itself.
The same can be said of Bethesda’s characterization which is unique and multi-faceted and yet relatable as Bethesda is everyone. She is you. She is me. Hart uses Bethesda to say out loud what we hold inside: thoughts/feelings we have all experienced which results in the reader being relieved to learn he/she is not alone.
“The Stillest Day” has an angle of philosophy to it more so exploring emotion and coming-of-age than some eventful plot. All of this is written in a poetic and lyrical way which begs the reader to dictate quotes onto paper for later use. Hart phrases human emotion and life’s ways with an ease we will wish we could.
The climax of “The Stillest Day” (which relates to the title); is surprising but calm with the events and pages after the climax sponging up the excitement (the climax acts as the calm before the storm, as they say). The pace quickens and yet still has a relaxing essence.
The concluding chapters of “The Stillest Day” are weaker in their emotional impact and are, bluntly, ‘weird’. Meaning, they are a little confusing and leave many questions unanswered. Yet, despite this, the text is ripe with symbolism which leaves the reader with “food for thought”. The ending is mediocre but decent in its sendoff.
“The Stillest Day” is a strong “thinking novel” which certainly won’t appeal to everyone and targets the more discerning reader. It is difficult to describe and yet the novel is not easily forgotten. Hart’s writing is either loved or hated so proceed with caution. Despite these warnings, “The Stillest Day” is suggested for readers interested in darker subject matter with underlying meaning.
On the surface, “The Stillest Day” is a simple novel in terms of plot: the pages merely profile the range of emotions and compulsions of Bethesda Barnet, whom lives a routine life broken by her sudden obsession with a new man in town. This sounds easy enough but there is more to “The Stillest Day”. Much, much more.
“The Stillest Day” is an extraordinary piece of writing combining simplicity with elegance and depth in a novel which feels like classically-written literature but on an accessible level. Containing elements of suspense, stream of consciousness, philosophy, and emotional/character studies; “The Stillest Day” is a sort of gothic-noir piece. Yet, Hart doesn’t force any of this; as the text flows freely and speaks for itself.
The same can be said of Bethesda’s characterization which is unique and multi-faceted and yet relatable as Bethesda is everyone. She is you. She is me. Hart uses Bethesda to say out loud what we hold inside: thoughts/feelings we have all experienced which results in the reader being relieved to learn he/she is not alone.
“The Stillest Day” has an angle of philosophy to it more so exploring emotion and coming-of-age than some eventful plot. All of this is written in a poetic and lyrical way which begs the reader to dictate quotes onto paper for later use. Hart phrases human emotion and life’s ways with an ease we will wish we could.
The climax of “The Stillest Day” (which relates to the title); is surprising but calm with the events and pages after the climax sponging up the excitement (the climax acts as the calm before the storm, as they say). The pace quickens and yet still has a relaxing essence.
The concluding chapters of “The Stillest Day” are weaker in their emotional impact and are, bluntly, ‘weird’. Meaning, they are a little confusing and leave many questions unanswered. Yet, despite this, the text is ripe with symbolism which leaves the reader with “food for thought”. The ending is mediocre but decent in its sendoff.
“The Stillest Day” is a strong “thinking novel” which certainly won’t appeal to everyone and targets the more discerning reader. It is difficult to describe and yet the novel is not easily forgotten. Hart’s writing is either loved or hated so proceed with caution. Despite these warnings, “The Stillest Day” is suggested for readers interested in darker subject matter with underlying meaning.
April 15, 2024
kinda biblical in a cunt way- 4.5
March 7, 2023
Colors, angles, lines, faces, mirrors, what confines us?
How do we define ourselves beyond the limits of our own understanding? The imagination? The hurt? The love? How do we urge actions into adjectives? How do we express ourselves and our intentions?
What colors? What shapes?
I'm reminded of Apichatpong Weerasethakul's recent 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢, in which the narrator develops a condition in which she hears a loud thumping in her head. When she goes to a sound studio to try and mimic the sound through the notches and switches of a machine that produces noise, we realize that what they are producing is the very act of the artist gripping art. How do we materialze the imagination into reality? Something that can be felt? Held?
