The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington is the second book choice for the book club I’ve recently joined. I had not heard of Leonora Carrington and had no idea what to expect. Some very brief research suggested The Hearing Trumpet to be very surrealist. I don’t think I’ve read any surrealism since my undergrad days studying a module on the beat writers of the 1950s. For most of that module, I didn’t really understand what I was reading to be honest!
Considering my benchmark of comprehension to be fairly low, I made use of the library rather than purchase a copy. It was encouraging to see three copies in circulation across Oxfordshire libraries. The Hearing Trumpet is a slim book of 158 pages and I’ve read it over a few days.
The Hearing Trumpet
Marian Leatherby is 92 when her friend Carmella gifts her a hearing trumpet. The first conversation she hears through it, is her dreadful family plotting to put her in a religious institution. The other residents are variously eccentric older women and they all live in houses shaped like boots, igloos and toadstools. Marian is installed in a tower where one room only has furniture painted on the walls. The institution is run by a ghastly husband and wife, the Gambits.
Carmella is keen is to plot a jailbreak for Marian, when suddenly there is a murder among the residents. Amongst all this, a painting of a winking nun in the dining room sparks its own backstory of the history of the institution. In the final section things really do go completely surreal! Featuring, in no particular order, a purple limousine, a pack of wolves, a box of sardines, some sort of hallucinogenic vision and dragon, the holy grail, a swarm of bees, an ark and the onset of a new ice age. All in 158 pages!
Will it be a book club hit?
Truthfully I enjoyed the chaos, but missed the depth (it may well have sailed straight over my head!) It’s a delightfully batshit little book, full of wit, and rather charming. I’m keen to know what everyone else made of it!
My favourite character was Carmella. She is such a hoot! She says the most bonkers things, but with such conviction that it is hilarious. I loved the funny little fairytale elements and the image of eccentric ladies living in boots and toadstools. The visuals of these eccentric septo, octo and nonagenarians and their antics is such fun. I can well believe why no one initially wanted to publish The Hearing Trumpet, because it is so nutty. In parts I did struggle with it, and on more than one occasion thought, what is going on?! But then Carmella would make another appearance and I’d have my comedic relief and motivation return. I am sure it will have the makings of another fun discussion at book club!
