Jessica Francis Kane’s latest novel, Fonseca, recreates an episode from the life of the Booker Award-winning novelist Penelope Fitzgerald.
In 1952, Penelope sailed on the Queen Mary from England to New York City with her 6-year-old son, Valpy. They then took a bus to Mexico and arrived on November 2, the Day of the Dead. They stayed through Candlemas.
Three months pregnant, Penelope has left behind her husband, Desmond, and her almost 3-year-old daughter, Tina. Why did she make this journey? Two elderly and wealthy Mexican women of Irish descent corresponded with her. Their families were once friends, and possibly relatives. The women need an heir, and they think that Valpy might do. But they make it clear that they need to meet Valpy before that can be possible. Thus, the journey.
Penelope and Desmond desperately need the money. Shell-shocked Desmond returned from World War II an alcoholic, and the modest income that he and his wife made from their literary journal, World Review, often ended up in the coffers of his favorite pubs. However, Valpy is not the only heir apparent. Penelope records this all in her diary and letters.
This beautiful novel is the book that Penelope dreamed of writing but never did. It is a delight.
Maureen Millea Smith is a retired librarian and an award-winning novelist.
