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Mr. Chartwell
July 1964. Chartwell House, Winston Churchill wakes at dawn. There’s a dark, mute “presence” in the room that focuses on him with rapt concentration.
It’s Mr. Chartwell.
Soon after, in London, Esther Hammerhans, a librarian at the House of Commons, goes to answer the door to her new lodger. Through the glass she sees a vast silhouette the size of a mattress.
It’s Mr. Chartwell.
Charismatic, dangerously seductive, Mr. Chartwell unites the eminent statesman at the end of his career and the vulnerable young woman. But can they withstand Mr. Chartwell’s strange, powerful charms and his stranglehold on their lives? Can they even explain who or what he is and why he has come to visit?
In this utterly original, moving, funny, and exuberant novel, Rebecca Hunt explores how two unlikely lives collide as Mr. Chartwell’s motives are revealed to be far darker and deeper than they at first seem.
It’s Mr. Chartwell.
Soon after, in London, Esther Hammerhans, a librarian at the House of Commons, goes to answer the door to her new lodger. Through the glass she sees a vast silhouette the size of a mattress.
It’s Mr. Chartwell.
Charismatic, dangerously seductive, Mr. Chartwell unites the eminent statesman at the end of his career and the vulnerable young woman. But can they withstand Mr. Chartwell’s strange, powerful charms and his stranglehold on their lives? Can they even explain who or what he is and why he has come to visit?
In this utterly original, moving, funny, and exuberant novel, Rebecca Hunt explores how two unlikely lives collide as Mr. Chartwell’s motives are revealed to be far darker and deeper than they at first seem.
242 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
81 people are currently reading
1925 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Hunt
22 books34 followersRebecca Hunt graduated from Central Saint Martins College with a first class honours degree in fine art. She lives and works in London. Mr Chartwell is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 477 reviews
August 10, 2012
Five Things About Mr. Charwell:
1. If I tell you this is a book about depression, you won’t want to read it. At least, I wouldn’t want to read it. Depression is real, yes, but depression also tends to be static; it clogs and slows and dilutes its victim. Which makes for boring fiction. So I won’t tell you that this book is about depression (because it’s not very true, anyway). I will instead tell you that this book is about Winston Churchill, which also isn’t tremendously true. Winston Churchill struggled with depression during his life, referring to it as a black dog. Well, in this book, depression is truly a black dog, six feet tall and smelly and just there. So there you go. This is practically a dog book.
2. Also, it’s not really about depression. It’s about strength. Possibly this makes it a not-depressing book with depression as a main character. Rebecca Hunt is a very clever wordsmith, and I had to stop a few times to read sentences out loud because of how very TRUE their contents were. I love a book that makes me nod and say “that’s exactly how it is! I never thought of it that way!” (Well, I don’t really say that. I just go GAH and read it out loud. But that’s what I mean.)
3. Plus, it’s funny. It’s interesting, isn’t it, how sadness and laughter live right next door to each other. This book nails that. Hunt is well aware of the humor inherent in a six foot tall dog named Mr. Chartwell looking for a room to let, and she runs with it.
4. The metaphor is pretty stinkin’ impeccable. I really think this exchange between one of the narrators, Esther, and the black dog, Mr. Chartwell, is a great example of both the book’s humor and the effectiveness of the metaphor. She has just asked him how it is that Mr. Chartwell affects Churchill, and he replies: “It’s hard to explain. With Churchill we know each other’s movements, so we have a routine, I guess. I like to be there when he wakes up in the morning. Sometimes I drape across his chest. That slows him down for a bit. And then I like to lie around in the corner of the room, crying out like I have terrible injuries. Sometimes I’ll burst out at him from behind some furniture and bark in his face. During meals I’ll squat near his plate and breathe over his food. I might lean on him too when he’s standing up, or hang off him in some way. I also make an effort to block out the sunlight whenever I can.”
5. The novel never overstays its welcome. Short chapters fill its brief 242 pages, making for a speedy read. The conceit of a panting black dog following people around might have gotten old if Hunt had let it, but — unlike Mr. Chartwell — Hunt gives the reader precisely what is needed and then is gone before there can be an aftertaste.
1. If I tell you this is a book about depression, you won’t want to read it. At least, I wouldn’t want to read it. Depression is real, yes, but depression also tends to be static; it clogs and slows and dilutes its victim. Which makes for boring fiction. So I won’t tell you that this book is about depression (because it’s not very true, anyway). I will instead tell you that this book is about Winston Churchill, which also isn’t tremendously true. Winston Churchill struggled with depression during his life, referring to it as a black dog. Well, in this book, depression is truly a black dog, six feet tall and smelly and just there. So there you go. This is practically a dog book.
2. Also, it’s not really about depression. It’s about strength. Possibly this makes it a not-depressing book with depression as a main character. Rebecca Hunt is a very clever wordsmith, and I had to stop a few times to read sentences out loud because of how very TRUE their contents were. I love a book that makes me nod and say “that’s exactly how it is! I never thought of it that way!” (Well, I don’t really say that. I just go GAH and read it out loud. But that’s what I mean.)
3. Plus, it’s funny. It’s interesting, isn’t it, how sadness and laughter live right next door to each other. This book nails that. Hunt is well aware of the humor inherent in a six foot tall dog named Mr. Chartwell looking for a room to let, and she runs with it.
