Reflecting on Diana Evans’ 26A

In “26A”, Diana Evans creates an interesting world of both fact and fiction. Through her skillful and vivid descriptions of paranormal forces and depiction of modern-day society, she makes the novel exciting and interesting to read. Although “26A” is largely based on the British literary tradition, the fact that Evans incorporates her own African culture as well as modern-day culture into the novel distinguishes the novel from the other British novels. Overall, the combination of paranormal forces, African culture, and modern-day society makes the book outstanding and appealing to me, as a reader.

In “26A”, Evans critiques the British literary tradition in a way that is both appealing to the readers and necessary for the plot of the novel. Unlike some novels which have only touched upon the subject of the paranormal, “26A” largely centers on paranormal forces especially in the ending. In the ending, Evans brings the African superstition of “Ode and Onia” into life and demonstrates the power that superstition can have on peoples’ lives.

Not only does Georgia die like Ode, but she also goes into Bessie’s body the same way that Ode went into Onia’s body. Evans makes the ending very interesting and exciting by having Georgia go into Bessie’s body and become part of her. I, for one, did not expect that the “Ode and Onia” legend would come true since most of the elements of the novel in the beginning and middle were so realistic and applicable to modern-day society.

For example, Evans addresses many of the prevalent issues in today’s society such as teenage pregnancy, premarital intercourse, peer pressure, substance use and abuse, psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia, dating, and divorce. On the other hand, I think Georgia’s paranormal death is necessary. For one thing, it gives Bessie time to accept that Georgia has died. Secondly, it allows Bessie to feel and sympathesize with Georgia’s presence before she becomes strong enough to finally say goodbye to Georgia.

After all, a normal death would mean that Georgia would be separated from Bessie forever without any goodbyes. In addition, on page 217, Georgia imparts that Bessie does not know what it feels like to make sacrifices and be sad, which Bessie protests is not true. In the last few pages of the novel, Bessie proves to Georgia, who is inside her, that she has indeed experienced sadness and sacrifices. Her sadness is, of course, the mourning of Georgia’s death; whereas, her sacrifice is allowing Georgia to leave her body and become separated from her forever.

Besides her unique incorporation of culture into “26A”, Evans’ writing style is largely characteristic of the British literary tradition. First of all, the novel places importance on the subject of creation, which has been the subject of numerous British novels, including Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”, Fay Welden’s “The Loves and Life of a She-Devil”, and Muriel Spark’s “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”. The importance of creation is conveyed in the beginning of the “26A” as well as throughout the novel. In the beginning of the novel, Georgia’s and Bessie’s birth have been likened to two furry creatures who have been faced with the decision of whether to cross the road or not. In response to the dilemma, Georgia expressed reluctance and inaction while Bessie expressed bravery and action (Evans 2005, 1-4).

These very thoughts and feelings have influenced each child’s personality as they grow up to be adults. The theme of justice in this novel is also derived from the British literary tradition. In “26A” Georgia tries to overcome the sadness and suffering that have taken control over her life. Similarly, the creature in Frankenstein tries to win justice from Victor, the creator who has abandoned him after having brought him into life. The British literary tradition of including ambition as a theme is also utilized in “26A”. In the novel, Georgia and Bessie both have their individual aspirations as well as a collective aspiration, including Bessie’s wish to be a singer, Georgia’s completion of college, and their creation of the Famous Flapjack Twins Company. Likewise, Ms. Brodie expresses ambition when she plans out Rose’s affair with Teddie Lloyd in the same way that Ruth devises her plan to ruin Bobbo and Mary Fisher.

Overall, I enjoyed reading “26A”. The novel is similar to earlier British novels, like “Jane Eyre”, “The Mill on the Floss”, “The Life and Loves of a She-Devil”, “Frankenstein”, and “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”. At the same time, the novel is unique in its own way. The paranormal atmosphere of the novel makes me not want to put the book down. It also brings imagination to the novel. Although the ending is not what I had expected, it is appropriate for the novel’s conclusion. The conclusion allows the main characters to finally resolve what they had wanted to resolve in the past. In a way, it allowed the characters to confront the realities of life, which is that sadness and sacrifices are inevitable.