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Antoinette's Reviews > A Game Of Hide And Seek
A Game Of Hide And Seek
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This is my third novel by Elizabeth Taylor. Every time I have finished one, I find myself thinking long and hard. What does she want me to take away from this one? What was her inspiration for writing this one? She must have known (maybe herself) someone caught in an unrequited love that consumed them.
Basic synopsis of the book: We meet Harriet and Vesey at age 18, on a beautiful summer day. Harriet develops a major infatuation for Vesey. Does he feel the same or is he just teasing her? He goes off to Oxford and she never hears from him till about 15 years later, he turns up. She is content in her marriage to Charles, but Vesey coming back, stirs up all Harriet’s past feelings. What transpires and how it affects every character in this book is the heart of this book.
I must state that all the characters were unlikeable. I was not rooting for any of them, but yet I followed along in dread. I needed to know how everything would be resolved. Harriet was so vague and wishy washy, I wanted to shake her. Vesey was an unfocused gadabout. Charles was insecure and his insecurities made him lash out. All the secondary characters were meaningful to the plot. I appreciated how Taylor brought this story to a close, albeit, it was a bit vague.
Taylor’s writing is second to none. I often found myself pausing and rereading these perfect sentences:
� When you are hurt, you lay waste to all around you.. No one is safe.�
“We cannot always remember our first glimpse of those who later become important to us. Feeling that the happening should have been more significant, we strain back through our memories in vain.�
“Our feelings about people change as we grow up: but if we are left with an idea instead of a person, perhaps that never changes. After every mistake Charles made, I expect you thought: “Vesey wouldn’t have done that.� But an idea can’t ever make mistakes. He led a perfect life in your brain.�
This is an author I will return to again and again. If you haven’t read her yet, I wouldn’t start with this one. Start with Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont. It is simply her best so far for me.
4.5 Stars.
Published: 1951
Basic synopsis of the book: We meet Harriet and Vesey at age 18, on a beautiful summer day. Harriet develops a major infatuation for Vesey. Does he feel the same or is he just teasing her? He goes off to Oxford and she never hears from him till about 15 years later, he turns up. She is content in her marriage to Charles, but Vesey coming back, stirs up all Harriet’s past feelings. What transpires and how it affects every character in this book is the heart of this book.
I must state that all the characters were unlikeable. I was not rooting for any of them, but yet I followed along in dread. I needed to know how everything would be resolved. Harriet was so vague and wishy washy, I wanted to shake her. Vesey was an unfocused gadabout. Charles was insecure and his insecurities made him lash out. All the secondary characters were meaningful to the plot. I appreciated how Taylor brought this story to a close, albeit, it was a bit vague.
Taylor’s writing is second to none. I often found myself pausing and rereading these perfect sentences:
� When you are hurt, you lay waste to all around you.. No one is safe.�
“We cannot always remember our first glimpse of those who later become important to us. Feeling that the happening should have been more significant, we strain back through our memories in vain.�
“Our feelings about people change as we grow up: but if we are left with an idea instead of a person, perhaps that never changes. After every mistake Charles made, I expect you thought: “Vesey wouldn’t have done that.� But an idea can’t ever make mistakes. He led a perfect life in your brain.�
This is an author I will return to again and again. If you haven’t read her yet, I wouldn’t start with this one. Start with Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont. It is simply her best so far for me.
4.5 Stars.
Published: 1951
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Reading Progress
July 17, 2021
– Shelved
July 17, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
January 19, 2023
–
Started Reading
January 19, 2023
– Shelved as:
virago-modern-classics
January 19, 2023
– Shelved as:
british-literature
January 24, 2023
–
Finished Reading
May 20, 2024
– Shelved as:
1950-s
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Laysee, you will love Elizabeth Taylor and after reading one, like me, you will want to read them all.
Wonderful review Antoinette! I read my first Elizabeth Taylor, a view of the harbour last week and found her characterisation second to none, such a perceptive writer. It sounds like this book is just as astutely observed. I was given a bundle of her books including this one so I will look forward to comparing thoughts soon 😊
Harriet created most of her own problems in this one. Imagine idolizing some one like Vesey! I remember meeting an old love in the mall one day when I was married and pregnant. After we talked for a few minutes, I walked away thinking what a bullet I had dodged.
I read a book of her short stories a few months ago, "The Devastating Boys". Just as good as her novels, and few authors do both well.
Thanks, Megan. I really enjoyed A View of the Harbour as well. How exciting that you received a bundle of her books. I have one book left of hers on my shelves to read- her complete short stories. I am sending you a friend request, so I can follow along on your Elizabeth Taylor journey.