4. The metaphor is pretty stinkin’ impeccable. I really think this exchange between one of the narrators, Esther, and the black dog, Mr. Chartwell, is a great example of both the book’s humor and the effectiveness of the metaphor. She has just asked him how it is that Mr. Chartwell affects Churchill, and he replies: “It’s hard to explain. With Churchill we know each other’s movements, so we have a routine, I guess. I like to be there when he wakes up in the morning. Sometimes I drape across his chest. That slows him down for a bit. And then I like to lie around in the corner of the room, crying out like I have terrible injuries. Sometimes I’ll burst out at him from behind some furniture and bark in his face. During meals I’ll squat near his plate and breathe over his food. I might lean on him too when he’s standing up, or hang off him in some way. I also make an effort to block out the sunlight whenever I can.”
5. The novel never overstays its welcome. Short chapters fill its brief 242 pages, making for a speedy read. The conceit of a panting black dog following people around might have gotten old if Hunt had let it, but — unlike Mr. Chartwell — Hunt gives the reader precisely what is needed and then is gone before there can be an aftertaste.
November 29, 2022
In July 1964, Winston Churchill was very apprehensive about his retirement from Parliament at age 89. Throughout his life he had suffered from bouts of severe depression which he described as "the black dog."
Esther, a librarian at the House of Commons, decides to rent out a spare room as the two year anniversary of her husband's death approaches. Mr Chartwell (also known as Black Pat) is interested in becoming a lodger.
Black Pat is a foul-smelling, huge 6' 7" dog who can walk upright on his two hind legs, and talk. He just moves into a place and takes over people's lives. Black Pat exhibits dog behavior, but also loves to make puns. His enormous size can have a smothering, crushing effect on people.
The lives of Churchill, Esther, and Black Pat intersect as Esther substitutes as a secretary to Churchill the evening before his retirement. Churchill has stern words of advice about resisting the black dog:
"You must hurl yourself into opposition, for you are at war."
The depiction of Clementine Churchill, and her role in the life of the great leader was heartwarming. The book had both serious and humorous moments. There is a lot of wordplay since Churchill, the librarians, and Black Pat all exhibit a love of famous quotes. "Mr Chartwell" is a cleverly written book about an important subject.
Esther, a librarian at the House of Commons, decides to rent out a spare room as the two year anniversary of her husband's death approaches. Mr Chartwell (also known as Black Pat) is interested in becoming a lodger.
Black Pat is a foul-smelling, huge 6' 7" dog who can walk upright on his two hind legs, and talk. He just moves into a place and takes over people's lives. Black Pat exhibits dog behavior, but also loves to make puns. His enormous size can have a smothering, crushing effect on people.
The lives of Churchill, Esther, and Black Pat intersect as Esther substitutes as a secretary to Churchill the evening before his retirement. Churchill has stern words of advice about resisting the black dog:
"You must hurl yourself into opposition, for you are at war."
The depiction of Clementine Churchill, and her role in the life of the great leader was heartwarming. The book had both serious and humorous moments. There is a lot of wordplay since Churchill, the librarians, and Black Pat all exhibit a love of famous quotes. "Mr Chartwell" is a cleverly written book about an important subject.
June 9, 2011
Rebecca Hunt has created an interesting novel set in 1964 featuring Winston Churchill, in the days before his final retirement, Esther Hammerhans, a librarian at the House of Commons, and a Black Dog. Of course this isn't just any dog but Churchill's "black dog" of depression that has been with him for much of his life. I am tempted to say the dog has been anthropomorphized but can that refer to dogs? Well perhaps there is some other term but I will leave it at that!! You must read the book for particulars.
I found this novel intriguing, odd at first, then increasingly interesting and ultimately very effective as a picture of the effect of depression on individuals lives....how they cope (or don't cope) with it. The fact that it's done in this format is amazing, so creative. I think I will recommend this to some friends.
I found this novel intriguing, odd at first, then increasingly interesting and ultimately very effective as a picture of the effect of depression on individuals lives....how they cope (or don't cope) with it. The fact that it's done in this format is amazing, so creative. I think I will recommend this to some friends.
June 9, 2018
4.5 stars. I need to write a more detailed review of this later. Suffice it to say it's a fantastic read and no idea why the GR rating on this is low. If you've ever experienced depression, you'll love this book even more. A fantastic exploration of depression's effects through the use of Winston Churchill and a Black Dog. Terrific read, and a first novel - amazing.
September 9, 2011
This was a tricky one for me. I thought it was funny and very moving. I really liked it. But. My apologies to Mr. Churchill, but the black dog metaphor just doesn't work for me. Depression as an annoyance, an uninvited guest who shows up and bugs you, chewing rocks and whispering in your ear, crushing your chest and hogging the bed just misses something. Depression is so all-encompassing and I've found that it's very internal as well. It's not a visitor, it's an all-out crippling assault; your own mind turning against you, changing you into a person you don't recognize. The black dog is more like having the blues. You know what's going on; you can wallow in it for a while. It even makes a nice companion for a bit, just like a real dog does--not expecting much from you, content to just sit on the couch or whatever. Depression takes everything and then goes back for more.
Obviously, it probably varies for everyone. But for me, I don't like the term. It gives depression this strange charm, like Death playing board games with Bill and Ted.
Anyway, regardless of that, I still really did like the book. This is a subject I usually avoid reading about because I'm wary of triggers, but Hunt's treatment of the subject was light enough to be enjoyable.
Obviously, it probably varies for everyone. But for me, I don't like the term. It gives depression this strange charm, like Death playing board games with Bill and Ted.
Anyway, regardless of that, I still really did like the book. This is a subject I usually avoid reading about because I'm wary of triggers, but Hunt's treatment of the subject was light enough to be enjoyable.
