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Title: God on the Rocks

Author: Jane Gardam

Narrator: Carmela Corbett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-25-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

During one glorious summer between the wars, the realities of life and the sexual ritual dance of the adult world creep into the life of young Margaret Marsh. Her father, preaching the doctrine of the unsavory Primal Saints; her mother, bitterly nostalgic for what might have been; Charles and Binkie, anchored in the past and a game of words; dying Mrs. Frayling and Lydia the maid, given to the vulgar enjoyment of life; all contribute to Margaret's shattering moment of truth. And when the storm breaks, it is not only God who is on the rocks as the summer hurtles towards drama, tragedy, and a touch of farce.

Members Reviews:

Insidious

How exactly should a reviewer rate a book which is quite well written but which she nonetheless didn't like? Ms. Gardam's prose is both tight and subtle, gradually revealing everything we need to know in understated, often easy to overlook hints and details. Her plotting and characterization are complete and well integrated. In a minimum of words Ms. Gardam conveys her character's actions and words while gradually revealing the history and motivations that underlie such behavior. Her characters are fully understandable, but, as such, they are also thoroughly detestable. There was not one character, not even the precocious main character, eight-year-old Margaret, whom I connected with enough to care about.

The story revolves around the neglected, smart-mouthed Margaret and her dysfunctional family. Her father's sole concern is his strict, Bible-based religion, the Primal Saints. Margaret is expected to - and does - memorize vast numbers of Bible verses. Such verses become a means of communication - and battle of wits - between Margaret and her father. For instance, Margaret wants to see the pierrots on an outing to the seaside and her father brings up Moses' views about dancing in Exodus. The conversation continues with Margaret responding:

"I hate Moses. What about David?"

"How dare you, Margaret!"

"Psalms 150 verses three to six. And what about two Samuel six fourteen?"

"That will do."

Margaret's mother, meanwhile, is a hopeless, doddering, nostalgic fool for whom Margaret has contempt. Elinor is caught up in caring for the new baby and following her husband's religion, but she herself seems to have no personality. We sense perhaps there is (or was) something to her buried under all that silliness, but even as we learn more about the real Elinor, she remains as doughy and insubstantial as ever.

Although Margaret sees and understands (and despises) her parents perfectly well, they do not see her. Since the baby came, she has been often left in the care of Lydia, the brash, loose, profane maid whom Mr. Marsh feels has been sent to him to be saved. On Wednesdays Margaret is allowed to take excursions to the seaside with Lydia, only to be left to her own devices while Lydia attends to her personal affairs.