Where are they now? Andrea Badenoch.

Sadly Andrea Badenoch died in early January 2004.  I start this series of "Where are they now?" as a tribute to her.

I'd seen a book with the title of "Blink" in various places on the web and that prompted some memories for me. 

The "Blink" I think of first and foremost is this one from Macmillan Crime.  The author is indeed the late Andrea Badenoch and the site I've linked to there is one set up in her memory, for an award in her memory.  (This is open to women fiction writers, over the age of 42 and in various areas of the north east only.)  Badenoch died, way too soon, on 4 January 2004, at the age of 52, due to breast cancer.

I think it was in 1999 that I met Andrea Badenoch.  She tutored an Arvon crime writing course with Jake Arnott at Lumb Bank and I, at that time, was enthusiastic about writing my own crime novel, with approaching 15k words, under my belt.  She was very encouraging and very able with "students", such was her ability to teach and tutor.  I was even more enthused and fired up as a result of that week.  But I digress slightly.  During the week she read from her forthcoming novel "Blink" and all who sat and listened enjoyed the reading with great appreciation and delight.

Up until that point Andrea's previous two novels had been pretty decent, but it was hard to find a truly sympathetic character, which presented something of a problem.  But then, when she read from her next novel, Blink, the small group gathered heard something that led to the feeling that this was now her time.  She'd hit the nail on the head and produced something beautiful to read.

Blink was her turning point.  Just like an actor will find the role that defines them, an author can produce the novel that defines them, somewhere along the line.  It may be their first novel, if they are extremely lucky, but most often it is not.  Blink was Andrea's coming of age in the genre.  All present were spellbound during her reading.

I subsequently read "Blink" and found it to be one of the most satisfying British crime novels I've read.  And when I read it, I heard her voice.  This was not necessarily her audible voice, but her writer's voice.  With Blink, her writer's voice was so very distinctive, it was now clearly "Badenoch's voice".

From Amazon, here is the synopsis of "Blink" :

"It is 1962. The Beatles have released 'Love Me Do' and John Glenn has orbited the Earth. But in this pit village in County Durham, everyone is looking back towards the traditions of the past . . . Except, that is, for Gloria, the local hair stylist. With her narrowskirts, low block heels and her Mini Cooper, Gloria is a modern woman -until she's found dead, floating in the coal-polluted shallows of a nearby pond. Gloria's young niece, Kathleen, finds the body but refuses to accept the suicide explanation embraced by the village. Gloria was optimistic and strong - she had everything to live for. Twelve-year-old Kathleen is shy and innocent but she keeps her eyes open, takes photographs with her Box Brownie camera and tries to work out what has happened. For under its surface monotony, the village is concealing a depth of secrets. And in doing so embarks upon her own journey of discovery."

And here is an Amazon "reader" review that I know I wrote shortly after reading the novel:

"Not just a murder mystery, but a very interesting and sensitive story of a young girl's loss of innocence as she is forced by circumstances to understand the adult world and the complicated lives of those around her. The book contains many passages that brilliantly capture the essence of a 12 year old's view of the world in the early sixties. Andrea Badenoch has moved on from 'Mortal' and 'Driven' to produce sympathetic characters. You care what happens to these people, especially the girl, and turn every page to the end to find out. Particularly evocative and enjoyable are Kathleen's conversations with the policeman and her interest in John Glenn's space travel, as relayed through her thoughts, conversations with her 'Da' and one beautifully written letter to John Glenn himself. Born in 1962, this book took me back to my childhood with ease. As to the mystery, there are a few twists and turns to keep you guessing to the final pages. Along the way, you'll smile to yourself, laugh, and your heart strings will certainly be tugged. This is much more than a simple murder mystery."

At the time of writing, you can find this novel on Amazon's Marketplace from 1p, with 47 "new and used" copies available.  I still recommend it as I remember it well and feel it is a novel well worth reading, such is its evocation of time, place and a teenager's "coming of age".

Badenoch was meticulous in her research to reflect the period;  excellent at creating distinctive characters; true to the period she wote about; held the reader in suspense with her plotting; re-created a setting true to place and time.

She went on to produce "Loving Geordie"; a book I am ashamed to admit I own, but have not read yet.  It sits in one of my boxes, following a house move just over two years ago.  "Loving Geordie" was published to great acclaim and I only wish I could add to that through reading.

But "Blink" was a defining moment for Andrea Badenoch, so I urge you to try it out.  It's a lovely and a sad book; but then, that is what the "coming of age" is all about.  She knew it, she understood it and she told it in this wonderful story.

Andrea Badenoch, writer, born 13 June 1951; died 4 January 2004. 

Comments

[crimeficreader]

Hello Marion and thank you for leaving a comment here.

I imagine that Andrea is still sorely missed because she was a woman who emitted such warmth which created much loyalty in that short Arvon week. She remained human, even as a published writer, to those of us who could only dream at the time. And I believe she knocked some manuscripts into shape that week.

Personally, I wanted to remember her here. I loved Blink and appreciated her input into my own work-in-progress at that time. And I'll never forget the human side that came out: she said she "always wanted to be glam" and even after chemo, with her still very, very short she looked it, with make-up perfect and lippy in place. (With cheekbones to die for!)

She was an inspiration in life and thanks to the award created in her memory, she remains so after her passing.

Congratulations in winning the first award, Marion. I think Andrea would be proud of the award and proud of you.

My best,

CFR

[Marion Husband]

Hello
As the first winner of the Andrea Badenoch Award I just wanted to add that Andrea was a great writer with many friends in the north east - she is sadly missed
Best wishes
Marion Husband

[crimeficreader]

Thanks Maxine.
I have no idea about the potential sister. Badenoch went to school in Leeds, so if she does have a sister of similar age, perhaps she went there too.

An odd way to describe a crime novel, I know, but it really is a lovely book.

[Maxine]

What a sad story. I do own Blink, it was recommended to me two summers ago by someone on the Dorothy L list, when I was laid up after a foot operatoin and before I discovered blogging.
I bought the book because I thought I probably knew her sister, if her sister is Lindsay Badenoch, I was at the same school as her -- I'm pretty sure Lindsay had a sister called Andrea.
I am so sorry to read that Andrea has died, I had no idea. I have not read the book yet, but will make an effort to do so soon.
Thank you for the lovely retrospective, Crimeficreader.