The Wife of Martin Guerre

Just like someone else who has submitted a review, I read this book for my VCE, many years ago. The story has haunted me since and I realise that it is an important one of the frailty, strength and indeed ugliness of the human spirit. Not at all a nice story but still an important one and considering how much I remember of it after only one read, and over thirty years ago now, it is well done.

For those of you familiar with the movie Sommersby with Jodie Foster and Richard Gere. This is the book that this movie was essentially based on. Except this version is set in 16th century France. It's a small book, less than 100 pages , but well worth a read.

With her very short novel, Lewis offers a model of economical storytelling. This true tale is famous enough. In the sixteenth century, Martin Guerre leaves the family farm in southern France escaping his father's wrath and perhaps seeking adventure. Years later, a man claiming to be Martin returns. He is changed but convinces the abandoned wife and family that he is truly Martin. After three years, he is accused of imposture and convicted. Just as his conviction is about to be overturned on appeal, the real Martin dramatically reappears, the impostor's guilt is confirmed, leading to his execution. Lewis adapts many of the facts. For one thing, she underplays the role of Pierre, Martin's uncle, in the accusation and she presents Bertrande, Martin's wife, as the chief accuser. Lewis never mentions Bertrande's mother, who in real life was married to Martin's uncle Pierre, and who played a large part in the actual events. But this is a novel, not a historical essay. In the end, we see more sharply into human nature than we would were the novel more accurate. Lewis demonstrates her artistry in the resolution, when the last shred of doubt is lifted from Bertrande's heart. Martin's father is a just but stern and autocratic man. Early in the book, his authority causes him to strike Martin and break two teeth; the event later comes up as evidence supporting the impostor's claim since he has the same two teeth broken. The same stern and pitiless authority causes Martin to leave the farm as he fears his father's anger for taking some seed without permission. Finally when Martin reappears at the end of the appeal, he refuses to forgive Bertrande claiming that she should have known the impostor from the start. He shows her the same pitiless character his father showed him. Brilliantly, with one single trait (lack of pity) Lewis establishes two plot devices (the identifying teeth and the reason for leaving) she defines two supporting characters (the father and the son) and she develops the main character (Bertrande) when she realizes she has lost the love of her real husband. A lesser writer would simply have explained it all in so many words, as I just did. Vincent Poirier, Tokyo

Janet Lewis has written a fine modern novella. This is a haunting story and its message is deeply profound and moving, as well as important to our modern age. Bertrande as the `Wife' is a classic representation of the dominated female in a patriarchal society. Lewis tackles some of the greatest moral and spiritual issues of mankind in this little piece. The novella explores the theme of Truth vs. Expediency (doing what's convenient) and tells the true story of a young woman's struggle in 16th century France, to deny her happiness in behalf of her moral and spiritual convictions, or to deny the truth. It presents a controversial dilemma that will bother the reader and yet keep us thinking about the meaning of life and the foundations of our convictions long after we have finished reading it. "Madame, I would have you still deceived"...I studied this text for my year 12 and I wish it were more widely recognised.

One of our finest modern short novels, Lewis's "Wife" is a mostly unrecognized classic. Noted by many top authors for her incisive, spare, sparkling style, Lewis tackles some of the greatest moral and spiritual issues of mankind in this little piece. The prose is impeccable (you could learn how to write by imitating it), the story haunting, and the "message" deeply profound, moving, as well as important to the modern age. At heart, this novel is about the decision of a young woman of petty nobility in 16th century Languedoc to deny her happiness in behalf of her moral and spiritual convictions. It presents a seemingly small dilemma that will bother you and keep you thinking about the meaning of life and the foundations of your convictions for years to come. I won't say more, because there is a touch of the mystery novel in this work. Lewis is a minor master of prose fiction, probably mostly ignored because she was the wife of the great and highly controversial poet and critic Yvor Winters, who is one splendid writer himself. Her other novels are just as fine, with "The Trial of Soren Qvist" probably being one of the greatest modern novels. Evan O'Connell and Larry McMurtry are two of Lewis's chief admirers, by the way, though that might not say much depending on your view of those fellows.

I read this book for my English class. It was interesting and I love it. I could not put it down until I finished it.(^_^)