Joan Barfoot's groundbreaking novel, 'Gaining Ground', is receiving renewed attention, with Anne Enright celebrating its enduring power and originality half a century after its initial release. The book, which explores the profound and often taboo subject of a mother abandoning her children in pursuit of her own identity, was first published in Canada in 1978 under the title 'Abra' before arriving in the UK in 1980 through The Women's Press.
At the heart of the narrative is Abra, a woman who chooses to leave her family behind, a decision that challenges deeply ingrained societal perceptions of motherhood. While fathers are more commonly depicted as deserters in real-world scenarios, the novel delves into the radical act of a woman 'un-mothering' herself, questioning the intrinsic and creational connection often attributed to maternal bonds. Barfoot's work rigorously and meditatively examines the process of separation, presenting it as a journey towards becoming a single, undivided self.
'Gaining Ground' predates a number of more recent literary works that explore similar themes of maternal flight, such as Elena Ferrante's 'The Lost Daughter' or Cathy Sweeney's 'Breakdown'. However, Barfoot's pioneering approach distinguished itself by refusing to frame the abandoning mother as either a monster or a victim. Instead, Abra never questions the morality of her quest to discover her true self, offering a complex and unvarnished portrayal of her motivations.
The story unfolds nine years after Abra's departure, with the unexpected arrival of her 18-year-old daughter, Katie, at her remote cabin in the woods. This reunion triggers a flood of memories for Abra, recalling her former life in Toronto, her marriage, and the contrasting experiences of motherhood with her two children. The novel meticulously details Abra's dissociation from her past, her efforts to live a life stripped of external pressures, and her determined focus on self-sufficiency in the Canadian wilderness.
Barfoot masterfully explores themes of maternal ambivalence, depression, and the loss of meaning, all while maintaining a consistent focus on truth and pretence. The novel's depiction of Abra's journey into solitude, her physical labour to survive, and her deliberate avoidance of external connections, portrays a powerful and convincing transformation. This celebrated work continues to offer a vital contribution to the discourse surrounding women's autonomy and the complexities of familial relationships.