Feminism in fiction

Press, 31 October 1981, Page 17

Feminism in fiction

Puffball. By Fay Weldon. Hodder and Stoughton, 1980. 272 pp. $5.50, Stepping. By Nancy Thayer. Sphere Books, 1979. 274 pp. $5.25. The Bleeding Heart. By Marilyn French. Sphere Books, 1980. 374 pp. $5.95. (Reviewed by Karren Beanland) Three feminist novels which have been released in paperback make good, if somewhat predictable, reading, Of the three, only Fay Weldon’s “Puffball” would be of interest to those who are not already sympathetic to the feminist cause. It tells the story of a young married couple after they have moved from London to a romantic country cottage. The wife, Liffey, is a spoilt little rich girl whose plots to get what she wants nearly backfire. But left alone in the country, pregnant, she matures as she faces the mysterious changes in her body and the machinations of her strange witch neighbour. Described as a comedy of manners, this novel takes a witty and merciless look at human behaviour and the effect of Nature on human lives. Fay Weldon has a punchy writing style and uses fast-flowing vignettes to achieve a wider view of her subject. In contrast to the originality of the writing in “Puffball,” “Stepping” by Nancy Thayer is a predictable, though still a warm and very readable novel. “Stepping” describes the difficulties of

being a step-parent. With the statistics on marriage break-down ever increasing, this book addresses a phenomenon that has growing significance to many people. While a look at this subject is welcome, the novel is limited because the stepmother, Zelda, is simply too good to be true. In her endeavour to establish a good relationship with her petulant stepdaughters, build a good marriage and to remain tnie to herself as a person, Zelda becomes an Amazon in terms of patience and restraint.

What the novel lacks. in. realism, it makes up for in warmth and fulness. The B" re it draws of a woman trying to a happy family life and achieve personal fulfilment is appealing and very positive. In this Marilyn French’s novel “The Bleeding Heart" forms a strong contrast to “Stepping.” It has a much bleaker image of feminism, arriving at the conclusion that it is impossible for a woman to have a permanent relationship with a man without being trapped and dominated'.

“The Bleeding Heart" is a disappointment after Marilyn French’s previous novel “The Women’s Room.” While the writing is for the most part enjoyable and taut, this novel lacks the credibility of “The Women’s Room.” The story is basically a romance with a “liberated” heroine, but it is an unconvincing vehicle for feminist doctrine.