Molly & the Captain
This book takes its name from a picture of his two daughters made by the 18th-century painter William Merrymount. The other daughter in the picture is actually named Laura, but family lore gave her the nickname of ‘Captain’. It is the history of this picture and its owners that Quinn depicts with immense care and accuracy.
Firstly the diaries and letter of Laura Merrymount recount events mainly in the 1780s. Whilst Merrymount is imaginary (inspired by Thomas Gainsborough), the voice of Laura is utterly convincing as she describes her own career as an artist, an unfortunate marital rivalry with Molly and then a period of caring for her, as spinsters together in Kentish Town. The style is impeccably 18th-century epistolary.
Secondly we are in Chelsea in the 1880s with artist Paul Stransom and his sister Maggie. Reminiscent of the ‘New Woman’ heroines of that era’s novels, she has missed out on the chance of going to university due to having to nurse their mother. Through friends of her brother, she happens to acquire a picture with strong connections to the famous Molly and The Captain.
The final section in Kentish Town in the 1980s recounts artist Nell and her daughter Billie, the latter a film actress appearing in what sounds like a British version of Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire, as they both vie for the affections of a young pop star, Robbie. This is all very enjoyable, by turns comical and poignant. A secret about the titular painting emerges to bind all three sections tightly together.
Very difficult to praise adequately in a short review, this was one of the richest and most rewarding books I read in 2022. However, I would have appreciated it if the cover had featured an impression of the ‘Merrymount’ picture.
