The Night in Venice
More usually known as novelist Andrew Martin, the author has written an utterly beguiling story set in Edwardian England and Venice. It is 1911, and 14-year-old orphan Monica is taken from her home in north London to Venice for a brief holiday by her guardian, Miss Rose Driscoll. Monica is amusing, wry, intelligent and feisty, with a captivating character and voice, though she is a troubled and obviously “difficult” adolescent, which is perhaps not surprising as she has been effectively orphaned twice with the death of both parents and then her uncle Leo, who was her previous legal guardian.
Monica is always willing to speak her mind and challenge the conventions of conservative, fastidious Edwardian society. Rose Driscoll, who Monica refers to just by her family name throughout the novel, is rather a dry and stern bluestocking, with a weakness for alcohol. Their relationship is fraught and comes to a head on their arrival in Venice.
The historical context is superb, evoking the splendid atmosphere of life for an adolescent girl in the early years of the 20th century, illuminating the fences and ceilings that society imposed upon females of those days. The language, customs and conventions of the times are accurate and convincing, though would Monica refer to an “old-age pension” back in 1911? The novel is narrated from the perspective of Monica in a sardonic and amused tone. She is a fascinating and lovable creation and, without giving anything away about the ending, if ever a story demands a sequel (and one that needs to be written and published quite soon, please) it is this one.
