Katherine's Wish by Linda Lappin

A while ago I read Linda Lappin's historical fiction of Jeanne Hébuterne in Loving Modigliani: The Afterlife of Jeanne Hébuterne. I really loved how Linda Lappin makes historical persons come alive. I was happy to receive a copy of an earlier book by Lappin Katherine's Wish, about the life of Katherine Mansfield. 

It is a wonderfully written account on the latter part of Mansfield's life. For many years she was ill with tuberculosis and spent her time, restlessly travelling in Europe to find a climate suitable for her disease. France, Italy and Switzerland where the places where she stayed to escape the damp, English winter. 

Although most of the novel covers Katherine's more intimate relationships, we meet some of the most famous writers of the day. Katherine had a close relationship with D.H. Lawrence and his wife, until Lawrence sends her a shocking letter. Her relationship with Virginia Woolf is also fragile, although they seem to go on well together, and admire each other's writing. 

Two of her closer relationships are covered by this book. That with her lover, and later husband, John Middleton Murry, and, her ever, patient friend from her school days, Ida Baker. Ida loves Katherine above everything else. It is hinted that, during their younger years, they had an intimate relationship. 

"Dear dull, dreamy Ida, with her red nose and dumpy bosom, her chubby calves and puzzled eyes. Once so lovely with blond hair hanging to her waist like a hank of silk. Ida her jailer, her slave, her shame, and yes, Ida, her sole relief. Katherine could hardly bear to look at her at times, overcome by disgust with herself at crushing Ida so completely; disgust, too, at Ida's willing submission."

John Middleton Murry was an author and critic. Katherine seems to have been quite in love with him, although he had other affairs. Intellectually, they were on the same level, however, Murry seems to have prioritised his career over Katherine. Most of the time they lived separate lives, due to Katherine's long stays in Europe. He visited her only occasionally on the Continent. 

Ida Baker worked as an accompanying lady, or, to be totally frank, more like a servant to Katherine. Their relationship is a complicated one. Katherine was totally dependent on the help that Ida provided, but sometimes she just couldn't stand her. Maybe it is the biased world of an ill person; she needed Ida to take care of daily chores, but was frustrated at the same time, not being able to have her independence. 

"No one, not even Murry understood their special friendship. It secretly amused and pleased her that no one seemed to see that Ida's devotion was by no means one-sided. They were lika an old married couple, perfectly matched in their defects and idiosyncrasies, bound fast by habit, but also by a tough affection that nothing could erode. Ida was more than nurse, secretary, wife. In some very peculiar way, Ida was Katherine herself just as she was Ida. That was the miracle. But how would Ida adapt now the time had come for her to turn away?"

In spite of her illness, Katherine Mansfield was very productive during these years. Maybe greatness comes out of misery. She and Ida lived a life on low means. Her father, who was a rich man, gave her a monthly payment, although it was not enough to support her. She struggled with her novels, and also wrote reviews to earn extra money. What is amazing though is, that she still seemed to have a positive view on life. She always thought she could find a cure for her disease. 

"When does a journey really begin, thought Katherine, as the man with the dogs met her eyes, then slid away in the window. It was a little like falling in love or running into debt. The beginning is so subtle you may not notice, then suddenly there you are hurtling into the distance on a train. And there's no turning back until you reach the end of the line, until you have gone all the way through with it, burning your bridges if need be, and leaving everything tidy in case you never make it back."

Neither Katherine Mansfield nor John Middleton Murry come out of this fiction as lovable characters. Katherine's selfish behaviour towards Ida Baker is from time to time appalling. One thing that comes out though is Katherine's love for life. It never wavers, and until the very end, she is hoping for a cure. That is maybe why Linda Lappin choose to end the book, not with the death of Katherine, but with Katherine's Wish.

Linda Lappin has written a highly, interesting historical fiction on the life of Katherine Mansfield. Having just read two of Mansfield's collections of short stories, I am amazed how well Lappin managed to describe Mansfield in her book. It is written in a very similar style to Mansfield's and it makes for great reading. The characters come out very well, the surroundings, the every day chores, a heavy burden on the ill Katherine, make you feel you are there with her. Her meetings with fellow authors at the time, giving a hint on their life style, is interesting and insightful. "To the Woolf's friends - the Bloomsberries, as Lawrence called the, Katherine and Murry were uppstarts, hacks who must make their living by the pen while Virginia and her friends could devote themselves to literary pursuits as an expensive and eccentric hobby."

If you are interested in historical fiction Linda Lappin is an author you should not miss. Having read two of her books, I am impressed by the research that has gone into her storytelling. When reading historical fiction, be it on persons or history, I always try to look up the facts. In this case I am pleased to see how well they are reflected in the novels.