About book The Newspaper Of Claremont Street (1988)
This was an odd tale, and not what I'd expected -- I didn't realize that Jolley was known for the macabre (well, maybe I would have if I'd read the cover blurb first...) Though this novel is short, it contains a great deal of texture. Weekly's backstory is fully drawn, as is her character. She works very hard, with a goal in mind, and despite her ridiculousness in the eyes of others, she has an inner life that they know nothing about. The story provides a glimpse into a lonely life, and what keeps someone like Weekly going despite hard circumstances. The writing is measured, the pace quite deliberate. I think this reflects the pace of Weekly's life; keep your head down, work hard, follow routine, until you're able to make your big break.This is a brief but intriguing story of a unique character. It's worth searching out for all the social observations and for the character of Weekly herself. Full review here
Jolley's novella presents an excellent characterization of Margarite Morris,"The Newspaper of Claremont Street. Quiet and understated, this book takes you into the inner workings of a loner, a person who was not born with all the breaks, but one who works and saves to buy a small bit of land that she can call her own. Jolley does an excellent job of showing us how this British immigrant in Australia takes on the culture of he adopted land and shows us, as well, how the "New Chums" often fail to accept the suffering and dedication that living in Australia demands. Anyone who pretends to understand Aussie Lit. must read this book.
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