Book 13 read (a while ago, I’ve got a bit behind) and I feel like I might be keeping up now, although I’m currently reading a non-20Books book. My lovely friend Verity sent me a parcel of books in December that I opened on Christmas Day and it was full of lovely Viragoes and Vintages, what a treat!
Angela Thirkell – “Summer Half”
(25 December 2017 – from Verity)
Another great fun read – AT is always good for a laugh and I tend to ignore the snobbier bits (though I was glad those weird Eastern European projects didn’t come up in this one). Colin Keith decides to be “useful” and become a schoolteacher, then instantly regrets it. His family is phlegmatic and believe it will all sort out in the end (once they’ve actually listened to him and realised his plans). At Southbridge School, he encounters various odd masters and pupils, including the recurring character, Tony Morland (who some love to hate but I’ve always been quite fond of), who is now 16 (I know I’ve missed some out but will collect to fill in the gaps then go through them all again) plus Hacker and his chameleon. There are all the tropes of school-set books, of course, including midnight roamings and a sports day.
There’s fun sorting out romantic pairings and Colin’s galumphing little sister, Lydia, is a treat (a sort of female Tony Morland: I want them to end up together!) It’s also perceptive and a little bittersweet at times. I loved this pinning down of Colin early on, talking of his
belief in ideals and unconsidered action which it would take him several years to bring into any kind of relation with life. (p.5)
and I was also pleased to find Tony’s love of trains still going strong. The subtlety of Kate and Noel’s courtship (or is it?) and the careful settling of couples into those that suit was nicely done too, so it wasn’t all silly even though I was reduced to hooting and reading bits aloud. Yes, Mr Birkett does talk about his awful daughter needing a good beating, but took that as metaphorical (and, that awful thing, “of its time”) and no one was actually beaten.
Great fun!
This was Book 13 in my #20BooksOfSummer project.
I’m currently reading Iris Murdoch’s “The Time of the Angels” which is thankfully not as terrifying as the first time I read it. Should get that finished tomorrow then on to “Peking Picnic”. I did accidentally start a Stella Gibbons in Vintage after this one but rewound hastily when I realised my error!
Aug 11, 2018 @ 17:20:41
I’ve never read a Thirkell but have meant to. What’s a good one to start with? The Brandons?
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Aug 12, 2018 @ 17:32:37
I’d start with High Rising, the first one, which is fab. I’ve read them out of order this time and it doesn’t matter hugely although there are recurring characters.
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Aug 11, 2018 @ 18:53:47
I agree this one is good fun and very charming. This is one Thirkell’s I enjoyed more than I was irritated by, in fact I don’t think it irritated me at all. I always love a school setting though.
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Aug 12, 2018 @ 17:32:54
Yes, a school setting is almost always good!
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Aug 11, 2018 @ 19:48:22
I still haven’t read anything by Angela Thirkell, but I do have High Rising on my TBR and hope to get to it soon. You’re doing much better with your 20 Books than I am – I’ve been getting distracted by too many books that weren’t on my list!
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Aug 12, 2018 @ 17:33:25
I’ve been doing quite well at not getting distracted but not so well at getting time to read, somehow!
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Aug 12, 2018 @ 09:06:48
I like a school setting too, although I’ve never succeeded with a Thirkell (thanks to Tony, I suspect…) But I am about to embark on a Virago so that’s ok. 😁
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Aug 12, 2018 @ 17:33:48
Yes, of course it is! I have a high tolerance for Tony but many don’t!
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Aug 12, 2018 @ 13:37:17
I picked up a trio of AT novels at bargain online store The Book People, and the first of her Barsetshire novels has been on my pile to read for a while, but the moment to start it has never quite arrived. It’ll happen I daresay. Lovely covers – I don’t much care for the most recent generation of VMC covers, but these are ok
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Aug 12, 2018 @ 17:34:32
Yes, I really like the ones for hers – and the Holtbys, actually. I wonder what you’ll make of them – there is the odd sly reference to the original Barsetshires!
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Aug 15, 2018 @ 02:36:00
I read this recently too and it really hit the spot. The perfect escapist treat!
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Aug 15, 2018 @ 14:42:13
Oh great! I can’t remember seeing your review, will look out for it if it’s to come. The Brandons looks like a nice hefty one and that’s next – hooray!
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Book review – Angela Thirkell – “The Brandons” plus book confessions #20BooksOfSummer #amreading #ViragoBooks | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Aug 23, 2018 @ 17:49:16