Crafting Angry Olivia : The Town That Shaped Her
The opening chapter of Angry Olivia introduces readers to a small, unassuming town—a setting that serves as the backdrop for the unfolding narrative. The town of Gainford, though fictional, is inspired by a real English town, one I highly recommend to readers seeking to experience its timeless charm. The town’s weathered brick walls and its unspoiled atmosphere provided the perfect environment for a character like Olivia, whose peculiarities would not go unnoticed. Indeed, for Olivia’s unique burdens to resonate, she needed to exist in a world where her every movement would be scrutinized and dissected. A small town, with its intimate scale and close-knit community, seemed an ideal place for this.
Gainford is notorious for its dreary, inland weather, a factor that only deepens the sense of despair Olivia feels as the narrative begins. However, when the rare burst of sunshine breaks through, it serves as a poignant metaphor for Olivia’s own fleeting moments of freedom and joy, contrasting sharply with her otherwise constrained existence. This serves as a sharp contrast to the coastal town of Middlesbrough, where Olivia typically resides, a place more in tune with her social standing. In theory, Olivia should have found solace in the comforts of such an idyllic, privileged setting, but the emotional distance from her mother prevents her from fully appreciating it.
Like many small towns, Gainford has its share of gossip and scandal, and as the daughter of a powerful woman, Olivia is subject to constant scrutiny. Her return to Gainford for the summer is fraught with discomfort, as she transitions from the relative freedom of her boarding school to the oppressive expectations imposed upon her by society and her mother. This stifling atmosphere is the primary reason Olivia struggles to contain her emotions. Every aspect of her life, from her clothes to her food, is carefully curated by her governess under the watchful eye of Georgie Bell, her mother. Olivia’s life is not one of freedom, but rather that of a well-dressed doll in a gilded cage—trapped in a world she cannot escape.
It is this overwhelming sense of confinement that propels Olivia to seek refuge in the first pages of the novel. Her escape leads her to the beach, where she encounters Leïla and Billy, two teenagers whose impeccable appearance suggests they share a similar social background. Yet, it is Leïla’s serene, untroubled repose that evokes a sense of jealousy and envy in Olivia. How could this girl, seemingly so free, possess what Olivia could never have? This stark contrast between the two girls—one at peace with her circumstances and the other consumed by frustration—fuels Olivia’s desire to lash out. Unable to attain the freedom she so desperately craves, Olivia seeks to hurt Leïla as a means of coping with her own sense of entrapment.