Painting Martha by Andy Thurlow
Amazon KDP/Lamppost Publishing 2024
Paperback, 299 pages
RRP $30
Reviewed by Ian Hauser
Disclaimer: Andy Thurlow and I have been great friends for over 50 years. I had some input into one of his earlier biographies and reviewed another on footyalmanac.com.au several years ago. I knew that he was writing a novel that was obliquely autobiographical but I had no input into it or preview of his work in progress whatsoever. An unsolicited copy arrived by mail last week.
Andy Thurlow has been interested in writing since I first met him in 1970. He dabbled in poetry, the odd bit of prose and even tried his hand at writing songs. But then life and 40 years of teaching got in the way. It has only been in the last several years, after he retired, that the continuing urge to write combined with a new opportunity to allow him to finally ‘put pen to paper’. To date he has published three biographies. This is his first novel. He also has a blog which focuses primarily on his Tanunda-based cycling and coffee group The Sprocket Rockets.
To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect from Andy’s novel but based on my knowledge of him, in the end, it isn’t what I expected (if that makes sense). In his younger days, he tended to write short stories based on his observations of human behaviour. It was not unusual for these to be on the sombre side and they pointed to the lesser aspects of human nature. I particularly remember one set in the lounge bar at the Arkaba Hotel on Glen Osmond Road, Fullarton – but that’s a story in its own right. He now regards some of his other dabbling in student magazines from that era as ‘cringeworthy’.
Consequently, one of the first things that struck me about Painting Martha is its tone. Yes, it’s a raw tale of challenges, difficulties and struggles across several generations of an extended family on both sides of the world. But there’s always a sense of hope, a feeling that resolution is possible through persistence, and a strong undercurrent that love will conquer all in the end.
The principal characters, Viv and Rose, meet as farm workers on the island of Herm in the post-World War Two period. They do not fit your standard gender role stereotypes. Rose is a teenager with soil under her fingernails with a ‘can do’ attitude about all things practical. Viv, several years older, is a gentle man, a thinker, artistic, even somewhat refined. They grow closer before an unexpected pregnancy drives them apart in an era where such situations were a family shame and many illegitimate children were adopted out. Rose and Viv are reunited some time later, they marry and have two more children before they become ‘£10 Poms’ and move to Australia.
But what of the baby Rose was forced to give up? Who adopted her? How did her childhood, adolescence and young adulthood pan out? Is her new family sufficient for her sense of identity or does she want to connect with her birth parents? Painting Martha explores all of these questions, and more, across at least three generations in both the UK and Australia.
Like any good story, this one can be approached at several levels. First of all, there’s the straight story of Viv, Rose and the ever-expanding cast of characters as the generations unfold. At that level, it’s a good yarn in its own right. Then there’s the old nature versus nurture debate, explored here in some detail, about what most influences the lives of adoptees. I particularly enjoyed understanding the lives of the characters as they are influenced by the big events and forces of history and society – World War II, society’s attitude towards illegitimacy, the economic stresses of the 1950s and 60s, the large scale migration to Australia, the shrinking world as technology becomes an increasing force in the way we live, and more. On another level there’s a study of the respective powers of love and faith. In all, there’s something here for everyone.
For those of us who have varying degrees of knowledge about Andy’s own life journey and that of his family, there’s also the fascination of trying to work out what’s autobiographical, what’s obliquely accurate and what’s pure invention. Just don’t ask the author. He’d prefer that you explore the themes of the novel rather than look for ‘gotcha’ moments. And therein lies one of the real strengths of the novel. The author manages to keep any number of pieces of information in play at the same time, challenging his audience to put the pieces of the jigsaw together to reveal the final picture.
From a technical aspect, the language is uncomplicated and very accessible. The continual changes of timeframe, location and characters keep the reader alert while the growing list of characters presents the odd challenge to make sure you have them all in perspective. Those changes also allow the author to make very effective use of ‘hanging questions’ at the end of chapters – you want to (and have to) turn the page to find the answers.
The more I reflect on the book, the more I see its multi-layered narrative, appreciate its depth and admire its overall completeness. Perhaps, in the end, Andy has written a novel of the quality I expected, even if it’s not the way I thought it might emerge.
Full marks also to Andy’s editor/proof-reader/fact checker/layout specialist/encourager and committed pedant Jan Wallent for presenting a flawless, accurate and engaging volume that works from cover to cover.
Painting Martha is available on Amazon in Paperback and Kindle/E-Reader format: https://www.amazon.com.au/Painting-Martha-Andy-Thurlow/dp/1763523101 and also direct from the author via email: [email protected]
Andy Thurlow invites readers to attend the launch of Painting Martha and the relaunch of the updated editions of his earlier biographies Kieran Modra: the Way I See It and A Singular and Outrageous Blessing: The story of Rolph and Margaret Mayer:
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Congratulations, Andy, on the publication of ‘Painting Martha’, the novel we always knew you had in you. In the end, it could only ever be about family, faith and love, the keys to our understanding of life.
I’m looking forward to joining you (and afters!) on September 22 to celebrate its launch.
A very considered and thoughtful review Ian. This looks like a fascinating book. Well done Andy.