Kathy Burke has long celebrated the power of women’s voices, be that on screen, stage, or on the page. In this piece, she turns her attention to the books by women that have shaped her, entertained her, and stayed with her over the years. From riotous humour to raw emotion, the stories she highlights reflect the same honesty, grit, and heart that have defined her own work.
I first read Hilary Mantels debut novel when it was published in the early 1980’s. It tells the story of a social worker and a very dysfunctional mother and daughter under her care. I remember laughing my head off at her characters and dialogue. Recently I decided to re-read or listen to Mantel’s complete works and was surprised at how dark and macabre it actually is. My younger self just thought it was funny but my older self clutched my imaginary pearls at the horror.
Is this cheating? Who cares! For me the early nineties were all about Pat Barker and her brilliant First World War trilogy. I remember my friends and I waiting rather impatiently for the last volume to be released. Its themes including psychology, class and women kept us gripped.
I love all of Highsmiths novels but SOAT was the first I read. Hitchcock’s film version was a favourite of mine as a kid and I remember spotting the novel in the Essex Road library and being mightily surprised and impressed that it was written by a woman. It’s such a brilliant idea and one of the most captivating murder stories.
I listened to the audio version of this great yarn during lockdown and loved it. Evelyn, an elderly and very glamorous Hollywood star recounts her life and its many lovers for her biography. It has a solid structure, is full of surprises and lovely twisty bits.
One of my favourite novels of all time and its protagonist, Barrington Walker, a closeted homosexual with a secret lover of many decades is one of my favourite anti-heroes. He’s a twat but I love him. This novel is beautifully written and packed with love, passion, humour and pathos. I was so sad when it ended I immediately read the whole brilliant thing again.
