Today on the Ramblings, I’m very happy to be taking part in a blog tour for one of the new releases in the British Library Woman Writers series – the book in question is “A Pin to See the Peepshow” by F. Tennyson Jesse and it actually plays a part in my embarking upon my blogging life! You see, back in the early 2010s I rediscovered Virago Modern Classics at the same time as I started reading book blogs. I had been a huge fan in the early years, but bringing up the three Offspring had kind of got in the way of books at times. However, as they flew the nest, I really got back into reading, and the Viragos led me to LibraryThing’s wonderful VMC group. It was here I finally got the impetus to start up my own blog, and nearly 10 years later am still here.
One of the VMCs I read pre-blog was, of course, “Pin…” and it was probably the most important title in drawing me back to the books and exploring much of the back catalogue I’d missed. Since then I believe the book has slipped out of print, despite its high profile in the 1970s particularly (when it was the subject of a BBC adaptation). But I’m giving this personal history here so you’ll understand how happy I am that “Pin” has been reissued by British Library Publishing; I think it’s a wonderful and enormously important book and thoroughly deserves to be widely read, and I’ll try to explain why; although inevitably there is the risk here of me giving away some plot details.
“Pin…”, originally published in 1934, draws its core material from the notorious Thompson/Bywaters case of the 1920s, a case Jesse would no doubt have been familiar with as she covered a number of high-profile trials during her writing career for “Notable British Crimes”. She was so fascinated by the subject that she also wrote a book analysing the motivations behind crimes; so when it came to writing “Pin..” she already had a proven track record in dealing with crime and murder.
Set in the early decades of the 20th century, the book’s protagonist is a young woman, Julia Almond, whose inflated sense of her own worth will lead to tragedy. Born into a dull suburban setting, she dreams of a more passionate, exciting life and her work in a fashionable clothes shop in London’s West End gives her an outlet for her fantasies. Desperate to get away from the stultifying atmosphere at her parents’ home she makes an ill-advised marriage to the older, tragically dull and recently widowed Herbert Starling. However, a chance meeting with the much younger Leonard Carr, whom she knew at school, will eventually lead to an affair, murder and a trial – as well as damning misogynistic judgements about her behaviour and way of life. As anyone who knows the story of the Thompson/Bywaters case will realise, things will not end well for Julia…
The floor of the box was covered with cotton-wool, and a frosting of sugar sprinkled over it. Light came into the box from the red-covered window at the far end, so that a rosy glow as of sunset lay over the sparkling snow. Here and there little brightly-coloured men and women, children and animals of cardboard, conversed or walked about. A cottage, flanked by a couple of fir trees, cut from an advertisement of some pine-derivative cough cure, which Julia saw every day in the newspaper, gave an extraordinary impression of reality and of distance.
It’s a little difficult to say a lot more about the plot without giving away too much, and in fact if you can go into this book knowing little about the case which inspired it I think the effect of reading it would be even stronger. Jesse writes quite brilliantly, for one thing, conjuring her heroine and the setting vividly. Julia is living in a world where things are changing for some and the old social mores are being thrown off; although as she will find, class is still a major issue and what the monied can get away with, she can’t. Trapped desperately in her affair, craving her lover yet afraid to leave her husband because of the security he offers, she has no real way out; in that era, women’s choices and opportunities were very limited. Then Leo takes dramatic action; yet Julia appears to be the one on trial. And here we get to another of the strongest strands of the book.
There is, inevitably, a horrible legal case. And although Julia would today be considered not culpable, she’s judged very much by the morals of the time and those morals have different standards for women, and particularly women of a lower class. Julia does not help herself – in many ways she’s not an especially likeable character, yet despite this, Jesse creates anger and sorrow on her behalf for her eventual fate. Julia Starling is, in the end, realistic in that she is human and fallible – and she certainly doesn’t deserve what happens to her.
