The Solitary House: Book summary and reviews of The Solitary House by Lynn Shepherd

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JudithG

Better still read the original
Charles Maddox is a uniquely gifted young man who is struggling to establish himself as a private detective in a Dickensian London. It is not a setting in an 1850’s London similar to one that Dickens created. It is the London setting that Dickens depicted in his great novel Bleak House. Charles Maddox has been contacted by the infamous Chancery lawyer, Mr. Tulkinghorn. Possessing a photographic memory and a strong sense of justice (much like Sherlock Holmes), Charles is dangerously entrapped in the Tulkinghorn’s evil intrigues.

In direct imitation of Bleak House the book is told through two voices. The story of Charles Maddox’s investigation is told in the voice of an omniscient narrator who occasionally injects an all-knowing and condescending 21st century commentary (reminiscent of Faber’s Crimson Petal and the White.) The second story line is told in first person diary entries by a character named Hester. Throughout both of these narratives it becomes apparent that the characters and events of the Dickens’ novel are proceeding simultaneously. In addition to Mr. Tulkinghorn’s role as Charles Maddox’s employer, other Bleak House characters make cameo appearances and occasionally play key roles. One final plot twist borrows characters and content from Wilke Collins’ Woman in White.

I am usually a fan of books, plays or movies which draw their inspiration from earlier works. I love to look at the intellectual process that transforms ideas into new images that can provide a different perspective. That is what I’d hoped to find in this novel. I can’t fault Ms Shepard’s knowledge of 19th century literature. As the omniscient narrator she makes sure the reader is aware of her research:

“It is as if a switch has been flicked – an analogy which is at least thirty years away, incidentally, though the snap of a magic lantern will do almost as well”

“(Charles)…….betakes himself to the nearest suitable establishment, a Victorian version of fast food known by the wonderfully descriptive name of a slap-bang – you slap down the money, and they bang down the food.”

I have to admit that the intertwining plot lines are very clever and excepting the 21st century side commentary, the atmosphere of the period is maintained. However, Ms Shepard claims that Solitary House is meant as homage to Dickens. I cannot help remembering how appalled Dickens was by unauthorized versions of his works and how hard he fought for copy rights. For me, Solitary House did not work as pastiche, or farce or as reinvention. It simply felt too much like plagiarism.