November 25, 2023
I listened to the audiobook edition of Mr. Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt. As is my habit, I added it to my library list of books that are available in the audio format way before I got the audiobook from the library.. I only wish I could remember how this book came to my attention. In my opinion, the most important component of an audiobook is the reader (performer, narrator). Mr. Chartwell was read by Susan Duerden and she had the perfect clipped British accent. She made each character an individual with her voice and articulation. I always seem to prefer books read by British performers. It adds an appreciated charm aspect. I came to the book knowing that it was somehow about Prime Minister Winston Churchill. I soon learned that Chartwell was the name of Sir Winston Churchill's home along with his wife, Clemintine who was Winston’s emotional rock and his most trusted confidante. What I did not know was that Churchill suffered from depression.
The book opens in July 1964, where Winston Churchill wakes at dawn in his bed chamber at the . Chartwell House. There’s a dark, mute “presence” in the room that focuses on him with rapt attention. Soon after, in London, Esther Hammerhans, a librarian at the House of Commons, widowed for two years, decides to rent her late husband’s study. When she goes to answer the door to her new lodger, "through the glass she sees a vast silhouette the size of a mattress". His name is Mr. Chartwell and though Esther is astounded to see what seems to be a huge dog, standing there waiting for her patronage, as any patron would, it all becomes quickly, if not completely, plausible to Esther and to the reader. Though many reviewers begin with the all too real metaphor of Mr. Chartwell, to be known as Black Pat, as a physical representation of the blackness of living with depression, this reader initially had no idea. I think my cluelessness worked to my advantage. It allowed me to be put smack into the story from the very beginning and pretty much stay there to the end. Mr. Chartwell, the dog, was written from the first with such wit and impudence, charm and repulsion, appeal and disgust, intelligence and fatuousness, that I accepted him, nay, I relished in him. As the book proceeds, Sir Winston Churchill, Esther Hammerhans and Mr. Chartwell's stories intertwine, coming together in a very satisfying way.
At some point, even this, slightly dense reader began to understand the metaphor working in Mr. Chartwell and that Churchill's and that he had lived with the black dog depression for many, if not most of his years. As for Esther Hammerhans, Mr. Chartwell is visible to her as well, because the loss of her husband has left her depressed and empty. The fact that Winston Churchill was hounded (no pun intended) by the "black dog of depression" became the conceit for Rebecca Hunt's novel and from it she wove a tale that for me was more than entertaining. It was one of the most gratifying and captivating books that I have read in a very long time. And, while you never forget that depression is serious, she made it possible to laugh as you dry away the tears.
The book opens in July 1964, where Winston Churchill wakes at dawn in his bed chamber at the . Chartwell House. There’s a dark, mute “presence” in the room that focuses on him with rapt attention. Soon after, in London, Esther Hammerhans, a librarian at the House of Commons, widowed for two years, decides to rent her late husband’s study. When she goes to answer the door to her new lodger, "through the glass she sees a vast silhouette the size of a mattress". His name is Mr. Chartwell and though Esther is astounded to see what seems to be a huge dog, standing there waiting for her patronage, as any patron would, it all becomes quickly, if not completely, plausible to Esther and to the reader. Though many reviewers begin with the all too real metaphor of Mr. Chartwell, to be known as Black Pat, as a physical representation of the blackness of living with depression, this reader initially had no idea. I think my cluelessness worked to my advantage. It allowed me to be put smack into the story from the very beginning and pretty much stay there to the end. Mr. Chartwell, the dog, was written from the first with such wit and impudence, charm and repulsion, appeal and disgust, intelligence and fatuousness, that I accepted him, nay, I relished in him. As the book proceeds, Sir Winston Churchill, Esther Hammerhans and Mr. Chartwell's stories intertwine, coming together in a very satisfying way.
At some point, even this, slightly dense reader began to understand the metaphor working in Mr. Chartwell and that Churchill's and that he had lived with the black dog depression for many, if not most of his years. As for Esther Hammerhans, Mr. Chartwell is visible to her as well, because the loss of her husband has left her depressed and empty. The fact that Winston Churchill was hounded (no pun intended) by the "black dog of depression" became the conceit for Rebecca Hunt's novel and from it she wove a tale that for me was more than entertaining. It was one of the most gratifying and captivating books that I have read in a very long time. And, while you never forget that depression is serious, she made it possible to laugh as you dry away the tears.
May 19, 2014
This novel is based around a simple conceit: Winston Churchill’s depression, which he referred to as his ‘black dog,’ is not metaphorical but actual. He is, in fact, an enormous creature (variously called Mr. Chartwell or Black Pat) who haunts both Churchill and Esther Hammerhans, a widowed library clerk at Westminster Palace, who has her own depression to fight off as the second anniversary of her husband’s suicide nears.
There are clever elements here, but in general I thought a more talented writer was needed to pull off the concept effectively. Hunt seemed uncertain about whether Mr. Chartwell was ghostly or corporeal; he doesn’t need a key to get into Esther’s flat, yet he has chosen her location because it’s an easy 50-minute commute down to Churchill’s place in Kent? He leaves clumps of fur around and chews furniture, but he is invisible to all but three characters?
Likewise, Hunt cannot seem to decide whether Mr. Chartwell is an innocent, playful imp or the devil incarnate come to steal souls. There was also some very strange wording and made-up 1960s slang which served only to confuse rather than to evoke the time period.
Though built on a good idea, the book was clearly too ambitious for this first-time novelist.
