Frog Music

“Care to receive a bullet through your brains” ,Jenny quipped to St.Clair, “or have you got plans for this evening?”

First things first.I feel the need to say from the start that I loved this book.I am an avid reader of everything that is raw and gritty and realistic,especially when it comes to Historical Fiction.However, I know that this novel isn't for everyone.If one is offended by the issue of prostitution,of abuse and if (very few) graphic sex scenes may disturb you, then this isn't a suitable read for you.If you consider these themes provocative, there are plenty of historical mysteries that will suit your tastes.But if you enjoy a combination of mystery and a brave glance to the extent a woman may act to save herself and try to correct the mistakes she has committed, if you look for a faithful representation of the USA during the 1870s, then give Frog Music a try.

The time is 1876, the place is San Francisco.Blanche, a French young woman, is a famous burlesque dancer and an occasional night butterfly for the upper society.Following her from Paris, we have Arthur, her dandee paramour and overall gigantic leech and Ernest who is Arthur's lackey,companion in just about everything and second leech in command.Oddly enough (or maybe not...) life seems agreeable to these three Bohemians until Blanche meets Jenny,a young woman who dresses herself in men's attire and catches frogs for a living.It is precisely this encounter that causes Blanche to rethink and reevaluate her life as it is.The sad thing is that it takes a murder for her to wake up,but who's the victim and who's the perpetrator?This is something you'll have to discover yourselves,waiting until the final chapter.The depiction of the setting and the era is marvellous.Do not expect poetic language.It is not this kind of story.There is an afterword by Donoghue in which she explains the basis of her story,the actual events that inspired the novel and the way she shaped them to fit her vision.

This book is vastly different from Room or The Wonder. Donoghue structures her mystery on a true crime case that remains unsolved and offers her own version of the events.I found this work just wonderful.Not only the mystery itself -which is guaranteed to have you guessing, then altering your opinion and then guessing again- but the way she inserts the themes of motherhood and independence in the centre of the story.Besides waiting anxiously for an explanation of the crime,I wanted to see how Blanche's fate would turn out.I won't hide the fact that I cared more for her than for the discovery of the guilty party and the motive.

So motherhood and independence.What constitutes a “suitable” mother?To what extent would a woman go to claim and protect her child? And independence.Blanche believes she is free just because she earns her living by herself -regardless of the manner in which she gains the daily bread- but cannot see the leeches drinking her blood before it's too late.Jenny dares to go against the “rules” of society and is punished for that.The bottom line is that to gain independence, you'll have to sacrifice a part of yourself.It's an eternal battle where strength and honesty are required and even then it may not be enough.

Donoghue creates powerful,often disturbing, stories and populates them with characters that may not be likeable or their actions may come in direct contrast with some of our principles, but they attract our attention.It doesn't matter whether we love or hate them.Blanche gathers a lot of hatred,judging from some of the reviews I've read.I can understand why,but I disagree utterly and completely (yeah for emphatic adverbs...)She may not be sympathetic per se, she may not be as clever as we'd like to see her, but I found her to be a realistic character and truthful to the era depicted.She reaches a point when she realises the futility of her way of living and tries to salvage what is good in her.Why doesn't she deserve a second chance?

rant warning

I'll tell you why.Because there are still some people who are afraid of a woman who's comfortable with her sexuality.And these people belong to both sexes.They utter the word “promiscuity” -which belongs to a bygone era- and retain a “holier-than-thou” attitude,pointing the finger.We are readers, we're supposed to be open-minded and accepting.Judging a character within the historical context and not by today's standards is a major “rule” in Historical Fiction,and yet somehow,there is a minority (thank God) who “seems” to forget this.Same goes with the critique on Jenny's character who is plainly brilliant and sassy and excellent.Well,of course, she needs to create a persona to live.This is the 19th century, any woman wearing trousers was arrested and put in prison.

This came out longer than expected,but there were some things I felt the need to state.As I said in the beginning, this book isn't for everyone.I can't recommend it to all readers because it isn't suitable to all.However, it should be ideal to brave souls who don't shy away from challenging, disturbing books that make us feel uncomfortable and yet remain Literature in the true meaning of the word.Think of it as a mix of Dickens, The Crimson Petal and the White and the brilliant TV series Ripper Street.Just a bit more gritty and dirty and more powerful...