Thursday, August 27, 2009

The Village by Marghanita Laski

I've spent the past few days reading this wonderful book by Marghanita Laski at every opportunity. It exceeded all of my expectations and I suggest that if you have a copy languishing on your bookshelf that you get it down. To set the tone... Then they parted, Mrs Trevor going up the road to Wood View on Priory Hill where the gentry lived and Mrs Wilson going downhill on the other side, down Station Road among the working-classes. Picking up on the the last night of WWII, Laski takes us through the conflicts that arise when the classes mix. Much to the dismay of the Trevor family, their daughter, Margaret, falls in love with Roy Wilson. Despite the fact that Roy has served his country and learned a trade which earns him more money than Margaret's father, he will never be worthy of the Trevor's hospitality - much less their daughter. The ways in which class distinction are observed in this story made for a fascinating study. Mrs Trevor knots her scarf under her chin, Mrs Wilson knots hers on top of her head in turban-style. Wendy Trevor chides her daughter for using the term 'Auntie', blaming her association with Roy for her lapse of proper English, the correct term would be 'Aunt'. The romance between Roy and Margaret is so sweet, they go to the cinema, ride their bicycles and have a picnic while they plan their life together. I had to laugh when Roy, being ever so chivalrous, lets Margaret know that she won't be working once they're wed. Which suits her just fine as all she's ever wanted for herself was to be a homemaker and raise a family. Roy, tired of romancing his intended under a veil of secrecy, marches to the Trevor's front door to speak with the man of the house. Gerald and Wendy are perplexed as to why someone from Station Road would use their front door. You can imagine the explosive scene when Roy announces that he and their daughter are engaged. "And how do you think we're going to feel with a son-in-law we're ashamed to introduce to our friends?" rages Mr Trevor. You will have to read this book for yourself to discover whether true love prevails over class distinction. I don't know what made me grab this book at the last minute for this reading challenge but I'm awfully glad that I did.

15 comments:

  1. I must go back and read that again, I loved it too. I'd really like to track down a copy of Love on the Supertax which I think was her first. Expect it's one of those that I'll happen on one day, you never find them when you're looking, do you?

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  2. Glad you enjoyed it - and you've still got time to begin another ;)

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  3. Oh how I wish I'd read this one rather than House-Bound (my first real Perspephone dud). K x

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  4. I will be purchasing this one. I read Little Boy Lost yesterday and I loved it.

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  5. m, I felt like turning back to the first page once I had finished, as Paperback Reader said yesterday, we need more Laski.

    verity, Once I get back from work this afternoon it's Minnie's Room for me.

    Kristina, Oh, that's too bad. You would love The Village! D x

    Paperback Reader, I'm quite excited to read Little Boy Lost now!

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  6. I almost picked this one--glad to hear you enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to reading it, too.

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  7. Oh NO. I've just come from Claire telling me I must read Little Boy Lost, to you telling me I must read The Village... am I ever going to stop Persephone Reading Week or will it become Persephone Reading Life, to the exclusion of all other things? You're both making them sound so tempting! And I do have it languishing, unread, on my shelf... though not in the Persephone edition.

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  8. Danielle, I hope that you like it as much as I did.

    StuckInABook, Exactly! The good news is that it's looking like we may get to do it all again next year. Fingers crossed...

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  9. I do not have this one but I have a feeling I will soon.

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  10. I am so pleased that you were so happy with The Village. When I read it after Litle Boy Lost I didn't think such a book could live up to the expectations I had, but it did and then some. But isn't it frightening that such a writer could fall out of print relatively quickly?!

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  11. Book Psmith, I've been saying the same thing all week about so many wonderful books.

    fleurfisher, So true! I never used to worry about a book being unavailable prior to discovering these amazing authors. Now I have this overwhelming need to buy up books that I want to read down the road on the off chance they won't be available later.

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  12. I'll add this to my P. list. It sounds great. I love the touch about the scarves, and the 'aunt' difference. That's what makes a book really work for me. Those 'little' details that make it real. Thanks.

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  13. This is such a lovely and tantalising review, and to my joy I came across an old hardback of The Village whilst by the seaside on Sunday, in a wonderful ramshackle second hand bookshop. I will read it as soon as I possibly can and let you know what I thought!

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  14. Rachel, Such a great find, I would love to know what the cover looks like. Perhaps when you read it someday, could you post a picture?

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  15. Darlene, it's just a plain green hardback, unfortunately - no dustjacket. Not as pretty as a Persephone but at only £1, I couldn't leave it on the shelf!

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