There are clever elements here, but in general I thought a more talented writer was needed to pull off the concept effectively. Hunt seemed uncertain about whether Mr. Chartwell was ghostly or corporeal; he doesn’t need a key to get into Esther’s flat, yet he has chosen her location because it’s an easy 50-minute commute down to Churchill’s place in Kent? He leaves clumps of fur around and chews furniture, but he is invisible to all but three characters?
Likewise, Hunt cannot seem to decide whether Mr. Chartwell is an innocent, playful imp or the devil incarnate come to steal souls. There was also some very strange wording and made-up 1960s slang which served only to confuse rather than to evoke the time period.
Though built on a good idea, the book was clearly too ambitious for this first-time novelist.
January 13, 2011
Going into Mr Chartwell you should know that Winston Churchill suffered with depression throughout his adult life and referred to depression as "the black dog". Got it? Now you are ready to read one of the more original novels I've read in a long time.
The title character in Mr Chartwell is that black dog. Or something very like a dog. Mr Chartwell is 6' 7", smelly, and resembles a black Labrador. He has quite a few human characteristics: he speaks English, walks on his hind legs, drinks, needs an apartment and is employed. His job is persecuting Winston Churchill. Chartwell has been hounding Churchill for years. In 1964 when the novel opens Churchill is retiring from politics after sixty years. The idea of retirement does not sit easily with him and neither does having the black dog as a companion once again.
Chartwell has his teeth in Esther Hammerhans as well. Esther is a young widow with a room to let. She's naturally reluctant to rent it to Chartwell when he shows up but he has a way of not taking no for answer and soon moves in. Chartwell finds the grieving Esther an easy mark and takes over. Like an unloved and persistent stray Chartwell grabs a hold and insinuates himself into Esther's life. It's the old repulsive fascination thing for Esther. She finds Chartwell hideous and obnoxious and yet is seduced into waiting on him and caring for him anyway or maybe it's just that misery loves company, any company. I won't be forgetting Esther or Chartwell anytime soon.
What is Chartwell after? Can Esther and Winston help each other? Will Chartwell ever leave? Can a novel about depression have a happy ending? What does it all mean? Why isn't this novel a gigantic mess? Questions, questions, questions---most of which I'm not going to answer. Discovery is a big part of the oddball charm of this novel.
I will tell you that the boldness of Mr Chartwell is astounding. This is unique, metaphorical, very humorous novel by a first time author. Don't think that this is all pretentious, experimental, is-anything-ever-going-to-happen writing. There is as much storytelling in Mr Chartwell as there is invention. Impressive. The author, Rebecca Hunt paints vivid word pictures in this excellent debut. She has a clever, winning way with description. Hunt is successful as well in making a depressing subject, Depression, funny. You feel the weight of this debilitating disease and you can empathize but you are smiling while you do it and you have to wonder what for goodness sake is Rebecca Hunt going to write about next?
The title character in Mr Chartwell is that black dog. Or something very like a dog. Mr Chartwell is 6' 7", smelly, and resembles a black Labrador. He has quite a few human characteristics: he speaks English, walks on his hind legs, drinks, needs an apartment and is employed. His job is persecuting Winston Churchill. Chartwell has been hounding Churchill for years. In 1964 when the novel opens Churchill is retiring from politics after sixty years. The idea of retirement does not sit easily with him and neither does having the black dog as a companion once again.
Chartwell has his teeth in Esther Hammerhans as well. Esther is a young widow with a room to let. She's naturally reluctant to rent it to Chartwell when he shows up but he has a way of not taking no for answer and soon moves in. Chartwell finds the grieving Esther an easy mark and takes over. Like an unloved and persistent stray Chartwell grabs a hold and insinuates himself into Esther's life. It's the old repulsive fascination thing for Esther. She finds Chartwell hideous and obnoxious and yet is seduced into waiting on him and caring for him anyway or maybe it's just that misery loves company, any company. I won't be forgetting Esther or Chartwell anytime soon.
What is Chartwell after? Can Esther and Winston help each other? Will Chartwell ever leave? Can a novel about depression have a happy ending? What does it all mean? Why isn't this novel a gigantic mess? Questions, questions, questions---most of which I'm not going to answer. Discovery is a big part of the oddball charm of this novel.
I will tell you that the boldness of Mr Chartwell is astounding. This is unique, metaphorical, very humorous novel by a first time author. Don't think that this is all pretentious, experimental, is-anything-ever-going-to-happen writing. There is as much storytelling in Mr Chartwell as there is invention. Impressive. The author, Rebecca Hunt paints vivid word pictures in this excellent debut. She has a clever, winning way with description. Hunt is successful as well in making a depressing subject, Depression, funny. You feel the weight of this debilitating disease and you can empathize but you are smiling while you do it and you have to wonder what for goodness sake is Rebecca Hunt going to write about next?
November 5, 2020
Rounded down from 3.5 ⭐️I was given this book by a family member who urged me to read it because of my own struggles with mental health, and the job I now work in (mental health crisis support). I thought the idea behind the novel was unique and from that point of view I really enjoyed it.
It follows Esther and Winston Churchill as they both deal with an unwelcome guest- Mr Chartwell. Chartwell is a big black dog, who represents depression.
There were times in this book that I felt it hit the nail on the head and was really profound, but it just didn’t keep this up enough for me. I liked that the chapters were short, but the actual writing kept losing me, I often found myself drifting off and struggling to focus.
I was a little disappointed because I was really excited by the premise, and there were some parts that I could really relate to. But, unfortunately I couldn’t relate to it enough for me to really enjoy the book.
