by @CarolynMAuthor

A few weeks ago my mother and I watched the film The Bookshop, based on the novel by Penelope Fitzgerald. This evocative film is about Florence Green, a widow in the late 1950s, who tries to establish a bookshop in a small English town against the wishes of the controlling doyenne of the local community, and is (*spoiler alert!*) ultimately unsuccessful.
Not having read the book, I was (unpleasantly) surprised by the ending, which prompted a conversation with my mother about how it perhaps reflected the reality of many small business owners who invest huge amounts of capital and time and energy into their dreams, only to see them fail. It's not the Australian dream, it's definitely not the American dream, but it is many people's reality. We try, and sometimes we don't succeed.

I believe hope is one of the most wonderful aspects of being a Christian, and something that we should offer in a desperate world hungry for good news. Yet this tension exists between creating stories that are real with ones that offer the chance to escape reality, and enter a different world where hope can perhaps be more plainly seen.

Sometimes this 'either/or' mentality isn't helpful, as we can focus more on what perceived differences are than what we have in common. For whether we are published or not, self-published or traditionally published in Australia or the US (or not), writing stories for the general market or for Christians, stories that subtly allude to Christian truths or include Bible references, the most important thing we need to offer is a sense of hope.
Yes, we can be gritty. Yes, we can be real. But if our words don't ultimately offer something that fuels courage and persistence and enables readers to dream and not despair, then our readers might as well be watching the news.

A person's need for story varies at different times, and in different seasons in life. A 'happily-ever-after' might seem a bit raw to someone in mourning, or it might give that person comfort, or possibly even courage to one day dream again. We can't know how our words will be received.

Something that gives us hope.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novels include The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, Winning Miss Winthrop and Miss Serena's Secret, all available from Amazon, Book Depository, Koorong, etc
I agree that hope in some shape or form is so important, Carolyn. I know I have so little time for reading right now that when I do, I don't want to read bleak novels that do not encourage and uplift me in some way. On the other hand, I don't like sugary sweet novels either--hard to please!
ReplyDeleteVery well said, Carolyn. I read partly to escape and partly to be inspired. I get that reality can be horrible but I don't need to be left in that place. Life is awful sometimes and we should not shirk that truth, but there always has to be hope as our God is the author of hope. I haven't seen 'The Bookshop' and all kinds of movies and literature have their place, but I want to write and read stories which feed the soul rather than drain it. Otherwise what's the point?
ReplyDeleteI’m with you Sue - that’s a good way to put it, ‘feed the soul, not drain it’. Happy writing!
DeleteCarolyn, lovely thought provoking post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ian. Always appreciate your encouragement.
DeleteI know what you mean, Jo-Anne - it’s a tricky balance isn’t it? Happy writing (& reading)!
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn, I haven't read or seen it, but did hear a little spoiler about the ending. How sad, but as you say, she's definitely not alone! All a person can do is provide soul-nourishing books, whether through writing or providing them, but it's a big world out there. I prefer the uplifting ones myself.
ReplyDeleteI’m with you, Paula. Bring on the uplifting ones!
ReplyDeleteEach day brings new opportunity for hope. News reports can truly bring us down. I enjoy reading and seeing happy reports full of hope. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn, great post! I prefer reading uplifting and hopeful stories with a satisfying ending. I think I've watched nearly all of the Hallmark movies available on Netflix, lol. :)
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