Where the Light Remains

This surprisingly well-written novel blends past with present, contrasting the married lives of two characters, Claira (1886) and Claire (1986). Set in Cornwall, England, there is a subtle, but important connection to the Newlyn School of Painting, as the author links her two protagonists through a painting. Claira's wedding day is the day of her father's death in 1886 and she carries a burden of grief into the union with the older Munroe, a strict Methodist. Given the climate of the times, Munroe understandably has little knowledge of his bride, but brings her into a household that is luxurious compared to the poverty of her youth. Their personal struggles as a married couple play out against an extravagant and dramatic landscape. The couple is brought closer by the attention of a famous local woman artist, who requests that Claira pose for a painting. After granting permission, Munroe watches as his young wife comes to life on the canvas, where her vitality and beauty are artfully mirrored. A century later, Claire and Howard purchase Trethenna, the same farmhouse once occupied by Claira and Munroe. Enchanted by the house and wooded surroundings, Claire is delighted at their discovery, Howard less so. Far removed from London, Howard must commute to see the family on weekends, but their two young sons flourish and Claire renews her own interest in painting, stealing quiet hours to work on her craft. But there is more in store for Claire and Howard than geographical change, as Claire finds herself confronted with difficult decisions and the need for serious self-assessment. She has found renewal in Cornwall, an interior life that has long been ignored. This portrayal of parallel lives is beautifully structured, the subtle threads of both personalities carefully woven together to bridge the years. A love of art, a lush landscape and the uncertain territory of marriage define their commonality, yet each woman shines with her own particular gifts and strengths. The past reaches into the present, leaving histories that endure in a turbulent and intense setting. Luan Gaines/2004.

I loved this novel and find it hard to believe that it is a first effort from Hayden Gabriel. The language is very evocative of the beauty of west Cornwall, both in its fearsome and halcyon states. The story line moves back and forth between the end of the 19th century and the end of the 20th century, detailing the married lives of Claira (1886) and Claire (1986), both of whom are artists: Claira a musician and Claire a painter. There are a great many themes of interest in the story, raising questions in the reader's mind about important moral issues, such as what constitutes piety, how a woman divides her time and obligation between her family and herself, and why some people do poorly in one relationship only to thrive in another.There are highly joyful and profoundly sad moments that take place in this novel because Gabriel makes us truly care about her characters, especially, for me, Claira, the 19th century woman. And there is also a good deal of interesting information intertwined in the story -- about art, nature and the customs of people and a culture that matter very much, even if they existed before we were born. In the end, Gabriel seems to be saying, it all comes down to "what remains" after we're gone. In other words, as the song goes, "the fundamental things apply as time goes by." Given that sentiment, I found this to be a hopeful novel -- no small thing in this time of war and trouble. And there's a delightful surprise at the book's end too, one that makes me realize life is always full of surprises -- and sometimes they're good!

I can hardly wait for another book by this author!The two story threads, one beginning in 1886 and the other in 1986, are entwined in a way that reveals mysteries of love, love's progress, ending and renewal. Impaired communication, mixed signals and missed opportunities were all too familiar to this reader. Gabriel's narrative voice varies to help the reader recognize which time and place has center stage. While she must have done copious amounts of research about late 19th century impressionists and members of the Newlyn school, it is never tedious reading. I found inspiration for my art, general creativity, love, lover and extended family. You might, too.