Stephanie Jane reviewed Change of Time by Martin Aitken
A lovely, thoughtful historical novella
4 stars
Another wonderful find from Archipelago Books who have made themselves easily one of my favourite publishers over the past few years. I can be confident when I spot one of their distinctively styled book covers that the enclosed work will be worth a look and A Change Of Time is no exception. This novella is an insightful portrayal of one woman's quiet life, lived in the shadow and to the expectations of her overbearing husband. This isn't a story of an abusive marriage, but there were several moments where I was shocked by how things have changed since the time this book was set - to outside observers at least. Fru Bagge is so subsumed by Vigand Bagge's requirements that she almost seems to lose her own identity. I don't think I even learned her first name until practically the last page of the story. She isn't a weak waif …
Another wonderful find from Archipelago Books who have made themselves easily one of my favourite publishers over the past few years. I can be confident when I spot one of their distinctively styled book covers that the enclosed work will be worth a look and A Change Of Time is no exception. This novella is an insightful portrayal of one woman's quiet life, lived in the shadow and to the expectations of her overbearing husband. This isn't a story of an abusive marriage, but there were several moments where I was shocked by how things have changed since the time this book was set - to outside observers at least. Fru Bagge is so subsumed by Vigand Bagge's requirements that she almost seems to lose her own identity. I don't think I even learned her first name until practically the last page of the story. She isn't a weak waif though. This is an educated woman, a capable schoolteacher who ran her own village school before her marriage, but who, over the years, then became unable to independently choose her own clothes.
As we meet Fru Bagge, we learn that Vigand is terminally ill in hospital. Fru Bagge will soon be reliant entirely on herself again with even her home at risk because it is tied to the doctor's job, not to the Bagges specifically, and a new man will take up the role. A Change Of Time can almost be a coming-of-age novella, even considering Fru Bagge's advanced years. She has a chance, finally, to strike out alone and make her own decisions again. What is uncertain though is whether losing Vigand will allow her to bloom or whether she will no longer be able to cope without his guidance. Jessen has written her characters beautifully so I could feel completely involved with this story. The rights and wrongs are ambiguous so I didn't just sympathise with Fru Bagge and feel angry at Vigand, but could understand why both behaved as they did and how that fitted into rural Danish society of a hundred or so years ago. I believe Jessen has a personal connection with the village of Thyregod and she authentically depicts this place and its community. A Change Of Time is a lovely, thoughtful historical novella.