Diane, I think Harriet is such a ripe character for discussion. I saw nothing in Vesey that would make her fall for him the way she did. I was gifted her complete short stories. Want to start them soon and just read them slowly over the rest of the year. There are 65 stories in this collection! I am looking forward to discovering them.
Antoinette, you are my third GR friend to read this book this month. Hmmm. Is this as contagious as COVID? I think I'm coming down with Elizabeth Taylor fever myself.....
Anne, Laura started a buddy read for this one. That’s why we are all reading it. Easy explanation. But yes, time for you to read Taylor again.
Terrific review of what sounds to be an interesting story Antoinette - did you ever think about stopping though when you realised you didn't like any of the players? I'm yet to read this author, I might might see if I can grab one of her books from my library - I hate missing out!!Update: Cairns Library is devoid of any works by this author :(
I happen to have Mrs. Palfrey on my shelf. 😉 Lovely review, Antoinette. I can’t wait to try this author.
Thanks, Mark. Much as I didn’t care for the people, I needed to see where they were all going to end up. That’s how compelling Taylor’s writing is. If you can ever get a copy of Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont, I know you will love it.
Jennifer, what are you waiting for? Take that book off your shelves. But then again, based on all that’s happened to you this past year, maybe hold off as it will bring on tears. Let me know what you think once you’ve read it:)
Ooh, this sounds so good, Antoinette!I loved Mrs Palfrey but oddly haven't read anything by this author since! I'm going to put this on the list....
Another author who is languishing waiting for me to rescue her from that huge stack. One day . . .Lovely review.
I’ll look forward to your thoughts if you read this one, Robin. Mrs Palfrey was a perfect book, IMHO.
Thanks, Lisa. Yes, that huge stack. I have to take a deep breath sometimes and remind myself to not stress about all my unread books.
Terrific review Antionette. Sounds really interesting 💖
Thanks so much, Margaret!
Loved your review. Though I didn't find the characters unlikeable, no more than we all are, trapped in our heads and our own experiences and frustrations. Taylor is such a wonderful writer - I couldn't help finishing my review with quotations as well, and I'm especially happy that you did as it was hard to make a selection: now I'll be able to browse still more again in future!
Thanks for your lovely comment, Emmkay. I am happy to know there has been a resurgence of people reading Elizabeth Taylor. I have finished all my owned physical books, but my library does have a few on its shelves. I found myself marvelling at her words- had to stop and reread them they were so perfect. I had to leave quotes for that alone.
Lovely review, Antoinette, and I love what you said about Taylor making you think hard...I think that is what she does best, she gives us what seems a simple story and then forces us to see how very significant and complicated it truly is. I just finished Mrs. Palfrey and sat stunned by it--it has come at such a time in my life that makes it resonate with me so. Like you, I am so delighted by this resurgence of interest in Taylor's work!
Thanks, Sara! Simple but deeply reflective! Wasn’t Mrs Palfrey so unbelievably perfect!! That is one book that I know I will reread. I am hoping to read her biography later this year. She is an author I’d like to get to know better. I am so excited that I still have many more of her books to read. She and Dorothy Whipple - I just have to read everything they have written
Antoinette, I am entirely on your page with regard to her writing: this only my second novel of hers, I already look forward to return to Taylor soon. While Mrs Palfrey grabbed me more directly and emotionally, the more I think about this one, the more it grows in my mind, raising questions, bringing associations, prompting me to re-read passages. I look forward to your thoughts on her biography.
I am reading her short stories right now, Ilse. Top calibre. I am happy that I have many more of her books to look forward to. It’s true, this book did give me pause. She always makes me think after I have finished reading. That’s why she is so good at her craft.
Terrific review, Antoinette! You're right about there not being any truly likeable characters here - yet we become glued to them and can't look away! Love the quotes you've shared :)
I usually need one character to like but you clearly didn’t let it ruin your enjoyment of the story. I am so excited about the next Taylor novel I choose. Thanks, Antionette for another wonderful review!
Thanks, Candi! Very good point- “we become glued to them and can’t look away. � I love Taylor’s character developments. That is so of her main strengths, I think.
Thanks so much, Lori! I’ll look forward to seeing which of hers you read next. I’m reading her short stories between novels, so not sure I’ll get to any others this year.
Wonderful review, Antoinette. So true about this author, and I love the quotes you chose!
I can identify with this experience, Antoinette. It is an indication of the author's compelling storytelling skills. I have not read Elizabeth Taylor. Thank you for the lead on which book to read first.