[ About Clara and Christina ]
Two women meet in an unassuming coffee shop in Belfast; they seem an unlikely pair. Clara is young, inquisitive, optimistic for what the meeting holds. Christina is older, in her seventies, still glamorous, still quick. She is working on her fifth novel but no one yet knows of its existence. Clara is there to interview Christina, for her own book, anticipating some major scoop on this reclusive novelist. She wants to unearth the truth behind the fiction. But Christina has a different lesson in store for Clara.
Over a few months, a relationship forms between these two women who live their lives in books. Clara, writing her first, embraces this opportunity to learn from a writer finishing her last. During this time, Clara, face to face with her hero, begins to question her own convictions ultimately asking herself: what if there is nothing but fiction?
[My Review]
Clara and Christina by Andrew Cunning published July 30th with John Murray and is a very clever debut, a metafictional style novel that will have every reader struggling, on completion, to accept that neither Christina or Clara are real people.
A few weeks back I was very lucky to attend the Cork launch of Clara and Christina in Waterstones, Cork. On the night Andrew Cunning was in the company of Wendy Erskine (author of The Benefactors) and Patrick Holloway (author of The Language of Remembering). It was a wonderfully entertaining evening full of warmth and wisdom, with fascinating insights and plenty of laughs.
Listening to Andrew Cunning speak with such passion about his writing and the challenges he experienced on his path to publication was such a privilege. When he was quizzed on his approach to the novel it was fascinating to get a glimpse into his thoughts and processes.
Clara and Christina is quite a distinctive debut with two main characters who very much occupy the mind of the reader. Clara is an academic who has always been in awe of the writing of the reclusive Christina Darnell. When Clara made an approach to Christina she never anticipated that she would get a meeting but what transpired was a weekly coffee at 9am on a Sunday morning in a café near Christina’s home. Clara was writing a monography about Christina so this opportunity provided her with inside access to this writer that the literary world was curious about.
As the weeks passed their friendship developed and Clara was mesmerised by the breadth of knowledge and opinions that Christina shared with her. Her mindset was not too surprising but it was the access to her inner thoughts that Clara was so caught up with.
Cunning adds in sections from Darnell’s work within conversations and observations, leaving the reader wanting more, believing that there is more. Really quite extraordinary.
Clara and Christina is a difficult novel to pigeon-hole. Cunning hails from an academic background as an educator in literature and theology. His knowledge of this world provides a real sense of authenticity to many chapters, especially those where Clara is lecturing and tutoring her own students. Throughout the novel there are multiple reference to real-life creatives, in both the writing and music sphere, with novels and albums mentioned that need to be explored.
The conversations between Clara and Christina are very tangible, immersing the reader into the coffee shop with them as they grow their connection. Christina has very strong views leaving Clara initially quite shy and quiet but as their dates pass she develops in confidence and is more able to offer her own personal views on the subjects discussed. For Clara these meetings are quite self-reflecting and considered as she learns more about herself. Christina offers her a different perspective on life and while Clara may not always agree, she is very open to learning and understanding.
Carefully written, precise and polished, Cunning has written an unashamedly literary novel that demands time for reflection. A high-concept read, Clara and Christina is profound and astute, a remarkable debut.
[ Bio ]
Andrew Cunning was born on the North coast of Ireland and now lives in North Belfast. He taught literature and theology at various universities, and now teaches English in an all-ability secondary school.
Clara and Christina is his first novel.
