The Lodger, by Louisa Treger

I found the novel The Lodger, thinking it was an insight into the life and being H. G. Wells. I was wrong; it's a novel about the life of one of Wells' many mistresses, Dorothy Richardson. I was disappointed at first, being a huge fan of Wells' writing style, and knowing nothing personal about him. But I figured the short novel wouldn't take up too much of my time, and resolved to continue. Then I was somewhat drawn into this storyline.

Dorothy Richardson was an actual person and author. This novel is a fictional portrayal of a part of her life, which I didn't really find that interesting. The writing was done well but wasn't exceptional. Events flowed effortlessly one into another but I wasn't enraptured. The novel was a quick read, with a deceptively simplistic writing style that dragged me from one chapter into the next, seemingly whether I wanted to go or not. The atmosphere of poverty and grime in this story looms heavily the entire time, taking just as central a role as any of the characters do. I felt like the characters (though true) weren't fleshed out enough to hold my attention.

If you are looking for a plot, this is not for you. The book wanders randomly throughout the life of the narrator, Dorothy, and is almost completely character driven. I also found Dorothy somewhat off-putting. The way she remains clueless to her own inadequacies, and seems completely unable to make important decisions in her own life and loves, was too much for me. There was also something that kind of rang false about her. The way she spoke, the way she thought and acted - none of it felt very realistic. She never became a real person for me and I just didn't feel for her. I found myself hoping she was much MORE, in real life. I just needed a little something more from Dorothy to make HER seem real. That said, it was very well written. The words flow together quickly. The descriptions, particularly of places, are vivid and alive.

Bertie, or Herbert G. Wells, is the husband of Jane, Dorothy's school friend. In this novel he's portrayed as a philanderer with sexual appetites that he cannot control. He's always in search of "the perfect mate," which he thought he found with Jane. (Unfortunately, Jane's apparently a little frigid in the bedroom, the poor dear!). So Jane and Bertie have an 'open relationship'; although Jane has an issue with Bertie taking up with Dorothy ... and rightfully so. And, even though Dorothy feels guilty for having an affair with Jane's husband, that doesn't stop her from visiting them nearly every weekend. The romantic relationships seemed fatalistic, to me, and didn't even seem to surprise the main character all that much when they appeared, blossomed, and proceeded swiftly along the tracks to their various endings. But, all of the characters were very engaging and their interactions were nonetheless *somewhat* entertaining for their predictability.

It was an odd feeling his time, peeking into the lives of famous writers from history in this extremely personal, visceral way. Overall, while this novel was a quick read I could have done without it. I like to miss the characters when they're gone. With The Lodger, I wasn't at all sad to see them go. However, if you're interested in this time period, and in peeking into a slice of literary history, then maybe The Lodger is worth a read.

3 stars, for the lead character's inability to control herself, in various ways. ( )

The Lodger by Louisa Treger is a debut novel that sets the tone for a promising writing career. Set in the 20th Century, The Lodger acts as both a biographical book as well as historical fiction, which makes for intriguing reading. Furthermore, there's a feminist undertone to this book; sexuality and independence are explored.
I've never heard of Dorothy Richardson before I read The Lodger, but I've done some research on her work and I must say that I'm rather disappointed in myself for not knowing about her earlier. H.G. Wells, on the other hand, is one of the most prolific writers of his time (and I know his work quite well). Reading about their personal lives, though, was a rather interesting way to discover more about the world we've left behind. Yes, people still face similar struggles today, but things have still changed a lot.

What I liked the most about this book was the author's writing style. Although this is a debut, Louisa Treger's writing was able to transport me back in time. The beautiful descriptions and her word use is not what I expected from a debut writer, but it was definitely refreshing and it sets the bar high for other writers.

If you're looking for a gift for the reader in your life, The Lodger needs to go onto your shortlist. Historical fiction lovers will love it. Fans of H.G. Wells would enjoy it. And those who want to know more about the interesting life of Dorothy Richardson would want to get their hands on it.

Review originally posted at:
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https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2016/01/19/imagining-dorothy/ ( )

A special thank you to St. Martin's Press, Thomas Dunne Books, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An emotional gripping and riveting debut novel, The Lodger by Louisa Treger, is a compelling journey of one woman’s struggle between a past, and a new—complex, fascinating, yet unconventional world.

Rather than summarize the book, I want to get right to the heart of my feelings of this incredible and engrossing debut, written with compassion and sensitivity.

Set in 1906, in London—Dorothy is experiencing life for the first time to the extremes; a world of solace with her newfound writing while striving for independence without marriage or dependence on a man; her guilt and betrayal to her best friend (Jane), an unhealthy attraction and illicit affair with a famous writer—married and complicated man H.G. Wells, and a woman she is passionate about (Veronica)— she desires to give her heart and soul to her, but sees no future in a time when this lifestyle is socially unacceptable.

All the while in a time when women have no rights or freedom to express themselves, as they fight for emancipation with conviction and furry. Dorothy is torn with many conflicting emotions on her road to emotional freedom and self-expression, torn between fear and exhilaration.

Can Dorothy discover peace or find a relationship without domination and possessiveness—someone who would allow a healthy distance and offer her space to be herself. Is it too much to hope for, for a love to be able to express openly and one to be proud of? A lessening of yearning—one of peace?

I bookmarked so many pages, and poetic phrases–Wow! A powerful and emotional novel, was blown away-not only by the story, characters, details, and the in depth research; however, more importantly, the incredible creativity, and the voice of the author. I am typically bored with with historical fictions or biographies; whereas, Treger, grabs you from the first page and never takes you away from her strong main protagonist, Dorothy—her intimate, thoughts, feelings, the conflicting emotions, and the descriptive settings, which puts you almost in a trance, making it even more compelling.

The Lodger sets itself apart from others, due to Treger’s imagination and her coloring inside and outside the lines blending fact and fiction -- Brilliantly executed!

As mentioned in the afterword, (I found very intriguing and inspirational), Treger stumbles upon Dorothy Richardson by accident, in the library of London University while searching for an angle on Virginia Woolf for her Ph.D. thesis. While doing so she discovers a review Virginia had written about a writer (Dorothy) whose name she did not recognize. Treger was riveted and began her investigation to Dorothy’s life work, the twelve-volume autobiographical novel-sequence Pilgrimage. With her enduring fascination with Dorothy she was ignited to retell her story; hence, many years later, a rebirth, of this exciting debut novel, The Lodger.

As a research nut and devour such efforts, by an author (also a lover of books about books), the insights, the commentary, and especially the melding of fact and fiction whereas the author uses certain liberties with the facts and time scheme to further enhance focus and narrative in certain areas. After reading some of the elements she eliminated, feel it set the stage magically, even though there are similarities of character and incident between the two works.

I enjoyed the secondary characters, Mrs. Baker and Mr. Cundy in the early scenes with Veronica, and the extraordinary way Dorothy engineered the relationship between Veronica and Benjamin, as well as the shape and tone of Dorothy’s love affairs with both Bertie and Veronica (the author’s creation), and the sexual differences between the two different relationships.

The Lodger is a beautiful intimate novel, and one I highly recommend, as not only an introduction to one of the most important writers of the 20th century; more importantly, an introduction to a talented newfound writer, Louisa Treger for a moving debut novel. Looking forward to many more!

Suffragettes- Was quite interested in the suffragettes’; members of women's organization (right to vote) movements in the late 19th and early 20th century, particularly in the UK and US. The term "suffragette" is particularly associated with activists in the British women's suffrage movement in the early 20th century, whose demonstrations included chaining themselves to railings and setting fire to mailbox contents. Many suffragettes were imprisoned in Holloway Prison in London, and were force-fed after going on hunger strike. (a part of Veronica’s story).

In the US, women over 21 were first allowed to vote in the territories of Wyoming from 1869 and in Utah from 1870, and with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment the suffrage was extended to women across the United States in time for the 1920 presidential election.

Fans of The Paying Guests, will enjoy The Lodger, with some of the similarities with the time, the boarding house and the taboo, female love relationships, even though each is different and unique. However, I enjoyed The Lodger much more!

I also enjoyed the extraordinary moments Dorothy experienced on her bicycle sailing forward, as compared to her life journey:

"As she was lifted off the ground, skimming through the moving air. She was no longer merely struggling along, trying to forget how wobbly she felt. She could actually control the bicycle’s instability. She could steer with confidence, not worrying about crashing into people. She pedaled tirelessly, delighted by her unexpected reservoir of energy and the feeling of freedom and exhilaration. She could not remember ever feeling quite as free. Nothing compared to this. To be able to ride a bicycle transformed life; she felt like a different person."

I also purchased the audiobook performed by Helen Lloyd, classically trained British actor and voice artist, offering an outstanding performance!

Judith D. Collins Must Read Books

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to mushy or dramatic or something. couldn't really get into it