607. Eva Trout

Eva Trout
Elizabeth Bowen
1968
Around 300 pages

And that's a wrap on Elizabeth Bowen, who we have been enjoying since 1929. It's always sad to see a female author go, because it could be many List years until another one pops up. Here's my official ranking of Bowen, an underrated author and adulteress. 

1. The House in Paris

2. The World of Love

3. Eva Trout

4. The Heat of the Day

5. To The North

6. Last September

So Eva Trout falls somewhere in the middle, but only because she knocked 1 and 2 out of the park. Eva is staying with the Arbles after her father's death, but she has much more fun with the Danceys. I guess they are like her Weasleys. Eva is the sole heiress to her father's estate, so naturally, many people are eager to tell her what to do.

Based on that description, you might have a specific idea of what Eva looks like, but Bowen actually gives us something here other than EnglishRose.jpeg. Eva is a big lady and doesn't present as very feminine. She is also incredibly socially awkward to boot. We get more homosexual relationships in this novel, which unfortunately, are just as miserable as the heterosexual ones. 

I'm still digesting how I feel about the ending. On the one hand, it felt abrupt, almost comically so. On the other hand, that's exactly how an event like that would unfold. I never fully felt like I grasped what was going on inside her head, and she made such...questionable choices that I would have liked to get deeper into her psychology.

As always, Bowen's descriptions make me smile. I'll miss you Lizzie.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Shortlisted for the 1970 Booker Prize.

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