Translated from the German by Sinéad Crowe
Daughters is the fourth novel by Lucy Fricke, published in the UK by V&Q books. Passed on to me by a friend with whom I often share books of fiction in translation. Although I read this at the end of October it was with the intention of reviewing it for German lit month which is hosted again by Lizzy at Lizzy’s Literary Life and Caroline at Beauty is a Sleeping Cat.
This is a novel that tells the story of two women, one nearing forty, the other just over forty. Together they set off on a mad-cap road trip across Europe, a delightful evocation of friendship, and exploration of death and family.
Betty and Martha have been friends for years, Betty is unmarried, Martha married and undergoing IVF treatment for the child she is desperate to have before it is too late. Our narrator Betty has been struggling with her mental health for a few years, and regularly takes anti-depressants that she has been warned not to stop taking suddenly. As we meet her she is in Rome, intending to make her way to the grave of a man who was a sort of father to her years before. However, her mission is interrupted when she receives a call from her friend Martha that sends her hurrying back to Germany – recognising her friend is having a crisis.
Both women have had difficult fathers along the way. Betty had a couple of terrible fathers/father figures in her life, the one good one, she still remembers with great fondness the man her friend Martha refers to as The Trombonist. He was a man who lived with Betty’s mother when she was a child, a man who showed her great kindness. It is many years since he disappeared from Betty’s life, and about a decade since she heard that he was dead. Martha’s father is still alive – just about – Kurt – who for the first thirty years of Martha’s life had barely been around, especially not when he was needed. Now, old, sick, and widowed Kurt is back in regular touch with Martha. A few years into a cancer diagnosis he has floored Martha with his latest request – resulting in a crisis call to her best friend. Kurt wants Martha to drive him to Switzerland – where he has announced that he has an appointment – an appointment to die.
“Even if everything was exactly the way Martha had described it, I couldn’t picture it. How did you drive someone to the place where they would die? What were you supposed to talk about on the way? What were you supposed to eat? Was he even able to eat? Was it okay to listen to music? To enjoy the scenery? What the hell was it okay to do during someone’s final days and hours?”
Only following an accident – in which both women were involved, Martha can’t face driving any more, so she asks Betty to drive them all to Switzerland, it’s hard to refuse a father’s last request. So, with Betty driving Kurt’s old car, the three set off for Switzerland. Only, it seems that Kurt hasn’t been entirely transparent about his plans for this trip – and is soon directing them on a little detour through Italy, where he plans to look up an old flame – a woman he never really got over. Once in Italy, Betty is reminded of her original quest to find the grave of The Trombonist – who Betty remembers with such fondness, recalling him as she saw him then, with the eyes and mind of a child.
“… a gambling-addicted Italian, a devastatingly handsome macho, he’s put me on his shoulders and carried me through the good half of my childhood. I’d loved him to distraction.”
Both women are searching for their missing fathers – though in clearly different ways, they both have things to come to terms with about these difficult men. Betty is a lively, engaging narrator – her slightly sardonic narration making this a novel that beautifully balances humour and pathos.
As they leave Kurt in Italy with his old girlfriend – the two friends set off again – only Betty hadn’t planned on being away quite so long and has no more of her anti-depressant medication with her. As she starts to withdraw from her medication, Betty’s behaviour starts to become a little erratic. In the small town where The Trombonist is buried – Betty is surprised by the reaction she receives to his name – which sets her off on yet another journey – this time to Greece.
“That afternoon, we were stranded somewhere between partings and passings, between memories and fresh hope. It was time to go our separate ways now. I’d go to an island, and Martha would spend her last few days with Kurt the way they deserved to, true to their ideas of happiness and belonging. I was sure I saw something lighting up within her, a faith she had abandoned long ago but at that moment was almost palpable: a fleeting trust that everything does have meaning after all.”
This is definitely the kind of translated fiction I love, a bit quirky, written with feeling and humour, while exploring those things that at the end of the day matter to us all. I loved the friendship depicted here and Kurt was a brilliantly drawn character too. This novel was an absolute winner for German lit month – and has reminded me I should look out for more from the V&Q list.
I read this in German a few years ago and was hoping it would get translated into English. If you like thid, you would probably like the work of Lavinia Braniste who paints such an accurate and humorous portrait of contemporary Romanian life, especially for women. I’m trying and trying to find a publisher interested in that.
I would definitely be interested in Lavinia Braniste if a publisher is found.
Great post! Seems like an interesting read!
It was, thanks.
A female road trip novel, this sounds interesting, being in a vehicle in life and literature opens the way for more meaningful and reflective encounters, there’s no escape and plenty of time.
Yes, people being forced together in a small space over a long period is definitely what makes a road trip novel so appealing.
I enjoyed this one very much when I read it last year. That sardonic tone is so well done and I liked the way it became more sober as both women face their difficulties.
Yes, the sardonic tone was perfect. There are plenty of serious aspects too though, it’s a good balance.
Thanks for the review, Ali. I read this when it came out but was expecting something different so was a bit disappointed.
A clear case of wrong expectations as it’s such an amusing book and should speak to so many of us.
Oh that’s happened to me too sometimes, it’s always disappointing.
Thanks for this Ali, have put it on my list – I really like the sound of this.
I hope you enjoy it.
This sounds like an excellent read, so quirky and with the women firmly in control of the narrative, except when it’s derailed geographically!
Yes, it’s good to have the women at the centre of a road trip novel.
It sounds like a very well-crafted story, probably a bit too quirky for me if I’m being honest, but the characters seem believable and well drawn. It’s also interesting to hear that this is Fricke’s fourth novel as I don’t think I’ve come across her before. Is it the first to be translated into English or are some of her others also available?
It might not be for everyone, I can see that. As far as I can see it’s the only one of her novels available in English at the moment.
Sounds brilliant Ali – I read two of the first thre VQ books but not this, and they were very different, very intersting and very quirky. Glad this one is like that too!
Yes, I have read two others from their list and have been impressed. I should look out for more.
Ooo, this really appeals with the long friendship between the two women, a road trip, and things going somewhat off-piste.
Yes it’s so good, I highly recommend it. The friendship and their mad cap escapades were so well done.
I really like a friendship story and this is so appealing – the humour and the long friendship between the two women sound so well observed.
Yes, the friendship is well portrayed, and I really enjoyed that sardonic humour too.
It must be so handy to have a reading friend with whom to swap translated fiction. Especially as so many of them are slim volumes (presumably due to costs?) that it sometimes feels like you’re done reading too quickly…so it would be nice to know that a second reader could also enjoy it!
Yes, always good to have people to swap books with. And, yes translation editions are sometimes small and sometimes not cheap.
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