Troubles

TROUBLES

by J.G. Farrell

 

Award: Booker Winner 1970

 

Date Read: January 3, 2022

 

While Ireland falls around their ears, the occupants of the Majestic are in a similar bind. The Majestic once lived up to its name but has become in dangerous disrepair after its new owner, Edward and children, purchased the building some years back. The description of this hotel’s magnificence – 300 rooms, ballrooms, tennis courts, swimming pools, game rooms, etc. – conjure a past of luxury and exclusivity. Not any more. Now, one is lucky to find clean sheets and not get struck by falling plaster.

 

This is the condition the Major finds when he checks into the Majestic to visit his fiancé, Angela, one of Edward’s daughters. The Major doesn’t recall proposing but in their exchange of letters, Angela would sign off as “Your Fiance,” so the Major assumed they were engaged. He arrives with the intent of breaking things off so he can move on to Italy, however, once he crosses the Majestic’s threshold, he is never quite able to leave.

 

The Major waits patiently for a private audience with Angela, which is never to be. Almost as soon as he arrives, Angela is relegated to her room and he watches dinner tray after dinner tray going up and down from her room. In not that short of time, he is notified that Angela has passed away from leukemia. During his waiting, the Major crosses paths with Sarah, somewhat of a bitch if you ask me. She cannot help snarking at anyone who dares come close. But after a time, the Major’s heart warms to her and he is hopelessly smitten.

 

This is the premise for Troubles, an entertaining read from cover to cover. Full of half-baked plans (rehab the Majestic and throw a disastrous ball), funny scenes (Edward shooting up the Majestic to further his theory about mortal fear and dehydration), cats gone wild (the marmalade cat attacking one of the dowager’s hats), etc. Each of these scenes brought the characters to vivid life and all their brilliant flaws.

 

Alas, for the occupants, the inevitable demise of the Majestic scatter this motley crew far and wide through the United Kingdom. Edward and his twin girls go off to London, the dowager4s to the Isle of Wight. The only people brave enough to stay until the property is sold is Murphy, the cantankerous man servant and the Major, having been rebuffed by Sarah and with no firm plans to look forward to.

 

The Major, at least, is able to watch the Majestic go down in a blaze of glory – literally. We only realize Murphy’s viciousness once he sets fire to the hotel. Having doused every inch in some flammable concoction, the Major is neither surprised nor disheartened at watching his home for the past several years succumb to such an unfortunate fate.

 

Farrell well-deservedly won the Booker for this gem. I am looking forward to part II of this series – The Siege of Krishnapur.