Lead Review

• Book: Trio
• Location: Brighton
• Author: William Boyd

Review Author: tripfiction

3.5*

I love a good book by William Boyd. He is an excellent writer and storyteller, who has a tremendous way with words. An author who can create an enthralling verbal experience.

It is the Summer of 1968 and a film is being made in Brighton. The eponymous trio of the title – a producer, a novelist and an actress – are involved. (Incidentally, I have just read Mr Wilder & Me by Jonathan Coe – set across Europe – which is in similar vein; a bit like buses, none for a while and then two come along in quick succession set in similar time periods with the making of a movie at their heart).

It is certainly an easy read, with delightful wry and humorous touches. The film is titled Emily Bracegirdle’s Extremely Useful Ladder to the Moon. I think in general the author went out of his way to make up bonkers names for his characters, including a cast of minor characters who have a wealth of odd career choices between them. Talbot Kydd (why not use ‘y’ for a bit of extra flamboyance?) is the producer, Rodrigo (Reggie) Tipton is the director and married to novelist Elfrida Wing (who hasn’t written anything in a while and is rather good at mixing her drinks and storing her alcohol booty in a Sarson’s Vinegar bottle). Anny Viklund is the American star of the film (who was married to Cornell Weekes and who is now under investigation for domestic terrorism back in the USA). Anny (with a ‘y’, of course) is conducting an illicit affair with her co-star with Troy Blaze. With all these oddly spelled names, my autocorrect, whilst writing this review, went into overdrive, which was rather irksome but reflects the skewed spirit of this novel.

The characters’ stories interlace, often improbably but with delightful observation. There are indeed many secrets to be revealed. There are, too, nuanced interactions, period correct facets and overall there is, at times, quite a summery – almost carefree – feel to the whole narrative.

I think, for me, I struggled to engage with the characters and their stories, although part of me could stand back and see that there were so many good elements. I guess it felt a little like absurd cinema had descended on real life and it just didn’t feel sufficiently anchored to be really immersive and engrossing.

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