THE SARACEN LAMP

by Ruth M. Arthur ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 20, 1970

Decidedly queer like its predecessors, though not quite as sinister, perhaps; and hauntedly reminiscent of one in particular--the Requiem for a Princess (1967). This tripartite trauma is initiated by Melisande, the first de Hervey bride to dwell in the manor at Littleperry and the original owner of the exquisite lamp. It had been made for her by a Saracen in her father's service: ""Treasure it within your walls, keep it alight that the flame of your spirit may never be quenched."" That was in the 14th century; long after Melisande has seen a ghost of the future and departed, the narrative is resumed by Alys, the out-of-wedlock daughter of another de Hervey (now styled Harvey). She avenges her mistreatment by stealing and selling the lamp, but--once installed as mistress of Littleperry--feels remorseful, for indeed that flame has been extinguished. Now in the 20th century the story is Perdita's, and that's a peculiar misnomer since it's she who revives the ember, on receiving as a gift a copy of an ancient. . . Saracen lamp. Not, though, until she recovers from a crippling (psychosomatic?) illness, during which she obsessively conducts talks with an imaginary friend she calls Alys. Schizophrenia, it would seem, but no Perdita is told by one who knows that she herself is the presaged ghost of Littleperry incarnate. Something's awry with three grotesquely pathological heroines--not to mention, materially, how much the long-suffering plot is wounded by the leaps and bounds.

Pub Date: March 20, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1970

Categories: FICTION