A League of Her Own

The League of Nations was founded in 1920 following the Paris Peace Conference at the end of the First World War.  Based in Geneva, the League aimed to prevent wars through disarmament, resolution of disputes between nations and collective security. Despite its promise, The League of Nations was ultimately ineffective, failing to prevent several conflicts, including the second World War. It was replaced in the 1940s by the United Nations. I hadn't given much thought to the League since my undergraduate days, but memories of my studies came flooding back as I read Frank Moorhouse's remarkable novel Grand Days (1993). 

In this fictional account of the League's early years, plucky young Australian Edith Campbell Berry travels to Geneva to take up a role in the newly established organisation. On the train from Paris she meet Major Ambrose Westwood, a British officer at the League. Their flirtation over dinner is the start of a fascinating relationship. Edith is determined to live according to her morals and has created a list of rules to live by which guide her behaviour (such as the 'Way of Companionable Confession' in which one tells a minor confession to someone in order to bring them into closer confidence). Over time Ambrose challenges her thinking by introducing her to 'Weimar' experiences like underground night clubs, which expose Edith to other ways of being. 

Edith is an idealist who has tremendous faith in the League's ability to bring about world peace. Throughout the novel she mixes and mingles with characters both fictional and real. She works closely with Sir Eric Drummond, Secretary-General (1919-1922), was mentored by John Latham (Australian politician), had her image drawn by Hungarian caricaturist Emery Kelen, and has an opportunity to hear a lecture by birth control advocate Margaret Sanger. This blending of fact and fiction brings the story to life and is a testament to Moorhouse's extensive research. 

Edith's commitment to her organisation extends to her designing of uniforms for League staff, and creating stationary and document holders for meeting attendees - which promptly get stolen as keepsakes by delegates, much to her chagrin. But her commitment often blinds her to the League's failures, and Moorhouse does a great job of explaining how things work in this bumbling bureaucracy.

The novel has much wry humour, often in the form of witty dialogue, and Edith finds herself in some strangely comical predicaments. But Grand Days also has darkness as nationalism is on the rise in parts of Europe. Modern readers will find the racism and sexism of the 1920s confronting, but also concerning as these sentiments echo a hundred years later. 

Grand Days also follows Edith's sexual awakening. Her relationship with Ambrose challenges her traditional views. Impromptu encounters with a black jazz musician in Paris and a provocative woman spark her curiosity. She also experiences sexual violence when a club she visits is raided. These encounters allow the author, through Edith, to reflect on race, eugenics, sex and sexuality.

Moorhouse has crafted a coming of age story which shows the evolution of a woman, of Australia and of an international institution. It is quite remarkable how he has inserted Edith into real events to explore 1920s Europe. 

I greatly enjoyed reading Grand Days. At almost 700 pages it does take some commitment, but it is well worth the journey. I would recommend it to anyone interested in this fascinating time in history. Reading it against the backdrop of war once again in Europe, the failures of diplomacy, and the rise of nationalism, one wonders what Edith would think today. 

This book has been on my 'to be read' list since 2016 when I met Frank Moorhouse at the Sydney Writers Festival. During that session he was speaking about his admiration of George Eliot (also a favourite of mine) and how well Eliot would have got on with Edith. When he signed a copy of Grand Days for me we spoke about the trilogy and he said that people often just read the sequel Dark Palace, so he was pleased that I was starting at the beginning. He said he hoped I would enjoy it. Well, Frank, I certainly did. Thank you!

The Edith Trilogy consists of Grand Days (1993),  Miles Franklin Award Winner Dark Palace (2000) and Cold Light (2011). I am definitely intrigued to follow the adventures of Edith Campbell Berry and look forward to continuing this series.