Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve
Human beings are complex and mysterious but the famous twentieth century poet, Sylvia Plath remains an enigmatic figure to this day. She has inspired at least forty books which explore her work and tragic life so it is with great interest this new book, a remarkable work of imagination, by Helen Bain, brings a fresh and very different view of the poet. She committed suicide at the age of 30, and myriad theories and glimpses of her troubled psyche have emerged.
Helen Bain’s beautifully written descriptions of her time in the Devon cottage add a new dimension to this doomed and gifted writer married to the brilliant, charismatic, poet laureate, Ted Hughes.
Their marriage was riddled by extremes of desperation, happiness, uncertainty, frustration and longing – especially for Sylvia. Her life was unpredictable in its endless search in trying to placate her restless spirit. It could only have a tragic finale.
Plath committed suicide at the age of 30, early in 1963. So this time in Devon, in some months of 1961 and 1962, gives a picture of a young mother and wife attempting to fit into village life. Helen Bain creates various characters who merely brush with the poet, some ignorant of her status in the literary world.
Nancy Axworthy meticulously cleans and scrubs Court Green where Ted and Sylvia plan to live. It is an old 16th century thatched cottage which eventually Sylvia becomes fond of – although she will need a ‘woman’ to come and regularly clean.
The best dress shop in the village is not to her taste so Sylvia goes to Exeter to purchase the desired classic Jaeger suit. Her taste is obviously superior to village style….
Dr Webb, the Tawton GP. Is far more perceptive and loathe to bow to her willfulness. He has a more experienced view of his patients and is aware of the Hughes’s troubled marriage. Time spent in Nigeria has broadened his outlook. She is quick to contradict him and staunchly stands by the superiority of American medicine. She unsuccessfully demands an X-ray, admits to no pain when he deals with a wound.
Riding is an absolute blessing. Out on the wilderness of Dartmoor, she finds the freedom and escape from her life’s demons. Encouraged by Joan at the stable, it becomes a vital element of her week.
She has a love of bees and can access their honey which Winifred helps to collect. While engaging in their tasks, Winifred realises that this young mother may encounter opposition to her wishes but is very quick in finding the path to her own way as the men who come to lay the lino on the still wet cement floor discover! She wanted it done in less than a fortnight, although told it wasn’t ready, but she succeeded. Installing the new Bendix washing machine was indeed a diplomatic task as Sylvia had to be warily handled.
One of the traditions of village life is the twice weekly ringing of the eight church bells. Surprisingly she is entranced by the sound and enthusiastically encourages the ringers.
This historical novel, The Daffodil Days, opens an imaginary chapter in Sylvia Plath’s life, full of promise with the advent of the flowers heralding the Spring. Here in the small Devon village she is mixing with unpretentious ordinary folk, free from London pressures and the sometimes suffocating creative scene.
Helen Bain does not shy away from the difficult nature of her subject but provides a fine interlude in placing her in a charming, almost completely normal setting.
It also tempts a reader to explore some of Plath’s work…. a troubled soul searching for its own perfection.
The Daffodil Days
[2026]
by Helen Bain
Bloomsbury
ISBN: 978 1 0372 0383 4
$32.99; 242pp