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Louise Penny’s books are murder mysteries, but at their heart they are about other things. What else is this book about? What are some other themes?
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Louise Penny always takes a larger view of the nature of humanity and the murders are a doorway into that. Her books explore larger themes of what it means to be human. Still Life introduces many themes that she explores in greater depth throughout the series.
In Still Life I think secrets and how they impact our lives is explored, namely how we reconcile our secret selves with what the world sees. There’s Jane Neal, who hides her art and is afraid of revealing it to the world. There’s Phillipe who hides his sexuality from his parents. Agent Nichol hides her fear of failure with resentment and smugness. Ruth’s secret impacted Jane and Andreas but it also impacted Timmer, because she carried around the secret with her. Clara holds back Ben’s story of the snakes and how she’s feeling from Peter. And of course Ben who holds the darkest secret of all. That to me was the biggest theme.
LP also explores the nature of good and evil. There’s a lot of moral complexity in her stories. There’s hints of darkness, jealousy, smugness, resentment, greed in the residents of Three Pines. There’s also generosity, empathy, forgiveness, kindness.
Belonging and community also comes up. What makes a sanctuary? What makes a community? Three Pines is depicted as an idyllic place offering safety and community for those who find it. But darkness still finds its way in. The town fits in more broadly with the themes of choice and morality that Gamache often ponders.
Gamache frequently talks about choices and how they impact your life and the life of those around you. “We choose our thoughts. We choose our perceptions. We choose our attitudes. We may not think so. We may not believe it, but we do,” he says. He goes on to say, “Life is choice. All day, every day. Who we talk to, where we sit, what we say, how we say it. And our lives become defined by our choices. It’s as simple and as complex as that.” So that theme comes up a lot in the book and the series.
Finally, I think to a lesser extent is the nature of art and its role in society. Art if often a reflection of people’s inner truth. Although Peter and Clare are artists, it’s Jane’s artwork that is central in this book. Her work not only reveals the truth about who killed her, but the deeper relationships and truths about the residents of Three Pines.
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I think Still Life is about finding your tribe, making a home and belonging. Most of the occupants of Three Pines came from outside. found the village that didn’t appear on any map and have never left. They may look like a motley crew from the outside but they are a family of the heart. Living in this world is not easy with all the different and difficult challenges, Three Pines offers sanctuary, peace and support to weather them. We all what Three Pines offers and that’s why we love it so much.
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All of the above, for sure. There are always so many layers to every book Louise writes; this question can be asked in every discussion!
I think “Still Life” is also a story about love, not only romantic love but other expressions and other relationships. There are too many examples to capture them all.
“Still Life” introduces use to Armand and Reine-Marie and a relationship of intimacy, trust and respect for the other. A respect that accepts one’s husband leaving one to attend a family event and prepare Thanksgiving dinner alone and that consults before assuredly subjecting oneself to disciplinary action. Olivier kisses Gabri’s hand as the kids throw manure, publicly affirming his commitment.
Matthew Croft refuses to defend himself from a murder charge in an effort to protect the son he deeply loves and continues to try to reach even after Philippe’s betrayal and accusation of abuse.
Armand and Jean-Guy share a professional relationship that Armand comes to see as being one of personal affection and respect as well as the respect of a subordinate for one’s boss. Jean-Guy is miffed that Armand consults Reine-Marie and not him as well before he calls Brebeuf.
Clara and Jane Neal were old and dear friends. Clara found an acceptance from Jane that was more genuine than any she found in her marriage. To his credit, Peter knows he needs to change. Timmer Hadley financially supports Peter and Clara without fanfare. The people of Three Pines sat with Timmer as she was dying. The villagers step up to support Olivier and Gabri in an expression of solidarity and affection. Olivier and Gabri recognize Philippe’s struggle and provide a job and an opportunity. Even the dogs are loved and cared for; Clara takes Lucy and Ruth takes Daisy.
There are contrasting examples, for sure. Yolanda and the Malefants are entitled, self-absorbed and greedy. Brebeuf is stuck in his resentment of Armand. Ben murders his mother and appears willing to do the same to Clara.
And there are poignant examples of missed signals and lost opportunity. As they uncover the paintings in Jane’s home, Clara shows Ruth the drawing of her as a child with pigtails, the lonely and terrified new kid who Jane had greeted with a kiss when she walked into school for the first time. Ruth both recalls Jane’s affection and laments that Jane was unable to trust them with her art and her home.
I believe if one wanted to write an essay about love in all its dimensions and about relationships, “Still Life” would provide plenty of material.
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Wow– Tara, Maureen, Jane— excellent analyses! I think between you, you’ve hit all the nails on the head! I have nothing to add, other than to agree with what you’ve said. The fact that this book contains so much more, if you choose to look for it, is what draws me to it, and the series. It’s much like Three Pines itself that way; there’s more than meets the eye there, if you’re open to finding it.
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I’m with Susan. You all have provided amazing insights into the themes. I hadn’t thought of all the connections you make. Tara I hadn’t thought of the secrets in that way. And Jane I agree, love is what came out most clearly for me especially with Clara and her grief for her lost friend and Matthew and his sacrifice for his son. And Maureen I love your phrase “family of the heart” – so true of Three Pines.
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