The Private Wound

Cecil Day Lewis (1904-1972) was a praised British author that wrote crime-fiction and melodramas from 1935 through 1968 using the pseudonym Nicholas Blake. His most popular work was the Golden Age of Detective Fiction star Nigel Strangeways, a private-detective that appeared in sixteen novels between 1935-1966. My first experience with the author is coincidentally his last career effort, a poignant period-piece titled The Private Wound. It was originally published in hardcover by Collins in 1968 and then in paperback by Dell in 1970 and again by Penguin in 1975.

The book is set in Ireland during the summer of 1939. In first-person perspective, a 30 year-old British author named Dominic Eyre has arrived in the fictional rural village of Charlottestown. His car has broken down on the highway so he receives a suggestion to stay the night at the town's small hotel. Later, Dominic meets with the colorful villagers and is smitten with a young married woman nicknamed Harry (real name Harriet). Dominic explains that he is searching for a quiet summer in the country to finish his manuscript. After a tour of a nearby farm, Dominic is offered a rental of a small cottage and accepts.

There's a close-knit group of characters that consistently become an intimate part of Dominic's life. Of the males, there's former veteran and tough-nosed farmer Flurry, Harry's husband. Harry learns of Flurry's rugged war efforts and a revenge mission he took upon himself to torture and kill some evildoers. The melodrama and lofty feel of the narrative is sliced in two with this scene evidencing Flurry's violent nature. But, Flurry is an alright guy and one of my favorite characters in recent memory. There's also Flurry's brother Sean who is making a political climb. Also, a local priest that often interviews Dominic about his life and future ambitions. On the female side is Sean's wife Maire, a hardworking woman who wants the best for everyone. 

Then there is Harry.

Harry immediately takes to Dominic and the two begin a summer affair. They make love on the cool grass by the river and then nearly every other day in various locations throughout the village. Oddly enough, Dominic quickly realizes that Harry has claims to many of the village men. She also has no regrets and insists that Flurry either doesn't care what she does or, truth be known, he loves her so much that he wants her to be happy no matter who, or what, she occupies her time with. Dominic falls in line. But, one evening Harry is found stabbed to death on the riverbank and fingers point to Dominic. 

This was one of the best books literary books I've read. It's clear that Lewis was writing his send-off novel, his final effort before leaving this world. The final pages of the book were just so unique and left me with that emotional “ah-ha" moment that is hard to duplicate. The book's last few pages were stylish and changes the narrative and the feel of the character to a degree. However, getting to that point was just such a pleasure. Lewis writes dialogue with a smooth prose that tells the story. Additionally, the author weaves in some premonition regarding the upcoming war, Hitler's rise to power, and the IRA-Protestant troubles. 

I can't help but connect The Private Wound with Patrick Kavanagh's 1944 Irish poem, the basis for one of my favorite songs of all-time - “Raglan Road” (preferably Van Morrison/Chieftains). The song pairs well with the book and I probably played it 20 times throughout my page flipping. If you are looking for a moving crime-fiction melodrama then look no further than The Private Wound. Highest possible recommendation. Get your copy HERE.