I’ve read all of Jessie Burton’s books now. You might say that I am a fan; one of those writers whose books I seek out on blind faith alone. And I’m never sure exactly what my expectations are when I do this. Am I seeking a similarity in style, in theme, in genre? Although Ms. Burton’s books are sometimes described as historical fiction - this current book is too, I guess, set in the 1980’s - I don’t think of her as an historical novelist. I think of her as a contemporary novelist. Maybe that’s because of the universal themes. The Confession I see as more in parallel with The Muse; typist and art historian in The Muse, personal assistant and novelist in The Confession, never straying far from creativity in either book. Where The Muse explored artists and their motivations , The Confession looks at the world of the novelist and imagined personas and realities, the Hollywood setting for much of the action reinforcing that.
Blurb -One winter's afternoon on Hampstead Heath in 1980, Elise Morceau meets Constance Holden and quickly falls under her spell. Connie is bold and alluring, a successful writer whose novel is being turned into a major Hollywood film. Elise follows Connie to LA, a city of strange dreams and swimming pools and late-night gatherings of glamorous people. But whilst Connie thrives on the heat and electricity of this new world where everyone is reaching for the stars and no one is telling the truth, Elise finds herself floundering. When she overhears a conversation at a party that turns everything on its head, Elise makes an impulsive decision that will change her life forever.
Three decades later, Rose Simmons is seeking answers about her mother, who disappeared when she was a baby. Having learned that the last person to see her was Constance Holden, a reclusive novelist who withdrew from public life at the peak of her fame, Rose is drawn to the door of Connie's imposing house in search of a confession . . .
From the million-copy bestselling author of The Miniaturist and The Muse, The Confession is a luminous, powerful and deeply moving novel about secrets and storytelling, motherhood and friendship, and how we lose and find ourselves.
The dual chronology device is used again to good effect here. 1980 and 2017, enough of a gap to render it historical? But set in the US and the UK which adds a dimension that emphasises the need to consider reality with imagination.
The characterisations, too, are beginning to show a definite style; Marjorie Quick and Constance Holden, two women of paradox where arguably they use their strength to hide their weakness. Utterly compelling characters to read about.
The Confession, perhaps more than Burton’s previous two novels subtly explores relationships between women in an understated but poignant and compelling way. Deeper maybe than that is the need to find an identity, beautifully explored through the character of Rose. Another theme running through the book is honesty. Honesty not just to others but to one self. It’s delicate yet powerful. These characters are human with frailties that we can all recognise. They make the mistakes we all make and flounder in the whirlpool of confusion that so often accompanies our life’s decisions.
Burton writes with an ease of pace, a flowing narrative that isn’t short on detail but it’s relevant and evocative. smell the spray as Elise surfs with Matt, feel the superficial veneer of Hollywood parties. It’s accomplished writing. There were times when I felt the situations were a tad contrived but they were pivots leading to situations of absolute depth so that as a reader I tended to ignore the contrivance for it seemed necessary to reach a point that needed to be reached. As a story it’s far more understated than the previous two books, more cerebral than outright ‘action’.
And having read it, will I remain a fan of Jessie Burton? Oh yes. I think so.
Thank you to my local library for giving me the opportunity to reserve and borrow this book.
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