Author’s return proves a ‘traumatic experience’

Press, 12 June 1987, Page 5

Author’s return proves a ‘traumatic experience’

Returning to Christchurch after a 40-year absence is proving traumatic for the author, Fay Weldon.

“It’s a bit frightening how much I can remember — and how much the magnolia tree at 14 Jacksons Road has grown,” she said.

Not to mention the terrifying memories of Christchurch Girls’ High School — particularly the French teacher — or the Sisters of Mercy at St Mary’s Convent. . “Having your childhood cut off is very odd; it’s an amazing feeling 'to come back into it. Though what strikes me most is how little people really change, and how coming back has made me feel rather tom.”

Fay Weldon arrived in New Zealand at the age of six weeks, and left aged 13. Since leaving New Zealand she has become a highly successful novelist and television script writer,: and now lives in Somerset, England, with her husband and four children.

She began writing when, as a copywriter for an advertising agency, she realised portraying ideas was a step on from marketing a fish finger. “A television play is an extension of a commercial; it is a statement about the human condition.”

She returned to New Zealand to judge the Mobil "New Zealand Outlook” short story award, a visit which coincides with the screening of the television adaptation of her novel, “The Life and Loves of a She-Devil.” The book was a tale of envy, the film was one of revenge, and they both said • “what everybody

knows but nobody has presented.”

“The reaction it causes wherever it is shown doesn’t surprise me— it’s a basic story that is true anywhere.” Displaying none of the she-devil traits that many people accuse her of — "they think I must be horrible and bitter and twisted” — Fay Weldon said the background of supernatural power and fantasy in the book al-

lowed her characters to get away with “impossible” behaviour.

“If it’s to be accepted it has to be done like that — it’s very difficult for women to be bad, to walk out on their children. They are always seen as loving and caring; you have to have some kind of escape route, like cosmic power, to make it acceptable.” She likes to think her writing puts forward ideas

and gives ways of looking at situations and people “but always expecting the opposing side to argue at me.”

“I don’t see any point in doing anything just to pass someone’s time.”

A prolific writer, Fay Weldon’s literary career began in the late 1960 s with “The Fat Woman’s Joke,” originally a feminist tract for television and later expanded into a novel. She has written 11 books since then, and 20 major television plays and contributions to series, including “Upstairs, Downstairs,” and “Pride and Prejudice.”

She believes that television is wonderful for adding a heightened reality to novels, although some details get left behind and it is difficult to achieve the same feeling on screen.

“And there’s a lot to be said for leading a quiet life and living at home writing books.” Fay Weldon’s other main pastime is judging book awards and writing reviews.

“I respond easily to other people’s writing, and I like to read, so this keeps me busy.” •

The standard of the New Zealand stories she has judged impressed her, although she “longed for something a little wilder.”

“New Zealand writers have to remember they are international writers, and as good as anybody; it’s absurd for them to hang back from the rest of the world in any way.” Meanwhile, before leaving New Zealand, Fay Weldon wants to have another look at “that paradise, Elmwood School,” meet some old friends, and take photographs of the magnolia tree.