Below Luck Level

by Barbara Erasmus

Chloe Cartwright is an eccentric yet brilliant prize-winning writer, who has always been more focused on political causes than cooking a wholesome meal for her family. Her daughter, Hannah, has never been much good at anything - other than shoplifting, that is. Hannah lacks direction and scrambles through life, before falling, almost by chance, into a successful career as partner to one of Cape Town's leading chefs. Life is looking good - until Chloe's behaviour becomes even more irrational than usual ... Is Hannah imagining it? Or is something terribly wrong? Both delightfully readable and powerfully moving, Below Luck Level is the story of a daughter's relationship with her mother and the unexpected challenges of caring for a parent with Alzheimers.

Unknown Binding

First published September 28, 2012

Reviews

[Beryl Eichenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of meeting Barbara Erasmus back in the early 2000s when I was involved in staging book festivals focusing on SA women authors. It was a time when many locals did not read our authors. The perception being that they were all writing about politics and apartheid. So many good books were missed as a result of this perception. Thankfully that is past. Barbara’s early books, ‘Kaleidoscope’ and ‘Even with Insects’ had little to do with politics and much to do with life; believable characters, behaviour, families, relationships and mental health. Light reads, laced with dry humour, Erasmus writes with a light hand on issues that often remain unspoken. Always with empathy but haunting - which possibly explains why, after all these years, I can still ‘feel’ the stories.
Below Luck Level is her fourth novel. Published in 2012 by Penguin, Catalyst Press launched it to the North American market in 2024. How had I missed this in 2012? The fact that it has been reprinted and relaunched says a lot for the content and I was eager to see if this Erasmus story touched me in the way the others had. Suffice to say she has not lost her touch!
The new millennium sees us talking about everything… social media has seen to that – we air our views loudly and vociferously. Nothing is sacred! Whether it be gender, mental illness, sex or whatever, it’s out there. In a way it’s a relief. It’s a relief when a member of your family starts developing disconcerting behaviour and we can give words to it. When forgetfulness, vagueness, confusion beset a loved one…Dementia and Alzheimer’s spring to mind. Dealing with it is a massive task. In Below Luck Level we travel the journey with a very brave daughter, Hannah Cartwright.
Opening the book is this Kay Ryan quote…
…She lives, Below luck level, never imagining some lottery Will change her load of pottery to wings
Remember these words and, as the narrative unfolds, lottery and luck are key …with a twist.
Always the unluckiest; slowest queue, worst relationships – below luck level, that seems to sum up Hannah’s life. The only thing that Hannah does really well is shoplift. She’s led a rather topsy turvy life. Her mother Chloe is a prizewinning ‘struggle’ novelist and journalist– eccentric to the core - whose sudden, single parenthood did not bode well for her two children. Their upbringing was chaotic but they muddled through. An exotic mother who her friends loved because she was ‘cool’. But for Hannah – well there weren’t goals to achieve or boundaries, so why try? She excelled at shoplifting items she could never wear – she was on the big side you see. Like so many siblings brother Karl emigrated to a commune in the US, far enough away to build his own life but close enough to heed Hannah’s call. But it is present day and Hannah has found her niche. As the partner (business and personal) to one of South Africa’s leading chefs, she and Daniel are running a very successful restaurant in the heart of Cape Town. And Daniel has lasted the longest as a boyfriend - life and luck seem to be finally coming her way, the future looks bright until the universe plays a mean trick.
Normally sharp as a knife Chloe starts exhibiting some worrying signs. She’s lost her edge, fumbling, forgetful, living in a mess, her brain seems to be fogging up. Alzheimer’s is diagnosed and it is Hannah who will pick up the jagged, awry and discordant pieces of her mother. Become the mother. Moments of lucidity sparkle - Chloe is aware of her plight and Hannah needs to find a way to ease her suffering. Controversial or conventional? Is it humanity to allow this to progress to its undignified close? These are the questions raised and explored. With humour, pathos, a light touch and tenderness we are engaged and drawn into this family. I laughed and cried and thought hard about the choices that could be made for me. How do I want to be remembered? A beautifully crafted novel that shows the very real side of caring.

[Marcie Saldivar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very emotional book for me as someone who has a mom with Alzheimers. It’s a horrible, awful disease to have and just as awful for the loved ones dealing with it. Thank you to the publisher for this copy.

[Sadie Dorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Alzheimer’s sounds horrific - both the patient and their family. A book like this usually has me in tears at the end - this did not but I still enjoyed (idk if enjoy is the right word, given the subject) the book.

[Leigh W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good read for people facing Alzheimer’s but also so hard to swallow. I had a hard time reading it, not just the emotional just I really didn’t like Hannah. I wanted to, she is the way she is for a reason. Anyway, not mad I finished it. Or read it. Just isn’t a book I will gush about….

[Aksana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a heavy subject to read about. I didn’t care for the writing but still enjoyed reading a book by a South African author.