Shy Creatures

I now realise what a grave mistake I made by never having read Clare Chambers previously. After finishing Shy Creatures, I am now eager to devour all her other works – as soon as possible. This novel captured my attention from the very start. With its beautifully developed characters and rich storytelling, it is a story that is sure to linger in any reader’s mind.

Set in Croydon in 1964, we are introduced to Helen Hansford, an art therapist in her 30s working at a psychiatric hospital. Helen has long been entangled in a love affair with a married doctor from the hospital. Their routine is disturbed when they receive a call about a disturbance at a derelict house. There they discover a mute 37 year old called William Tapping, with a beard down to his waist, and his elderly aunt. It becomes evident that he has been confined in this house for decades. Helen, moved by William’s artistic abilities, resolves to uncover his story.

The premise of Shy Creatures deeply intrigued me. What led to William’s years of confinement with his aunts? How could Helen, with her skills as an art therapist, unravel his past and aid his recovery? These questions drive the plot, but Chambers also offers opportunities for you to reflect on themes of power and control, and to wonder, when does love and the desire to protect someone turn into domination and control?

Helen is a wonderfully flawed protagonist, and her choices are not always faultless; but she is sure to evoke sympathy and understanding, as we all know that being human sometimes means making the wrong decisions. Personally, William was my favourite character, as he is a hopeful person who struggles to make sense of situations around him, and he adds a great deal of depth to the story.

A beautiful and inspiring story, I highly urge you to pick this up.