In her gripping debut novel TRUST, Sydney-based Jeanne Ryckmans, the publisher-turned-literary-agent-turned-writer, spins a tale that is as beguiling as it is biting. The protagonist, an Irish TV producer-turned-academic guru-turned-poet, seems to have been conjured directly from Ryckmans’ own experiences—perhaps a reflection of her eclectic career in the literary world.
TRUST is a masterfully written, humour-filled satirical ode to the intoxicating yet ephemeral nature of infatuation. The Irish Professor, reminiscent of an American Psycho, is obsessed with all the status symbols that are on offer in the world: first-class travel, Bang & Olufsen speakers, Italian suits, Tumi luggage, and more. Brands pop up every other page, creating a mercantile leitmotif that brings the dreamy story back to reality. What’s more? The Irish Professor tells a lot of stories—this is his way to charm, seduce, and control. Including the very author of these 119 pages. Ryckmans, with all her years of experience as a publisher in Australia and assistant to the late Bernard Pivot on Bouillon de culture in Paris, should know better. Yet, like any good story, TRUST proves that even the wisest can fall prey to the seductive power of words.
Our Irish professor is a master of this power, his every wordy crusade a sturdy hook, his every poetic utterance a spellbinding incantation. Ryckmans, seemingly entranced, weaves a narrative where she, as the author, falls under his spell—a spell that, predictably, doesn’t last forever. It’s a poignant account of control and submission, a dance where the lines between reality and fiction blur with charming recklessness.
Based on a true story that left Ryckmans shaken for a long time afterwards, the irony of her predicament is palpable. Despite her deep literary acumen, she illustrates just how easy it is to be swept away by the allure of a well-crafted narrative. Being conned and manipulated by a man, it turns out, stays with you as long as a good story.
In the end, TRUST is a brilliant, satirical reflection on the power dynamics between creator and creation, and a cautionary tale for those who think themselves immune to the enchantments of their own making. Trust Ryckmans to deliver a narrative that is as self-aware as it is engrossing, and remember, dear reader, even seasoned writers can fall under their own spells.
O. V.
Help and support are always available. Call 1800 737 732 – 1800 Respect for Domestic Violence Counselling and Support. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ryckmans, Jeanne. Trust: a fractured fable. Upswell, 2023. RRP $29.99, 119pp, ISBN: 9780645536911.
Discussion about this post