After a very long hiatus, I'm back to talk about a new little novel that is worth sharing. I spent part of my break reading Carlene Bauer's first novel, an epistolary gem loosely based on the friendship between Flannery O'Connor and the poet, Robert Lowell. In Frances and Bernard, Bauer imagines an elegant and soulful exchange of letters between the two writers. While Frances, unlike Flannery, is neither Southern nor chronically ill, she shares with her real-life inspiration a deep Catholic faith and a biting wit.
As Frances and Bernard begin to slowly fall for one another, the reader falls in love with both of them. Their shared love of words and ideas makes their letters unbelievably clever and interesting. Her rigidity and his wildness add to the novel's richness.
The novel also includes letters between Frances and her dear friend Claire and Bernard and his best friend and former Harvard roommate, Ted. These additional characters allow the reader to see the two writers as they can only be seen through the eyes of those who love and understand them the best. At one point, Claire is trying to respond to Frances' romantic concerns about Bernard. Frances is unsure of his true feelings for her, unable to easily receive his admiration, and uneasy with the expectations that a love affair places on her. She is rather prim and uncomfortable with effusiveness, either in words or gestures. Claire, kind and wise friend that she is, tries to get Frances to relax and lean into this unexpected romance.
"Look at Bernard like a complimentary dish of baked Alaska brought to you by a fine and appreciative dining establishment--something you didn't know you wanted but now that it's being served up to you, you find it's impossible to resist."
Since the premise of this novel is a correspondence between two gifted writers, Bauer, also a gifted writer herself, is able to show off her masterful skill with language. You will find yourself re-reading lines just to marvel at the elegance of her prose. But don't take my word for it!! Here is the blurb from the back cover written by esteemed novelist, Jane Hamilton:
"There are so many reasons to love this perfect novel. not least because before our eyes Bauer quietly reveals the lovers to each other, and to themselves, while she explores all of the important problems of faith, work, art, marriage, passion, and how best to lead the life that you think you're meant to live. Frances and Bernard is smart and clear and deep and beautiful. I worship it."
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