The Woman who Went to Bed for a Year - Sue Townsend
Newest Review: ... Alexander the odd job man as well as welcoming visits from the window cleaner and passing taxi drivers. When Eva helps a passing taxi dr... more
When life gets too much, take to your bed
The Woman who Went to Bed for a Year - Sue Townsend
Member Name: katyj10
Product:
The Woman who Went to Bed for a Year - Sue Townsend
Date: 03/04/12
Rating:
Advantages: Original book concept
Disadvantages: Believable?
This is a review of the 2012 book "The Woman who went to bed for a year" by Sue Townsend. I had eagerly awaited the release of this book as it is by one of my favourite authors. Other than the title I had no idea what it would be about. I received the hard back as a birthday present and tried to save it for a while but once I started it I had read it within 48 hours.
A bit about
In the book, we follow Eva Beaver, a 55 year old woman, mother of twins that have just left for university and wife of Astronomy Professor Brian. She is tired and fed up of her life and one day she gets in bed fully clothed (including her stilettoes) and vows she is going to stay there for a year. She doesn't know why and is not sure what she is trying to achieve but is determined that she will stay there. During the first few weeks she has a lot of bemused visitors who are concerned for her health but she just tells them she is fine.
Characters
Aside from Eva, Brian and the twins Brian Junior and Brianne there is Eva's Mother Ruby and Brian's mother Yvonne. Poppy, shares rooms with the twins at Uni and Titania is Brian's fancy bit on the side. Alexander is the odd job man and the window cleaner also spends time with Eva in her bedroom prison.
Clever writing
The author addresses issues we want answering as a reader. For instance, if bed bound, how will Eva go to the toilet? She considers a potty but decides it will be too messy for standards will not slip with her hair and makeup whilst in bed. She constructs a 'milky way' path to the adjoining en suite using a bed sheet and as long as she stays on the path she feels it is just an extension of her bed. This way she can still shower and attend to her personal needs.
Is she mad?
Eva remains pretty sane throughout the circus that visits her bed and everyone else is convinced she is insane. The twins decide it is easier to ditch her than sympathise with her and Brian finds her an inconvenience but he still loves her a bit in addition to his long standing affair with Tit. As Eva removes all the furniture from her room and also gets Alex to paint it all white, it is clear she is trying to clear her head and create a bit of me time. In order to keep fit, Eva does exercises in her bed, cycling her legs and swinging her arms around. She remains slim and pretty for those who visit her. I did wonder if she would get obese lying in bed all day but sometimes her family forget to feed her and she refuses to stash food in her room so she relies on them to bring food.
Style
This book is unmistakeable in its style and I could have guessed the author immediately without knowing it. Townsend writes with comedy interwoven and yet manages to convey how vulnerable we all are and how we need friends and family to keep sane.
My thoughts
I enjoyed reading this book and it was interesting despite being set mainly in one room in one house. Eva has worked hard for her family all her married life and when it comes to her, she soon finds out who her friends are. As she refuses to leave the bed, she is dependent on them for food and to a certain extent news and they often forget she is there. During Christmas dinner they have a few waifs and strays around the table and they have a jolly time, whilst Eva stays in bed above their heads.
A limited view
It is a shame that Eva has to make a cry for help in this way and her family all despise her for being so selfish and taking to her bed. In fact those who care for her most are the odd job man and the window cleaner! I found the visiting district nurse so funny as she searched for bed sores and asks Eva what cream she is using. Chanel is the answer but it does the job! When Eva sets up her limited environment, the only entertainment despite the odd visitor is the view from the window and even this is taken away from her when she becomes an international phenomena and has curious people camping on the lawn.
Final word
I don't suppose this book will be to everyone's taste but if you appreciate the former works from this author you will probably take to this book. I will be keeping my copy as I will probably read it again in a few years' time.
A bit about
In the book, we follow Eva Beaver, a 55 year old woman, mother of twins that have just left for university and wife of Astronomy Professor Brian. She is tired and fed up of her life and one day she gets in bed fully clothed (including her stilettoes) and vows she is going to stay there for a year. She doesn't know why and is not sure what she is trying to achieve but is determined that she will stay there. During the first few weeks she has a lot of bemused visitors who are concerned for her health but she just tells them she is fine.
Characters
Aside from Eva, Brian and the twins Brian Junior and Brianne there is Eva's Mother Ruby and Brian's mother Yvonne. Poppy, shares rooms with the twins at Uni and Titania is Brian's fancy bit on the side. Alexander is the odd job man and the window cleaner also spends time with Eva in her bedroom prison.
Clever writing
The author addresses issues we want answering as a reader. For instance, if bed bound, how will Eva go to the toilet? She considers a potty but decides it will be too messy for standards will not slip with her hair and makeup whilst in bed. She constructs a 'milky way' path to the adjoining en suite using a bed sheet and as long as she stays on the path she feels it is just an extension of her bed. This way she can still shower and attend to her personal needs.
Is she mad?
Eva remains pretty sane throughout the circus that visits her bed and everyone else is convinced she is insane. The twins decide it is easier to ditch her than sympathise with her and Brian finds her an inconvenience but he still loves her a bit in addition to his long standing affair with Tit. As Eva removes all the furniture from her room and also gets Alex to paint it all white, it is clear she is trying to clear her head and create a bit of me time. In order to keep fit, Eva does exercises in her bed, cycling her legs and swinging her arms around. She remains slim and pretty for those who visit her. I did wonder if she would get obese lying in bed all day but sometimes her family forget to feed her and she refuses to stash food in her room so she relies on them to bring food.
Style
This book is unmistakeable in its style and I could have guessed the author immediately without knowing it. Townsend writes with comedy interwoven and yet manages to convey how vulnerable we all are and how we need friends and family to keep sane.
My thoughts
I enjoyed reading this book and it was interesting despite being set mainly in one room in one house. Eva has worked hard for her family all her married life and when it comes to her, she soon finds out who her friends are. As she refuses to leave the bed, she is dependent on them for food and to a certain extent news and they often forget she is there. During Christmas dinner they have a few waifs and strays around the table and they have a jolly time, whilst Eva stays in bed above their heads.
A limited view
It is a shame that Eva has to make a cry for help in this way and her family all despise her for being so selfish and taking to her bed. In fact those who care for her most are the odd job man and the window cleaner! I found the visiting district nurse so funny as she searched for bed sores and asks Eva what cream she is using. Chanel is the answer but it does the job! When Eva sets up her limited environment, the only entertainment despite the odd visitor is the view from the window and even this is taken away from her when she becomes an international phenomena and has curious people camping on the lawn.
Final word
I don't suppose this book will be to everyone's taste but if you appreciate the former works from this author you will probably take to this book. I will be keeping my copy as I will probably read it again in a few years' time.
Summary: I enjoyed reading this.
