During July, the Librarything Virago group have selected to read books by Rumer Godden. I have enjoyed quite a number of her novels in the past but had not yet managed to read one of her best-known works – Black Narcissus. This was Rumer Godden’s third novel for adults, and the first of several which were adapted for film. The film Black Narcissus was released in 1947 in Technicolor, which not all films were in those days. It starred Deborah Kerr and Jean Simmons and was directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. The film was a hit and won a coveted Academy Award for its cinematography. I remember seeing the film years ago, although I can’t say I remembered much about the story other than it involved a dramatic tale of nuns on a mountain in India.
The novel opens as Sister Clodagh prepares to leave her religious community in Darjeeling for Mopu in the Himalayan mountains to the north. Here Sister Clodagh will take on the role of Sister Superior to a small group of nuns who will be helping to set up a convent school community in an abandoned palace. The palace was once known as ‘the House of Women’ built for a harem of the General who leased the land from the British rulers. Now the General’s son, another General has given the palace to the Sisters of Mary – believing a school and hospital just what the poor local people need. Before they leave, Mother Dorothea lets Sister Clodagh know that she has some reservations about Clodagh’s readiness for this responsibility. Clodagh is certain she is ready for the challenge, and leads her fellow sisters; Sister Ruth, Sister Briony, Sister Honey and Sister Philippa – confidently towards a new adventure.
The group of sisters begin the long trek up the hills to their new home, a palace wreathed in scandal, set against a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. Mopu is home to tea growers, snow-capped mountain peaks and the glorious flora and fauna one associates with India. As always Rumer Godden portrays the landscape and people of India, beautifully and with obvious affection.
“It was strange how little you noticed the valley or the River where the green snow water streaked the jelly whiteness of the stream. You noticed the gulf where the birds flew level with the lawn; across it was the forest rising to bare and bony ridges, and behind them and above them, the Himalayan snows where the ice wind blew.
Sometimes they were like turrets of icing sugar, pretty and harmless; on some days they seemed as if they might come crashing down on a hill. On others they were hidden behind drifts of cloud and a spray floated from one to another; but however they looked, there was always the wind to remind you of what they were. The wind was always the same.”
The sisters have a lot of work to do to make the old palace ready to use as a school and dispensary, and they set to work as soon as they arrive. An elderly Chinese woman Angu Ayah has had caretaking responsibilities at the palace and she stays on to help the sisters in their duties. One of the first people the sisters meet is local British agent Mr Dean – who they have been told will be on hand to help the sisters should they need it. Mr Dean is an informally dressed whisky drinker who rather shocks the sisters with his relaxed laid-back attitude and teasing humour. Mr Dean exudes a strength the nuns will have need of in the months ahead, and later, as they come to know him better they discover in him an ability to great sympathy and understanding.
The General’s nephew and heir, the young General Dilip Rai comes to the sisters to learn French, and a beautiful young girl Kanchi – who the locals have gossiped about wildly – has been placed with the sisters at the request of her uncle. Kanchi is soon surreptitiously keeping a close eye on the handsome young General – who, himself has an unusual effect on Sister Clodagh. Something in the character of the young General reminds her of her ill-fated romance with a neighbouring boy; Con – back in Ireland before she took holy orders.
“As he walked he kicked the stones away from him and slashed at the bushes; he looked pretty and naughty as a child, though he was nearly a full man; tall and beautifully built, not like a hill man but like a young Rajpit.
He slashed with his cane at the bushes, and she was suddenly back, walking down the Wishing Lane at home with Con; the green damp lane that led from the House gates past Skinners Farm to the lake, and Con was slashing at the hedge to show his temper.”
Mr Dean’s promise that the sisters will fail in their mission look set to come true as the nuns show time and again a lack of understanding for the people they are living among. The people have their own traditions and long held superstitions – and these are soon at odds with the inflexible attitudes of the sisters. Other troubles, passions and little jealousies play a part in causing the community difficulties as one of the sisters starts to show signs of mental illness. The magical landscape seems to beguile each of the sisters – distracting them from their purpose and allowing them, at times, to dream. Throughout the novel there is an air of forbidden passions rising to the surface, which Godden explores with wonderful subtlety.
