Hetty Dorval is Canadian author Ethel Wilson’s first novel, or novella. It was published in 1947. I came across this book on Heavenali’s blog who reviewed the Persephone edition.
The book, which is mostly set in British Columbia, tells the story of how Frankie Burnaby fell under the spell of a mysterious stranger, Hetty Dorval. The story, told in first person by Frankie herself, begins when young Frankie, an impressionable schoolgirl, meets the elegant, beautiful, and charismatic Hetty Dorval. Mrs Dorval has bought a cottage, far off any other houses, and lives there alone with a housekeeper. Hetty who tells Frankie that she doesn’t really like people visiting her, nonetheless, invites Frankie to her house, where she gives her tea and sings for her. Before Frankie leaves, Hetty makes her promise, not to tell anyone. It won’t take long until loyal Frankie gets in trouble because of this. Her parents find out and forbid her to ever visit Hetty again. They won’t tell her why but it’s clear that Hetty has a reputation.
After this initial meeting ends so abruptly, Frankie doesn’t see Hetty anymore and shortly after, Hetty moves away. But that’s not the last Frankie or the reader have heard of Mrs Dorval. Over the next years, Frankie and Hetty will cross paths several times. Every time, Frankie is a little older and every time, she sees more clearly what kind of person Hetty Dorval is. Soon there’s nothing left of the early enchantment but total disillusion.
Hetty Dorval is a short novel. It is flawed but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment. Hetty is a fascinating character. She’s a free spirit but, sadly, also painfully narcissistic. I enjoyed seeing how Frankie’s perception of her changes over the years.
What I liked the most about this short book (just over 100 pages) were the descriptions of the landscape. Most of the story takes place in British Colombia, at the confluence of the Fraser and Thompson rivers. Young Frankie is often on horseback and explores her surroundings. I had another picture of Canada in my mind. Not one where sage-covered hills abound. The way Ethel Wilson describes it is so beautiful.
Here’s a short quote that illustrates this. It’s taken form the end of the book. Hetty is speaking.
“Do you remember that mare I had in Lytton? Juniper? Wasn’t she a beauty? Sometimes when the moon was full I used to saddle Juniper and ride at night down to the Bridge, and across, and up to the Lillooet road and off into the hills. And Frankie, it was so queer and beautiful and like nothing else. Though there was nothing round you but the hills and the sage, all very still except for the sound of the river, you felt life in everything and in the moon too. All the shapes different at night. And such stars. And once in the moonlight the geese going over. I remember the shadows the moonlight made on the ground, great round sage-bushes all changed at night into something alive, and everything else silver. And once or twice the northern lights – yes, really. And the coyotes baying in the hills to the moon – all together, do you remember, Frankie, such queer high yelling as they made, on, and on, and on?” (p.105)
What also seems worth mentioning is Ethel Wilson’s knack for ominous sentences. I can’t explain this in detail as it would ruin the book but in one case, she uses it to foreshadow and in another to hint at a possible tragedy in a character’s life. The result is uncanny.
Overall this was a unique and enjoyable reading experience.
Beauty is a Sleeping Cat 
I spent my honeymoon in British Columbia and loved the place. I should read books set in this Province since it’s our 20 years wedding anniversary.
This one could be a good start.
Did you notice those sage bushes she describes it is it a thing if the past? I always expected British Colombia to be beautiful. You have another anniversary this year. Twenty years – that’s wonderful. I hope you will like it. I know Guy reviewed her Swamp Angel. Possibly it’s set there as well.
Oh, lovely! Not a Persephone I’ve read but I’m very keen to now! I have a Canadian connection as my father was born there – so I may have to add this to the wishlist.
I had no idea. Must be so beautiful. It’s a lovely little book. I couldn’t get the Persephone edition, but Ali I know Ali read that. Mine had an afterword. I suppose the Persephones have them too.
Wonderful review, Caroline! I haven’t heard of Ethel Wilson before. This book looks quite interesting from what you have said. Makes me remember Somerset Maugham’s Cakes and Ale. Thanks for sharing your thoughts 😊 Loving this series of A Post a Day in May 😊
Thank you, Vishy. I’m glad you like the series. The book is interesting. Such a fascinating character. I’ve read several of Maugham‘s books but not that. So far the series has kicked off well 😊
I need very little encouragement to read Persephones or novellas and this sounds wonderfully written. I’m really intrigued by what you say about ominous sentences.
I’d love to hear what you think of it. The last sentence is particularly ominous. I’ve heard good things of her Swamp Angerl and might give that a try later. It’s much longer.
Ah, Persephone…That’s why the name Hetty Dorval sounds familiar to me. I must have read Ali’s review or seen the book in the Persephone listings. The sense of place sounds very strong. It’s one of the things I look for in this type of novel – beautiful descriptive writing that captures the surroundings.
We’re all Persephone fans, it seems. I would have loved to order it from them but it was so much more expensive. The idea of the “genius loci” is central and mentioned in the book. It’s very appealing.
It’s a very different landscape in the interior of BC (and Washington, Oregon, California) once one of the mountain ranges out here is crossed – farming, ranching, and desert lands. I’ll have to pick this book up, Ethel Wilson sounds like a really interesting writer.
Since I haven’t been there I always associated Canada with forests, fir trees, wild streams. This sounds more desert like.
Ethel Wilson is very interesting. This was her first but you can see she’ll become a very accomplished writer.
I really enjoyed this novella when I read it. Hetty is such an intruiging character. I thoroughly enjoyed Wilson’s writing her sense of place is beautiful and the subtle build up as Frankie gets older and gains a different perspective of Hetty is fascinating.
She is. And it’s well done. At first I expected something a bit different, didn’t quite get what kind of person she is. Frankie changes so much. The last scene between the two is a joy to read.
I loved the landscape descriptions.
Sounds interesting. Your mention of ominous sentences sounds intriguing. I think that I know what you are describing. A skilled writer can use such a device to very good effect.
It’s very interesting. The function of some of the sentences is simple foreshadowing or like a quick look at the future. Others serve another function.
I like this novella so much. And yes, I agree about the uncanny moments. Great review, Caroline! 🙂
Thanks, Juliana. So nice to know you like it too. The end in particular, those final sentences – so uncanny. I’m not saying anything because I don’t want to spoil it.