Reading Corner | ‘Charleston’ city details trump character development
Charleston comes to life in Margaret Bradham Thornton’s first fiction novel, the aptly named “Charleston.” As a native of this famous Lowcountry city, Thornton uses beautiful, descriptive imagery and specific places to really make the setting realistic and familiar.
It is unfortunate, then, that the same can’t quite be said for her characters.
Set in the early 1990s with a feeling reminiscent of the 1950s, Thornton introduces the main character, Eliza Poinsett, as a Charleston native much like herself, but one who hasn’t returned to her home in a decade for reasons more complicated than just leaving for college. The greatest reason for her self-imposed exile surprises her at a wedding in the British countryside with his presence, a mere few weeks before Eliza returns to Charleston for her step-sister’s debutante ball.
The chance meeting with Henry Heyward throws Eliza into a state of mental bemusement, though precisely why isn’t revealed until a ways into the book. It is also difficult to get a grasp on Eliza’s exact feelings, as very little of the prose is dedicated to the main character’s inner workings.
This novel is the process of Eliza making the decision to either stay in Charleston, where her past is all encompassing, or return to London to a future she’s not sure she can see, let alone want. Though she does make the decision eventually, the consideration Eliza would have had to take leading to that choice is virtually nonexistent for the audience. She does, however, stick by her decision even as challenges arise, even as the unexpected twist at the end changes everything.
Although written well, Thornton’s strengths definitively lie with describing Eliza’s job as an art historian and places within the Charleston area that the characters visit. Many details concerning the number of characters introduced are left out, which causes the narrative to feel a little jumpy.
Eliza, Henry and most of the cast make decisions both big and small throughout the story, but the reasoning behind their actions is greatly left to the reader. They aren’t emotionally stunted per say, but if they aren’t explaining their thoughts to another character, then it’s hard to tell what they’re feeling, Eliza most of all.
Certainly the novel’s namesake is a charming city, and Thornton does her best to make it as close to the real place as possible. Slow-paced throughout its entirety but easy to read, “Charleston” is almost a better introduction to the city than it is a novel of difficult decisions, second chances and facing the past. But Thornton’s imagery and knowledge of Lowcountry art and history is something to take note of and appreciate.
By Emily Smith, For The Sun News
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New York Times bestselling author Cassandra King will speak at Team First Book’s Spring Author Luncheon on April 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Inlet Affairs, 4024 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
King is the author of five novels and one book of nonfiction, “The Same Sweet Girls’ Guide to Life.” A native of Alabama, she lives in Beaufort with her husband, the writer Pat Conroy. Her most recent novel, “Moonrise” (2013), is a Fall 2013 Okra Pick and a Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance bestseller.
There also will be a meet-and-greet with King, whose books will be available from Litchfield Books for purchase and signing. Drawings will be held for special door prizes, such as themed baskets, restaurant gift certificates, weekend hotel stays, custom jewelry, golf packages and more.
Tickets are $30 and may be purchased from board members. All proceeds will assist Team First Book, the local arm of a national nonprofit that provides new books to children in need.
For more information or to make reservations, contact Megan McIlreavy, 349-2728 or mmcilrea@coastal.edu; Marsha Tennant, 222-6002 or marshatennant@yahoo.com; Mona Prufer, 349-2087 or mprufer@coastal.edu; or Margene Willis, 333-4056 or mwillis@coastal.edu, or visit www.firstbook.org.
This story was originally published February 28, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline " Reading Corner | ‘Charleston’ city details trump character development."