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Chilling is a sadly overused word in the realm of mystery fiction criticism. This having been said, I can only describe THE NINTH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX as chilling. British writer Liz Jensen has written a novel, set in France, that explores several themes that may distress some readers, especially, perhaps, parents, yet she makes the book eminently intriguing despite being (another over-used word) disturbing. The narrative is told in a series of first-person voices. The first voice to be heard is that of nine-year-old Louis Drax. He is, for want of a better description, an information junkie. He has a vast general knowledge for a child of his age. He is also accident-prone. On the first page he describes his Caesarean birth as he understands it and how, because of it, his mother hated him before she could love him. Louis goes on to list accidents (for example, falling onto electrified railway lines) and illnesses ranging from near-cot death to botulism, that have befallen him. Louis understands secrets of his world, secret rules and laws. For example, there is the 'Right of Disposal' rule which permits someone to do whatever they wish -- even including killing -- to a pet they own. Louis' father is a pilot and therefore subject to rules that are not secret. He is not permitted to drink alcohol. He doesn't live with Louis and Natalie, Louis' mother. Instead, Pierre Drax lives with his mother in Paris. Pierre still loves both his wife and son, so arranges to take them out on a special picnic to celebrate their joint birthdays. Tragedy strikes the family picnic when Louis falls over a cliff and is almost killed. In fact, he is reported to be clinically dead until he is in the morgue and signs of life are detected. The child is placed in a hospital ward but is obviously in a coma and gives no sign of life until he is transferred to the care of Pascal Dannachet in a clinic in Provence. Dr Dannachet is engaged in an activity with Natalie to which Louis might object when Louis suddenly sits up then just as suddenly subsides giving no further evidence of consciousness. Louis is, within his own mind, very active. He is talking to a heavily-bandaged yet bleeding man who identifies himself as Gustave. This creature gives every indication of being a malevolent influence but is intent on hearing all of Louis' history. The reader learns of Louis' experience with a psychologist whom he has dubbed 'Fat Perez' to whom Natalie has taken him and the subsequent abuse Louis has heaped on Perez after their relationship is terminated. The gendarmerie is looking for Pierre Drax. He has disappeared after Louis' fall which Natalie claims resulted from Pierre pushing Louis over the cliff. Mysterious letters signed 'Louis Drax' are delivered to people and the police fear Pierre Drax is intent on completing the murder of Louis and is threatening the people caring for him. The lives of those who attempt to help the Drax family are affected to a greater or lesser degree by the mystery surrounding the child's fall. Some innocent careers are destroyed by what has happened and a similar fate may befall others. Always there is an unseen predator waiting to strike both Louis and his mother but is it really Pierre Drax who is the miscreant? This is a complex psychological thriller. Apparently it is to be made into a film. It will be interesting to see how the wonderfully-written prose will translate into action on the big screen. Liz Jensen has displayed great sensitivity in dealing with several disquieting themes which will need a great deal of skill to portray adequately on film.
Reviewed by Denise Pickles, August 2004
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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