Novel set in the first half of the 20th Century HUNGARY
Novel set off the Southern coast of Greece
15th July 2024
The Nude by C Michelle Lindley, novel set off the Southern coast of Greece.
It is 1999. Elizabeth has been tasked to travel to Greece by the museum where she works, to examine an ancient Greek statue, discovered by a fisherman in international waters off the southern coast of Greece. It is destined for an American Museum on the West Coast.
The statue is an exceptional sculpted form of womanhood, hence the interest beyond the shores of Greece. And thus the issue of cultural ownership takes a centre stage in the novel. Vandalism during Elizabeth’s stay on the island becomes a factor that influences her thoughts on her job and her role in being on the island, and starts to consider the whole question of where an object should be displayed.
Her interpreter, Niko, brings along his wife, Theo, and the smooth marble erotic essence of the statue somehow works itself into Elizabeth’s core, and her seething sexuality alights on his photographer spouse. Electric interchanges between the two crackle in the ether every time they meet. Elizabeth’s sex life dots the narrative both in the past with her co-worker, Madison, and in the present when – after a spontaneous evening out – she wakes up with no memory of an evening where sexual activity seemingly took place. There is continued carnal tension as she navigates her way through the story, tantalised by Theo. There are drugs that add extra colour to her personal experiences, and her wayward and spontaneous choices sometimes seem very risky. Back home she is experiencing the dying days of her marriage with Julian.
Elizabeth suffers from disabling migraines and her stepfather has been involved in an inappropriate professional capacity, sorting her medication – “Since my stepfather Henry began treatment on me, I’d been on and off [pills], though mostly on, a variety of medications: benzodiazepines for anxiety, methysergide for preventative purposes, even antipsychotics..” She arrives on the island and is soon felled by a terrible migraine, which she has to manage. Future episodes incapacitate her as the story unfolds, and the effects on her are detailed by the author.
There is a sense that something has happened in Elizabeth’s past that reverberates for her in the here and now and which serves inevitably to contribute to her current mental and physical state.
This is a densely written novel, with a central character who is difficult to get to know. There is much description – much telling – but not much showing. It feels like the story alights on different and multiple themes but loses its sense of purpose and direction, description serving as a substitute for rounded storytelling.
I have a good level of vocabulary but there was extensive use of ‘difficult’ or ‘unusual’ words, which had me turning to the dictionary on several occasions, an unnecessary and alienating device to underline the author’s connoisseurship.
Overall I felt the novel was well written, but lacked direction, the heavy and bulky nature of the narrative felt like a turn off, invariably overshadowed by Elizabeth’s ill health. Greece comes through well overall, with a side trip to Athens and the food and atmosphere are a real bonus. In general, however, this novel felt lugubrious, although it had such potential that was never really realised. There were too many themes that overwhelmed the author’s storytelling, giving it an unnecessary complexity. A stronger and judicious editing hand would have made a significant difference and elevated this novel, given it is a strong story, to the next level.
It has a great, eye-catching book cover.
Tina for the TripFiction Team
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