Blaming by Elizabeth Taylor - Dec BOTM

[Kristel]

Blaming is the last novel by Elizabeth Taylor. It was first published, posthumously, in 1976. Amy's husband dies while she is on a cruise, and she is befriended by Martha, an awkward young American writer.

[George P.]

I got an early start on this short novel and paced myself to finish just a few days ago. It was my first novel by Ms Taylor and her only book in the 1001 list, added to the list in '08.
At the midpoint I was wondering why it was titled Blaming; that becomes clear by the end. I found the characters very realistic and nuanced - probably the best part of the novel.
Most libraries may not have it; I was able to get it from the university library here- the kindle ebook is just $4 and I saw the paper book on ebay for $6 including shipping (US).

[Kristel]

George P. wrote: "I got an early start on this short novel and paced myself to finish just a few days ago. It was my first novel by Ms Taylor and her only book in the 1001 list, added to the list in '08.
At the midp..."

I read Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont earlier this year and I enjoyed it.

[George P.]

Kristel wrote:
I read Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont earlier this year and I enjoyed it."

Mrs. Palfrey is her most-read book by Goodreads ratings; Blaming is in eighth place. I've noticed that it's common for the 1001 List to choose a book by an author that's not one of their more popular books.

[Kristel]

Elizabeth Taylor: Born in Reading, Berkshire, the daughter of Oliver Coles, an insurance inspector, and his wife Elsie May Fewtrell, Elizabeth was educated at The Abbey School, Reading, and then worked as a governess, tutor and librarian. She married in 1936 John Taylor, owner of a confectionery company, after which they lived in Penn, Buckinghamshire for almost all their married life. She was briefly a member of the British Communist Party, then a consistent Labour Party supporter. Taylor's work is mainly concerned with the nuances of everyday life and situations. Her shrewd but affectionate portrayals of middle-class and upper middle-class English life won her an audience of discriminating readers. (Taken From Wikipedia).

1. Have your read anything by the author? What are your expectations if any?


Other questions:

2. Who was your favorite character and why? Did you have a least Favorite and why? Did the characters change over time?

2. What was your overall thoughts and feelings about this book?

3. Describe the book in 3 words.

3. What message is the author trying to send? What does the title tell you about the book?

4. What was your favorite quote or event in the book?

5. Does this book belong on the 1001 lists of books you would want to read before you die?

[Gail]

1. Have your read anything by the author? What are your expectations if any?

I have not read anything else by Elizabeth Taylor and actually had never heard of her before.

2. Who was your favorite character and why? Did you have a least Favorite and why? Did the characters change over time?
In some strange way, I think Isobel, Dora and Ernie were my favorites....they were more completely who they were without any remorse about their actions. The children were trying out different behaviors as children do. The other adults in the book were all rather awkward. Amy wanted to have others think well of her but she was not a very generous woman with her time nor her sympathies. Martha was an odd American but not that odd and not that interesting in her oddness.

3. What was your overall thoughts and feelings about this book?
I agree with George. The extraordinary part was how nuanced and realistic the characters were. I didn't know them or their "type" (English middle class, middle aged people with good manners) but I believed in them whole heartedly. Simon was a bit of a caricature in the descriptions of him, but when he actually got around to speaking even he was nuanced. One can marvel at this aspect of the book but not feel very moved overall.

4. Describe the book in 3 words.

Death brings blame

5. What message is the author trying to send? What does the title tell you about the book?

The title is very appropriate. It is a book about death, mourning, guilt and blame, not only what one feels we owe others but also what one feels we owe ourselves. Are we here to amuse? To be amused? Amy's selfishness, which one can forgive, as she is in mourning, nevertheless catches up to her with tragic consequences and yet, really, is she to blame?

6. What was your favorite quote or event in the book?

This one made me laugh:
"I have never known such a winter," Isobel said in her mother's voice. Coming from a young child who actually probably has never known such a winter having only been alive through 3 or 4.

Also, I enjoyed Isobel and Dora's discuss about heaven.

7.Does this book belong on the 1001 lists of books you would want to read before you die?
As I mentioned above, it is quite remarkable on one hand but overall I wasn't enamored. I gave it a 3.5

[Pamela]

1. Have you read anything by the author? What are your expectations if any?

Yes, I’m a great admirer of Taylor and this was the 9th novel I’ve read by her. She is noted for her perceptive observations of middle class English people and their everyday life, and often includes Art as a theme through characters that are painters or writers, so that was what I expected.

Other questions:

1. Who was your favorite character and why? Did you have a least Favorite and why? Did the characters change over time?
I didn’t like any of the characters but I did find them interesting. Ernie was the most genuine in my eyes. I didn’t like Amy, her family or Martha, but I enjoyed reading about their dynamics.

2. What was your overall thoughts and feelings about this book? I think it was skilfully written and the characters were authentic, I wanted to know what would happen and it was convincing.

3. Describe the book in 3 words.
Class, family, guilt

4. What message is the author trying to send? What does the title tell you about the book?
The author is examining what factors can be to blame for our actions of selfishness and unkindness, whether we can be blamed if we are grieving, and to what extent - and if in fact it makes a difference in the end as everything passes.

