Gillespie and I

Jane Harris

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unreliable narrator

obsession and tragedy

psychological thriller

victorian era setting

complex character development

darkly humorous narrative

page turner

intricate narrative

unexpected twists and turns

'Gillespie and I' by Jane Harris is a gripping tale narrated by an unreliable narrator, Harriet Baxter, set in Scotland in 1880 but recounted in 1933. The story revolves around Harriet's interactions with the Gillespie family, particularly with the talented artist Ned Gillespie. Through Harriet's narration, the author skillfully reveals the characters' complexities and keeps the reader engaged with unexpected twists and turns. is described as a page-turner that intricately weaves together mystery, deception, and psychological depth, making it a compelling read that offers a unique perspective on character development.

Characters:

The characters are intricately developed, with Harriet as a compellingly unreliable narrator and other figures such as Ned Gillespie providing depth to the story's tension.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is eloquent and atmospheric, effectively utilizing an unreliable narrator to draw readers into the darkly humorous and intricate narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately weaves a tale of obsession and tragedy centered on Harriet Baxter's memories of the Gillespie family, leading to a shocking trial.

Setting:

The story is set in 1888 Glasgow, vividly depicting the Victorian era, and includes reflective elements from 1933 London.

Pacing:

The pacing starts leisurely but ramps up significantly as the narrative progresses, leading to intense and gripping moments.

In the spring of 1888, it so happened that I moved from London to Glasgow, following the decease, at Christmas, of my aunt, whom I had nursed all through the autumn and early winter. During those cold...

Notes:

Gillespie and I is set in 19th century Scotland, primarily during the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1888.

The main character, Harriet Baxter, is an elderly, unreliable narrator reflecting on her past.

Harriet claims to be a close friend of the artist Ned Gillespie, who is depicted as a talented but unrecognized painter.

The novel explores themes of obsession, deception, and the complexity of human relationships.

Harriet's recollections are filled with dark allusions that hint at a tragic event involving the Gillespie family.

The novel is described as a blend of historical fiction, psychological thriller, and mystery.

It reveals the intricate dynamics within the Gillespie family, particularly how tragedy affects their lives.

Readers are drawn into a web of manipulation and misinterpretation as they try to discern the truth from Harriet's narrative.

The story is structured as a memoir, shifting between Harriet's youth in the late 1800s and her reflections in the 1930s.

The book has been praised for its atmospheric setting and well-developed characters, particularly Harriet's complex personality.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers may include themes of mental health issues, trauma, crime, and psychological manipulation.

From The Publisher:

As she sits in her Bloomsbury home, with her two birds for company, elderly Harriet Baxter sets out to relate the story of her acquaintance, nearly four decades previously, with Ned Gillespie, a talented artist who never achieved the fame she maintains he deserved.

Back in 1888, the young, art-loving Harriet arrives in Glasgow at the time of the International Exhibition. After a chance encounter she befriends the Gillespie family and soon becomes a fixture in all of their lives. But when tragedy strikes - leading to a notorious criminal trial - the promise and certainties of this world all too rapidly disintegrate into mystery and deception...

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About the Author:

Jane Harris was born in Belfast and brought up in Glasgow. Her debut novel, The Observations, was shortlisted for the 2007 Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction, and she was also shortlisted for the British Book Awards Waterstone's Newcomer of the Year and the South Bank Show/Times Breakthrough Award. It was followed in 2011 by the highly acclaimed Gillespie & I, and that same year The Observations was chosen by Richard and Judy as one of their 100 Books of the Decade.

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