Jonathan Coe's The Rain Before It Falls is a depressing story of the cycle of abuse, how close it comes around each time for each generation of women in this seemingly cursed family through the eyes of a conflicted relative.
After the passing of her Aunt Rosamond, Gill is responsible for taking a series of cassette tapes and pictures to a distant relative she has only met once twenty years ago. Listening to the tapes in hopes of gathering clues as to the possible whereabouts of Imogen, Gill and her daughters learn of a somewhat sordid family history they never knew exsisted. On the tapes Rosamond has described in detail twenty photographs she feels tell the history of Imogen, her mother and grandmother.
There is very little that is hopeful throughout the tale. Much foreshadowing steers you along a path of cruelty, madness and self destruction. Even when there does seem to be a slight chance of hope, Coe yanks the rug out from under you.
Not to say that this is not a story worth reading. The images are indelible. Rosamond's narrative is intriguing and heartwrenching for everyone involved. But if you're looking for a story of triumph and happy-ever-afters you'd best find it elsewhere.
Sounds like one I'll be skipping, too serious and depressing.
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