Book review: These Years: 1973 by RNF Skinner

These Years: 1973, a recently published novella by Exeter-based author RNF Skinner, whose given name is Richard, is a curiously psychological study of a 12-year-old schoolgirl's infatuation with a distantly related man in his early twenties.

On a visit to his American relatives, professional artist and Englishman Greg enters twelve-year-old Ruth’s life with the unassuming intention of encouraging the talents of an aspiring artist. 

Ruth, however, views Greg’s kindness as evidence that he may one day fall in love with her despite their distance in geography and age. 

Richard’s novella is the first of a trilogy, with its two intriguing future sequels titled These Years: 1986 and These Years: 1991. 

Having grown up in South-East London, Richard moved to Devon in 1975 after graduating from the University of Cambridge and has lived in or near Exeter ever since.

He told Exeter Today: “I headed down to Exeter to ‘live the dream’ of being a writer. Frankly, my first effort at a novel was and remains utter garbage…plus, I inevitably ran out of money so took a part-time job based at Exeter Library, having decided I liked it down here.

“Although a Londoner, I prefer smaller places, and Exeter was and is a more comprehensible city, within easyish reach of both the sea and (marvellous) Dartmoor.”

Richard displays his appreciation of Dartmoor through Greg, who delicately interweaves the sentimental character of Devon into this 1970s American setting when referencing his upbringing on the moors. 

The USA and England are united by familial affection and artistic pursuit, with Greg playfully calling Ruth and himself “the Devon and Massachusetts Artists Collective”. 

The novella recognises the common purpose that can be found through art, and the author makes an admirable attempt at reimagining a perspective seemingly so different from their own.

In his afterword, the author explains that he was inspired to write the novella after reading Aldous Huxley’s novel, The Genuis and the Goddess. 

Dealing with a similar subject matter, Huxley’s young protagonist, also called Ruth, is cruelly ridiculed by the older man she develops a crush on. 

These Years: 1973, attempts to “redress this balance” through a more complex and sympathetic exploration of Ruth’s early feelings of love. 

As someone who has been that 12-year-old girl with an unrealistic crush, Richard’s Ruth is a believable and sensitive depiction of adolescent emotion, clinging to the smallest gestures of affection.

What I found most enjoyable about the text, however, was not so much the details of Ruth’s confused love as a certain family member’s knowing response to it. 

Though not blind to Ruth’s excitable imaginings, Ruth’s family treads the topic with as much sympathy as the author, supporting her while letting the inevitable disappointment play out naturally. 

The result is a heart warming and compassionate portrayal of a familiar family dynamic, infused with humour and care. 

Above: RNF Skinner at book launch. Image: RNF Skinner

These Years: 1973 is an enjoyable entry into Richard’s other work, consisting of several books of poetry, two other works of fiction, and some sketch-based comedy, which he has performed with a friend from university at St Stephen’s Church and in other venues around Exeter.

If you would like to hear some of his comedy and poems first hand, Richard is putting on an informal fund-raising cabaret on behalf of St Thomas Library, which has recently been relocated to Emmanuel Hall on Emmanuel Road. This is due to take place in early October, and more details will be announced soon.

Richard also told Exeter Today that he hopes to have the two sequels to These Years: 1973 written by the end of 2025. 

It will be interesting to see how the author approaches the character of an older Ruth and whether her childhood feelings towards Greg leave any lasting impression as she enters adulthood