Mrs. S by K. Patrick Review - desire, belonging, and understanding
Portfolio.
K. Patrick’s debut novel Mrs. S tells the story of all-encompassing desire, not just for another person, but for belonging, for understanding oneself and one another.
A story full of yearning, we are thrown into the setting of an all-girls boarding school in the English countryside. Our unnamed narrator has recently arrived from Australia for a one year placement as Matron, the reader follows along as they adjust to their new role as caretaker, and fall headfirst into a passionate romance.
Mrs. S, as she is exclusively referred to as, is the headmaster’s wife and as we meet her through the Matron’s eyes, we learn them to be polar opposites. Mrs. S, a pillar of femininity and self-assured poise, and the Matron out of place and unsure in their body.
The school’s pupils, referred to collectively as ‘The Girls’, don’t hesitate to pick on and tease the Matron. Already struggling to fit in, the Girl’s lack of respect doesn’t help their self-doubt surrounding their sexuality and gender presentation. "Oh, summer is embarrassing. Already, it is embarrassing, to be a body on permanent display."
Through this dynamic, Patrick creates a perfect representation of the nastiness of teenage girlhood. Mrs. S, on the other hand, falls into an easy, motherly role with the girls who idolise her, always seeking to impress. “They share an easy femininity, a peculiar safety in one another’s presence.”
With long summer days stretched out ahead of them, and nothing to do but watch over the gang of rebellious Girls, the Matron turns their attention to Mrs. S. Helping in her garden, swimming together in a secluded waterfall, the Matron repeatedly embarrasses themself trying to escape Mrs. S’s motherly affection.
Mrs. S herself – charming and mysterious, can never fully commit to her relationship with the Matron, frustratingly afraid of her own feelings. The Matron mostly admires Mrs. S from afar. “Sunday. I see her. My body knocked loose. A wrap dress. Fine fabric. I sense her shoulder blades even though I cannot directly see them.” Finally, after a series of friendly encounters, they begin their affair in the kitchen of Mrs. S’ home.
But, as the possibility of anything more than a short-lived fling becomes less and less and they are forced to face the reality of the situation, the Matron can finally recognise that they have fallen in love with their own idealised version of Mrs. S. “When she’s not around, I invent her. When she is around, I invent her.”
The main thing that stands out to me in this novel is its wonderfully intimate characterisation through the stream of consciousness narrative. The reader sympathises with the Matron’s struggle with their identity, becomes entangled in their romance with Mrs. S, and feels the discomfort in their longing.
There is only one way for the story to end, yet you’re still on the edge of your seat as the Matron decides to leave, and Mrs. S chooses to stay with her husband. A disappointing, but nicely realistic conclusion to their ill-fated affair.
Although K. Patrick’s stop-start writing style and heavy prose may not be for everyone, I believe that this novel is a beautiful debut, with its rich, immersive setting, unique characters, and stylishly delicate details.
K. Patrick has also recently released their debut poetry collection, Three Births.
