The Play Room by Olivia Manning

I picked up this book solely because it was a Virago Modern classics cause one can typically trust their curation. However, I am not sure if this was a win. I am not entirely sure whether The Play Room qualifies to be a modern classic. But I guess, 50 years down the line, it may be considered a reflection of teenage youth in England during the Swinging 60s.

The Play Room is centered on Laura, a 15 year intelligent girl from a lower middle class family, living in the town of Camperlea. Laura suffers from low self-esteem issues, which is heightened by the no-nonsense environment at home. Laura thinks she is unattractive and pines for the acceptance and attention of her classmates. In particular, Laura admires Vicky, to whom she feels forever indebted for having saved her from the classroom bully.

Vicky is beautiful and well-off and has a certain enigma attached to her because of the untimely death of her older brother and a mentally vulnerable mother. Gilda, another student in Laura’s class, has claimed Vicky’s best friend position and their relationship has some sexual undertones, though nothing definite is stated. Laura believes that the only thing that could make her popular and add some excitement to her existence would be a friendship with Vicky.

During their summer break, Laura and her brother Tom, go off to visit an old family friend at the Isle of Wight. One day they stumble across the private property of Mrs Toplady who keeps a Play Room which contains life-sized models of nude dolls .

As with Gilda’s & Vicky’s relationship , Manning states nothing clearly , but implies that Mrs. Toplady is a cross dresser and may particularly have some sexual fetishes. However , all this strangeness is lost to  Laura, who is very flattered by Mrs. Toplady’s comments on her beauty. When Laura heads back to school, she shares this incident with Gilda and Vicky to win their interest. This scheme works and slowly but reluctantly she becomes part of Vicky’s life and house.

Laura’s social life takes off as she attends dances with Vicky. Vicky’s disturbing childhood is clearly taking a toll on her as her behavior and company get reckless. Though Laura’s loyalty and better sense want to protect Vicky, especially when she gets involved in a self-destructive relationship with a Salthouse factory worker, the fear of losing her newfound friend prevents Laura from doing so. The book takes a  darker and sinister tone and ends on a tragic note.

Manning addresses several issues pertaining to adolescence; the need to fit in, sexual curiosity, teenage rebellion,  parental neglect . The major shortcoming of the book  is that none of the characters are well etched out. It’s hard to explain why Gilda and Vicky are friends? Why does Laura feel like an outcast? Who was Mrs Toplady ? Did she have a larger role to play?

The book title is The Play Room and hence as a reader you attempt to make a connection between the dolls and the characters even though none is apparent. At the end Manning is probably trying to leave a very chilling but possible relevant message, that humans are like life-sized dolls stuck in situations and environments they can’t control for the entertainment of bigger beings.

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