Necessary rites

by Janice Elliott

This is a novel of family tensions, some triggered by the everyday menaces of the 90s, others far more deep-seated and difficult to resolve. The problems are exacerbated by the burying of long griefs by some family members who mistake evasion for resolution.

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1990

About the author

Janice Elliott was a journalist, novelist, and children's author.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

nearly gave this a three which is probably what it deserves overall. HOWEVER, it delivers a lot more than your holiday read, so happy to give it a four. Partially because of its intertextuality with her other novels; and there is nothing wrong with that. Makes me feel like following up the other novels. Love something with some meaty themes but not a heavy novel. Thanks J. Elliott

[Rowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

mesmerising prose style. This genre of middle-aged marriage-woes litfic isn't really my favourite (plus thought the end was a tiny bit underwhelming) but the writing is really great. I'd reccommend this to Ian McEwan fans - it reminds me of him in both plot and style, but with a bit more warmth

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-reading this novella set in winter with a stranger providing both catalyst and catharsis for the release of repressed grief I am minded to ask whether Ali Smith was aware of it before she wrote Winter in which an interloper also shakes up the landscape in all sorts of ways. Lovers of fairytales will enjoy the many allusions to world tales and the Chronicles of Narnia in which winter becomes Spring through sacrifice