Just seen a trailer for the new Kate Winslet film ‘Ammonite’. I went fossil hunting with my family on holiday in Lyme Regis last year for the 1st time ever and purposely got the audio book of Tracey Chevalier’s book ‘Remarkable Creatures’ to give me some insight into Mary Anning.
Admittedly I have a reaction to audio books that mean I fall asleep to them far too quickly if I’m listening in bed (must be a throwback to falling asleep during the bedtime story) so my recollection of the story might be slightly fogged. BUT I don’t remember it being a ‘love story’ about two women set amongst the sludge and windswept beaches of Dorset? The film seems to be pushing this as the main thrust of the film.
The main theme I took from the book was the huge prejudice against women and the enormous injustice of several men trying to take credit for Anning’s discoveries. Class was certainly an issue too between the two female protagonists and their relationship was at the core of the book. There was a sense of repression and suppression of women in all aspects of their lives most certainly. But I don’t recall a love-affair or even any sense of attraction on a sexual level?
I know, I know artistic license and all that but I can’t just help but imagine when they optioned the book someone saying ‘Two Victorian women right? A friendship right? Can we shoehorn some girl-on-girl action here?’
I think it’s a fascinating story and I was very ignorant about the history and importance of Mary Anning. Maybe I should hold back full judgement until I see the film but I can’t help feeling a bit cynical.
Did Tracey Chevalier gloss over a lesbian relationship? I wonder what she thinks of it? Anyone else read the book?