Sarah Aldridge (1911–2006)

Despite being self-published, Sarah Aldridge could definitely write: her prose often aims for psychological truth and, at her best, her narratives are reassuring and romantic with a deep belief in the solidarity of female relationships. However, Aldridge's chief flaw as a novelist is one common to many writers - that of being a little too much "in love" with one's own characters, so much so that one is unwilling to expose them to *too* much danger or conflict. Too often Aldridge flirts with the idea of potential disaster, only to have her characters escape truly harmful consequences in a too-facile resolution. As the saying goes, you've got to have a little "grit" if you want to produce a pearl...

But then, Aldridge's priorities are homelier, more domestic than those of the book market today. Safety, security, trust and slow self-determination are the goals for her heroines, and frequently she establishes the theme of a weaker, needier heroine being "adopted", in a quasi-maternal fashion, by an older or more mature figure. This celebration of women's gentleness is rare and pleasant to read, but the inevitability of friendship giving way to love can often be frustrating for the reader who prefers a little antagonistic sexual tension between lovers. Indeed in this novel, O MISTRESS MINE, Aldridge deliberately plays with the reader's expectations by establishing two potential rivals for her heroine Joan's affections. One is a quiet, fragile girl whose dearest wish is to bear a child of her own; the other is a fiery, sexy, outspoken campaigner for gay rights who challenges Joan to "come out" publicly despite her public image as a respected academic. Given Aldridge's track record, guess which girl Joan goes for?

Correct. (Frustrating, isn't it? :) )

However, there is much to recommend O MISTRESS MINE, Aldridge's last novel (and published when the author was 92!): there's a depth and range to the secondary characters which is not always present in her earlier work, as well as a conscious effort to tackle political issues such as gay marriage and artificial insemination. With this final work Aldridge aims for the reader's brain as well as the heart, and it's a fine culmination to her career.… (meer)