Trouble Was review – a sharp child's-eye view of adult neglect
· fashion
Trouble Was by Charlotte Edwardes review – a sharp child’s-eye view of adult neglect
The summer of 1976 is often remembered as a pivotal moment in British history – a time of economic crisis, social unrest, and a sweltering heatwave that left its mark on the nation’s psyche. For novelist Charlotte Edwardes, this era has become a rich source of inspiration for her debut novel, Trouble Was.
Edwardes’ novel offers a searing portrayal of adult inadequacy through the eyes of nine-year-old Frank, who finds himself at the center of a maelstrom of marital breakdown, mental health struggles, and societal pressures. By opting for a first-person child narrator, Edwardes takes a bold risk – one that pays off as she skillfully balances precocity and authenticity.
The decision to use past tense is a masterstroke, allowing Frank’s observations to feel both immediate and mediated by the hindsight of adulthood. This technique enables the reader to slowly peel away the layers of adult dysfunction, revealing a complex web of relationships that are both tragic and infuriating. Edwardes’ deliberate pacing crafts a narrative that feels deeply personal and universally relatable.
Trouble Was also explores the hereditary nature of mental illness – a theme that resonates powerfully in today’s conversation around trauma and intergenerational pain. By depicting the mother’s struggles as both situational and inherited, Edwardes sheds light on the complexities of family dynamics.
One of the most striking aspects of Trouble Was is its willingness to confront the darker aspects of human nature with unflinching honesty. In an era where social media curates the highlights of our lives, Edwardes’ novel serves as a welcome counterpoint: a gritty reminder that life is messy, complicated, and often heartbreaking.
Frank’s character feels both deeply human and profoundly vulnerable – a quality that makes him instantly relatable. As we delve deeper into the world of Trouble Was, we’re forced to confront our own complicity in the stories we tell ourselves about family, love, and trauma.
In its portrayal of adult neglect, Trouble Was poses a question that lingers long after the final page: what does it mean to truly care for one another? Edwardes’ novel serves as a searing reminder that sometimes, the hardest thing to do is simply to show up – to be present in all its messy, complicated glory.
Trouble Was is a powerful exploration of the human condition – one that feels both deeply personal and profoundly timely. As we emerge from the heatwave of Edwardes’ making, we’re left with a haunting sense of recognition: that our own struggles, our own triumphs, and our own failures are all part of a larger narrative – one that’s messy, beautiful, and forever intertwined.
Reader Views
- TCThe Closet Desk · editorial
While Charlotte Edwardes' Trouble Was is undoubtedly a sharp critique of adult neglect, I'd argue that its true genius lies in its portrayal of childhood resilience. Frank's observations, though searing, are tempered by his own vulnerability and curiosity. What's strikingly absent from the review, however, is any discussion of the novel's handling of power dynamics. Edwardes masterfully subverts expectations around who holds agency in this dysfunctional family, but a closer examination of how Frank navigates these complex relationships would offer further insight into her thematic concerns.
- NBNina B. · stylist
The portrayal of adult neglect in Trouble Was is nothing short of scathing, and for good reason - this kind of dysfunction is still all too prevalent today. But what I find particularly striking about Edwardes' novel is its refusal to sentimentalize the childhood experience. Frank's narrative is unsparing in its critique of adults who fail to adapt, but it also resists the temptation to romanticize his own innocence. By refusing to sugarcoat the complexities of family dynamics, Trouble Was presents a nuanced exploration of intergenerational trauma that feels refreshingly honest.
- THTheo H. · menswear writer
Trouble Was shines a spotlight on adult neglect with unflinching candor, but I'd love to see more exploration of the era's social context in relation to the novel's themes. Edwardes' choice of setting is apt – 1976 was a summer of economic crisis and social upheaval – but what's less clear is how this specific historical moment shapes Frank's experiences and perceptions. It's worth considering whether Trouble Was could be seen as both a critique of its time period and a reflection of timeless human struggles, or if the two are inextricably linked.