Book Club: 'The Photograph' by Penelope Lively

We had a well-attended meeting in the Infinity Garden in June, enjoying far balmier weather than we did back in May. Lyndsay introduced The Photograph by Penelope Lively—an accomplished and prolific writer of both children's and adult fiction, and the 1987 Booker Prize winner for Moon Tiger (which I think is worth revisiting, although it’s many years since I read it).

The Photograph is set in the early 2000s and centres around a small cast of interconnected characters. Glyn, an academic, stumbles upon an envelope buried beneath an assortment of offprints and papers in a cupboard. It’s marked in his late wife Kath’s handwriting: “DON’T OPEN – DESTROY.” Naturally, he opens it. Inside is a photograph showing a group of people—including Kath, who appears to be discreetly holding hands with Nick, her brother-in-law (married to her sister, Elaine). The intimacy of the gesture implies an affair—news to Glyn.

What follows is Glyn’s obsessive attempts to uncover the truth about what was going on, with considerable effects of the revelation on Elaine, Nick, their daughter Polly, and Nick’s former business partner, Oliver. Each character has their own chapter, revealing their perspectives and slowly deepening our understanding of them—and of Kath, whose presence is both central and elusive. Exceptionally beautiful and seemingly full of infectious joy, Kath never truly found her place in the world of work, and hints accumulate that all was not well beneath the surface. We don’t hear her voice until near the end of the novel—and nobody close to her really hears her either.

Summarising our discussion is no easy task, but in brief: we reflected on the book’s exploration of grief, memory, and how easily someone can go unheard—especially when those around them are preoccupied with their own concerns. The characters are flawed but believable, and while the plot may at times feel a little contrived, it’s cleverly structured and undeniably effective. It held our interest and sparked a lively and thoughtful conversation.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 9th July, when Jane will introduce Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. We look forward to seeing you there!