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Arne Schellenberg

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The Prussian Captain

by Ann Brough

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Reading for the 2nd time

read in September 2017

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Arne Schellenberg said:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

" A Reader’s Review

Ann Brough, The Prussian Captain.

The Prussian Captain

The title is a ruse. The ‘captain’ is a toy - a boy’s toy that belongs to one of the characters of the book, Edward. Edward was born to privilege; the toy captain was Edward’s con A Reader’s Review

Ann Brough, The Prussian Captain.

The Prussian Captain

The title is a ruse. The ‘captain’ is a toy - a boy’s toy that belongs to one of the characters of the book, Edward. Edward was born to privilege; the toy captain was Edward’s constant companion through childhood right into his senior years.

The book explores the lives of three characters in early twentieth century England. Besides Edward, there’s mother Emma and her daughter Gertrude. There’s the tryst - Gertrude and Edward, and they eventually have a daughter Dorothy in 1921.

Edward was born rich. He meandered between England and California via New York, but fulfillment eluded him - he wants love - and for him Dorothy was born to fill that cup. It was not to be; Dorothy was usurped by Emma. Emma is Gertrude’s mom, She’s poor but wears the cloak of poverty with of style and purpose. She never lets on. She’s crusty. Gertrude is her eldest. Gertrude vows she will not succumb to the crush of poverty. Dorothy is still a child when the story ends.

The characters are compelling. Each lives in her or his own bubble but share a common territory. Bubbles collide and burst as life finds its path. There is energy. But in the end, the three characters remain standing, still yearning - one for love, one for a bit more money and the other for adventure. One wonders whether it will be Dorothy that pays a price.

The book has more than 300 pages. Its very attractive. The print is large. There’s energy. Some readers will enjoy the flowery sentences more than others. Many of the sentences are overloaded with excessive baggage. There is graphic intimacy and some of it seems included for its own sake and doesn’t really advance the storyline. At times the sentences seem to slow to a trickle. All in all, the story bristles. I think I’ll read it again.

This story reaches across the divide of early 20th century England. On one end are the privileged haves; on the other are the have-nots. It feels authentic because it is authentic. It grabs. It emerged from the memory of a person who lived it and her daughter who had the vision to tell it.

Arne & Jessie Schellenberg

ps The ‘captain’ lies low for most of the story - in the end Edward leaves him with Dorothy - its their secret to keep. ...more "

Sep 10, 2017 06:51PM · see review