If the future of the true Gothic novel was ever in doubt such fears are instantly dispelled by this jaw-dropping debut novel from Heather Parry. Although this fiction is based on fact it is almost unbelievable. So much so that I began to google the true story upon which the novel is based and…… oh my!
Over to the blurb.
‘ Wilhelm von Tore is dying. As he looks back on his life he reflects on his upbringing in Dresden, his beloved grandmother, and his medical career during the Second World War. But mostly he remembers his darling Luci, the great love of his life, his dark haired beauty promised to him in a dream years before they met.
Though only together for a few months in her first life, their love is written in the stars. Using scientific research compiled over decades, Wilhelm ensures that, for him and his beloved, death is only the beginning.
But through the cracks in Willhelm’s story there is another voice, that of Gabriela, and she will not let this version of events go unchallenged. She tells the story of her sister Luciana, fearless and full of life, and the madman who robbed her from her grave.’
That sums up pretty neatly and succinctly what happens but like all good blurbs it leaves out the hows and the whys. And I’m not about to offer any spoilers here because nothing should stand in the way of the impact of the events in the story for the innocent reader.
There is much to consider in this book. The author herself states that she wrote the story as an extreme version of a well-known tale – “a straight white man being allowed to do whatever they like to everyone who isn’t a straight white man.” And about how complicit society can be in such matters. I think of events over recent years and nod my head in wry agreement.
But there are also spiritual matters to be considered. Von Tore is a man of learning, a man of science, surely somebody with that level of intelligence has integrity. He really does believe that Luci has been promised to him years before they actually met. And it’s as if he is predestined to behave as he does. You never get the feeling that for one moment he considers that anything he is doing is wrong. But is he even sane?
The story presents with a dual narrative; from Wilhelm and from Gabriela, Luci’s sister. We are treated to the backstory from both characters and there seems to be no connection between the two until Wilhelm and Luci meet and then it’s as if hell itself is unleashed. The characterisations are as fascinating as they are different. Yet both are motivated by love for the same person. Gabriela for her sister, and Wilhelm for the woman he believes is destined to be his forever love.
Wilhelm’s narrative is cold and dispassionate in places. He is stating facts in precise and graphic detail. Gabriela’s is more volatile, more openly emotional, there is anger and despair within her.
And within our two narratives we learn of the other characters in the novel. Gabriella’s family with those rollercoaster bonds that exist within families, a devout mother, an almost reprobate father and two loyal brothers who want to protect and find justice for their sister.
The writing is frank with the kind of explicit detail that’s been missing from some so called Gothic novels in recent years creating a subtle atmosphere of terror and wonder. And of course we can’t ignore the allusions from the title – Orpheus. The major legend concerns his attempt to retrieve his wife Eurydice from the underworld. So I guess we are encouraged to consider Von Tore as a more modern day Orpheus?
It’s a substantial work that will give rise to many a discussion I should imagine. The themes are rich and the book has a multilayered quality to it so that it can be experienced beyond the mere telling of a story. But it’s not for the faint hearted. There are passages in the book that some may find distressing. As a debut novel, though, it’s very impressive.
My thanks to Gallic press for a beautiful, finished copy of the book.
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