Book review: Edenhope by Louise Le Nay

Edenhope by Louise Le Nay reminded me of Days of Innocence and Wonder by Lucy Treloar – as it was about a woman whose life was changed (saved, kinda) by a place and the people she met there. It’s a delightful book and could be heavy-going – given it deals with drug use, addiction and child neglect – but instead, through our narrator (Marnie) there’s a sense of hope, despite everything else. A reminder that there are good people willing to do good things.

Marnie is sixty-three and downwardly mobile. Her middle-class marriage is long gone, her only child more or less estranged. She’s living in a granny flat behind a stranger’s house.

Still, things could be worse. She likes her new boss, Trinh, and her flat has a leadlight window depicting a galleon in full sail. Also, her daughter Lenny has just brought Marnie’s adored grandchildren to stay.

She’s also brought her repellent boyfriend and raging drug habit, so nothing new there. But this time it’s different. This time Marnie can see with absolute clarity the danger the children are in.

And this time—she’s going to do something about it.

In Marnie, Le Nay gives us a real insight into the life of someone who’s in crisis and hitting rock bottom through no real fault of their own. It takes some time however for us to understand how Marnie became ‘downwardly mobile’. From a comfortable suburban life, to someone sleeping in her car. We get glimpses though, as Le Nay shares moments from Marnie’s early working life, her marriage, her divorce and the issues with daughter Eleanor (Lenny) – before and after the arrival of her grandchildren.

This is yet another great bookclub read as I suspect some people would have very strong opinions about Marnie and the fact she rescues her daughter again and again. Sure a mother’s love is meant to be unconditional but Lenny is far from grateful. Marnie is our narrator (however) so we know that she knows what addiction is doing to her daughter and – more importantly – her ability to parent her children. And yet she continues to accept responsibility for Lenny’s actions… trying to make thing better.

I probably would have liked a little more context or backstory as we learn Lenny started acting out while still at school. Late in the book Marnie ponders where she went wrong as a parent to have Lenny become a drug addict who’s done prison time for robbery and continue to neglect her children for her next fix.

In some ways Marnie demonstrates a sense of incredulity or denial. She’s homeless and sleeping in her car with her grandchildren but surprised when someone suggests she’s ‘in crisis’. At times she seemed insufficiently desperate, certain things will be okay, although there is a growing despondency.

Despite that and some frustration with ‘the system’ Le Nay reminds us to look for the helpers. While there are social workers who make harsh judgements, there are others who go above and beyond. And there are people who recognise the good in others and support that. And finally, the seeds we sow through some relationships – old ones in the case of Marnie – manifest many years later in the generosity of others.

I definitely recommend this book. Le Nay takes a sympathetic and compassionate approach to parenting, relationships and addiction. She (through Marnie) also takes readers on a journey, reminding us a mother’s love is unconditional, but sometimes it’s important to let go; or rather remove the rose-coloured glasses and accept that life may not turn out the way we expect.

Edenhope by Louise Le Nay was published in Australia by Text Publishing and now available.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.