The Infamous Gilberts: A Debut Novel of Decay and Despair
Angela Tomaski's debut novel, The Infamous Gilberts, offers a delicious comfort read that delves into themes of loyalty, despair, and the gentle questioning of progress. Set in the crumbling stately home of Thornwalk, on the verge of transformation into a luxury hotel, the story unfolds through the eyes of Maximus, the last guardian and valet of the old master.
A Tour Through a Lost World
Maximus guides readers on a final tour of Thornwalk, revealing the lives and secrets of the Gilbert family over a century. The narrative moves room by room, trinket by trinket, from blackcurrant stains to blood, painting a vivid picture of a family now largely deceased, save for a pair of rapacious cousins. Characters like Lydia, desperate for love; Hugo, the stubborn heir; Annabel, dreaming of writing; Jeremy, the quiet runaway; and Rosalind, the unstable actor, come to life through Maximus's reverent and drily funny narration.
Inspired by the National Trust's 2002 purchase of Tyntesfield, a gothic mansion near Bristol acquired after the death of its reclusive baron, Tomaski's novel is a quarter-century in the making. It mirrors Tyntesfield's catalogued items, with 70 chapters each corresponding to an object or its absence, from Monopoly pieces to unworn baby clothes. Everything, no matter how broken, holds value due to its connection to the people who used it.
Familiar Yet Impeccably Rendered
Tomaski's ventriloquism of Maximus's voice is pitch-perfect, reminiscent of The Remains of the Day but stripped of horror. While the character offers no surprises, the skill in rendering such a familiar archetype is undeniable. The novel joins ranks with comfort reads like Joanna Quinn's The Whalebone Theatre and Lissa Evans's Small Bomb at Dimperley, embracing the crowded genre of family sagas without attempting novelty, instead setting a standard through diligent execution.
Surprise is not the goal here; rather, delight in the impeccable rendering. The book is as precise as a collector's doll's house, with everything ordered with the same care Maximus shows for Thornwalk and Hugo. However, this elegance can leave a slight yearning for something more substantial, like a salty contrast to the wistful tone.
Distance and Danger in the Narrative
Despite events including axes, asylums, escapes, affairs, and disappearances, Maximus's narration keeps readers insulated from raw plot. He maintains a safe distance, both in class and time, ensuring we never feel true danger, even as characters die. This slow, droll, nostalgia-fuelled telling makes it hard to perceive any real peril, encapsulated in Maximus's refrain: "That will do, I think."
As a debut, The Infamous Gilberts raises questions about Tomaski's future work. What will she write when she turns her precise eye from objects to people, permitting herself to say the unsayable? Published by Fig Tree at £16.99, this novel is a testament to the enduring lure of decaying grand houses and the stories they hold.