Through prose that feels like ancient haze, a thick mist, we delve into the very landscape of an artist's mind at work, in love, and full of discovery that life feels dream-wide and possible.
How do we define ourselves beyond the limits of our own understanding? The imagination? The hurt? The love? How do we urge actions into adjectives? How do we express ourselves and our intentions?
What colors? What shapes?
I'm reminded of Apichatpong Weerasethakul's recent 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢, in which the narrator develops a condition in which she hears a loud thumping in her head. When she goes to a sound studio to try and mimic the sound through the notches and switches of a machine that produces noise, we realize that what they are producing is the very act of the artist gripping art. How do we materialze the imagination into reality? Something that can be felt? Held?
Through prose that feels like ancient haze, a thick mist, we delve into the very landscape of an artist's mind at work, in love, and full of discovery that life feels dream-wide and possible.
April 1, 2023
sexy book. hawt hawt hawt. definitely doesn’t feel like it at first but it builds and BUILDS and bursts … crimson, silver… silences and tugging… the author is so adept and creating this specific mood concisely …. builds around you subtly and you’re suddenly deep into this world of intrigue and not-murder murder and not-sex sex. an impressive feat considering the relatively short length and simple plot !!!
November 10, 2025
witchy, obsessive, unsettling, biblical, body horror - reminded me of the film saint maud
“And during those yellow-river days I prayed to colour. I prayed to texture. I prayed to pain. But I never, ever prayed to God.”
“Sunset. A sudden, lambent ray of winter sun and Matthew Pearson, bathed in light, seemed to step from it.”
“And it is the stillest day. The Wednesday before Ash Wednesday. It is the stillest hour. I feel its stillness always, year after year, even now, years later.”
“And during those yellow-river days I prayed to colour. I prayed to texture. I prayed to pain. But I never, ever prayed to God.”
“Sunset. A sudden, lambent ray of winter sun and Matthew Pearson, bathed in light, seemed to step from it.”
“And it is the stillest day. The Wednesday before Ash Wednesday. It is the stillest hour. I feel its stillness always, year after year, even now, years later.”
May 20, 2023
"How we should give thanks for our unpunished dreams."
3.5
This book is NOT what it first seems. Once you get into it, it is messy, dark, intoxicating and you're unable to pull yourself away. A beautiful fever dream.
3.5
This book is NOT what it first seems. Once you get into it, it is messy, dark, intoxicating and you're unable to pull yourself away. A beautiful fever dream.
November 19, 2018
It's hard to know how to rate a Josephine Hart novel. I love them all, though this is one of the weaker ones. She knows obsession and writes about it in its many forms. All her books are relatively short but they are tight like a spring, full of tension.
August 9, 2022
Is she guilty? Is sensual desire guilty?
It’s a beautiful and elegant prose. Every word is melodic and ethereal. The story is like a dream, a surreal dream.
Under the deep darkness of suppression and inviolable religion, the affection for a body is seen as a kind of crime.
It’s a beautiful and elegant prose. Every word is melodic and ethereal. The story is like a dream, a surreal dream.
Under the deep darkness of suppression and inviolable religion, the affection for a body is seen as a kind of crime.
January 6, 2014
The strangest of Josephine Hart's very strange books. The writing is compelling, but the story is weird as if there is no story.
June 10, 2018
Fantastic! This little book is like one long and beautiful prose poem. Couldn’t put it down! #ilovebooksaboutspinsters #theresaconvent!
April 12, 2011
“We put down each day carefully, as though it were linen already pressed, which fell back into its folds and was carefully returned to its proper place” (13).
“Man’s naked feet were nailed when I first saw them as a child. It is the same for many children” (70).
“ ‘Anyone who requires less than daily absolution is simply suffering from moral cataracts’” (77).
“We permit authority. And the rustle of rules as we brush against them creates the illusion of a silken cradle” (151).
“The identification of oneself is a conundrum. Proved in the mirror more often than in the eye of another?” (162).
