Possession

Possession
By A.S. Byatt
Vintage Books, 1991. 528 p. Fiction


Roland Michell, an uninspiring academic is obsessed with all things concerning the famous Victorian era poet, Randolph Ash. Ash, a married man, was obsessed with the poet Christabel LaMotte, a lesser-known contemporary. While researching Ash’s life Roland accidentally stumbles on a dusty old letter from Ash to LaMotte. The letter has never been discovered and could put Roland’s academic career back on the map. All Roland’s academic peers agree Ash and LaMotte never even met. With the letter secretly concealed Roland sets out to prove otherwise. Along the way he enlists the aid and trust of Maud Bailey. Maud is a successful scholar who is almost a polar opposite of Roland. At first skeptical, Maud soon is deeply intertwined in the mystery of the two poets. Roland and Maud grow closer together as they race to solve the puzzle before their fellow academics.

I watched the movie adaptation before reading the novel and would suggest to anyone interested to skip the film all together and focus only on Byatt’s work. Winner of the 1990 Booker prize, the theme of possession is replayed time and time again. It is seen in the academic fever to win the prize, the desire for completion among two lovers and the possession of a certain idea of truth. Although the novel could be categorized as a romance it is almost a mystery as the two central characters become detectives in their search for clues. Byatt’s talent is astonishing. Each poem by Ash and LaMotte are believably unique and full of symbolism. There are layers upon layers of meaning. It is refreshing to read a book that is cerebral yet full of passion.

ALC