Some books don’t need 500 pages in which to deliver a powerful punch. This 1922 novel could easily have been stretched to a much longer length, yet it is far stronger for being short. This novel about female self-sacrifice is sadly ironic, and unforgettable.
At 183 pages of fairly large type – this novel could be read in just one sitting – though I read it in two. Harriet Frean is the only child of Victorian parents, whose main concern when growing up is to make sure that she behaves herself beautifully.
“Ugly. Being naughty was just that. Doing ugly things. Being good was being beautiful like Mamma. She wanted to be like her mother. Sitting up there and being good felt delicious.”
As Harriet grows up she is often thrown into company with girls who are supposed to be her friends, but whom Harriet doesn’t really care for. When away at school Harriet meets Priscilla who becomes Harriet’s best friend, and swears to never marry but dedicate herself to Harriet. When later Priscilla does become engaged – she sends her fiancée to visit the Frean’s –and Robin falls in love with Harriet. Harriet sacrifices herself – sending Robin back to Priscilla – and continues to behave beautifully.
“There is a standard.” Harriet lifted her obstinate and arrogant chin. “You forget that I’m Hilton Frean’s daughter.”
“And I’m William Pierce’s, but that hasn’t prevented me being myself.”
Lizzie’s mind had grown keener in her sharp middle age. As it played about her, Harriet cowered; it was like being exposed, naked, to a cutting wind. Her mind played back to her father and mother, longing, like a child, for their shelter and support, for the blessed assurance of herself.”
Idolising her parents Harriet isolates herself from the world, seeing just a few of the same dull people she has always seen and only wishing to do what will please her parents. Harriet’s actions – towards Robin, and in other decisions she later makes – have unforeseen consequences. The Life and Death of Harriet Frean satirises the upper middle classes, and their way of life. Harriet is so busy behaving beautifully and congratulating herself on it that she totally fails to see the destructive nature of her decisions and the devastating effect they have on both herself and others.
I actually really enjoyed this strange little novel which was sent to me some months ago by Belva from the Librarything Virago group.
heavenali 
My Middle Child says she read this in the launderette and cried, so it must be quite affecting! Sounds like an excellent read.
Well it didn’t make me want to sob – but I may have been affected differently as a younger person – it might seem all a bit hopeless to the young.
I know I have read this, because I have it, but I don’t remember anything about it. Might have to dig it out …
yes do, it’s a good quick read.
As a spinster myself, I found it such a miserable book! 🙂 So rare for a spinster to end up happy – unless they become a witch like Lolly Willowes!
But a great read nevertheless.
As a spinster *shudder* – hate that word – myself – I know what you mean, it is sort of miserable – but I still really liked it.
It was ages ago that I read this but it left quite an impression. I could never quite pin it down.
This comment is not about this book, but I wanted to thank you again for the copy of Some Tame Gazelle that arrived today and the bookmark that is almost as precious to me. Thanks again!
So glad the book arrived safely, and glad you liked the bookmark : )
[…] wrote widely, both fiction and non-fiction – though the majority of her work is out of print now. The Life and Death of Harriet Frean is possibly her best-known work, and along with this novel the easiest to find. Though I believe […]
[…] Heavenali’s review of The Life and Death of Harriett Frean from 2013 can be read here. […]