In “Gatekeepers of the Grapevine,” Jane Paterson invites the reader into the lives of several women, residents of a luxury community in South Africa. We get an insider’s view of that country’s complex social structure, including issues of race and class. The story is told from multiple points of view in alternating chapters. In this way, the author draws vivid portraits of each of the main characters, revealing their individual inner lives, outward personas, and in some cases, secrets.
Paterson has a gift for rich, descriptive language that appeals to all the senses; we can envision one character’s showplace of a home, hear the jangle of another’s bracelets, and smell the flora of an exotic land (at least to the American reader).
Two of the characters are related, while the others are connected through circumstance, as they live in the same exclusive community, Vintner’s Estate. Elizabeth is the doyenne of the group, the arbiter of taste and the de facto gatekeeper of the social circle. She expends tremendous energy maintaining her status, sometimes going to extreme lengths to present a flawless image. Her sister, Sarah, does not live on the estate. She is free-spirited and not materialistic, and the sisters’ differences make for a strained relationship. Carolyn is married to a very successful man, but harbors a secret past that she fears will jeopardize her social standing if exposed.
As the story unfolds we see the way the characters’ relationships with family members and each other shift. The tension comes from the complex, competitive nature of these relationships. Sometimes the women are a source of support to one another, while other times they undermine each other. Some characters experience personal growth and success, while one spirals into a devastating decline.
The story unwinds at a good pace, making for an entertaining read. Paterson’s ease with language paints vivid pictures of her characters and the world they inhabit. “Gatekeepers of the Grapevine” would be equally enjoyable on the beach or in a comfy chair on a rainy day.
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