Emily Critchley’s sophomore adult novel, The Undoing of Violet Claybourne, is a meticulously crafted psychological drama that unfolds like a series of nesting dolls—revealing its secrets layer by layer until the final, devastating truth emerges. Set primarily in the winter of 1938 at the crumbling estate of Thornleigh Hall, this atmospheric tale explores how a single tragic event can alter the trajectory of multiple lives across decades, leaving an indelible mark on all involved.
The story begins with 75-year-old Gillian McCune (née Larking) returning to Thornleigh Hall for the first time in sixty years, compelled by a mysterious letter from a man claiming to be Violet Claybourne’s nephew. This framing device brilliantly sets up the novel’s exploration of memory, guilt, and the impossibility of truly escaping one’s past. As Gillian reflects on the events of that fateful winter, we’re transported back to 1938, where fifteen-year-old Gilly, desperate to belong, finds herself unexpectedly invited to spend Christmas with her school roommate Violet at her family’s grand estate.
Class Dynamics and the Allure of Privilege
Critchley excels at depicting the rigid British class system of the pre-war era, creating a world where even the smallest social misstep can have far-reaching consequences. Through Gilly’s outsider perspective, we experience the seductive allure of wealth and status:
“I wanted desperately for Violet’s sisters to notice me, for them to see me as more than a mere schoolgirl. I remembered the vow I had made after surviving my climb across the roof – my vow to do something with my life, to be somebody. I decided they would notice me. They had to. This was my opportunity, the one I had been waiting for, the chance to be someone different, someone better. This was real life beginning at last.“
The novel deftly explores how Gilly’s desperate desire to fit in with the aristocratic Claybourne family makes her vulnerable to manipulation. Her willingness to compromise her own values to maintain her newfound connection with the glamorous sisters mirrors broader societal patterns where power and privilege can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals.
A Gallery of Complex Characters
Where Critchley truly shines is in her creation of multidimensional characters who defy easy categorization:
Gillian “Gilly” Larking – Our narrator is neither hero nor villain but somewhere achingly in between. Her journey from naïve schoolgirl to complicit bystander is rendered with such psychological acuity that readers can’t help but wonder if they might have made similar choices under similar circumstances.
Violet Claybourne – Odd, anxious, and endearing, Violet’s OCD-like “rituals” and “undoings” make her the family outsider despite her privileged status. Her heartbreaking fate forms the moral center of the novel.
Emmeline Claybourne – The calculating older sister whose manipulative brilliance is matched only by her ruthless self-preservation instincts. Critchley refuses to make her a one-dimensional villain, instead revealing the trauma that shaped her.
Laura Claybourne – Glamorous, impulsive, and deeply flawed, Laura represents the casual cruelty of the privileged class while simultaneously being its victim.
Through these characters, Critchley explores how trauma can ripple through generations, creating patterns that repeat themselves across time.
A Gothic Atmosphere with Modern Sensibilities
The novel draws heavily from the gothic tradition with its crumbling estate, family secrets, and psychological horror elements. Thornleigh Hall itself becomes a character—a decaying symbol of aristocratic decline filled with shut-up rooms, strange noises, and whispering shadows:
“Sitting alone at my table I can hear gentle chatter, the clinking of teacups, the whir of a coffee machine. Feeling better, a little less discombobulated, I refill my teacup. Perhaps I was only in need of sustenance.“
However, Critchley elevates the gothic formula by incorporating modern understandings of mental health, trauma, and systemic oppression. Her exploration of Violet’s OCD-like symptoms and later institutionalization offers a damning critique of how mental illness has been weaponized against vulnerable individuals, particularly women.
Structural Strengths and Narrative Craft
The novel is masterfully structured, moving between 1999 and the past with precision and purpose. As Gilly’s memories unfold, Critchley expertly drip-feeds revelations that force readers to continually reassess what they think they know. The pivotal scene involving young Robin is handled with remarkable restraint, making its impact all the more devastating.
Critchley’s prose is measured and evocative, capturing both the physical details of Thornleigh and the psychological states of her characters with equal precision. The dialogue, particularly between the Claybourne sisters, crackles with tension and unspoken meaning.
Where the Novel Falls Short
Despite its considerable strengths, the novel does have a few shortcomings:
- Pacing issues in the middle section – The immediate aftermath of the tragedy occasionally feels drawn out, with some repetitive scenes that could have been tightened.
- Underdeveloped secondary characters – While the core quartet is brilliantly realized, peripheral characters like Lord and Lady Claybourne sometimes feel more like types than fully realized individuals.
- Occasional heavy-handedness – In a few instances, Critchley makes explicit what might have been more powerful left implicit, particularly regarding the novel’s themes of class and gender.
- Slightly rushed contemporary sections – The 1999 timeline, while compelling, feels somewhat compressed compared to the richly detailed historical sections.
Thematic Depth and Historical Context
What elevates The Undoing of Violet Claybourne beyond a mere country house mystery is its engagement with serious themes:
- The dangerous allure of belonging and the compromises we make to maintain social connections
- How institutional power structures enable abuse and protect the privileged
- The weaponization of mental health diagnoses against women who don’t conform
- The impossibility of escaping one’s past and the necessity of confronting it
- The lasting impacts of childhood trauma across generations
The novel also deftly weaves in historical context about pre-war Britain, the declining aristocracy, and changing social attitudes, creating a rich tapestry against which the personal drama unfolds.
The Shadow of War
Setting the story on the precipice of World War II adds another layer of significance. The characters’ personal tragedies play out against the looming threat of global catastrophe, creating a poignant parallel between individual and collective trauma:
“From somewhere in the distance, the hunting horn sounded. A sparrow landed on a branch, tilted its head, then flew off. Somehow, life was still going on.“
This juxtaposition of personal and historical calamity gives the novel additional resonance, suggesting that our private sins cannot be separated from our broader social context.
Comparisons and Literary Context
Readers who enjoyed Sarah Waters’ The Little Stranger or Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day will find similar themes explored here. Critchley builds on these traditions while adding her own distinctive voice to the conversation about class, memory, and British identity. Her previous adult novel, One Puzzling Afternoon, demonstrated her skill with mysteries centered on memory and hidden truths, but The Undoing of Violet Claybourne represents a significant leap forward in ambition and execution.
Final Verdict
The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is a haunting, morally complex novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page. Critchley has crafted a story that works both as a compelling psychological thriller and as a nuanced exploration of privilege, complicity, and the lasting consequences of our actions.
The novel’s ultimate strength lies in its refusal to offer easy moral judgments. We are left with Gilly’s final devastating realization: “This too, will eventually become a part of me. People often say of a painful memory or experience, that it ‘belongs to the past’. Does it? I wonder.”
In an era where discussions about privilege and accountability have never been more relevant, The Undoing of Violet Claybourne offers a timely reminder that our past actions continue to shape both our present and our future—and that true redemption begins with acknowledging the harm we have caused.
Strengths:
- Rich, atmospheric setting
- Complex, morally ambiguous characters
- Skillful exploration of class dynamics
- Powerful themes of guilt and complicity
- Haunting, memorable conclusion
Weaknesses:
- Some pacing issues mid-novel
- Occasionally heavy-handed thematic elements
- Underdeveloped secondary characters
- Contemporary timeline feels slightly rushed
For readers seeking a thought-provoking historical drama with psychological depth and moral complexity, The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is a compelling, if occasionally uncomfortable, journey into the darkness that can lurk behind even the most respectable facades.
