Notes From an Exhibition
Patrick Gale's Novel About Family Dynamics and Religion is Fantastic
Throughout Gale's novel, Notes From an Exhibition, there are a variety of deep, intense and emotional issues. These surround family, religion, mental health issues, homelessness, and homosexuality. Given the darkness that can surround these issues, Gale manages to keep the work upbeat and oriented on the power of love.
The Quaker Faith
The glue that binds both the story and the family together, Gale gently weaves the concepts of this gentle faith throughout. The characters adhere to their faith even as their lives fall apart, and most ardently cling to the one tenant; do not lie. They tell the truth even when it is painful to those around them. What becomes apparent, however, is the cleansing and purifying effects of telling the simple truth.
This faith also provides the background of a place of safety, both literally and figuratively. The characters search out the Quaker meeting places, no matter where they are or state they are in. While there, they find a type of peace that has less to do with God and more to do with an understanding of themselves.
Bipolar Disorder
Much of the story revolves around the character of Rachel, the bipolar artist, mother and wife. She is erratic, moody and often unpardonably distant from her children and family. She is a brilliant artist with a shady past, a woman who is unable to bond with her children because of her mental illness.
Interestingly, Rachel is never portrayed as a victim, but rather as a survivor. While the reader does not always understand her actions, she is a character difficult to get a vivid image of, as she herself is such a fantastic blur.
Gale develops the family relationship around their difficult mother while exploring the feelings of both the children and her quiet husband as they deal with their own lives, while constantly aware of Rachel's needs. This theme of the novel is bittersweet, as the reader develops a deep understanding of the crests and troughs ridden by not just the person with the illness, but also by those who care for her.
Homosexuality
Hedley, one of Rachel's sons, is gay. This is not, however, examined through the Quaker faith, but rather through his relationship to his family and his partner. He is not a stereotype, but rather a kind character who must deal with issues of jealousy and faithlessness, as well as his connection to his mother, whom he feels is disappointed in his lifestyle, even though she has never said anything, since the Quaker faith is supposed to remain non-judgmental. Hedley's coming out story is told in bits and pieces, letting the reader get to know him slowly.
Love Through Adversity
The most poignant theme of the story is that of the complexity of love. Family comes first, always, even though they may not like each other very much at times. Mental illness plagues another member of the family, but they continue to love this person just as much as they loved their mother. One son has a secret liaison with another woman, but loves his wife no less.
Death takes one character, and yet the reader is allowed to view glimpses of the person he was before the novel ends. The family misses him but is not destroyed by the loss as much as by the deep depression it throws Rachel into.
Author Patrick Gale
Born on the Isle of Wight in 1962, Gale is the author of 14 books, Notes from an Exhibition being the latest. He grew up in London, and currently lives with is partner near Land's End, raising cattle and learning how to drive tractors. His website has a list of his books, as well as his author signings and interviews.
