260 pages
English language
Published July 15, 2005 by Harvill Secker.
A busy young writer struggling to cope with domestic chores, hires a housekeeper recommended by a friend. The housekeeper's reputation is one built on dependable efficiency, though she is something of an oddity. Stubborn, foul-mouthed and with a flagrant disregard for her employer's opinions she may even be crazy. She allows no-one to set foot inside her house; she masks herself with a veil and is equally guarded about her personal life. And yet Emerence is revered as much as she is feared. As the story progresses her energy and passion to help becomes clear, extinguishing any doubts arising out of her bizarre behaviour. A stylishly told tale which recounts a strange relationship built up over 20 years between a writer and her housekeeper. After an unpromising and caustic start benign feelings develop and ultimately the writer benefits from what becomes an inseparable relationship. Simultaneously we learn Emerence's tragic past …
A busy young writer struggling to cope with domestic chores, hires a housekeeper recommended by a friend. The housekeeper's reputation is one built on dependable efficiency, though she is something of an oddity. Stubborn, foul-mouthed and with a flagrant disregard for her employer's opinions she may even be crazy. She allows no-one to set foot inside her house; she masks herself with a veil and is equally guarded about her personal life. And yet Emerence is revered as much as she is feared. As the story progresses her energy and passion to help becomes clear, extinguishing any doubts arising out of her bizarre behaviour. A stylishly told tale which recounts a strange relationship built up over 20 years between a writer and her housekeeper. After an unpromising and caustic start benign feelings develop and ultimately the writer benefits from what becomes an inseparable relationship. Simultaneously we learn Emerence's tragic past which is revealed in snapshots throughout the book.
Yes, this book is good literature. Yes, the story is 'unique'. However, I found this to be one seriously depressing tale. In these times of Covid, the last thing I needed was something to add to the downer that today's life tends towards. So if you are just too happy and want to 'get down'... this is probably a great read.
This book is about the relationship between a woman and her housekeeper. I thought it would be fundamentally about class and maybe mildly interesting. But it turned out to be so much more. It is about what we spend our time on and who we spend our time with. It is about how we care for people and things. It is about our right to live and die as we wish. It is about the things that seem big, but often aren't. And it is about the things that seem small and often aren't. Really well done. Full of surprises.
One of the most extremely moving books I've read in a long while.
One of the most extremely moving books I've read in a long while.
