"Lolly Willowes": from a Victorian Model Spinster to a Witch

/RESUMEN EN ESPAÑOL DEBAJO/

Sylvia Townsend Warner's 1926 novel "Lolly Willowes" moves from realism to fantasy and includes such a subtle social criticism that after finishing it, the reader for a moment doesn't know how to react. In general, we could say the novel deals with fate of a spinsterish member of the family at the mercy of her relatives, but in reality it's about a much broader topic of female freedom to make their own choices.

“I began as a musician,” Warner wrote. “I think musical considerations—form, modulation, tempi and so on — have always been an influence on my work.” It is clearly visible in this book, the melody of the words is almost palpable, they seduce us and enchant to continue reading.

The story starts with young Laura Willowes living happily with her parents with no supervision nor expectations toward her. She may do as she wishes, but she doesn't really know much about the world. Once both her parents die, her situation drastically changes: she is taken by her brother Henry to live with him, his wife and 2 daughters in London. That is the moment of transformation for her: from a realtively free Laura she turnes into "aunt Lolly" who totally depends on her brother's family. Bur one day she ca take no more, she wants her life to be hers, she wants to move away from her family, reconect with the nature. She manages to do that and that's where the realistic part of the novels introduces, all of a sudden, elements of fantasy. It si rather unexpected and may surprise and confuse some readers. Laura becomes a witch. It helps her to be independent, to decide about her own affairs, to feel complete. 

Especially one fragment caught my attention in that last part of the book: a mini-dissertation on henswives and witches. I found the connection very appealing.

Generally, I have a very good final impression of the book. It's definitely worth reading. However a rather unexpected introduction of the fantasy took me of guard and for that reason I give it 3,5 out of 5.

RESUMEN EN ESPAÑOL

La novela "Lolly Willowes" de Sylvia Townsend Warner fue publicada en 1926. Es una historia de una solterona totalmente dependiente de su familia. Vemos cono Laura Willowes, una joven independiente y bastante feliz, no interesada en matrimonio, de repente, al morir su padre, se encuentra en una situación que no esperaba. Como una carga, está llevada por su hermano a vivir con el, su mujer y dos hijas. Al no tener marido es el hermano que a partir de ahora decidirá sobre su destino. Laura se convierte en "la tía Lolly", una cuidadora de niñas de su hermano, un par de manos para ayudar en la casa. Sus deseos y opiniones cuentan tan poco que ni ella misma piensa el lo que de verdad quiere hacer. Hasta un día cunado decide que ya ha tenido bastante. Las niñas ya no viven con sus padres y Laura decide tomar su vida de vuelta en sus manos. Se muda a vivir en el campo y se convierte en una bruja. Si, en una bruja.

Es una novela bastante corta que empieza de manera bastante realista describiendo la realidad que vivían las mujeres en los años 20., para de repente en las últimas 40 paginas convertirse en un relato sobre la libertad con muchos elementos fantásticos. Ese cambio hace que la narración nos parece algo desigual. Por separado la primera y segunda se leen fenomenal, pero juntas pueden confundir un poco. Aún así la lectura me pareció muy interesante y hay que admitir que el estilo de la autora nos enamora de las palabras, las frases suenan muy melódicas, es un placer leerlas.