"Tommy and Grizel" by J.M. Barrie: Tommy Sandys is a sentimental lad. Continually lost in emotional flights of fancy, Tommy's overactive imagination makes it rather difficult for him to interact with others since he can have trouble with concepts like "telling the truth" and "being humble." Reality is just a suggestion to Tommy. He faces any and all circumstances with a gleam in his eye, eager to turn even the most mundane situation into an overly romantic drama fraught with potential for either glory or noble sacrifice.
When the book opens, a 16-year-old Tommy is trying to make his way in the world, venturing from his small Scottish hometown of Thrums for the promise of London. Accompanied by his younger sister Elspeth, who he adores beyond belief, Tommy weasels his way into becoming the assistant for a pompous, bloated author of popular fiction. The job is important not only because it allows the orphaned youngsters a means of support, but it also provides Tommy a creative outlet for his rampant sentimentality. He's a born writer.
When Tommy returns to Thrums six years later, he's the celebrated author of "Letters to a Young Man About to be Married," a book so brilliant in its examination of women, it has everyone in London rushing to the nearest library or bookstore to drink of its wisdom. The fact such a young man could write such a penetrating treatise on the fairer sex is made all the more remarkable for Tommy's complete lack of experience with women. While Tommy worships women, he never feels anything more than passing affection for any particular woman. As long as he's playing his part as the hopeless romantic, he's quite capable of charming an endless array of admirers, but it's all just an act, a mere exercise to test his powers. How could Tommy possibly love another when he so loves himself and his make-believe world?
If anyone could enter Tommy's heart, it would be Grizel, an old friend from Thrums who suffered through a rather horrific childhood, the exact details of which were chronicled in Barrie's book "Sentimental Tommy." Now, I knew going in that "Tommy and Grizel" was the second part of the two-volume novel, but I still elected to read "Tommy and Grizel" first because, well, that's just the way I am. Not reading the first book will in no way detract from your enjoyment of the second. Trust me, I speak from experience. And even though Mr. Barrie doesn't go over old ground covered in the first book, he still allows the attentive reader to piece together a basic sketch of Grizel's unfortunate past. She was apparently born to an unwed mother who battled insanity before leaving Grizel orphaned. Oliver Twist ain't got nothin' on these kids.
After her mother's passing, Grizel was taken in by the town's doctor, a kindly old man who cared for Grizel as if she were his own daughter. Thanks to the doctor's love and support, and her own strength of character, Grizel grew into a remarkable young woman, independent, industrious, practical... basically everything that Tommy isn't. Despite always having a soft spot for him since he was the first friend she ever had, the headstrong Grizel seems pitted in a constant war of wills with the quixotic Tommy, hoping against hope that he will one day put his childish ways behind him and mature into an honorable man. Yeah, good luck with that.
"Tommy and Grizel" is a wonder. It's that rarest of literary achievements, a work as clever and funny as it is profound. It's been said that it's somewhat of an autobiographical work, perhaps giving insight into Mr. Barrie's failed marriage. The book's depiction of Tommy and Grizel's unique relationship will surely strike a chord with anyone who has ever suffered the joys of love, particularly those among us who see the world from a slightly different perspective like our dear Tommy. Hell, give Grizel a Russian accent and I lived it.
Make no mistake, J.M. Barrie was a genius. That term has become far too elastic these days, but there's simply no other way to describe a man who can craft a book as miraculous as this. The magic of his prose needs to be experienced to be believed. Everything he does is so effortlessly skillful, I was left shaking my head in stunned appreciation more than once. Mr. Barrie serves as narrator, often addressing the reader directly, claiming to be endeavoring to write an honest biography of the famous author Thomas Sandys. This informal approach, along with his offhand comments of derision for Tommy and earnest praise for Grizel, draws the reader in, making the story intensely personal. It's an extremely effective device, masterfully orchestrated with dazzling wit and undeniable charm.
It's almost tragic how neglected J.M. Barrie has become in literary circles. I'm begging you, please read "Tommy and Grizel." When 70 proof's time has run its course, if I can be responsible for just one person discovering the brilliance of Mr. Barrie, I will consider my years of mediocre service here a success. And if you can't find the actual books in print, a nice selection of Mr. Barrie's works, including "Sentimental Tommy" and "Tommy and Grizel," are online at the indispensable Project Gutenberg.
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