Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Their Finest Hour and a Half

I've spent many happy hours with this book and a cup of tea over the past few weeks. So rich in detail that I savoured every page, was sorry when it ended and felt sad to remove it from the 'Currently Reading' section of my sidebar. There are several storylines with a lively cast of characters and even a very lovable dog. My favourite was the story of Edith Beadmore, working as a wardrobe assistant at Madame Tussuad's. She rents a room in a house and after yet another round of air-raid sirens, she calmly smooths her bed covers before making her way to the Anderson shelter. Their neighbourhood takes a hit and Edith ends up knocked to the ground in the garden, her mouth full of dirt. A few doors down she witnesses '...the Raleighs' bathroom was shamelessly displayed, a used towel abandoned on the lino, the wallpaper blotched with damp, while in the next room a pink-quilted double bed protruded over the broken floorboards like a vulgar tongue.' Edith experiences two more bombings and the way that Evans writes about that moment between the shrill soaring of a bomb and the moment of impact will have you holding your breath. There is also a relationship in store for Edith that I found completely fascinating to watch develop but enough about that, you'll have to read the book. Catrin Cole is a young copywriter who is drafted by the Ministry of Information to write 'the voice of women' in propaganda films. The storylines were campy and delightful and how can you not smile when reading about So-Bee-Fee gravy browning? Serendipity presents itself in the form of twins, Lily and Rose Stirling, whose story about the rescue of 54 soldiers stranded in Dunkirk produces Catrin's greatest chance for exposure. A film is created with the storyline being hugely exaggerated but hey, if it boosts the country's morale then what's the harm? Enter Ambrose Hilliard, an aging movie star from the twenties, who can't accept that his days of being the handsome lead are over. There are many wonderful peripheral characters in this book. I melted at Cerberus, the dog who is adopted begrudgingly by Ambrose. Even he can't escape the makeup chair when he has to step in as understudy for another dog and has So-Bee-Fee gravy browning and shoe polish applied to the white bit on his nose. Due to rationing he had to eat whatever came his way, sirens and bombs an ever present source of terror but what a trooper! I loved reading about the minutiae of life around London, rationing, the Tube, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's and St Pancras not to mention the meals made with mock this and that. The mince pies made with grated parsnip lacked that festive appeal though I must say. Since discovering books by Mollie Panter-Downes, Marghanita Laski and Dorothy Whipple I do believe that stories about this era are best when written by people from this era. But Lissa Evans has done a fantastic job of coming quite close and to stand behind the aforementioned ladies in this genre is nothing to sneeze at. I loved this book and with the rich detail I know that a second reading will only add to its pleasure.

20 comments:

  1. It's very well done, isn't it, and I see you're now reading the wonderful Nancy!

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  2. I'm really looking forward to reading this one and your post makes me want to just start it now (without finishing something else first!). It can be hard capturing that authenticity of another era, but it sounds like she does a good job.

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  3. Oh Darlene what a mouthwatering review! This sounds brilliant and I'd never heard of it before so I am off to check the library catalogue right now!
    I am of the same mind as you - when it comes to books set in the past I much prefer reading those written during the era and tend to struggle with 'historical novels' as they feel so unauthentic to me, but this sounds like it's a success regardless and I will definitely be seeking it out, and soon!

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  4. This sounds wonderful. And furthermore, it has the kind of title I'd love to think up (should I ever get published). Other titles that turn me pea-green with envy include almost everything by Alexander McCall Smith (such as Teatime for the Traditionally Built).

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  5. And what a lovely cover for The Pursuit of Love, on your Currently Reading list. (I believe that's one of the Mitfords in her court dress?) I recently gave myself the treat of rewatching the 1980 miniseries based on those 2 books (the excellent and virtually unavailable one with Judi Dench, not the unnecessary newer one). Always a treat.

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  6. This sounds wonderful - defintely one for me to look out for.

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  7. This sounds lovely - I'll definitely add this to the TBR list and try to track down a copy!

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  8. I also loved this book and thought the period detail was well done. It was one of my fave books of last year. I prefer the UK cover :-)

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  9. Reservation made at my local library, as this sounds like such a good read. Thanks for the heads up.

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  10. Cornflower, It must have been total madness at the Mitford home but what fabulous stories!

    Danielle, Evans is a terrific writer and I love her humour...you're in for a treat!

    booksnob, It's a rare thing to scoop an English title on someone from your side of the pond...you must have blinked. Here's hoping you find a copy!

    Susan, It must be a fantastic 'Eureka!' moment when you come up with the perfect title...good luck with yours! And yes, absolutely all things Mitford are sheer bliss.

    A Bookish Space, So glad that you've been tempted!

    Captive Reader, You won't be sorry! I hope you like tea as this book seems to require drinking copious amounts whilst reading it.

    callmemadam, Isn't it strange that there are different covers? I really like the other one as well but this one has grown on me.

    Geraldine, I'm so glad that you've been tempted! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

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  11. I'm intrigued! Thanks for the great review - hadn't heard of this one!

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  12. Oh this sounds wonderful. Definitely going on the to-read list. And my box from Amazon with the new Nancy Mitford editions should be arriving any day now, so I'll be joining you soon! K x

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  13. Tara, You're most welcome! It was a fun read.

    Kristina, Oh don't they look spiffy?! I'm really tempted to order a few, you're a lucky lady!

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  14. Just happened upon your blog, am delighted to find you and I am going to be following now...I too live in Canada, work in a library and knit!

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  15. Okay, now I have two new books on my wishlist. :)

    Lovely review! This sounds absolutely wonderful, the kind of book to just escape with while enjoying a cup of tea.

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  16. hostess of the humble bungalow, Hi and thanks for stopping by!

    makedoandread, Oh yes, this is definitely just that sort! Have a lovely day!

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  17. I have been looking for a book blog based in the UK and I have found yours. I am glad I did, since it looks so lovely. I will surely come again:)

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  18. Andreea, Oh how I wished that I were based in England! I live in Ontario but my heart roams around historic parts of London and cottages in the countryside. In other words, a raging Anglophile! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day.

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  19. I love reading about this period, especially the lives of women as they changed so dramatically. I haven't heard of this book before, but it's going straight onto my wishlist. Nice review!

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  20. Darlene, I finished Their Finest Hour and a Half last night, loved it, must remember to tell my sister about it in my next letter to her, as I think she might enjoy it as well. Many thanks for the review, as otherwise I might not have discovered this book.

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