Description
Julia Martin finds herself adrift in Paris, her beauty and past reliance on men no longer enough to sustain her after a recent, abrupt departure from her latest lover. A desperate journey back to London to see her ailing mother offers a glimmer of hope for a fresh start, but it also forces a confrontation with her estranged and distrustful sister, Norah. As Julia navigates the complexities of family and her own precarious existence, she must confront the choices that have led her to this point and grapple with the possibility of redemption or further isolation. This poignant novel delves into themes of female independence, the consequences of societal expectations, and the enduring search for self-worth.
Available Editions
paperback
W. W. Norton & Company
Published Jan 1, 1997
191 pages
ISBN: 9780393315479
paperback
Penguin Books Ltd
Published Aug 3, 2000
160 pages
ISBN: 9780141183947
Reviews
1 rating
Community Reviews(1)
Jean Rhys is one of my absolute favourite writers, her writing is melancholic and her books often leave me heartbroken. Yet <a href="https://wordery.com/after-leaving-mr-mackenzie-jean-rhys-9780141183947#oid=1159_1" target="new"><i>After Leaving Mr. Mackenzie</i></a> didn't make me feel anything but fed up; all the characters are irritating, frustrating, or lifeless. The protagonist - Julia - was <i>infuriating</i>, I wanted to take her by the shoulders and shake her. After their marriage has failed, Mr. Mackenzie cuts off Julia's allowance and because Julia is so used to men paying for everything, she loses the plot a little bit. She bounces from Paris to London and back again expecting other people to pay her way. <a href="https://wordery.com/after-leaving-mr-mackenzie-jean-rhys-9780141183947#oid=1159_1" target="new"><i>After Leaving Mr. Mackenzie</i></a> doesn't have any of the depressing charm of Jean Rhys' other books.
Details
First Published
1930
Language
eng
Content Warnings
No content warnings identified.