Book 23: The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones
Book 23: The Uninvited Guests.
Author: Sadie Jones, 2012.
Genre: Period Fiction. Comedy of Manners. Ghost Story.
Other Details: ebook. 272 pages.
It is the eve of Emerald Torrington’s twentieth birthday and the family has assembled at Sterne, the once grand, now crumbling, family seat. The cake is iced, the wine decanted, the house gleams invitingly. But before the first dish can be served, a mysterious group of strangers arrives at the door. Victims of a local train accident they are seeking shelter at the house. The Torringtons welcome them in but there is something unsettling about the group and, as night falls and a storm rages outside, the family begins to wonder if something more malevolent than stranded travellers is in their home... - synopsis from UK publisher's website.
To my surprise I rather loved this novel. It reminded me in style and atmosphere of Nancy Mitford's sparklingly witty novels with a touch of Noel Coward. The novel's Epigraph from Lord Byron's Don Juan sets the stage for the events that follow. It reads: "Their table was a board to tempt even ghosts To pass the Styx for more substantial feasts." While a ghost story, it is a very unusual one in terms of execution. I found it an intelligent, multi-layered tale.
As a comedy-of-manners there are various relationships that are challenged by events. a touch of romance, and a very funny situation with the youngest daughter of the household and her 'Grand Undertaking'. There are also darker elements such as the metaphoric ghosts of the past that threaten the present, a financial crises and a sinister party game that gets out of hand. Added to this is the bewildered group of train passengers waiting to be collected by the Railway. There are also themes of redemption and class differences in the early years of the twentieth century, The actual date is not stated in the text though various sources identities the setting as April 1912.
This was a reading group selection and members had a mixed response. The ghostly aspect did not sit well with some members though those of us that did enjoy the novel were comfortable with this element. Quite a detailed discussion about the novel and its themes followed though whether it changed anyone's opinion wasn't clear. As one member said it seemed to be a Marmite book, people either love or hate it.