11 March 2011
Mr. Timothy
is the book I finished most recently. Bought for me by my husband, as a gift, its subject matter and plot are not really within my usual realms of interest. It’s really quite the thriller—a murder mystery, edge of your seat sort of story. I rarely choose to read (or watch movies, for that matter) about violence that occurs in a fictional setting. Some fantasies, like JRR Tolkein’s works are notable exceptions, but for the most part, if it’s not history … stories that are factual, not fictional … I don’t want the violence in my life. I prefer to read about people, places, things and ideas, that I can learn from in some way. But, Kyle had his reasons for thinking I might enjoy this one.
Author Louis Bayardhas painstakingly brought to life Victorian London—and not just that. He’s done it in the style of Charles Dickens and he has given us Dickens’ own Tiny Tim as his main character. As the title implies, the beloved child from A Christmas Carol, Tim, is now all grown up. And, as imagination would have it, he carries the baggage of a child born into poverty and suddenly thrust into the middle class, in a world and a time when who you were was all about your “station.” In the course of this creative novel, Timothy explores the resentment he feels toward a father who loved him too much and has just died and an “uncle” who loved him for reasons he never understood and of which he now wishes to be free. He walks the streets of Dickens’ London— a picture painted for the reader as clearly as if written by Dickens himself. He meets along the way, colorful characters who could easily have walked off the pages of Oliver Twist or even the largely autobiographical David Copperfield. And, in the process, he evolves from a self-absorbed, angry young man into one who willingly risks his own life for those of others. He doesn’t start out as much of a hero, but by the end of the book, he certainly becomes one.
My reaction after my first bedtime reading session with Mr. Timothy, was that although it was interesting, I did not know if I’d stick with it, or not! I love Charles Dickens—he’s among my favourite authors. But, it’s been quite some time since I read any of his works, and reading his style, complete with rambling sentences and gritty settings, seemed so odd when I knew it wasn’t his own. Louis Bayard has truly channeled Dickens. And, frankly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to work that hard!
But, a second night of reading soon made me realize how rich and well-rounded was the world being created for me in these pages. And, not just the places, but the people! I’ve been reading things lately, that have been strong on the story-telling, but not so deep in the characterizations. Here, in the style of what is arguably Dickens’ greatest strength—fully-developed characters compelling the reader onward—Bayard has created characters so complex and so engaging that instead of giving up on this book, I now found myself fighting to put it down and get enough sleep! Add to that, the occasional nods to Dickens’ own places in the recycling of place names and locations from various of his books, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
Although the pages sometimes presented me with descriptions and therefore visualizations of horrible events, and the genre of mystery/thriller is not my first choice, I found myself so caught up and drawn into the story and the lives of these characters, that I rushed to finish this book, and learn what would become of them. My final night of reading lasted far longer than intended, because I simply couldn’t stop reading before I reached the end.
I believe that if handed a copy of Mr. Timothy, Dickens himself, would be honoured and proud, and completely swept up in this world of fog and intrigue and plot twists.
The book is published with wonderful addenda including an interview with the author, some facts about Dickens and A Christmas Carol, and a brief study guide.
Louis Bayard has apparently already begun his next novel—the Pale Blue Eye, where Edgar Allen Poe will be our main character and mystery solver. I can hardly wait!
First sentence: Not so tiny any more, that’s a fact.
~MB
Actually, The Pale Blue Eye is finished, published, and excellent. I read it a couple Springs ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I will now look up this book after reading your excellent review.
Good to know, Kelly! Thank you. In fact, Kyle has already ordered us a copy, due to your comment.