Description
Robert Rushmore’s razor-sharp, wryly-humorous first novel revolves round the question posed by its title: Who’ll Burn the House Down?
In Cranbrook Valley, a farming community within week-ending distance of New York City, the ruined chimney of a burned-out house looms up like an accusing finger-pointing at whom? Caroline Mayhew bought the house at the instigation of her quirky, vital lover, Roger Havermann, in order that she might be near him when he and his wife, Selena, were staying in their own house in the Valley. She restored it, loved and cared for it, but in the end, driven to desperation by Roger’s cruel and erratic behaviour, she longs to see it go up in flames. Roger himself, a Jewish boy from the other side of the tracks who has made good in Gentile society, is constantly threatening the house by way of taunting Caroline. Selena, though encouraging her husband’s affair, has every reason to wish her house-proud rival out of Cranbrook Valley; while Howard Chatfield, smooth middle-aged bachelor friend of them all, has his own reasons for hating the house.
In their fascinatingly involved relationships these four sophisticated New Yorkers are all dominated by the images of their dead mothers, each of whom, when alive, exercised power and control over their children’s lives and, dead, continue to drive and dominate them.
In a succession of often funny scenes revolving round the sharply-observed domestic life of his characters, Robert Rushmore raises many provocative questions about sexual guilt, freedom and responsibility.
The bitter Albee-like dialogue, and chilling climax, make this novel the work of an exceptionally gifted new writer.
Hard cover. 153 pages. In good pre-loved condition with the exception of some minor discolouration inside the front and back covers and minor facing to dust jacket.