Cover of The Condition: A Novel
The Condition: A Novel by Jennifer Haigh
I read this novel with apprehension. The author chose to discuss Turner Syndrome via the main character of the novel, Gwen. I have Turner Syndrome and naturally wondered how it would be portrayed in the setting of a fictional novel. As an avid reader, an aspiring writer, and a woman with Turner Syndrome, I couldn’t help but be fascinated. It took courage for Jennifer Haigh to add complexity to a main character of her novel, not to mention the novel itself, by including emotional and physical descriptions of a little-known genetic condition.
After reading the first chapter, my apprehension eased. Not only did she get the physical descriptions right, which is amazing considering all of the inaccurate information regarding Turner Syndrome that can still be found in medical texts, she described emotional aspects of the condition correctly as well. In fact, in some respects, it was uncanny. I found myself relating to Gwen in ways that I never imagined I could relate to a fictional character.
There were certain scenes in the novel that eerily mirrored scenes from my life. For instance, Gwen finds herself continually compared to a female cousin near her age. At a certain age, the physical disparities become apparent and comparisons are made. In the book, a day at the beach leads to discussion of Gwen’s lack of a figure. She becomes almost withdrawn physically.
I can relate. As a child, I naturally compared myself to my older cousins and my younger sister. I distinctly remember being heartbroken when my older cousin, 10 months my senior, could fit into women’s clothing, and I still had to shop in the junior section. I continually felt behind physically, and in some respects, developmentally. For example, I did not feel comfortable behind the wheel of a car until I was 20 years old. As I grow older, I now realize that it is both a blessing and a curse. Unlike many children today, I actually had time to be a child.
One of the most important aspects of the novel involves Gwen’s love life. At the beginning of the novel, Gwen leads a quiet, content life without any hint of romance. I, too, could relate. I really didn’t date much during either high school or college. When I finally did enter a serious relationship, it simply was the one for me. Gwen followed a similar path. In the end, her love of water and scuba-diving led her to love.
First and foremost, one needs to be comfortable in one’s own skin before being able to commit to any type of romantic relationship. As in many other things, it might just take women with Turner Syndrome a little longer. High incidence of infertility doesn’t help much either. Personally, I struggled with how to tell the love of my life that our marriage would most likely be a childless one (outside of adoption, anyway). Fortunately for me, it was also one of the most anti-climatic experiences of my life. He already knew that I have Turner Syndrome and all about its implications.
Gwen’s resolution of her romantic life is quite possibly one of the most satisfying aspects of the novel. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but I will say that she does end up incredibly happy. You can’t ask much more than that. The novel almost hauntingly points out deficiencies in family relationships. Gwen’s family is uniquely dysfunctional, and as a result, all too real.
I would recommend The Condition: A Novel to anyone interested in family dynamics or sociology. It is a strong book with characters that are all too human.
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