Thursday 10 December 2009

The world that was ours (Bernstein)


I'm not sure why it took so long for The world that was ours this Persephone book to make it into my consciousness, especially as it has also been republished as a Persephone Classic, but it was not until I realised that it was the only Persephone Classic that I didn't own that I thought I should look out for it. So, it was top of my list to pick up at the evening with Nicola Beauman that I went to on Monday - and fortunately the Woodstock Bookshop had a copy (although it was in the traditional grey rather than the newer edition). I spent most of Tuesday evening, pinned to the sofa, absolutely gripped by this wonderful book.

Word of warning - this is not a comfort read as many Persephone books are. Rather it is a worrying and thrilling real-life account of Bernstein's life in South Africa in the early 1960s, telling the story of the 1964 Rivonia Trial. Bernstein's husband Rusty was acquitted in this trial, but Nelson Mandela and others received life sentences. The book starts out by describing the lives of Hilda and Rusty and their children at this time, and how their membership of the Communist Party in South Africa, and their consequent attempt to fight apartheid, led to increasing numbers of restrictions being placed on their lives. Then Rusty is imprisoned for ninety days, and we learn about his time in prison, and eventually the trial. Then Bernstein's own life is threatened with arrest, and she is forced to make an escape...

I found the book both hugely thrilling and absolutely fascinating, I learnt a huge amount about a situation of which I knew very little, and at the same time saw how it affected everyday life. I was hugely impressed by the resilience of the couple and their determination to stay on and fight for a cause when they could very easily have left the country. The tension caused by the constant worries and frustrations were really well captured by Bernstein and made the book a real page-turner.

And what of domesticity? After hearing Beauman emphasise the domestic element of many Persephone books, I found myself thinking about how this book would fit into this paradigm. At first glance it isn't might seem that it doesn't - it's concerned with politics and apartheid. But actually, it is - the political elements only provide a backdrop to the story, and are secondary to the thoughts and feelings of a woman dealing with living in such a situation. When she escapes from her home, her thoughts are on the washing machine, still in a spin cycle, and on the domestic chores that she was in the middle of doing. Home also provides Rusty with a haven.

What a wonderful time I had reading this book. I've really remembered how much I love Persephone books this week, and am planning to read (and hopefully review) another one each week this year - The Victorian Chaise Longue, The Carlyles at Home, and To bed with Grand Music are all lined up for December.

13 comments:

  1. This sounds so interesting. It seems it's one of those Persephones one overlooks somehow but I'm definitely putting this on my wishlist!

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  2. Yes I had overlooked this too - I actually saw an original hardback of this in a shop on Charing Cross Rd last week but didn't get it. I wish I had now! What a brilliant review, Verity. I might pop along to the shop tonight to see if they still have it!

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  3. Mrs B - definitely worth unoverlooking. It has been my favourite book this week!

    Rachel - oh, do go and see if you can find it. But it's worth having a look at the Persephone edition for the new afterword too.

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  4. As you know, I have this on my immediate TBR pile and so glad that I eventually purchased a copy. The subject matter fascinates me anyway and as soon as I knew it was an account of fighting apartheid and that Rusty was trialed along with Nelson Mandela, I was sold.

    I'm looking forward to your upcoming Persephone reviews. It is important to remember that however comforting some Persephone titles may be they also publish challenging reads too.

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  5. This sounds like the Persephone for me! I do enjoy the comforting ones, but the sound of a thrilling one is almost making me go to order a copy now!

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  6. I really enjoyed my African Studies class in high school but it's not a location that holds my interest at the moment. Although, having said that, I was thrilled to be bullied (yes bullied) into reading The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. I need to be pushed out of my 'reading comfort zone' every once in awhile. Your review makes this one tempting and it IS a Persephone...I'll keep it in mind.

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  7. Claire - I think you are right; actually many of the Persephone books have quite an edgy element. I hope you enjoy it.

    Jackie - I think this could well be one that you might like.

    Darlene - I don't think I would have picked this up if it hadn't been a Persephone. I like the fact that they endorse things that otherwise I wouldn't read!

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  8. This is one of the titles that initially interested me in Persephone, so hopefully will get to it soon. I'm so glad you thought it was good.. will be looking forward to your other Persephone reviews this month. When is our next Persephone week??? :D

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  9. Claire - we definitely do need to have another Persephone week soon. I will talk to the other Claire, and maybe when we finally have our visit to the Persephone shop for tea in January we will be able to plan something!

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  10. The World That Was Ours is one of my favorite Persephones. I agree with everything you said about it. I learned so much from reading that book - plus it was an interesting read.

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  11. Lindsey - I'm glad to have someone else who feels the same and has read it too!

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  12. I am one of Hilda Bernstein's four children, it's fantastic to know that her book is still being read, enjoyed and learnt from here and there. Thanks for your blog.

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  13. Dear Anonymous - thank you so much for the comment. It is lovely of you to visit and mention that you are one of her children. I wondered a good deal about the perspective of the children when reading the book.

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