Sororicidal: A Darkly Lyrical Exploration of Sisterly Bonds and Artistic Rivalry
Edwina Preston's latest novel, Sororicidal, presents a compelling narrative that delves into the intricate and often perilous relationship between two sisters. Described as "lush, lyrical and darkly funny," this literary work masterfully captures the subtle violence and emotional complexities inherent in sibling dynamics.
The Dangerous Games of Childhood
The story opens in 1915 with Margot reflecting on her childhood with her older sister Mary. "Everyone is very sure that Mary never tried to kill me," Margot observes, adding the crucial qualification: "This is because Mary was always careful not to look as though she were trying to kill me." This early revelation sets the tone for a relationship marked by dangerous games and psychological tension.
The sisters grow up in a prosperous family on the outskirts of Adelaide, existing within a closed world of governess education and parental neglect. Mary emerges as the gifted painter, her creativity encouraged by their parents, while Margot feels overshadowed, describing herself as "lumpish, awkward and untalented." Their shared imaginative world becomes increasingly intense and fraught with unspoken dangers.
Sexual Awakening and Betrayal
As both girls enter puberty, their relationship undergoes significant strain. Mary begins competing with their flirtatious mother for the attention of their young tennis tutor, Mr. Dicker. Meanwhile, Margot develops a deeply homoerotic friendship with Nessy, the cook's daughter, under the guise of shared infatuation with the same tutor. In this charged atmosphere, the first of the novel's violent betrayals occurs, leaving Margot feeling emotionally annihilated.
A Remarkable Narrative Reversal
What makes Sororicidal particularly remarkable is the complete reversal that follows. Preston shifts narrators and elides at least a decade, introducing Mary's voice upon her return to Adelaide after an extended European tour. Mary's narrative voice proves startlingly different from Margot's—assured, "hot-blooded," and comfortable with her sexuality and artistic ambitions.
Now the dynamic has inverted: Mary seeks her sister's attention and affection, while Margot withholds. This narrative shift demonstrates Preston's skill in upending reader expectations and sympathies, creating a complex psychological landscape where neither sister serves as a simple counterpoint to the other.
Literary Precedents and Originality
The pairing of Margot and Mary follows literary traditions exploring artistic temperament, reminiscent of Patrick White's The Solid Mandala and its twin brothers representing aesthetic and ascetic impulses. Preston's previous novel, Bad Art Mother, similarly examined the potential for damage in artistic pursuit.
However, Sororicidal resists simple delineations. As women of their time, both characters are deeply affected by social expectations and family obligations. Margot, despite her inhibitions, reveals deep sensitivity and sensuality, while Mary demonstrates more care for others' feelings than initially apparent.
Narrative Structure and Psychological Depth
The novel unfolds in four parts, each section alternating between Margot and Mary as narrators, following the women through different life stages. Preston demonstrates remarkable adeptness at capturing the intricacies and subtle shifts in the sisters' emotional lives. Each narrative shift serves as both expansion and complication, handled with dexterous precision.
Preston's writing maintains its lush, lyrical quality throughout, infused with dark humor that underscores the complex psychic tension between the sisters. This tension creates a compulsive force that drives the narrative forward, keeping readers engaged with the evolving relationship.
The Unshared Spaces Between Intimates
Ultimately, Sororicidal explores how much remains unshared between even the closest intimates. Preston examines the secret undercurrents that run through lives like Mary's and Margot's, revealing how siblings can simultaneously know each other completely and remain profound mysteries to one another.
The novel's strength lies in its refusal to simplify complex human relationships, instead embracing the contradictions and ambiguities that define sibling bonds. Through alternating perspectives and carefully crafted psychological insight, Preston creates a compelling portrait of sisterhood that resonates with both its specific historical context and universal emotional truths.
