The Fading of the Light (The Spindrift Trilogy 2) by Charlotte Betts

Synopsis

1. Spindrift House, Cornwall.

Edith Fairchild, deserted by her feckless husband Benedict eight years before, has established the thriving Spindrift artists’ community by the sea and found deep and lasting love with Pascal. They have accepted that they cannot marry, but when Benedict returns unexpectedly to Spindrift House, all Edith and Pascal’s secret hopes and dreams of a joyous life together are overturned.

Benedict’s arrival shatters the peaceful and creative atmosphere of the close-knit community. When Edith will not allow him back into her bed, the conflict escalates and he sets in motion a chain of tragic events that reverberate down the years and threatens the happiness of the community forever.

Review
I can’t tell you how excited I was to learn that the second book in Charlotte Betts Spindrift Trilogy was being released, I have been waiting very unpatiently, always checking Amazon for a release date for the last year. I would also like to thank Charlotte and her team at Piaktus books for my advanced copy that I have devoured in two days. So, The Fading of the Light picks up the story of Edith, Dora, Clarissa and the rest of the artistic community in 1902, at a time of change for the country after Queen Victoria’s death. The tranquilty of the community is destroyed by the reappearance of Edith’s husband Benedict, seven years after he desterted her and her children. Bringing conflict and unhapiness in his wake, especially for Edith and Pascal, her French lover, the next five years are a time of turmoil and fear. Plenty of drama, a few heart my mouth moments, this book more than lived up to my expectations.

I loved being back with the artistic community of Spindrift] House, the characters who I felt I connected with in the previous book and the combination of history and art, my favourite subjects. I think Edith has been my favourite character so far, seeming to have nothing but trouble in her life yet her strength and her children see her overcome everything. However, she is pushed to the limits in this book with the return of her egocentric and absolutely dispicable husband Benedict, who thinks he can just come back an d pick up their marriage after seven years. I spent most of the book being aggreived on Edith’s behalf at how her husband humiliated her and showed no respect for the mother of his children. Edith’s story is important as it shows how few rights women had at the beginning of the twentieth century. Whilst Benedict can falunt his conquests in front of Edith, she had to keep her realtionship with Pascal secret. At this time the law was in favour of the husband, so if he could prove his wife was unfaithful, even just once, he could have her children taken away and kick her out of her home. I really did feel sorry for Edith, not being with the man she loves and always looking over her shoulder should Benedict be watching for any proof of her affaire with Pascal. Edith did have the support and love of her ‘community family’ especially Dora and Cassandra who were angry on her behalf. It was also interesting to read how the worries of motherhood that effected Edith and Clarissa were also problems we face today, the guilt of being a working mum, needing to work to feed and clothe the children meaning there is less time to spend with them. Cassandra and Edith’s stories also show the struggle of being a single mum where the father doesn’t contribute to their upbringing financially or emotionally, and how they are perceived by others.

As well as the return of old characters, there are also a few new additions to the community in the son of photographer Julian who comes to live with him, and a first love interest for the quiet Dora who takes care of everyone else. Through the community we see that a family is not just blood relatives, or from those we marry, but can be made up of friends, and people we choose to be with. This community support each other, all contribute to the running of Spindrift House and is inclusive of all where everyone is equal; lessons that we could all learn from. There is an saying that it takes a village to raise a child and in this case it is true, everyone takes an interest in the children, teaching them new skills, taking them to school and taking part in their birthday parties and looking after them.

As well as the characters, it is Chalotte Betts beautiful prose that adds to the enjoyment of the book. She sets the scene with her descriptive writing, capturing Spindrift House, the stunning Cornwall landscape with it’s ever changing weather and light that made it such a popular place for artisits to gather. I loved the way the weather changed and mirrored the atmosphere and emotions of the characters and the situations that occur in their lives. She also captures the atmosphere of the period, the way the unconventional artistic community was derided by others who didn’t understand, implying it was a den of iniquity, the small mindeness of the village residents. What really shines through is the role of women, and their different relationships, as a mother, wife, daughter, friend, step-parent, friend and lover, juggling all at the same time, and trying to balance their different roles.

The Fading of the Light is a stunning and captivating read, with wonderful characters facing many of the problems we face today. Second books in trilogy’s can sometimes seem flat, a holding book before the grand finale, but Charlotte Betts has written a sequel full of drama, passion, love, loss and life, with a strong plot line that captured my attention and didn’t let go until the final sentence on the last page. This really is another spectacular book, the words painting their own picture of a beautiful landscape and the remarkable characters. I can’t wait for the final instalment, especially after reading the opening chapter at the back of this book, it promises to be as compelling as the previous books, and I am looking forward to seeing what is next for Edith, Clarissa and Dora. You can read my review of the first book in the trilogy here The Light Within Us by Charlotte Betts