My first read for All [publishers reclaiming lost women’s works] / All August and Book 14 in my 20 Books of Summer 2020, I was both sad and happy to read the final Dorothy Whipple that Persphone have published – they’ve now covered all her novels, I’ve got them all, now I’ve read them all, over the years, and all I can do now is re-read them!
Dorothy Whipple – “Young Anne”
(25 December 2018 – from Ali)
It’s not a new story, taking us from a rebellious child chewing a pew in church to a bored young wife tempted by an old flame, but Whipple gives us her customary deep psychological insight and understanding of how extended families, friendships, marriages and classes work, even in her first novel. And as the introduction notes, once you’ve picked up a Dorothy Whipple novel, you just can’t put it down, and this is true of this one, too.
As in “Miss Plum and Miss Penny“, the primary relationship in this novel, first love and husband notwithstanding, is that between a woman and her servant, with her since childhood. The scenes where Emily works her notice and the fear that she will be gone are devastating, as before are her worries about what will happen when Anne marries. Anne starts out as a portrait of a writer, even making her own money from her stories, but this gets lost in her wartime work and her marriage, with a glimmer of hope still holding out. In one of the many clever parallels in the book (please let Anne not become like her older, raddled, dissatisfied cousin!), the dreadful Aunt Orchard is also a writer – of “the ‘beautiful letters’ for which she was famous among friends and relations” (p. 121), shown up in a great scene during a family tragedy.
In another parallel, both Anne and her childhood friend and all-round “good girl” Mildred both “lay up trouble” for themselves by engaging in slightly hasty marriages to men who appear their superiors. I did wonder how on earth they would cope with the 24/7 aspect of lockdown – at least they have some agency and are not literally trapped in their houses. In fact, Anne does quite well with her car and her freedom, and Whipple is not too in love with her character not to have her learn some lessons. Oh – the cat is OK even if it’s put in to start off with to feed a comic one-liner.
An excellent introduction by Lucy Mangan reminds us of how much we love all of Whipple’s oeuvre and also makes a passionate plea for her acceptance and celebration as the excellent writer she is – a great addition to the text. Now, which one shall I re-read first?
This was Book 14 in my 20 Books Of Summer project.
cdvicarage
Aug 07, 2020 @ 08:11:41
I’m in the opposite position from you – I have all the novels ready to read but have not started yet! I think this might be the one to start with as it fits in well with my current Furrowed Middlebrow reading.
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Liz Dexter
Aug 07, 2020 @ 08:46:07
Ooh, lovely – you could then read them in publication order, which would be fun!
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Jane @ Beyond Eden Rock
Aug 07, 2020 @ 09:14:03
I seem to be on a run of books with close relationship between women and servants – including ‘Miss Plum and Miss Penny’ and all very good – so maybe I should read this one this month too!
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Liz Dexter
Aug 07, 2020 @ 10:04:53
Sounds like a must-read if you have a copy! It is every so good and you just fall into it and read and read and read, which is lovely.
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hopewellslibraryoflife
Aug 07, 2020 @ 14:54:47
Yours is one blog I need to stop reading, lol! I keep hearing of wonderful books I can’t wait to read.
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Liz Dexter
Aug 07, 2020 @ 14:59:33
Noo, don’t leave! I’m glad I can share great books anyway.
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Helen
Aug 07, 2020 @ 19:03:03
So far the only Whipple novel I’ve read is Someone at a Distance, which I enjoyed. It sounds as though I’ve got a lot to look forward to as I work through the rest of her books!
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Liz Dexter
Aug 11, 2020 @ 09:29:23
Oh lots of fun to look forward to! It’s so good to have someone who’s reliably decent and will give you a good read (although obviously not everyone agrees with me there!).
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kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 07, 2020 @ 19:05:59
I love your adaptation to “All [publishers reclaiming lost women’s works] / All August” – perfect, and does suit me as I am currently reading a Persephone but may not get to a Virago! And isn’t it sad when we reach the last book of a beloved author – but at least we can re-read!!
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Liz Dexter
Aug 11, 2020 @ 09:30:24
Yes, re-reading is a joy in itself and at least I’ve spaced her out over years and years so can start re-reading whenever I want to! I will have two Viragoes I hope although I’ve had a lot of work on so not as much reading time and panicking slightly!
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villabijou
Aug 07, 2020 @ 22:33:36
My favourite Dorothy Whipple is They Were Sisters even though the depiction of one of the sister’s marriage was difficult to read about.
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Liz Dexter
Aug 11, 2020 @ 09:31:00
I agree that’s a great one.
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JacquiWine
Aug 08, 2020 @ 14:23:59
I wish I could share your unadulterated love for Dorothy Whipple, but she’s a bit hit-or-miss for me. I thoroughly enjoyed Someone at a Distance (even the flashes of melodrama here and there) but was less enamoured with some of her others. They Knew Mr Knight felt too predictable to me, particular as the ending seemed inevitable from a very early stage. That said, I do like the sound of this one, particularly the bored wife enticed by an old flame. Maybe I should give her another try at some point…
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Liz Dexter
Aug 11, 2020 @ 09:31:53
Fair enough! As it’s a first novel it is a bit predictable in its plot and scenes, but I feel it’s very perceptive and I love all the detail. So maybe, maybe not for you – I’ll look forward to finding out what you think about it.
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heavenali
Aug 16, 2020 @ 16:25:08
Following on from our conversation earlier, I clearly had missed this post. So glad you enjoyed this one too, Whipple is so good. I wish I had more to read.
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Liz Dexter
Aug 16, 2020 @ 16:37:32
Yes, you’ve read them all, too, haven’t you? I am looking forward to re-reading them, though, all such nice satisfying books.
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Davida Chazan
May 29, 2021 @ 07:55:13
Interesting… I came here from another blogger’s review of this book. She sounds like an author I would like. Thanks.
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Liz Dexter
May 29, 2021 @ 11:45:57
Ooh, you’ve got a series of treats in store if you’ve not read any Whipple! Very readable, lovely characterisation, good plots, all of them have been excellent. Nice and long, too!
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Davida Chazan
May 29, 2021 @ 13:05:35
Long? Oh… hm…
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Liz Dexter
May 29, 2021 @ 14:36:59
In a good way – satisfying and immersive! Not like reading Lord of the Rings or something!
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