Hope Never Knew Horizon

by Douglas Bruton

Wexford County, 1891. The unlikely discovery of a beached blue whale sets in motion a series of events leading to the present-day re-installation of a fundamental piece of the Natural History Museum.

Amherst, circa. 1850. Margaret O’Brien, domestic help for the Dickinson family, finds a letter revealing an intimate secret between the reclusive Miss Emily and her brother’s fiancé Susan Huntington.

London, circa. 1880. A young working-class woman named Ada Alice Pullen meets the esteemed painter Frederic Leighton, beginning a relationship that will transform her and the world of art forever.

Three cultural objects associated with hope, their stories told from the perspective of those marginalised from history: the model, the maid, and the coxswain’s girlfriend.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

180 pages, Paperback

Published April 18, 2024

About the author

Douglas Bruton is a Scottish author. He has published in Northwards Now, and in Umbrellas of Edinburgh and Landfill, an anthology of new writing frm the Federation of Writers (Scotland).

Reviews

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Never Knew Horizon by Douglas Bruton published April 30th 2024 with Taproot Press and is described as an ‘original and inventive' novel. I was not familiar with the work of Douglas Bruton but, when the offer of a copy for review came my way I was intrigued, so I immersed myself in it over the recent bank holiday weekend and slowly savoured every word.

“Douglas Bruton is an original talent. On one level Hope Never Knew Horizon is a novel about love, art and that most powerful force that drives us – hope. On another level it is about history, and how often the most significant individuals are marginalised within the world of art and culture. Bruton is a novelist of sensitivity and intellect with a fine attunement to voice, and we can’t wait to bring this book to life.” – Co-founder of Taproot Press, Patrick Jamieson (The Bookseller Sept 2023)

Extraordinary and exquisite are two words I would use to describe Hope Never Knew Horizon. At less than 200 pages, this is a compact novel that surpassed all my expectations. Douglas Bruton states that it is a work of fiction, ‘an acceptable truth'. He has taken liberties with some of the writing and the handling of certain historical events, speculating and creating alternative possibilities and he does it with finesse and artistry.

Hope Never Knew Horizon is really three short stories told in alternating chapters, as each one progresses through time. I found myself online exploring three historical events as I investigated The Wexford Whale, Emily Dickenson and Ada Alice Pullen. The cover of the book is especially worth noting and was designed by Anna Morrison. On completion of the novel, the different elements of the cover will make perfect sense to all readers.

Capturing three wondrous stories set in the late 1800s, Bruton writes with one of the most evocative pens, bringing his characters very much to life. There is a beauty to his words, an almost ethereal quality to many of the scenes depicted. The central point of all three stories is the idea of ‘hope’, with this ideology interwoven throughout bringing lightness in times of despair. Possibly one of the most quotable books I think I’ve ever read, Hope Never Knew Horizon is an absolute joy to read, a real piece of literary magic not to be missed.

‘When we were in the dark days of lockdown and the future looked so bleak, I woke up one morning and I had the thought that I wanted to write something with ‘hope’ in it. Not something about the pandemic exactly but something that explored what hope could be. Something positive. Then, as though I had put a call out to the universe, stories of hope presented themselves to me. There are three threads to my book: the first explores the finding of a stranded whale off the coast of Ireland which ultimately became the blue whale skeleton that hangs in the Natural History Museum and it has now been named Hope; the second thread involves Emily Dickinson, the American poet, and her hopes for love and publication of her poetry; and the final thread involves a painting that hangs in Tate Britain called ‘Hope’ and the woman who modelled for the painting.’ – Douglas Bruton

[Rosie Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Never Knew Horizon is a series of three tales which slowly interweave as they approach the denouement. Written in short chapters the three parts follow one another and then repeat the pattern all through the book, with ten chapters per thread.

The opening tale is about the discovery of a beached whale on the shores of Ireland in the 1800s, and how it finally rests in the great hall of a museum. The second story partly features the life and loves of American poetess Emily Dickinson, while the third piece of fiction revolves around the subject of art and the possible inspiration behind a famous painting that now hangs in Tate Britain.

All the stories gather at the end with emphasis on hope giving full circle to the book title. The author has written a beautiful piece of literature, just like a painting, poem or museum item—the very elements of this book— where there is so much more to think about than the first visual impression. It’s a story that gets under your skin and keeps you thinking, and pondering the careful words and characters on the pages.

I wasn’t sure about the book when I began, but it’s one of those that grows on you and I’m still thinking about it now. It could easily be used during an English literature lesson and I can almost hear the questions that a teacher might ask of the pupils about the meanings and themes within the prose.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart. That was delightful!
The different voices & characters captured was masterful.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book comprises three stories told in alternate chapters which are all linked in some way by hope. One part of the story looks at the discovery of the Wexford whale, a blue whale washed ashore in Wexford and now on display in the Natural History Museum in London. Another part imagines the relationship between poet Emily Dickinson and her sister in law Susan Huntington as seen through the eyes of her lady’s maid. The final story is about actress and artist’s muse Ada Alice Pullen. All of these stories have their origins in fact but the author has woven the truths of the stories into fiction and has done so beautifully.

The story of the whale is told in a slightly different way from the other two parts as various narrators tell of the tale through the years from its discovery until it eventually went on display in the museum, and the effect it had on various people involved in some way. I found this absolutely fascinating as although I’ve seen that whale, I didn’t really know about the background. In this majestic creature, we see hope in many forms.

Margaret, Emily’s maid, was a wonderful character to read about. I particularly liked how she did not condemn what might have been seen as a shocking love in those days but wanted only happiness for her mistress. The word hope was so important for Emily Dickinson as can be seen in probably her most famous poem, Hope Is the Thing with Feathers.

I very much admired Ada Alice Pullen, also known as Dorothy Dene. She was the model for several artists and is the subject of many paintings. The one most relevant to this book is one simply called Hope. Although I recognise that painting, I didn’t know much about it or the background of the model. Ada didn’t seem to know her own beauty until she saw the painting and reaction to it.

In all three parts of the book, I felt like each narrator was speaking directly to me, telling me their personal story. There’s a focus on creation and creativity and the hope we find in both. This may be a short novel but my goodness there’s so much packed into its pages. Hope Never Knew Horizon is touching, beautifully written and thought-provoking. And most definitely full of hope.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here are three different tales, told episodically, each chapter divided from the next by episodes from the two other stories. These stories are based in reality: the Wexford Whale washed up in Ireland in the 19th century; the genteel American Miss Emily, in love with her sister-in-law to be: and I shan't tell you who she is; and Ada Alice Pullen who modelled for painter Lord Leighton. Often - not always - these tales are told in a series of voices. These tales never mix or come together, but what unites them is the theme of hope and positive change. The story telling is compelling, the writing beautiful. A short book to savour.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, as usual. Douglas Bruton always exceeds my expectations. The style, the stories and so much so the writing. I am enthralled.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve read so far this year, truly brilliant writing!

[Loree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is a slim volume, it is not a book to be devoured in one sitting. Each of the three very distinct stories is engaging in different ways, and each deserves to be savoured.

I took my time, reading just three of the short chapters a day - the chapter trios conveniently marked out by the same Roman numerals - mulling over the stories, and looking for the connections. I loved the slow burn, and the way each story develops into a much grander narrative than the actual wordcount of each might suggest. The story of the Wexford Whale, in particular, is nothing short of epic.

What can I say, but that I loved it? Exquisitely understated and deeply human.

[Jean Falconer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of three short stories which evolve throughout the book. A tenderly written book with hope being at the centre of each story.