*This is my second foray into the world of Josephine Hart. I do not believe I'll make another.
“Man’s naked feet were nailed when I first saw them as a child. It is the same for many children” (70).
“ ‘Anyone who requires less than daily absolution is simply suffering from moral cataracts’” (77).
“We permit authority. And the rustle of rules as we brush against them creates the illusion of a silken cradle” (151).
“The identification of oneself is a conundrum. Proved in the mirror more often than in the eye of another?” (162).
*This is my second foray into the world of Josephine Hart. I do not believe I'll make another.
August 9, 2007
another symphony of schadenfreude, gem of hardened bile! i found josephine hart in my local library in seattle (alaska! next to the mortuary) while hating, again, everything. josephine Hart taught me that i could hate harder.
March 25, 2023
My first time reading Josephine Hart’s work and I was surprised by how easily her writing reeled me in. I loved the plot and the characters. At the end I thought it got a little bit rambled and at times it felt like an overuse of big words. But despite all that, it got me out of a reading slump. I’m excited to read more of her works.
September 12, 2022
I could not get into it! Very strange!
September 13, 2024
This is a book that will stick with you. It is not for everyone.
Want to read
November 25, 2024TBR - discovered from The Left Handed Reader, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouZ67...
April 26, 2025
A book so bizarre I think I loved it
December 10, 2007
Bethesda Barnet lives in a small town with her invalid mother. She teaches art. She is courted, in desultory fashion, by a local farmer. So modest is Bethesda that even when she bathes she does not bare her entire body.
Each Thursday afternoon, Bethesda meets with Lord Grantleigh in his conservatory. Do the two simply discuss art? She says that the local patron's "admiration of [her] work" led to the meetings, and she alludes to prints of shocking modern works with which Grantleigh confronts her.
Bethesda's life is altered when a new English teacher moves next door. She sees the rain-drenched face of Matthew Pearson and moments later she's drawing his face upon a mirror in order to preserve the vision. Bethesda transfers more and more parts of him to the mirrors in her room, collecting his hand, his feet, his shoulders...
Matthew's wife, Mary, is hugely pregnant. Mary has come for a visit one day when suddenly, in Bethesda's room, a stroke fells her. Bethesda breaks the mirror on which she first drew Matthew's face, and with a sharp shard of glass she cuts into Mary, pulling the living child from her dead womb.
Though her action is officially sanctioned, Bethesda knows that there are "other possible interpretations." And Matthew does not thank her. He bores a hole through the wall separating the two houses. He reaches through and asks Bethesda to wrap her hair tightly around his hand, and he stretches the strands painfully tight.
On the night Bethesda marries Samuel, they journey to a nearby town. Waiting for them is a gift from Matthew and a letter that Samuel reads. After reading it, he leaves Bethesda forever.
The intimacy between Bethesda and Lord Grantleigh seems to have grown. He asks her for "Tuesday as well as Thursday afternoons." He uses her first name instead of Miss Barnet. He tells her "You have me body and soul." What are they to one another? Surely lovers, though that is never declared.
But then a letter. "I will no longer be able to be your protector," he writes. "Lady Grantleigh has informed me, Bethesda, that your position is untenable." She is offered a suite in the city or a convent. Mistress or supplicant. She chooses the abbey.
Bethesda paints, though we are never told the subject. We know only that her work disturbs and scandalizes the nuns. The remainder of the book is told mostly through overheard conversations as Bethesda listens to the abbess and the doctor as they speak to a visitor who is sickened by a sight of Bethesda's "distorted" features. Apparently her art includes self-mutilation. No mirrors are permitted.
The visitor, sent by Lord Grantleigh, apparently is Matthew, come to fetch Bethesda and her art back to the world.
"Now a last painting will be my gift to you to assuage long hunger and grief. Through the years I have felt your hunger. It devoured me, as it devoured you. For we all need someone else to bleed.
"So sit and watch now as I break another painted mirror. Onto which you have been reflected again. ... I cut here. Can you see? Can you see the laceration? Watch the color come and go. Pure red. Unrivaled by the artist. ...
