The submerged cathedral by Charlotte Wood
Date: 3 August 2009
Charlotte Wood dedicated this novel to her parents whose love story inspired her to write it. The book is divided into four parts. The first part is set in 1963 in Australia and involves the meeting of Martin and Jocelyn who form a deep and loving relationship. Family problems come between them and Jocelyn moves to Europe. The second part focuses on Martin and his religious conversion in 1964 as he struggles to live without Jocelyn. The third part is set in 1975 in Europe and follows Jocelyn’s experiences and travels there. The fourth part covers 1984 as Martin leaves the Trappist monastery and takes care of a dying monk after the monastery has closed and been sold. Jocelyn is the buyer and, inspired by her travels in Europe, establishes the garden of her dreams.
The title is taken from a Debussy piano prelude and the division of the book into parts echoes the movements within a composition. There is a great deal of pain and suffering leavened by the descriptions of beauty and nature and fortunately there is relief at the very end of the story. This is a beautifully written novel and I felt love for the characters despite their masochistic suffering.
VS