A fictionalised story about James Joyce's daughter is gripping, well-written and fascinating, writes Margaret Bannister.
THE JOYCE GIRL
Annabel Abbs
Hachette
By MARGARET BANNISTER
English author Annabel Abbs’ debut novel endeavours to tell of the extraordinarily sad and troubled life of Lucia, only daughter of famous author James Joyce.
Abbs has clearly carried out much research, but all papers directly concerning Lucia’s life are hidden from researchers. So this is inevitably a fictional account.
Abbs’ story begins in 1934 in the consulting room of psychoanalyst Carl Jung in Switzerland.
His line of questioning seems to suggest the possibility of sexual abuse or incest.
Lucia slept in her father’s bedroom until she was 18 years old.
Attempts to further this line are confounded by Lucia’s silence, although Lucia herself asks Jung a very pertinent question, although it seems no real response was received.
Further attempts to help Lucia explore the past send her into a very dark place of secrets which she is too terrified to approach.
This is thus a story of the huge problems that may be associated with growing up in the household of a genius, especially a genius like Joyce, who at the time of the publishing of Ulysses was widely criticised, the novel banned in some places for obscenity.
Going back in time to the 1920s, the novel tells how the Joyce family are living in Paris and Lucia is an exceptionally talented dancer.
In Paris at this time all aspects of the arts were in an exciting and creative flux.
Lucia is a leading star in the free dance world, following that of Isadora Duncan.
However, all attempts to develop and train for the future of this new form are continually frustrated by her mother Nora, and by Joyce himself, whose needs come before everything and everybody.
Lucia has been and it seems still is his muse.
The picture painted of Nora Joyce is to say the least of a toxic and manipulative woman together with a great deal of sexually degrading language.
Lucia longs to be loved, and she falls for Samuel Beckett.
He, while I think undoubtedly attracted to her, is more interested in building a friendship with James Joyce.
Lucia has little luck in other romantic relationships.
The story moves between sessions with Jung, which give Lucia some voice, and that of the tangled relationships with her parents.
It is a gripping story, well written and fascinating.
- Margaret Bannister is a retired Dunedin psychotherapist and science teacher.
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Comments
The 'Hatchette' blurb "Samuel Beckett was her lover" is Naff. What if some journal said of an Auckland artist 'AB was her Roadie'? It is not the story of ancillary men, it is a Portrait of The Artist.
Lucia Joyce has been called a pioneering artist. She looked distracted, it was said. Well, yes. Lucia had a strabismus, which soulful people find attractive in 'bohemian' women.
There is a shamanic quality to that particular form of dance: fall and recover, channelling death and resurrection. Too, too much.
The experience of being institutionalised for Social reasons compounds mental illness.
AB
Student (perennial)
Sociology.