By Shari Randall
Welcome to another edition of The Vintage Bookshelf. Today we’re getting swept away by the remarkable Mary Stewart’s Madam, Will You Talk?
“The whole affair began so very quietly.
When I asked my friend Louise if she would come with me on a car trip to Provence, I had no idea that I might be issuing an invitation to danger.”
Honestly, who could resist these opening lines?
British writer Mary Stewart is well-known as the author of 1970’s mega-selling Merlin trilogy that began with The Crystal Cave, but before that blockbuster she wrote novels that were a tasty gothic blend of mystery and romance. One of my favorites is Madam, Will You Talk (1955). I still find it difficult to believe that Madam was Stewart’s first book – her evocative opening lines, mastery of setting and characterization, gorgeous prose, and breathless plot are enough to make some writers (ahem) green with envy.
Let’s look at the book as writers, shall we?
Are there issues? A few teensy ones and one antiquated trope but …let’s start with the good stuff.
Her New York Times obituary quotes Melanie Reid of Glasgow’s Herald: “Mary Stewart sprinkled intelligence around like stardust,” and it’s true. The chapter headings in Madam, Will You Talk are from Chaucer. This fan felt smarter with every page turn of the book.
Stewart’s prose and descriptions of her setting are nonpareil. Yes, I’m throwing in some French terms. Reading Mary Stewart does that to you. (see above.) Her lavish prose does more than justice to her glamorous settings – it makes one long to visit. If there’s one word for her prose, it is seductive. You cannot resist. Don’t even try. Just sink in.
Here’s her description of Avignon (page 26):
The city is dominated from the north by the Roche des Doms, a steep mass of white rock, crowned by the cathedral of Notre Dame, and green with singing pines. Besides the cathedral, taking the light above the town, is the golden stone palace of the popes. The town itself is slashed into by one main street, the Republic, which leads from the main gate, straight up to the square.
“Green with singing pines!” Magnifique!
Her characters and characterization are well done, and are definitely from the romance world. Here’s one character:
His clothes, his air, no less than his voice, were unmistakably French, and he had that look of intense virility and yet sophistication – the sort of powerful, careless charm, which can be quite devastating.
Devastating indeed! Swipe right!
Madam’s main character, Charity Selborne, a young war widow, is bilingual and knowledgeable about architecture, art, literature, and fashion, plus she can handle a sports car, something her deceased war hero husband taught her. She manages all this without being “sympathetic,” “feisty” or irritatingly perfect.
Is the plot irritatingly perfect?
One plot element, the enemies to lovers trope, had me tearing my hair out, but it is a staple of Vintage Bookshelf ™ romance novels. There were plenty of overheard conversations. Were there too many coincidences? Perhaps. All right, yes. However, the bold actions the heroine takes, which would make her TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) in lesser hands are the result of an admirable emotional motivation and clever plot.
No matter. The setting and characters are so finely drawn you won’t mind any bumps in the road to Avignon. Revel in the beauty of the prose. Resistance is futile. Few writers can cast a spell like Mary Stewart.
Have you read any books by Mary Stewart?
Shari Randall is the author of the Agatha Award-winning Lobster Shack Mystery series and, as Meri Allen, the Ice Cream Shop Mystery series.
