The Operator: A Novel

Easy and fairly (on the surface) set up: a woman working as a switchboard operator, her habits of ‘listening in” and discovering just how harmful secrets and eavesdropping can be to your sense of self. Curiosity, jealousy and insecurities are emotions that often can lead people astray – and they have done just that for Vivian. Married with a teenaged daughter who is far more clever and well read, Vivian is a bit of the ‘small town busybody’ stereotype: self-important, judgmental, nosey and ALWAYS ready with an answer. Until she doesn’t have one anymore – and discovers that SHE has heard a secret – one that involves her family and is sure to put her at the center of the gossip in this small town for ages to come. And I’m sure that, like the other women doing the job, no one really “thinks’ they are wrong in listening and even sharing what they learn – after all, what they do is important and knowing your neighbor is as important as knowing yourself. Until that knowledge places you in the seat to be judged, or that your insistence upon your ‘superior knowledge’ of people is shown to be less than stellar, and your entire ‘perception’ of yourself is that little bit of “superior distance’ that you use to shore up your self-esteem. No, I didn’t like Vivian one little bit – and her secret – while I’m sure was traumatizing and dramatic for her, simply seemed like a fit for some of her ‘snap judgments’ and posturing, the surety born of ignorance I guess. And this is where Berg had me – I didn’t like the character that was primary in the story, I couldn’t rouse much empathy for her, but I needed to know what next – and how, or if, she’d manage to right the ship that had gone so horridly tipsy. Add in a bank embezzlement, attempted robberies, Orson Welles and a hat that was ‘just the thing’ to keep up with the ‘well to do’ woman in town, and the story is a clever expose about gossip, self-delusion, small towns and a bit too much curiosity that serves only to titillate, not enrich. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

The Operator by Gretchen Berg is a lighthearted historical novel about gossip, eavesdropping and scandal. Vivian Dalton works as a telephone operator at Ohio Bell. She began eavesdropping on conversations at an earlier age and working at the telephone company allowed her to continue this hobby. Late one December evening, Vivian overhears a conversation between the hoity toity Betty Miller and a stranger. The stranger tells Betty a secret about Vivian’s family which, if it gets out, will embarrass Vivian. After getting over her anger, Vivian sets out to learn if the information is accurate. While the story plays out in the present, we get to learn about Vivian’s growing up years and her relationship with her family. We also learn about Betty Miller’s family and the robbery of the bank managed by Betty’s father, J. Ellis Reed. This side story does not make sense until the end of the book. I had a hard time getting into The Operator. The first chapter did not pull me in (it was a turn off). I found The Operator easier to read as I got further into the story. I also think I had trouble because it is hard to like the main character (or any of them for that matter). I felt the author captured the time period with the fashions, vehicles, the language, and events. I like how Gretchen Berg included Orson Welles’s “War of the Worlds’ Martian invasion broadcast. She captured the panic it created beautifully. I did feel The Operator was too long. It could have benefited from some judicious editing. This is Gretchen Berg’s debut novel which is loosely based on her grandmother (author’s note at end explains about newspaper articles and poems included). There are some recipes included in The Operator. The Operator is a blithe story about rampant rumormongering, endless eavesdropping, superior standards, and harmful hearsay.