Primrose Le is very close to a nervous breakdown: her husband has cancer, her brother-in-law is coming to visit, and her first love lives across the road.
Her chapped and bleeding hands from her compulsive, constant cleaning are visible proof that all is not well. She arrives at Whistles, a public golf course, in the pouring rain, her life spinning out of control, and yet she is compelled to play golf. Her therapist agrees, saying a hobby away from the house would benefit her body and mind. As the story unfolds, we see why she’s drawn to golf as with every swing and putt she tries to put the pieces of her life back together.
I loved this book; it is a deceptive treasure. It is highly readable and one of those books you feel compelled to read ‘just another chapter’. It’s also so insightful into a world not often written about. Primrose Le is such a loveable and relatable character – to know her so deeply in such a short novel is due to the brilliant writing.
Nina Wan deftly weaves Primrose’s many insecurities throughout the book, but we never feel she is weak – she is totally unique and human. Primrose Le is almost mute and seldom shares her opinion, instead, wanting to be a ‘good person’ that doesn’t stand out. Her almost total unravelling throughout the book is heartbreaking, but also ultimately liberating. You want her to find peace and happiness more than anything.
I cannot recommend The Albatross highly enough. It is intelligent, fresh, insightful, funny and full of genuine emotion. I will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen.
Reviewed by Nicola Skinstad
Nina Wan is a writer and former journalist at the Australian Financial Review. She lives in Melbourne.
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