Vinod gave 'The Love Department' which i loved so I checked on William Trevor and found that this book was among his finest. And Vinod bhai had it so I borrowed it. It's a beautiful read.
The book starts with the death of Letitia, wife of Thaddeus, in a bike accident, leaving behind an infant child. The husband and his mother in law, look around for nannies and several apply, none being suitable. However one of the nannies, Pettie, who is a wild one owing to her abuse in her childhood in a home for the homeless, takes a fancy to Thaddeus and imagines herself taking care of him and his infant. She is assisted in her endeavours by one of the boys who was also in the home, Albert, who keeps an eye on her and tries to keep her out of trouble, kind hearted as he is.
Thaddeus does not love Letitia. However he has inherited a huge estate and spends his time living off the produce of the estate until rich and generous Letitia marries him. So generous is she that when she finds a letter written to her husband by an old lover, Mrs ferry, of his seeking financial help for her medial condition, she offers her money. Mrs Ferry however dies despite the help Thaddeus provides.
Pettie, in her obsession for Thaddeus's love, decides to take away the object of his affection, the infant child and kidnaps her. She is seen by a couple of kids, panics, leaves the child in the ruins of the home of homeless where she grew and disappears. The police arrive, investigate, and soon, Albert arrives with the baby, saying that he got a note about its whereabouts. Pettie dies too, somehow ends up in the rubble of the home, which is demolished. Albert tries to tell the Thaddeus family that Pettie did not mean to harm anyone and all she was looking for was love. To meet her love Thaddeus, she spends all her fare, by travelling twice to their residence.
It's tragic in so many ways and one feels for Pettie and Albert as much as one feels for Thaddeus and Letitia and Mrs Ferry. William Trevor fills in so many details that you get lost in the world while he slips in a dramatic twist - much like life does. Fabulous writing, lovely characters, unforgettable story.
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