“A Pin to see the Peepshow” is a memorable and sometimes chilling work which gets under the skin; and it’s also a brilliantly written and constructed novel, which is compelling reading. Jesse was obviously intent on making several points about society’s expectations of women and the double standards employed, and she makes those points well, though never to the detriment of her narrative which builds to a devastating (but not unexpected) climax. Her method is very much “show” rather than “tell”, which makes the book all the more effective. I was so engrossed in the story that even though I knew what was coming, I was willing the end to be different… By presenting the conclusion in the way that she does, Jesse conveys the reality of the consequences of murder at the time in a way that had me even more convinced than ever that the death penalty is not the solution – particularly in a case where the evidence and attitudes are so tainted…
So as far as I’m concerned, this is an essential re-issue from British Library Publishing in their Women Writer’s series, and a book I think should permanently be in print. As a piece of literature it’s compelling; as a portrait of the social mores of the time and the judgements meted out to women it’s outstanding; and as an argument against the death penalty it’s powerful and unforgettable. If you only ever pick up one book from this excellent series (and that would be your loss, because there are so many treasures!), I would urge you to read “A Pin to See the Peepshow”.
*****
As with all of the British Library Women Writers series, “Pin” comes with excellent supporting material. There is a list of notable events of the 1930s, a short bio of Jesse and a foreword by Lucy Evans, Curator at the Printed Heritage Collections, British Library. The afterword by series consultant Simon Thomas gives an excellent overview of both the original case and its similarities to (or differences from!) “Pin”. Altogether, an essential release!
madamebibilophile
Nov 10, 2021 @ 07:23:15
I have the VMC edition in the TBR and you’ve definitely encouraged me to move it to the top of the pile! It sounds excellent. Showing rather than telling would work so well I think, especially when trying to make serious points about the legal system and social position of women. I’m looking forward to reading it!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 10, 2021 @ 09:25:31
It’s an excellent read and I’m glad you have a copy. Jesse is such a good writer and the book is a really compelling one – it makes its points but never at the expense of the narrative.
Simon T
Nov 10, 2021 @ 07:51:58
Lovely review, Karen! So glad you could revisit this one.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 10, 2021 @ 09:24:03
Thanks Simon! A wonderful choice for a reissue – such a powerful book!
BookerTalk
Nov 10, 2021 @ 07:58:26
This is a blast from the past. I’d forgotten about this book so am delighted to see this make a reappearance. Sounds like I have my Christmas reading material sorted!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 10, 2021 @ 09:23:41
It’s such a good and powerful book, isn’t it? So wonderful it’s back in print and in such a lovely edition too. Definitely would make a wonderful Christmas gift! 😉
A Life in Books
Nov 10, 2021 @ 08:26:43
That’s a heartfelt recommendation! I’d not come across this novel before but will be sure to add it to my list. I read an excellent novel a few years ago on a similar theme, based on a true case in New Zealand in the ’50s concerning a working class boy: Fiona Kidman’s This Mortal Boy. Highly recommand it
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 10, 2021 @ 09:22:52
It’s a book I feel very strongly about, and although the denouement is not graphic, it builds up to be incredibly powerful. A great book. And thank you for the recommendation – I will keep an eye out for that!
JacquiWine
Nov 10, 2021 @ 11:11:28
Just skimming your review for now, Karen, until I read the novel itself. That said, it’s terrific to see it back in print at long last! I recall a number of trusted readers (yourself included) raving about this book in the past, and I’ve been keeping an eye out for a green Virago edition in the charity shops for several years without success. How wonderful that the BL have been able to secure its publication as part of their WW series as it seems such a natural fit!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 10, 2021 @ 12:12:40
It’s such a great novel, Jacqui, and I do hope you enjoy it! The BLWW series is such a good one, and so varied – wonderful to see all these women writers coming back into print, and most deserved – particularly in the case of this one! 😀
Margot Kinberg
Nov 10, 2021 @ 11:59:43
I love it that the BL and other publishers are making books like this available for a new audience, and for revisits. And it’s really interesting that it’s based on (inspired by) a real case. Books like that can be compelling and I’m glad you enjoyed your ‘reunion!’