Despite the drama and tragedy towards the end, the novel is much quieter than the film, which I remember as being quite melodramatic.
I am hoping to squeeze one more Rumer Godden novel into July as I do have two others waiting and Black Narcissus has served as a timely reminder to what a good writer she was.
I only know this author through the Powell and Pressburger film of BN which, as you quite rightly say, was a critical success (it still pops up on Film4 every now and again). It sounds like the novel provided them with some great source material. Lovely quotes too, especially that first passage about the landscape – there’s a hint of darkness which fits with my recollection of the story.
Yes I would like to see the film again now so shall look out for it. Definitely a hint of darkness which is exploited in the film.
I have had this sitting on the TBR for some time. The dramatic darkness of the film, not quiet, made a strong impression!
Yes I think the drama is more subtle in the book.
I love the book and the film; and I shall always remember seeing Rumer Godden’s name on the credits and being reminded that she wrote for adults as well as children, long before Virago started reissuing her work.
So glad they did, I have come to so enjoy her novels.
I loved this one and thoroughly recommend re-watching the film while it’s still fresh in your mind. The directors made a couple of changes but largely stuck pretty faithfully to the book, and I think they do a wonderful job of creating the setting just as I imagined it when reading. I do think the film is rather more melodramatic though.
Yes, my memory of the film is of it being more melodramatic, but I think films made then were.
Isn’t it funny what memory captures? Nuns plus mountain plus India. And, yet, obviously there are so many layers beyond these elements. She has quite a hypnotic style. I read The Greengage Summer, which I believe is one you quite enjoyed as well. Charming and strange (with its turn)!
Oh yes I really enjoyed The Greengage Summer – she writes children and teenagers so well, really understanding the way they think.
Lovely review Ali. I have managed a Godden this month, though not this one, and I do think her writing is lovely.
Thank you. Yes I have been reminded how much I enjoy her writing. Hoping I can fit another Rumer Godden novel into July.
I also remember that film as being quite dark and heavy with repressed passion.
The book is subtler than I remember the film being. I’m sure films made in 1947 were generally more melodramatic than films are now.
I’ve been meaning to read this for ages. I loved Rumer Godden’s stories as a child and while I’ve collected quite a few of her adult novels I’ve yet to read one – possibly worried that the magic won’t be the same. However, this is on my 20 books of summer list, and you’ve tempted me with your review!
I can really recommend her adult novels, I have read quite a few. The novels set in India do capture the places and I especially love those featuring child characters.
I’ve not read anything by Godden but her children’s Christmas story The Story of Holly and Ivy. This one sounds most intriguing. I loved the description of the mountains that you shared. What a lovely review.
Thank you. I hope you explore some of Godden’s novels for adults she is a very good writer.
I’ve seen the film a few times as I adore Deborah Kerr, but I’m yet to read the book. It sounds excellent, and will be interesting to read as a less dramatic telling of the story!
Yes I much preferred the quieter telling of the story, though I would like to Watch the film again.
I imagined this was more melodramatic and didn’t fancy it – certainly one that I would read. I haven’t done any Godden this month because my TBR got out of control!
I know all about out of control tbrs. 🤣
I love nun books and enjoyed your review! In This House of Brede was one of my favorites, but somehow I put off first novels. I still have a few Goddens unread and perhaps I’ll feel nunny again soon.
I have heard a lot of good things about In this House of Brede, so I shall have to look out for that.
Lovely review, as always, Ali! I am currently reading this book, also for the LibraryThing Group. So far, I find it so intriguing… 🙂
Excellent, I hope you enjoy it. I’m about to start another Rumer Godden novel, The Battle of the Villa Fiorita.
[…] Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden has been on my shelves for a long time, I think I bought it as soon as the new Virago editions came out. The LT virago group’s author of the month for July, Rumer Godden was a prolific writer – a good storyteller – this, one of her earliest novels, telling the story of a group of nuns in the Himalayas was made into a film in 1947. […]