Short Take |
In her 80s, Ann Medlock publishes a powerful first novel, “Silence of the Seamaid”
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Published: May 06, 2022
I became aware of Ann Medlock because of the Giraffe Heroes Project, which she started “to inspire people to stick their necks out for the common good” and to honor those who did — among the 2,000 people she’s profiled, she honored my mother. Now in her late 80s, she’s published “Silence of the Seamaid,” her first novel. It is, she says,”a roman á clef about the first half of this long life.” It covers a lot of career ground over several continents, but the real story is her awakening as an independent woman. Lee Palmer’s first marriage is to a handsome man who is, despite his exotic job, “constantly at a loss, a sweet-natured, passive man who was content with his lot, whatever it was, and with his pretty, helpful wife, whoever she was.” When she learns that “a dependent husband was not acceptable,” she moves on. But to Joe Montagna? He’s more than handsome, he’s charismatic, well on his way to massive success. How can he be interested in her? And yet he is. They marry. Then the mood swings surface. Charm can turn to violence in the blink of an eye. Marriage becomes a prison. Does she flee? Not quickly. I came to hate this man as I have rarely hated a character before — more so because this is a roman á clef. And I cheered her escape and her first steps into a great new life — into Ann Medlock’s life. [Meet her in a short video. To buy the paperback from Amazon, click here. For the Kindle edition, click here.]