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 10, 2021 @ 12:11:48
I do too, Margot – some wonderful books are coming back into print which I never would have read otherwise, which is a real joy. This is a particularly good one in my view, and the original case is fascinating too. It was lovely to go back to this book!
ellenandjim
Nov 10, 2021 @ 12:28:49
So this is how you got started. And now you have a whole new or altered life and public identity. Very interesting and cheering too — I got “started” on a small Trollope list on majordomo, no longer extant.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 10, 2021 @ 13:39:00
Ah well, we all have to start somewhere, don’t we! And I sitll love being a part of the LT Virago group – it’s a very friendly place to be! 😀
Jane
Nov 10, 2021 @ 16:43:41
I love your bit of reading history! This does sound fantastic and I will definitely read.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 10, 2021 @ 19:46:45
It’s a really good addition to the BL list – was always one of my favourite Viragos, so I’m glad to see it back in print!
Liz Dexter
Nov 10, 2021 @ 16:51:35
A great review and I loved reading about how the Ramblings came about! I hadn’t realised it had only been since I’ve known you via LibraryThing!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 10, 2021 @ 19:46:18
Thanks Liz! Yes, I started Rambling mid-2012, halfway through our Elizabeth Taylor readalong – I was so enjoying other people’s blogs and thought I would have a go myself!!
Helen
Nov 10, 2021 @ 19:35:13
This sounds great! It was recommended to me a few years ago when I read The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters, which is loosely based on the same case. I’m glad it’s back in print.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 10, 2021 @ 19:44:33
It’s really good – compelling reading and brilliantly done. Definitely deserved to be republished!!
heavenali
Nov 10, 2021 @ 21:05:05
I read the Virago edition of this, and loved it. It is one I am sure I will reread one day. I loved the slow build up, allowing the reader to get to know the characters and the world they live in. So good to see this reissued.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 11, 2021 @ 10:32:09
Yes, you’re absolutely right – she doesn’t rush the story but builds up wonderfully to the climax of the book. So glad it’s been reissued!
Julé Cunningham
Nov 11, 2021 @ 00:39:25
Love the backstory here and your passionate advocacy of the book! I’ve seen more than a few people on SM clamoring for it to be brought back into print so kudos to the BL for making it happen.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 11, 2021 @ 10:31:20
Indeed – it’s a marvellous choice by the BL and one of those books I’d love to push into people’s hands! 😀
cirtnecce
Nov 11, 2021 @ 07:26:17
What an excellent review! And from your blog I completely agree that bringing this in print especially to shed light on the moral codes ( which while changing have a long way to go vis a vis women ) & death penalty!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 11, 2021 @ 10:30:41
Thank you! It’s a book that still has relevance because of course media and moral attitudes to women still are problematic…
Calmgrove
Nov 11, 2021 @ 20:04:58
Thanks for another push to investigate the BL series, a copy from which I’ve yet to spot in the local bookshop though they have many of the crime reissues.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 11, 2021 @ 20:08:04
I hope the women writers turn up in your local shop – there’s a really interesting range of stories featured and very worth your time!
Emma
Nov 14, 2021 @ 20:28:52
Sounds like a very compelling read.
Somehow, it reminds me of Madame Bovary.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 15, 2021 @ 09:49:54
Yes, there are definitely elements of Bovary. It’s a wonderful book!
buriedinprint
Nov 21, 2021 @ 19:44:59
Pin was an early read in the VMC series for me, too: I just loved it. Hopefully even more readers re-discover it now.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 22, 2021 @ 09:45:05
Yes, a wonderful, wonderful book – very powerful. I do hope it gets the wider audience it deserves!!
Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead
Nov 22, 2021 @ 01:17:30
Wonderful review as always! I’m totally unfamiliar with both the book and the author, both of which sound fascinating. I love the BL series of women writers (I have several of the books) and this one just got added to my list. Thanks!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 22, 2021 @ 09:42:03
Thank you! Jesse is a fascinating writer, and this book is just wonderful. The BL Women Writers is an excellent series, and I’m so glad they included this one!
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