Life Is What Made You (Press, 20 August 1988)
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Summary: Life Is What Made You (Press, 20 August 1988)
In her debut novel "Concertina," N. J. Fitzgerald introduces a complex and experimental narrative structure that spans three generations of women who face the inevitability of cancer in their lives. The story primarily focuses on Coriola, the third-generation narrator, who is in her early 40s and navigates a tumultuous emotional landscape. Coriola's life is marked by significant relationships, particularly her love for and pregnancy with the son of the psychiatrist who helped her overcome anorexia in her early 20s. This relationship becomes pivotal as Coriola grapples with her emotional and sexual identity. Her past as a strip-tease "artiste" is portrayed as a form of detached self-expression, allowing her to confront her feelings regarding her own body and sexuality. A previous lesbian affair with her riding mistress further complicates her understanding of herself, leaving her in a state of confusion regarding her sexual orientation. As the narrative unfolds, and at the age of 75, Coriola begins to reflect on her life, yearning to make sense of the various experiences and emotions that have shaped her. The concept of a "concertina" serves as a metaphor throughout the novel, symbolising the unfolding layers of her life story. In this final phase, she experiences a moment of connection with her child, who visits her ex-priest husband in an old people's home, suggesting themes of reconciliation and the cyclical nature of life. However, the novel's attempt to explore these deep emotional and familial tensions sometimes leads to an overindulgent complexity, making it feel more like an experimental exercise than a definitive resolution. The narrative dances with various themes including love, identity, familial relationships, and the interplay of past traumas, leaving readers with a rich tapestry of experiences rather than concrete answers. Ralf Unger’s commentary indicates that while the novel captures a range of intriguing elements, it ultimately leans towards self-consciousness, which may detract from its overall effectiveness. "Concertina" invites readers into a layered exploration of life, filled with nuanced characters and their struggles, but risks becoming overly intricate in its thematic aspirations.
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