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The White Room
South African playwright Hannah Meade arrives in London for the opening night of her new play. She has arranged to meet Pierre, the student she was in love with when she taught English in Paris. During their time together, they lied their way towards truths they were too young and inexperienced to endure. Perhaps this time they will have a second chance.
As the reader is drawn from contemporary London back to Paris on the eve of the war in Iraq, the mystery of past events is brought to vivid life in a series of dramatic, intriguing and deeply moving encounters. Written in layered, stark prose, The White Room lays bare many of our assumptions about language, identity, memory, loss and love.
As the reader is drawn from contemporary London back to Paris on the eve of the war in Iraq, the mystery of past events is brought to vivid life in a series of dramatic, intriguing and deeply moving encounters. Written in layered, stark prose, The White Room lays bare many of our assumptions about language, identity, memory, loss and love.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
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About the author
Craig Higginson
24 books43 followersCraig Higginson is an internationally acclaimed writer who lives in Johannesburg. His plays have been performed and produced at the National Theatre (London), the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Trafalgar Studios (on London’s West End), the Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh), the Stadsteater (Stockholm), Salisbury Theatre, the Citizens Theatre (Glasgow), Live Theatre (Newcastle), Next Theatre (Chicago), Theatre 503 and the Finborough Theatre (both London), the Market Theatre (Johannesburg) and several other theatres and festivals around the world.
Craig's plays include: Laughter in the Dark, Lord of the Flies, Truth in Translation (co-writer), Dream of the Dog, Ten Bush (co-writer), The Jungle Book, The Girl in the Yellow Dress, Little Foot and The Imagined Land. Novels include: The Hill, Last Summer, The Landscape Painter (UJ Main Prize winner), The Dream House (UJ Main Prize winner) and The White Room. His novels and plays have won several awards in the UK and South Africa.
Craig's plays include: Laughter in the Dark, Lord of the Flies, Truth in Translation (co-writer), Dream of the Dog, Ten Bush (co-writer), The Jungle Book, The Girl in the Yellow Dress, Little Foot and The Imagined Land. Novels include: The Hill, Last Summer, The Landscape Painter (UJ Main Prize winner), The Dream House (UJ Main Prize winner) and The White Room. His novels and plays have won several awards in the UK and South Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 4, 2019
"The White Room" is set in Paris and gives the view of two characters, Hannah, an English teacher, and Pierre, her student. The story takes place in both the present and through flashbacks of the past.
In the present, Hannah has written a play about her brief love affair with Pierre. The two were really too naive to form a lasting bond and the relationship ends abruptly with anger on both sides.
Pierre will be watching the opening of the play in London, along with his wife. He's shocked and infuriated by what he sees. Yet, he's still drawn to Hannah.
She is an unreliable narrator though. It's not clear whether we're being given the 'true' version of the story in the past or the embellished one in the play. This gives the story of the past an almost surreal quality.
The writing is pared down and sometimes austere, contrasting with the almost poetic plot. It's an irresistible read that will stay with you long after the last page has been turned.
In the present, Hannah has written a play about her brief love affair with Pierre. The two were really too naive to form a lasting bond and the relationship ends abruptly with anger on both sides.
Pierre will be watching the opening of the play in London, along with his wife. He's shocked and infuriated by what he sees. Yet, he's still drawn to Hannah.
She is an unreliable narrator though. It's not clear whether we're being given the 'true' version of the story in the past or the embellished one in the play. This gives the story of the past an almost surreal quality.
The writing is pared down and sometimes austere, contrasting with the almost poetic plot. It's an irresistible read that will stay with you long after the last page has been turned.
August 15, 2018
A deeply moving and gripping story beautifully and refreshingly told. It feels like a completely new addition to SA literature - and speaks to us well beyond the country's borders. It reminded me of the films of Michael Hanneke - dark, unsettling, enriching, uplifting, unforgettable.
March 25, 2021
This booked grabbed me right from the beginning. I enjoyed the writing style, which is pretty stark, but suited the nature of the book. It is written in the format of a play, with each section being an act in the play Hannah has written about her time with Pierre, and dialogue is the predominant way the story is told; I wasn't sure about the lack of punctuation at first, but after a while, I realised it's perfect for the book's message and style. I love language and the use of grammar and tenses in the book contributed to my enjoyment, as well as the fact that I could relate to Hannah in a way I've never done before, since I, too, lived in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe around the same time as Hannah and currently live in South Africa. The book also tells Hannah's story leading up to her meeting Pierre and covers the emotional turmoil caused by loss and betrayal. It's bitter-sweet but leaves a good after-taste. I found myself thinking about the story and its ending long after I closed the book.
January 30, 2019
The last review of a 2018 book - and it's (not quite) the end of January yet. Wow, that shows how far behind I am in my reviews, that I can be happy at that fact.
However, since I aim to read about 2 books a week, and write 2-3 reviews, I know I'll catch up. It's just a matter of time.
The White Room starts with Hannah Meade's play's opening night in London. She's nervous, but also excited. The play is about a relationship she had years ago with Pierre, whom she plans to meet tonight too. Is she really all that nervous about the play? Or is it about meeting Pierre, who she has invited but hasn't seen since those days?
Read my full review here.
However, since I aim to read about 2 books a week, and write 2-3 reviews, I know I'll catch up. It's just a matter of time.
The White Room starts with Hannah Meade's play's opening night in London. She's nervous, but also excited. The play is about a relationship she had years ago with Pierre, whom she plans to meet tonight too. Is she really all that nervous about the play? Or is it about meeting Pierre, who she has invited but hasn't seen since those days?
Read my full review here.
April 24, 2019
Certainly a book to reread.
CH has a phenomenal ability to write truths without cliché. Unique phrasing, vivid imagery and symbolism make this a rich work.
By inserting himself into the character of Hannah Meade, CH has left me wondering how much of the tale is fictional lies and how much of it is biographical truth.
CH has a phenomenal ability to write truths without cliché. Unique phrasing, vivid imagery and symbolism make this a rich work.
By inserting himself into the character of Hannah Meade, CH has left me wondering how much of the tale is fictional lies and how much of it is biographical truth.
September 15, 2018
The author is masterful in his turn of phrase but I found some of the darker scenes uncomfortable to read.
September 29, 2018
A very unique and different story. Sometimes strange but kept me curious
February 6, 2019
When I finished this book I wanted to start it all over again. Loved it.
July 1, 2019
Brilliant novel loved every page
June 17, 2024
Unnecessary english language lessons incorporated in the novel.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews