Sororicidal by Edwina Preston: A Lush and Lyrical Exploration of Sisterly Bonds
Edwina Preston's novel Sororicidal is a darkly funny and intricately crafted tale that delves into the complex relationship between two sisters, Mary and Margot, set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Adelaide. The story opens with a provocative statement from Margot, the younger sister, who reflects on their childhood: "Everyone is very sure that Mary never tried to kill me," she says, hinting at the subtle violence and dangerous games that defined their early years.
A Childhood Tinged with Danger and Envy
In 1915, Mary and Margot are growing up in a prosperous family on the outskirts of Adelaide. Mary is a gifted painter, celebrated by their parents, which fuels Margot's envy and admiration. Margot feels awkward and overlooked beside her talented sister. The girls exist in a closed world, homeschooled by a governess and largely left to their own devices, fostering an intense shared imaginative life that often borders on peril.
Shifting Dynamics and Sexual Awakening
As the sisters enter puberty, their dyad is threatened by burgeoning sexuality. Mary competes with their flirtatious mother for the attention of their tennis tutor, Mr. Dicker, while Margot's friendship with Nessy, the cook's daughter, evolves into a homoerotic connection under the guise of a shared infatuation. In this charged atmosphere, a violent betrayal occurs, leaving Margot feeling annihilated.
A Remarkable Reversal of Roles
What sets Sororicidal apart is the dramatic reversal that follows. Preston shifts narrators, eliding a decade, and Mary's voice takes over upon her return from Europe. Mary is confident, humorous, and comfortable in her sexuality, starkly contrasting Margot's earlier portrayal. Now, it is Mary who seeks Margot's affection, while Margot withholds, upending reader sympathies repeatedly.
Literary Precedents and Complex Characters
The novel draws on precedents like Patrick White's The Solid Mandala, exploring artistic temperament through sibling dynamics. However, Preston resists simple delineations. Her characters, as women of their time, are deeply affected by social expectations and family life. Neither sister is a clear counterpoint to the other; Margot is sensitive and sensual despite her inhibitions, while Mary shows more care for others than she lets on.
Narrative Structure and Compelling Prose
Sororicidal is told in four parts, alternating between Margot and Mary as narrators as they age. Preston adeptly captures the intricacies and subtle shifts in their emotional lives, constantly challenging what readers think they know. Her writing is lush, lyrical, and darkly funny, maintaining a compulsive psychic tension between the sisters throughout the novel.
Published by Picador Australia, Sororicidal is a masterful examination of how much remains unshared between intimates, revealing the secret undercurrents in even the closest relationships.