I would still recommend this to others though. Mental illnesses themselves vary greatly, and even everyone with the same mental illness will experience things differently/have different symptoms. So, some people may find this much more enjoyable than I did.
It follows Esther and Winston Churchill as they both deal with an unwelcome guest- Mr Chartwell. Chartwell is a big black dog, who represents depression.
There were times in this book that I felt it hit the nail on the head and was really profound, but it just didn’t keep this up enough for me. I liked that the chapters were short, but the actual writing kept losing me, I often found myself drifting off and struggling to focus.
I was a little disappointed because I was really excited by the premise, and there were some parts that I could really relate to. But, unfortunately I couldn’t relate to it enough for me to really enjoy the book.
I would still recommend this to others though. Mental illnesses themselves vary greatly, and even everyone with the same mental illness will experience things differently/have different symptoms. So, some people may find this much more enjoyable than I did.
July 24, 2013
hm. Well. This book was an interesting take on depression. Rebecca Hunt uses the figure of a large, black, beastly dog over turning and overtaking people's lives to attempt to illustrate the despair and life-owning horror that is depression. I really thought the imagery et. al was interesting and fresh. I like the language of her writing, but was often bored and slogging through. I was determined to finish reading and I did, but it was difficult.
Read more here:
http://bloggingbrookeworm.blogspot.co...
Read more here:
http://bloggingbrookeworm.blogspot.co...
September 25, 2021
Mi ha segnato abbastanza. Pur avendolo letto tanti anni fa, in questo ultimo anno in cui sono stata colpita da diverse disgrazie, mi è sembrato di aver quel cane nero addosso.
May 31, 2011
This is a clever and funny book about a serious topic. Churchill named his depression a black dog and Rebecca Hunt personifies the dog. Mr Chartwell is a very large (human sized) black labrador who can speak and interact. His job is with those who have depression and he takes his job seriously. The story is set over 5 days in July 1964.
Mr Chartwell (or Black Pat as he is also known) divides his time between Winston Churchill, who is retiring from Parliament and Esther, a House of Commons librarian whose husband died 2 years ago. The use of the dog to explain the effect of depression and his persuasiveness and ability to get his own way works quite well. There are some tender and tragic moments mixed in with the comedy. Black Pat is marvelously over the top and repulsive, but there is also a touch of pathos about him. After all this is his job and he has to do it.
This is an easy book to read and could be read in one sitting, but it is thought provoking and gives an insight into the sheer hard work that depression is.
Mr Chartwell (or Black Pat as he is also known) divides his time between Winston Churchill, who is retiring from Parliament and Esther, a House of Commons librarian whose husband died 2 years ago. The use of the dog to explain the effect of depression and his persuasiveness and ability to get his own way works quite well. There are some tender and tragic moments mixed in with the comedy. Black Pat is marvelously over the top and repulsive, but there is also a touch of pathos about him. After all this is his job and he has to do it.
This is an easy book to read and could be read in one sitting, but it is thought provoking and gives an insight into the sheer hard work that depression is.
January 16, 2018
l'unica vera guerra è con il cane nero che ti perseguita...tutto il resto è accessorio
storia fantasiosa della depressione di sir Winston Churchill raffigurata come un enorme cane nero che lo perseguita, lui non molla, ma si intende che esso lo seguirà fedelmente fino alla morte... in parallelo seguiamo la storia di Esther che ospita il cane nero nella sua stanza in affitto, stanza che era lo studio di suo marito Michael, amico intimo del cane nero e per questo morto suicida...
bella parabola sul male del secolo, leggera ma al contempo intrigante
storia fantasiosa della depressione di sir Winston Churchill raffigurata come un enorme cane nero che lo perseguita, lui non molla, ma si intende che esso lo seguirà fedelmente fino alla morte... in parallelo seguiamo la storia di Esther che ospita il cane nero nella sua stanza in affitto, stanza che era lo studio di suo marito Michael, amico intimo del cane nero e per questo morto suicida...
bella parabola sul male del secolo, leggera ma al contempo intrigante
July 31, 2024
Certainly entertaining, a bit bizarre, and somewhat endearing.
July 9, 2015
Mr Chartwell centres around a single idea, though it's admittedly quite a striking one: based on Winston Churchill's famous description of his depression as 'the black dog', it imagines the physical incarnation of depression as an actual, huge, walking (occasionally on hind legs) and talking, black dog, the Mr Chartwell of the title. We see how the presence of the dog - Black Pat, as he decides to call himself - affects two characters; Churchill himself, facing the official end of his parliamentary career, and Esther, a young widow approaching the second anniversary of her husband's death.
This is an easy one to read; it's quite short, the chapters are brief and get straight to the point, and the premise is interesting. The idea of the book grabbed me as soon as I heard about it, and when I started reading I was immediately engaged and wanted to keep finding out what would happen next. As well as this it is, certainly at first, really quite funny; Black Pat is a rather irritating and repulsive character, full of maddening one-liners and disgusting habits. Churchill in particular is very well-drawn (I could picture him saying pretty much every line Hunt had given him; she's captured his voice brilliantly) and Esther is immediately likeable too. The characters surrounding Esther, however, have a cartoonish quality to them and, ironically, end up seeming more unrealistic than the anthropomorphic dog. While I warmed to the character herself, I couldn't muster much interest in her situation; perhaps the book just isn't lengthy or fleshed out enough to create a proper background for the main events. The dialogue is weirdly disjointed at points, yet the style of writing and the author's turn of phrase are original and often remarkable.
