The Narrow Land
This literary novel takes place on Cape Cod in 1950. While the setting is idyllic, Mr. and Mrs. Aitch’s marriage is far from it. He has painted nothing of interest for some time and is lacking a muse. Overshadowed by her famous husband, Mrs. Aitch experiences jealous rages and tantrums, making her an easy target to mock.
Into this tranquil oceanfront setting comes Michael, a troubled German war orphan, adopted by a New York couple who is imminently pregnant. Shipped off for the summer to the wealthy Mrs. Kaplan, he is tasked with befriending her fatherless grandson, Richie, while awaiting the arrival of his sibling. Michael is a loner, however. He lives in his imagination and collects remembrances in a hidey-hole at the beach, sometimes ‘borrowing’ things of interest from others. He behaves unexpectedly and doesn’t quite fit in. Everyone is haunted by the war, as is Michael, who copes with his scant memories by reinventing himself. A fortuitous meeting with Mrs. Aitch begins a tentative friendship and they nurture a mutual understanding and affection, while Mr. Aitch takes fondly to Richie.
The novel contains a quirky, eccentric group of characters, none more so than Mrs. Aitch with her outspoken opinions and uncomfortable honesty. The story is of a childless marriage and its new manifestations as the couple becomes fond of the boys. It’s also about loss. Hickey does not divulge that Mr. Aitch is Edward Hopper, the realist artist who lost favour in the 1950s. I would not have known had I not seen it mentioned elsewhere, but I’m not sure it matters. This is a slow-paced examination of relationships, primarily that of two lonely people, and how that affects those around them. The novel encouraged me to research Hopper’s paintings (not called realist for nothing) ―always a sign of a good book!
