Naomi Alderman is decidedly a good writer who has pulled yet another classic out of her hat. This timeless story with characters that would be as much at home in the early 20 th century as now, evokes the quiet desperation of unfulfilled dreams woven intricately into a sturdy plot of destructive love, betrayal, drugs and the quintessential ‘framily' life of college that revolves around the rich and the fabulous.
The Lessons
is the story of James who was once the top student of his class but was suddenly confronted by the academic equals at the Oxford and an injury, that puts him behind. He is forced to deal with self doubts and depression. His academics begin to spiral downwards as does his moods until he meets Jess, another student who introduces him to a secret fraternity that revolves around the enigmatic and fantastically rich Mark and his rambling villa fallen to destruction, hidden away in the quite suburbs of the Oxford.
James gets an invite into the lifestyle of the rich and the dysfunctional when he is asked to move in along with the other friends of Mark - the gorgeous Emmanuelle and her ever changing boyfriends, the studious Franny and the ambitious Simon with a charming English family. James, who initially finds solace in the unassuming and selfless love of Jess, begins to develop a deep attachment to Mark who is a gay.
The lessons of life
Mark, for his part enters into a thorny marriage with the sister of Simon who is all but a child, ending the tumultuous affair when their infant daughter dies in an accident. The story follows the complex relationships and lifelong obsessions that develop resulting in the slow destruction of their collective dreams and aspirations.
The Lessons admittedly has unconventional profundity running through its pages. Although the subject matter might seem like the return of the once familiar; Alderman's portrayal of the unabashed and unapologetic love between James and Mark, unfettered by Mark's deep attachment to his religion, makes for an interesting read. The Lessons has brilliantly proven right the truism that the lessons of life and love, in reality, often come too late.
Title:The LESSONS
Author: Naomi Alderman
Publisher: Penguin
Price: £12.99
Madhumitha Madhavan, B.E. (EEE) graduate