I admire the fact that the author has found an unusual and amusing way to approach the tricky and, well, depressing subject of depression, but at the end of the novel I didn't feel Mr Chartwell had been entirely successful. As someone who has suffered from depression, it didn't particularly affect me, provoke feelings of recognition or make me feel sympathy with the characters. It sounds stupid, but I couldn't really get my head around the dog-as-a-metaphor thing either; the reader knows Black Pat isn't really there, but much of his behaviour is physically destructive/intrusive, and I didn't really get how this was meant to correspond to the mental effects of depression - though innovative, it was all a bit heavy-handed at times. I feel like I'd have been able to identify this as a first novel, even if I hadn't already known. I think Hunt is a talented and promising writer, but while this is an interesting read it doesn't quite hit the mark.
This is an easy one to read; it's quite short, the chapters are brief and get straight to the point, and the premise is interesting. The idea of the book grabbed me as soon as I heard about it, and when I started reading I was immediately engaged and wanted to keep finding out what would happen next. As well as this it is, certainly at first, really quite funny; Black Pat is a rather irritating and repulsive character, full of maddening one-liners and disgusting habits. Churchill in particular is very well-drawn (I could picture him saying pretty much every line Hunt had given him; she's captured his voice brilliantly) and Esther is immediately likeable too. The characters surrounding Esther, however, have a cartoonish quality to them and, ironically, end up seeming more unrealistic than the anthropomorphic dog. While I warmed to the character herself, I couldn't muster much interest in her situation; perhaps the book just isn't lengthy or fleshed out enough to create a proper background for the main events. The dialogue is weirdly disjointed at points, yet the style of writing and the author's turn of phrase are original and often remarkable.
I admire the fact that the author has found an unusual and amusing way to approach the tricky and, well, depressing subject of depression, but at the end of the novel I didn't feel Mr Chartwell had been entirely successful. As someone who has suffered from depression, it didn't particularly affect me, provoke feelings of recognition or make me feel sympathy with the characters. It sounds stupid, but I couldn't really get my head around the dog-as-a-metaphor thing either; the reader knows Black Pat isn't really there, but much of his behaviour is physically destructive/intrusive, and I didn't really get how this was meant to correspond to the mental effects of depression - though innovative, it was all a bit heavy-handed at times. I feel like I'd have been able to identify this as a first novel, even if I hadn't already known. I think Hunt is a talented and promising writer, but while this is an interesting read it doesn't quite hit the mark.
June 15, 2021
I wanted to like this book. Depression is an important and much misunderstood topic, and the idea of turning the “black dog” — Churchill’s metaphor for his depression — into a literary character was a clever one. Unfortunately, the concept was wasted on terrible writing and the author’s own ignorance and insensitivity about depression.
First, descriptive paragraphs are for briefly setting a scene; not for cataloguing every blessed object in the room as if you’re holding an estate sale. A good room description can give the reader a sense of whether the occupants are rich or poor, neat or disorganized, lonely or sociable… but then you need to quickly move on to the action and dialogue. You don’t keep interrupting the flow over and over to mention one more knickknack on the bookshelf.
Second, pacing is very important in fiction. The author dragged out scenes that weren’t even worth mentioning and then glossed over things that needed more elucidation. I nearly gave up several times due to poor pacing alone.
Then there were the many, many weird, random and meaningless phrases that the author must have thought were clever and original but were merely annoying and cumbersome. Like a person looking at something with “billboard eyes,” or “wafting their neck,” or just about everything that came out of Corkbowl’s mouth.
But worst of all, every character in the book was either so nasty or selfish or weak or ludicrous or harmful that we weren’t able to relate or care. The author gave us no one to root for and zero understanding and empathy for what it is really like to suffer from depression or how to be a better ally and supporter to someone who does. She seemed to think depression was just a silly game or minor annoyance, like a dog chewing your furniture or friends acting goofy to cheer you up. She needed to spend less time researching what type of clock was in Clementine Churchill’s bedroom and more time talking to patients and clinical experts to truly understand this common and serious condition.
First, descriptive paragraphs are for briefly setting a scene; not for cataloguing every blessed object in the room as if you’re holding an estate sale. A good room description can give the reader a sense of whether the occupants are rich or poor, neat or disorganized, lonely or sociable… but then you need to quickly move on to the action and dialogue. You don’t keep interrupting the flow over and over to mention one more knickknack on the bookshelf.
Second, pacing is very important in fiction. The author dragged out scenes that weren’t even worth mentioning and then glossed over things that needed more elucidation. I nearly gave up several times due to poor pacing alone.
Then there were the many, many weird, random and meaningless phrases that the author must have thought were clever and original but were merely annoying and cumbersome. Like a person looking at something with “billboard eyes,” or “wafting their neck,” or just about everything that came out of Corkbowl’s mouth.
But worst of all, every character in the book was either so nasty or selfish or weak or ludicrous or harmful that we weren’t able to relate or care. The author gave us no one to root for and zero understanding and empathy for what it is really like to suffer from depression or how to be a better ally and supporter to someone who does. She seemed to think depression was just a silly game or minor annoyance, like a dog chewing your furniture or friends acting goofy to cheer you up. She needed to spend less time researching what type of clock was in Clementine Churchill’s bedroom and more time talking to patients and clinical experts to truly understand this common and serious condition.
August 15, 2015
From BBC Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime:
Set across five days in July 1964 we follow the bizarrely intertwined lives of Sir Winston Churchill, Esther Hammerhans and the unwelcome visitor they both share.