"Do you, I wonder, approve my handiwork? Do you approve your handiwork? My weapon bears the outline of your hand upon it. You're growing paler. But wait, I will grow whiter still than you. Whiteness beyond whiteness. Purity beyond purity....
"At last I'm borne away. From life. Life which is perhaps best lived as a dream."
And in the end, Lord Grantleigh sells the paintings.
I said In the Cut wanted to seem dreamlike. What it wanted to seem like was The Stillest Day.
Each Thursday afternoon, Bethesda meets with Lord Grantleigh in his conservatory. Do the two simply discuss art? She says that the local patron's "admiration of [her] work" led to the meetings, and she alludes to prints of shocking modern works with which Grantleigh confronts her.
Bethesda's life is altered when a new English teacher moves next door. She sees the rain-drenched face of Matthew Pearson and moments later she's drawing his face upon a mirror in order to preserve the vision. Bethesda transfers more and more parts of him to the mirrors in her room, collecting his hand, his feet, his shoulders...
Matthew's wife, Mary, is hugely pregnant. Mary has come for a visit one day when suddenly, in Bethesda's room, a stroke fells her. Bethesda breaks the mirror on which she first drew Matthew's face, and with a sharp shard of glass she cuts into Mary, pulling the living child from her dead womb.
Though her action is officially sanctioned, Bethesda knows that there are "other possible interpretations." And Matthew does not thank her. He bores a hole through the wall separating the two houses. He reaches through and asks Bethesda to wrap her hair tightly around his hand, and he stretches the strands painfully tight.
On the night Bethesda marries Samuel, they journey to a nearby town. Waiting for them is a gift from Matthew and a letter that Samuel reads. After reading it, he leaves Bethesda forever.
The intimacy between Bethesda and Lord Grantleigh seems to have grown. He asks her for "Tuesday as well as Thursday afternoons." He uses her first name instead of Miss Barnet. He tells her "You have me body and soul." What are they to one another? Surely lovers, though that is never declared.
But then a letter. "I will no longer be able to be your protector," he writes. "Lady Grantleigh has informed me, Bethesda, that your position is untenable." She is offered a suite in the city or a convent. Mistress or supplicant. She chooses the abbey.
Bethesda paints, though we are never told the subject. We know only that her work disturbs and scandalizes the nuns. The remainder of the book is told mostly through overheard conversations as Bethesda listens to the abbess and the doctor as they speak to a visitor who is sickened by a sight of Bethesda's "distorted" features. Apparently her art includes self-mutilation. No mirrors are permitted.
The visitor, sent by Lord Grantleigh, apparently is Matthew, come to fetch Bethesda and her art back to the world.
"Now a last painting will be my gift to you to assuage long hunger and grief. Through the years I have felt your hunger. It devoured me, as it devoured you. For we all need someone else to bleed.
"So sit and watch now as I break another painted mirror. Onto which you have been reflected again. ... I cut here. Can you see? Can you see the laceration? Watch the color come and go. Pure red. Unrivaled by the artist. ...
"Do you, I wonder, approve my handiwork? Do you approve your handiwork? My weapon bears the outline of your hand upon it. You're growing paler. But wait, I will grow whiter still than you. Whiteness beyond whiteness. Purity beyond purity....
"At last I'm borne away. From life. Life which is perhaps best lived as a dream."
And in the end, Lord Grantleigh sells the paintings.
I said In the Cut wanted to seem dreamlike. What it wanted to seem like was The Stillest Day.
July 6, 2013
very artistic in her play of words and the plot is just as intriguing as her writing. I don't have any complaints to it, and I like how the story was unpredictable throughout my read. Overall, it's worth reading.
June 14, 2008
Okay, so I really like Josephine Hart's books. Simple entertainment...well written.
June 1, 2009
Different - but still Josephine Hart.
May 22, 2012
Beautifully written. Captures the power of the human mind, and the extremes of obsession one can go to.
Want to read
March 2, 2013I have set a bookray for this book:
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