5. What was your favorite quote or event in the book?
I liked Dora’s observations, but nothing really stuck out to me.

6. Does this book belong on the 1001 lists of books you would want to read before you die?
I really rate Taylor as a writer but I don’t think this is her best book and I was surprised to see it here. I would have added A View of the Harbour or Angel but I guess the Boxall contributors liked the Blaming theme.

[[deleted user]]

1. I have not read anything else and being completely honest I thought this was written by the actress LOL obviously not!

2. I loved Dora I can see myself as a child in her, little goody two shoes, playing the adults and with a mean streak. (Not sure what this says about me) Least favourite probably James he seemed a bit of an ass. Martha certainly and Amy did move on with life not sure she actually changed though.

2. I found it a realistic portrayal of the mundane effects of life after a death.

3. Life after death.

3. Blaming relates to all the ways we blame ourselves for things that are not our fault as well as things that we contributed to. Death leaves behind a lot of guilt and what ifs.

4. Loved the interactions involving Dora and Isobel.

5. I am not sure it was a compact interesting read but other writer have covered the themes so it is not unique.

[Kristel]

1. Have your read anything by the author? What are your expectations if any? This is my second book by the author. I read Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont which I enjoyed though I can't say I remember it.

Other questions:

2. Who was your favorite character and why? Did you have a least Favorite and why? Did the characters change over time? I didn't like any of the characters, they were equally flawed. I liked Dori granddaughter but she seemed too perfect. I could identify with Amy the new widow being a new widow myself and yes, you find a lot to blame yourself. I also have two granddaughters who I enjoy spending time with and find that my daughter is too busy with her own life to have the relationship with me that we used to share. As you grow older life is more lonely and you can feel isolated, there is plenty of opportunity to be bored if you let yourself. I did not like her son but I know that the rolls do change as we age and our children become "the parent". I did not like the American author, she was so intrusive. I could not like her.

2. What was your overall thoughts and feelings about this book? it is a book about aging, death, dying. the Author was dying of cancer while she wrote this book and there is lot of reality in this book.

3. Describe the book in 3 words. Death, blaming, grief

3. What message is the author trying to send? What does the title tell you about the book? there is a lot of life events and as life passes by we can blame ourselves for decisions or lack of actions .

4. What was your favorite quote or event in the book?
“Yes, it’s something extra. And I’ve longed for that. Just something, another word or two, or finding a letter or a message. I couldn’t believe that a line was ruled under what had been, and that there wouldn’t be any more to come.”

"She discovered that something she had missed and needed were day-to-day shared trivialities; sudden thoughts, not important enough for saving, and an untidy trail of events. A relationship like this she had not had in..."

5. Does this book belong on the 1001 lists of books you would want to read before you die? hmm, I liked it, but this wasn't anything that hasn't been covered before. Not sure it needed to be.

[Pip]

1. Have your read anything by the author? What are your expectations if any?
I did not know what to expect because I had never heard of her either

Other questions:

2. Who was your favorite character and why? Did you have a least Favorite and why? Did the characters change over time?

Isobel was my favourite character - Taylor captured the sly wilfulness of a young child so well.
Amy was my least favourite, she was mean spirited and flaccid.
Martha changed the most.

2. What was your overall thoughts and feelings about this book?
I loved it. It was a fun read, perfect holiday fodder.

3. Describe the book in 3 words.
Guilt, death, remorse

3. What message is the author trying to send? What does the title tell you about the book?
The message is that trying to protect oneself from unpleasant emotions is foolhardy.

4. What was your favorite quote or event in the book?
Ernie collaring the doctor, Gareth, to discuss his sore leg.

5. Does this book belong on the 1001 lists of books you would want to read before you die?
No. It is too slight, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t thoroughly enjoy it.

[Valerie]

Squeaking in at the last moment! ha, ha.....

1. Have your read anything by the author? What are your expectations if any?

I have read Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, and enjoyed it very much. I expected this novel to be well written.


2. Who was your favorite character and why? Did you have a least Favorite and why? Did the characters change over time?

Favorite = Ernie
Least Fave = Amy

I don't think the characters changed really, we just gain greater insight as the novel unfolds.

2. What was your overall thoughts and feelings about this book?

I could not really engage with this novel. There are some well done vignettes that I did particularly enjoy, but overall I was never enthused to get back to this book. Luckily, it was short.

3. Describe the book in 3 words.

nuanced (thanks, George!), slow-moving

3. What message is the author trying to send? What does the title tell you about the book?

I suppose, that humans like to assign blame in order to make themselves feel better or justified.

4. What was your favorite quote or event in the book?

I enjoyed the time when Amy went to babysit the girls, and Isobel is a hellion (which was true to herself). I could identify with Amy's reactions and thoughts.

5. Does this book belong on the 1001 lists of books you would want to read before you die?

Of the two Taylor novels I've read, I would chosen Mrs Palfrey to be on the list over this book.