Episode 1/10
July 1964: The lives of Winston Churchill and Esther, a library clerk, become intertwined.
Episode 2/10:
July 1964, and the day looms when Winston Churchill must leave Parliament. Meanwhile Esther, a library clerk, has her own black date in the diary. She also has an unusual visitor.
Episode 3/10:
Wednesday 22nd July has been a long day for Esther, and it is still not over - Mr Chartwell has promised to tell her more about himself and just what the nature of his work is.
Episode 4/10:
Having agreed that Black Pat aka Mr Chartwell can stay over for a night, Esther is not sure what to expect in the morning.
Episode 5/10:
The weekend is approaching, together with the imminent anniversary of Esther's husband's death. But an unexpected task is set for Esther by her boss at the Westminster Library.
Episode 6/10:
Black Pat continues to lay siege to Esther and Beth issues an invitation to a lunch party.
Episode 7/10
Saturday 25th July 1964: Esther and Corkbowl are both preparing for the trip to Chartwell. But Esther is dreading Sunday for other reasons.
Episode 8/10:
Clementine Churchill takes a stand. Beth and Big Oliver host Sunday lunch.
Episode 9/10:
Sunday afternoon : Churchill's study is the scene of a delicate conversation.
Episode 10/10:
Sunday evening, Esther returns home to find Black Pat waiting for her.
The reader is Miriam Margolyes.
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company Production for BBC Radio 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00v1npb
Set across five days in July 1964 we follow the bizarrely intertwined lives of Sir Winston Churchill, Esther Hammerhans and the unwelcome visitor they both share.
Episode 1/10
July 1964: The lives of Winston Churchill and Esther, a library clerk, become intertwined.
Episode 2/10:
July 1964, and the day looms when Winston Churchill must leave Parliament. Meanwhile Esther, a library clerk, has her own black date in the diary. She also has an unusual visitor.
Episode 3/10:
Wednesday 22nd July has been a long day for Esther, and it is still not over - Mr Chartwell has promised to tell her more about himself and just what the nature of his work is.
Episode 4/10:
Having agreed that Black Pat aka Mr Chartwell can stay over for a night, Esther is not sure what to expect in the morning.
Episode 5/10:
The weekend is approaching, together with the imminent anniversary of Esther's husband's death. But an unexpected task is set for Esther by her boss at the Westminster Library.
Episode 6/10:
Black Pat continues to lay siege to Esther and Beth issues an invitation to a lunch party.
Episode 7/10
Saturday 25th July 1964: Esther and Corkbowl are both preparing for the trip to Chartwell. But Esther is dreading Sunday for other reasons.
Episode 8/10:
Clementine Churchill takes a stand. Beth and Big Oliver host Sunday lunch.
Episode 9/10:
Sunday afternoon : Churchill's study is the scene of a delicate conversation.
Episode 10/10:
Sunday evening, Esther returns home to find Black Pat waiting for her.
The reader is Miriam Margolyes.
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company Production for BBC Radio 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00v1npb
January 14, 2011
I'm not sure what I think about this book yet. I might add more stars after thinking about it for a bit because I think I'm giving it fewer stars because I started with very high expectations.
Originally I was influenced by the artwork on the cover. It's the silhouette of a black dog (looking like a Newfoundland) holding a black hat in his mouth against a yellow/orange background. The dog looked so cute that I wanted to know more about the book. The synopsis begins "July 1964. London. Esther Hammerhans, a young librarian in the House of Commons, goes to answer the door to her new lodger....." The visitor is Black Pat (the name Winston Churchill used for the depression that visited him throughout his life.) This all sounded interesting to me.
The story bounces back and forth between Winston Churchill on the eve of his retirement and the young librarian who works in the House of Commons. They are both currently in the middle of visits by "the black dog."
As I read, I kept hoping Esther would overcome her depression. I really liked the character but I wish she'd been developed even more...and I wanted to know more about her husband and their life together. But the book focused more on the hold the black dog had on her.
The idea I had the most difficulty with was a big, black dog representing depression. I associate animals in general and dogs in particular with good things in people's lives so I had to continuously remind myself that Black Pat was an evil character in the story and that was very hard to do.
Originally I was influenced by the artwork on the cover. It's the silhouette of a black dog (looking like a Newfoundland) holding a black hat in his mouth against a yellow/orange background. The dog looked so cute that I wanted to know more about the book. The synopsis begins "July 1964. London. Esther Hammerhans, a young librarian in the House of Commons, goes to answer the door to her new lodger....." The visitor is Black Pat (the name Winston Churchill used for the depression that visited him throughout his life.) This all sounded interesting to me.
The story bounces back and forth between Winston Churchill on the eve of his retirement and the young librarian who works in the House of Commons. They are both currently in the middle of visits by "the black dog."
As I read, I kept hoping Esther would overcome her depression. I really liked the character but I wish she'd been developed even more...and I wanted to know more about her husband and their life together. But the book focused more on the hold the black dog had on her.
The idea I had the most difficulty with was a big, black dog representing depression. I associate animals in general and dogs in particular with good things in people's lives so I had to continuously remind myself that Black Pat was an evil character in the story and that was very hard to do.
August 18, 2012
First off this is definitely one of those books that will divide opinions both amongst readers and within their own minds. Upon starting this book I was a little confused as to its purpose and that of a six foot talking black dog but as the story progresses the reader gradually pieces together his purpose, as does Esther, our quiet and reserved 'heroine'. This book is driven by its characters which are brilliantly and subtly written, allowing their personalities to develop through their actions and conversations rather than excess background given by the author. Granted this book deals with a difficult, hidden and often stigmatised issue but it does so with relative ease and humility with moments of light-heartness and humour that shows there are ways forward, you just need to find the one that suits you. Despite the heavy subject matter, you are left feeling strangely buoyed by the Esther's and Churchill's strength and ability to carry on. A good read but be prepared for something a little different.
