Another of the British Library’s new, beautiful Women Writers reissues, which was published on 03 September. I am very happy to have landed on their mailing list – I really enjoyed Rose Macaulay’s “Dangerous Ages” last month and this was another super read (and also with the pretty cover, extra information and French flaps).
Elizabeth von Arnim – “Father”
(29 August 2020)
A fool, a spinster, and propinquity. What mightn’t, thought Alice, result from such a combination?
While the first paragraph of this excellent novel marches briskly through a daughter’s deathbed promise to a mother to look after Father, said father’s remarriage and said daughter’s freedom, we have 289 pages of delicious description of how she starts to achieve her own version of that freedom, and in particular to the power of vigorous gardening (something Elizabeth in her German Garden I seem to recall doesn’t actually achieve herself) to restore the spirit.
We also see the parallel attempt of the vicar local to Jennifer’s new home to free himself from his sister’s tyranny, and while there are some serious points and a very difficult train journey, his attempted physical escape is hilarious. The book is not lacking in subtlety: while there are some fairly crashing coincidences at one point, with Alice the vicar’s sister, though a monstrous creation, we can also see her pain and her fears for the future – very real ones in a world with an excess of women after the First World War.
A lovely ideal of male companionship is presented (and here, knowing of the author’s unhappy marriages gives one a sad jolt):
The man’s personality didn’t get in the way of one’s happy thinking, it didn’t come between her and what she wanted to attend to. (p. 78)
but will this actually come to pass?
The final paragraph is as amusingly succinct as the first one, having expanded out into thought processes and ruminations in the middle. A great read that was very engaging indeed.
The book comes with a 1930s timeline, a biography of the author and a preface, as well as an afterword by series consultant Simon Thomas, making this a great package and another ideal gift. Did I mention how pretty it is, too?
Thank you very much to British Library Publishing for sending me a print copy of this book in return for an honest review. Ali reviewed this today, too: read her take on it here.
Simon T
Sep 10, 2020 @ 08:46:47
So glad you liked this one, Liz! I’m so pleased that it’s back in print.
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Liz Dexter
Sep 10, 2020 @ 20:42:59
It was so good, and a lovely substantial read, too.
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JacquiWine
Sep 10, 2020 @ 10:23:52
Lovely! Really pleased to see that you enjoyed this one. It’s on my little pile of review copies, and I’m looking forward to it immensely.
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Liz Dexter
Sep 10, 2020 @ 20:43:19
I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as Ali and I did!
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wadholloway
Sep 10, 2020 @ 11:55:10
Von Arnim has been mentioned a bit this year. I’ll have to try one and if I like it I can claim her as Australian.
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Liz Dexter
Sep 10, 2020 @ 20:43:39
I’ve been reading her for decades, very well worth a look.
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kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 10, 2020 @ 12:40:15
LOL! You and Ali have been having a readalong! It sounds marvellous (and the whole range is great!) – fortunately I have it TBR!
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Liz Dexter
Sep 10, 2020 @ 20:43:58
We have! Pick it up now! Or soon!
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Jane
Sep 10, 2020 @ 15:15:43
I still haven’t read any von Armin, but since this is in this lovely edition it can be my first!
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Liz Dexter
Sep 10, 2020 @ 20:44:27
I’ve read her in Virago and now this edition, both great. I do like the extras you get with these as well, though.
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heavenali
Sep 10, 2020 @ 15:40:39
So glad you enjoyed this one too. I thought the portrait of Alice was superb because you can sense the fear behind her monstrous behaviour.
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Liz Dexter
Sep 10, 2020 @ 20:44:52
Yes, it’s very nuanced, isn’t it. Even the horrible vicar becomes human!
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Brona
Sep 11, 2020 @ 08:58:34
So now I’m checking if this series is also available in Australia….
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Liz Dexter
Sep 11, 2020 @ 09:01:51
Oh, I do hope so!
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tamsing
Sep 11, 2020 @ 17:00:43
Women’s Writers reissues by a male consultant? It seems surprising that the British Library could not have found a woman. Sounds like a good book though and I enjoyed the links with von Arnim herself. Thanks
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Liz Dexter
Sep 11, 2020 @ 17:06:19
The people writing the introductions and prefaces are women and they are running it and doing the reissues from the publisher. Simon is a consultant because he has a PhD in women’s middlebrow writing in the mid-20th century, if that makes sense. Like Scott is the consultant on the Dean Street Press Furrowed Middlebrow reprints for his expertise. I didn’t put the names that were on the intro and preface on this review, but did on the one I did of “Dangerous Ages”. I hope that reassures you a bit.
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tamsing
Sep 11, 2020 @ 17:07:04
Thanks Liz
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Thomas
Sep 11, 2020 @ 23:53:10
Concise and well-written review Liz, thank you for sharing! Interesting to hear about the way male companionship is presented in the book compared to the author’s lived experiences – what do you think might have caused that discrepancy (I suspect it’s the quality of men in real life, but…)?
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Liz Dexter
Sep 12, 2020 @ 17:52:25
Ah, well, without giving too much away, that’s an IDEA and an IDEAL of male companionship, and Jenny gets a moment of it herself but then … well, I can’t say more, but it’s certainly not something that comes easily for any of the female characters!
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buriedinprint
Sep 25, 2020 @ 14:23:54
This is one I found by chance in a college booksale without a cover/blurb and I’ve always been curious about it. Glad to hear that it’s as enjoyable as her previous books.
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Liz Dexter
Sep 26, 2020 @ 11:17:06
Oh, wow, what a find! Yes, I confirm it’s a good one.
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Book review - Elizabeth von Arnim - "Introduction to Sally"
Sep 07, 2023 @ 08:01:41