Gillespie and I tells the story of Englishwoman Harriet
Baxter and the months she spent in Scotland in 1888. She initially goes up to
Scotland to see the International Exhibition that they are having in Glasgow.
She also goes because her stepfather has a house not far outside Glasgow and
she hasn’t seen him in years, not since her mother died. He’s a bit of a
recluse so she needs to go to him rather than him going to see her. While
walking around Glasgow she comes upon a scene where it appears a woman has
fainted. Harriet, having had some first aid training when she looked after her
aunt, goes to help. Having saved the woman, this begins Harriet’s relationship
with the Gillespie family and the tragedy that befalls them.
The story is told at two different times. We meet Harriet in
1933 when she is about 80 years old and living in London, with a live-in
companion to help with cooking, cleaning, shopping and so on. She is in the
process of writing her memoirs, although it mostly seems to be about her life
with the Gillespies. The story then flashes back to 1888 and we read her
recollection as she is writing it. Usually I would find this a little bit
annoying as there’s not always a point in doing it, it doesn’t add anything to
the story. In this case there is a mystery surrounding Harriet’s companion.
Harriet isn’t convinced the lady is who she says she is and thinks she may be a
character from her past in Scotland despite trying to cover up her accent.
The story is told from Harriet’s perspective and so we only
see the characters as she sees them and, when it comes to the tragedy, some of
the information is second hand as Harriet herself wasn’t there for some of it.
To a certain extent, our opinions on the characters are shaped by how Harriet
sees them as she has more love for some than for others. It’s also a bit
frustrating because you don’t get to see people’s motives for their actions.
But that’s sort of the point. You’re not sure who’s side you should be on.
The story is full of twists and especially towards the end
you really feel for Harriet and the situation she finds herself in, but also
for the Gillespie family who haven’t been able to cope with their tragedy in
peace. It is an interesting character study on how different people cope with
the same situation, and how they react to the people around them. Of course,
how close you are to the tragedy also is a factor. You think you know how a
character feels about another character but as soon as something comes along to
challenge that, some will stand by how they felt but some will be swayed by the
manipulation of others.
It gets off to a slow start so you can get to know the
characters and what their day to day lives are like before they are torn apart.
Having started slowly it all ends quite quickly after the tragedy happens. You
don’t have time to stop and think as you’re dragged along to the end. You’re
not sure what’s going to happen to Harriet in 1890 although you know she is
fine 40 years on. But 40 years is a long time. I did enjoy the story. I didn’t
really know what to expect and due to spoilers the blurb on the back isn’t that
great. However, this book is worth a read and gives you an insight into the
Scottish legal system at that time.
Overall rating 4 out of 5.
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