February 7, 2013
This is by far the best book I have run into so far in 2013. It is brilliant in the magical realism realm (Mr. Chartwell, is, um, well, sort of, ahhh, you will just have to read the first chapter and see) and a delight of historical fiction. I am an Anglophile to the nth degree and the (mostly) historically related facts about Churchill, his mannerisms, his persona, and his private life are a curmudgeonly charm. I was instantly entranced and as the book progressed it got more and more compelling. A one-sitting listen for me (the narrator was brilliant, by the way). This one is getting shelved with my favorites. And KBO, my friends, KBO.
March 27, 2015
I listened to the audio version, and highly recommend it. The narrator's depiction of Black Pat revealed his wit, sarcasm and dark presence so well. The author does a fine job of bringing Churchill's black dog to life. He's always there, stinking up the place, chewing on table legs and making a huge, messy nuisance of himself. As strong as he is, the humans he chooses (some of them) have options. Not all are destined to 'consent to the descent.'
December 23, 2017
Light and (slightly) funny, probably more on the original text, I read the portuguese translation and thought a few times that there was a bit of a language barrier to convey the characters wits, and that felt as something it should be enjoyed but not accessible.
Want to read
August 8, 20158 AUG 2015 - recommended by Laura. Thank you, Dear Friend.
December 16, 2023
O cão negro da depressão de Churchill numa história bem contada.
3,5
3,5
January 26, 2022
I have on more than one occasion picked up a book believing I knew what it was about only to find myself dreadfully misguided. When I grabbed Mr. Chartwell
at a Friends of the Library book sale, I wasn't reading carefully and was more than a little influenced by the cover and with a quick look, I assumed that this black dog belonged to Winston Churchill. Well, I loved the idea of a book about Churchill's dog.
Isn't that cute? I didn't understand that "the black dog" was the term which Churchill used for depression. Mr. Chartwell, named for Churchill's country estate in Kent is anything but cute. Churchill and young librarian, Ester Hammerhans succumb to the black dog at the same time and work to resist his influence.
at a Friends of the Library book sale, I wasn't reading carefully and was more than a little influenced by the cover and with a quick look, I assumed that this black dog belonged to Winston Churchill. Well, I loved the idea of a book about Churchill's dog.Isn't that cute? I didn't understand that "the black dog" was the term which Churchill used for depression. Mr. Chartwell, named for Churchill's country estate in Kent is anything but cute. Churchill and young librarian, Ester Hammerhans succumb to the black dog at the same time and work to resist his influence.
June 26, 2020
This is the best literary fiction about depression I've ever read. Mr. Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt is a novel about strength and ability to find reasons to be alive even when the darkness seems to be overwhelming.
Mr. Chartwell is a giant black dog who visits two characters Ester Hammerhans who is a young widow and Winston Churchill who is approaching the end of his career. Mr. Chartwell is more than a visitor of Churchill's family, he is rather a fulltime resident. For Ester, however, he is a tenant whom she offers only the front room of her house, but he quickly ends up spoiling and destroying every thing she loved in her house, and chasing the light out of the rooms.
In the end you'll see that there is no answer to the question "how to live with depression?" acceptable for everyone. Each person handles this black dog differently.
The personification of depression through the character of a huge black dog is, indeed, very interesting. This dog can be either a friend or the worst enemy. I find this personification more complex than the Dementors from Harry Potter.
I enjoyed this novel and I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand depression. It is an easy (even a light) read that makes you think quite a lot afterwards.
Mr. Chartwell is a giant black dog who visits two characters Ester Hammerhans who is a young widow and Winston Churchill who is approaching the end of his career. Mr. Chartwell is more than a visitor of Churchill's family, he is rather a fulltime resident. For Ester, however, he is a tenant whom she offers only the front room of her house, but he quickly ends up spoiling and destroying every thing she loved in her house, and chasing the light out of the rooms.
In the end you'll see that there is no answer to the question "how to live with depression?" acceptable for everyone. Each person handles this black dog differently.
The personification of depression through the character of a huge black dog is, indeed, very interesting. This dog can be either a friend or the worst enemy. I find this personification more complex than the Dementors from Harry Potter.
I enjoyed this novel and I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand depression. It is an easy (even a light) read that makes you think quite a lot afterwards.
May 12, 2019
Die Depression ist wie ein ungebetener Gast, den man nicht einfach raus werfen kann. In diesem Buch erscheint die Depression in Form von Black Pat, einem riesenhaften Hund. Er setzt seinen "Besitzern" arg zu und man wünscht sich, der Gast möge doch endlich das sonst so sichere Heim verlassen. Eine kurzweilige Geschichte, nicht nur für Betroffene sondern auch Angehörige oder schlicht Interessierte.
August 2, 2017
A fine bit of magical realism
Hunt takes Churchill's Black Dog metaphor, and creates a sinister Hell Hound bent on swamping his victims in depression. The victims and their allies resist valiantly.
Hunt takes Churchill's Black Dog metaphor, and creates a sinister Hell Hound bent on swamping his victims in depression. The victims and their allies resist valiantly.
July 7, 2018
3.5 stars. SPOILER ALERT!! This book is a very accurate depiction of the ways, means, and experience of depression.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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