The Vera Wright Trilogy: My Father's Moon/Cabin Fever/The Georges' Wife

The lauded masterpiece of one of Australia's most acclaimed authors, Elizabeth Jolley's //The Vera Wright Trilogy// is shockingly little known here. The first two books are out of print and the third was never released. Persea Books has ridden to the rescue, reissuing the trilogy in one magnificent volume. Loosely based on Jolley's own experiences, Vera's story begins in 1939 England, as she leaves school at seventeen to become a nurse in a military hospital. Told in the present tense over several decades, Vera recounts her story not in a neat, tight narrative but as a series of overlapping memories marked by yearning obsessions: with sophistication, with marriage, with foods restricted during wartime, and above all with charismatic personalities, the most intense of which culminates in her first child born out of wedlock. Vera is a remarkable protagonist, a quiet rebel involved in a continuous struggle with societal and familial expectations. Her decisions less wise than provoked by a desire to find a life that satisfies her. Jolley melds restraint and passion in writing that can simply be described as musical. Jolley deserves to be counted among the great voices of the past century, and her trilogy deserves to be read, discussed, and adored. Reviewed by Ariel Berg

My Father's Moon. During WWII, fresh from boarding school, Vera Wright becomes a nurse in training at St. Cuthberts Hospital. Vera uses childish games to feel welcome until she becomes the lover of married "Dr. Metcalf, Jonathan". She becomes pregnant, but the doctor dumps her so she gives birth to Helena and becomes a single mom working at the Fairfields School. Cabin Fever. A nursing student at St. Cuthberts Hospital, Vera becomes the lover of married Dr. Metcalf. She becomes pregnant, but he dumps her so she gives birth alone. She fears being a single mom, but rejects offers of help from her parents. Confused but beginning to understand the difference between hurtful and nurturing relationships, she attends a medical conference, but struggles to leave her hotel room as her memories frighten her. The Georges' Wife. Vera has become housekeeper to Mr. and Mrs. George and lover to her male employer while returning to school as a medical student. She becomes pregnant with Mr. George's child. They plan to marry and move to Australia as her mom still worries about her choices. The Vera Wright trilogy is an intriguing look at a coming of age woman during WWII (My Father's Moon and Cabin Fever) and into her middle age (The Georges' Wife). The writing feels stilted, but brings to life the 1940s and 1950s from the perspective of a British woman, who in My Father's Moon and The Georges' Wife is not very likable while readers will empathize with her in Cabin Fever. My Father's Moon and Cabin Fever cover the same events, but from differing mental perspectives with the latter being the best book of the trio as Elizabeth Jolley takes a deep poignant look at Vera's reactions to mistakes she has made in her young life. Overall this omnibus is for fans who relish British historical dramas. Harriet Klausner

Seventeen Vera Wright had other plans for her life than going to college like her parents had dreamed for her. Vera drops out of school and becomes a nurse in the military. This new direction in Vera's life brings on many interesting circumstances that Vera never imagined. Along the way Vera grows up into a wonderful woman, mother and wife. It is a shame that Ms. Jolley has passed away as I did enjoy this trilogy. This trilogy is an autobiographical novel that spans from the 130s to the 150s. You could feel the passion that Ms. Jolley had writing this stories. Through the course of this book you got to see Vera grow up and become a strong woman, though all that she experienced. This is a plus because most of everything Vera went through was taken from experiences that author, Jolley experienced herself. At almost 600 hundred pages, I read this book with ease. Vera went on an adventure and found love along the way. I plan to check out more of Elizabeth Jolley's prior work.