QUEEN LEAR

by Molly Keane ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 12, 1989

Keane's small cult following may find this horrid little tale--which measures the stupidity content in all-out loving and giving--not quite up to her Good Behavior (1981) or Time After Time (1983) in intricacy or in Keane's own brand of delicious wickedness. But the essentials are present: Irish gentry decay in silly stages; a grand house grandly deliquescing; and hapless-to-awful folk, including here a heroine of wide-eyed dodo-hood. In 1904, little Nicandra, sole offspring of tiny, dim Sir Dermot and his lovely lady, is eight. Traipsing about lovingly, Nicandra has had, alas, a dreadful day, all her efforts to please rejected. Even genial Aunt Tossie has robbed her of the joys of martyrdom by eating Nicandra's spinach for her. Only being mean to retarded Silly-Willy at the gatehouse cheers her up--on this very day that, unbeknownst to her, lovely Maman runs off forever with a servant. Skip a few years, then, and Nicandra is casting around for a love object. Aunt Tossie, a cornucopia of funding for little Dada and the estate, has arranged a small party with: Nicandra; her cagey ""friend"" Lalage; good, success-bound Robert; and the handsome rotter Andrew. In spite of a terrible incident at the dinner table when Aunt Tossie, bounteously endowed, muzzy and happy, ""pops out,"" Love arrives. With Aunt Tossie's money, Nicandra and Andrew wed, set up housekeeping, and Andrew will begin his singular despicable doings--including an affair with Lalage, callous dismissal of Nicandra's pregnancy (she sacrificially self-aborts), and desertion. Will Nicandra continue to love? Yes, yes, for ""love was giving all you had."" In the meantime, Tossie's money finally runs out, Dada expires on a mower, and in the shell of the formerly grand house, the only servant, Silly-Willy, is caretaker/butler, while devotedly tending to the needs of Tossie, now pleasantly stewed most of the day in her comfortable ""caravan"" on the grounds. From time to time the faithful Robert, now a rich man, will try to help, after looking into Nicandra's ""beautiful stupid eyes,"" but she heads for martyrdom--until Robert buys back the old homestead for her to run. There awaits Silly-Willy with a long, long memory. Another darkly comic novel rooted in lush landscapes and human fatuity.

Pub Date: Sept. 12, 1989

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1989

Categories: FICTION