#SoloStories: “Mad Mabel”

#SoloStories is our feature in which we explore books, films and TV shows that show single women navigating their lives.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick has had to take care of herself all her life. She’s tough, she’s funny, she’s lonely. She’s not what she appears to be.

“Mad Mable” by Sally Hepworth is a novel about a woman who was convicted as Australia’s youngest murderer – and was linked to a trail of other crimes. Her reputation has haunted her all her life.

Now in her 80s, she’s living in obscurity in Melbourne, Australia, when she finds herself embroiled in another tragedy. A documentary crew wants to know more about her past. And her neighbors, including a very persistent child, are embedding into her daily routine. She wants no part of that.

She has been used to relying on herself – but she always has a sense of humor. While dealing with a neighbor, she says, “I tiptoe down the hall, feeling ridiculous. I’ve been a single woman all my life – I’ve unclogged drains, ousted spiders, and investigated suspicious noises without missing a beat. The fact that I am nervous about answering the front door in the middle of the day feels like a betrayal of myself, not to mention of all the women who paved the way before me.”

There are other parts of the book that will make you laugh out loud. “I am putting on my revitalizing face cream – an exercise as fruitless as ironing crepe paper,” she remarks.

While answering a phone call from someone named Sailor, she thinks, “I don’t like to be judgmental, but frankly, I’m appalled. What will people call their children next? Builder? Teacher? Archaeologist?”

Eventually, we learn more about her complicated story, and Mabel discovers she has found a family in her neighborhood. The story reminds us of the novel “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine,” in which the character also had to deal with personal trauma and tragedy. Being single was hard, but it made them independent and strong. This is a fun, fast read that shows the power of resilience.