Purdy's 'Gertrude' finds and loses love

Gertrude of Stony Island Avenue

William Morrow

It is a story of love, and a story that lacks love. It is a story of living, and a story of those who have never truly lived. In his latest novel, "Gertrude of Stony Island Avenue," James Purdy explores what it means to lose a love and the feeling of never having loved at all.

James Purdy is a prolific writer who, until this novel, has been more highly recognized in foreign countries than his own. "Gertrude" finally brings Purdy into the loop of respected American authors.

The main character of Purdy's newest novel is also the narrator. Carrie, a woman perhaps in her sixties, lives with her husband, Vic. Throughout the course of the novel, Carrie must learn to cope with the loss of her only daughter, Gertrude. Carrie desperately tries to accept that she never truly loved her daughter, and her daughter never loved her. As a result of her inability to cope with reality, Carrie constantly blames others for the lack of love that existed between her daughter and herself.

In this novel Carrie goes on a long journey of self discovery. Her journey proves successful and Carrie eventually allows herself to understand Gertrude and let go of her death. Only now, after an entire lifetime, can Carrie begin to live without existing in the shadow of her husband or her daughter.

Purdy's ability to dictate fiction in such a bitterly honest manner leaves the reader with the feeling that they once knew the characters of his book. The reader's heart aches at the realization that there are Carries and Gertrudes that exist in the thousands, mother and daughters who cannot love each other.

Purdy's style is simple and honest. Without being verbose or condescending, his style embraces a sophistication not characteristic of a novel that flows so easily. Though not written in the stream of consciousness, Purdy's characters are so whole and real that the reader can understand what makes them tick, can know what they are thinking without being told.

Even more thrilling than Purdy's unique style of writing is his comprehensive understanding of the enigma of a woman. His narrator, Carrie, exists almost as a real life woman. Her neuroses, her jealousies, her need to be free are so honest and universal, yet seem to be emotions of womanhood that only a woman can understand. Purdy proves that it is possible for man to understand woman, for his depiction of Carrie could not have been more real had it been written by a woman herself.

Through his dialogue, Purdy reveals the inner workings of his characters. Carrie who addresses her husband Vic as Daddy, appears at first to be a child.

What is so rare is that though the reader knows the main characters are older since they have been married for more than forty years, their naiveté and lack on knowledge about the world and themselves keep raising the question of their ages. Purdy purposely never mentions their age, and the reader is often left picturing a young couple stumbling through life.

By creating older characters who at times seem so childlike, Purdy leaves room for readers of all ages to embrace his characters. The reader, like Carrie, goes on a journey of self-discovery. Near the end of the novel, Carrie says, "I had never, like the other people, lived. And being such a woman I had failed my only child, Gertrude. But more importantly I had failed myself." Such shows the final strength Carrie gains, and the honesty and selfishness that are life.

"Gertrude of Stony Island Avenue" is a novel that all should read. Men and women alike, spanning all cultures and regions can gain so much from reading this novel, they can gain a life. Both young and old will realize that it is never too late to gain closure on something forcing one to cling to the past. Only when one is able to live in the moment, can one truly begin to live.

-Corinne Schneider

09-16-98