Christine and Penelope Marwood have grown up in the nursery at Saunby and are now in their late teens. Once a thriving country home of aristocratic splendor it is now in a state of disrepair. Farms are being sold to finance the Major's cricket matches and to put food in the larder...the lights are only turned on in the evening. A slightly eccentric Aunt Victoria has a room in the house and loves nothing more than to paint, she's also a spinster and quite happy in the situation.
The Major's wife has been dead for some time and feeling the need for a woman's touch about the place he decides to propose to Anthea Sumpton. Since he's dashing, athletic, distinguished and aristocratic, Anthea is beyond thrilled. What her intended fails to inform her about is that he's also broke.
Soon after the wedding...and a fainting spell, Anthea is found to be pregnant. This is devastating news for the Major as the mouths to be fed are increasing (someone missed the lesson on the birds and the bees). Not only that but Anthea insists on having Christine and Penelope out of the nursery (and about time too) so that it can be completely made over. Since it simply will not do to be aristocratic and care for your own baby, a Nurse must also be hired. By now Anthea has discovered the desk drawer in the study stuffed with overdue notices. Things are going from bad to worse.
Enter Nicholas Ashwell, who arrives to play in the annual cricket match at Saunby. Christine falls in love with this handsome fellow who just so happens to come from an extremely wealthy family. Hmmm, big money meets aristocratic family name...perfect! Or is it?
The staff working at Saunby provide further drama at Saunby. Thompson is the handyman/chauffeur and both Bessy and Bertha find him rather attractive. We all know three is a crowd and someone is going to end up in tears.
Dorothy Whipple was sending a huge message in this book, published in 1939, about the fate of women who are uneducated and that the world is run by the whims of men. When Penelope asks a male friend to help her inquire about jobs she is laughed at and told she won't be good at anything. With no education and no training she's just to look pretty until the right man comes along. The way Whipple writes a character telling her daughter that things will be done differently for her is so vehement. There is no doubt that Dorothy was a progressive woman.
At 528 pages, this is a longish book but I was truly sad for it to end. I turned the last few pages with tears in my eyes because darn it...Whipple knows how to get you completely absorbed into her characters. This is a wonderfully engrossing story so please don't leave it to languish on your shelves!
Sounds interesting...at least the way that you describe it!
ReplyDeleteI'll note the title...
Another great one from Ms Whipple!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this one but am impressed with your review - thanks for sharing I will have to add it to the list (maybe for a long journey or something like that!)
ReplyDeleteHannah
I love the sound of this. The set up of the book reminds me a little of The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. Definitely one I would like to read.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I LOVE this book! We were both heartbroken for you-know-who (I won't spoil it for people who haven't read it...) And isn't it interesting that it ended with everyone being so relieved, as they thought there wouldn't be a war after all? DW didn't know that there WOULD be one...
ReplyDeletehostess of the humble bungalow, You always win with a Whipple!
ReplyDeleteverity, This one exceeded my already lofty expectations...absolutely wonderful!
Hannah, This would also make for cosy autumnal reading as well.
Vivienne, I see what you mean...big house with a nursery minus the clingy doctor though! Ick, ick, ick.
Penny, Welcome and thanks for stopping by. Knowing that war was definitely on the horizon really, really touched me. It also demonstrates the authenticity of novels written by authors from the era in which they're writing! A very touching story on so many levels.
Loved this book. And I really love the photo you put in this post.
ReplyDeleteThomas, Thanks! This really seemed to fit when I was looking for something other than the endpaper.
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to read another Dorothy Whipple, but that's going to require an overseas order. Don't know why I keep putting it off - this sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, So many books...so little time! And now there's Zelda...sweet girl.
ReplyDeleteI have this but admit to not picking it up yet as it is a hefty book. It sounds wonderful, though, so longer is actually better than shorter, right? I'm reading Greenbanks right now and thoroughly enjoying it--I know you're not looking for more new books to add to your shelves, but if you happen across it....I think you'd like it. It's another family drama type story. And I see you're reading Norman Collins--do report back on it as I have that one as well--it sounds quite descriptive of the period, but again have put it off for sheer size...Now I am going to bump The Priory up the pile! :)
ReplyDeleteDanielle, Here's hoping Persephone can print Greenbanks eventually! And London Belongs to Me is a great book...first thing I thought about this morning...after plugging in the kettle!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, my memories of this just came rushing back! Isn't it a beautiful, sad, wonderful book? I loved the length of it...it was like sinking into another world, and I never wanted it to end! I love that photo as well - very atmospheric.
ReplyDeleteI think you would adore Greenbanks - I wonder if you could get it on ILL?
booksnob, Beautiful, sad and wonderful...that sums things up nicely, Rachel! I will definitely try to get Greenbanks on an ILL...in fact, I'll fill out the form this morning at work!
ReplyDeleteThis was the first Dorothy Whipple I read, and I loved it so much that I went out and bought Someone at a Distance. It's such a well-structured and beautifully paced book.
ReplyDeleteTeam Whipple, Team Whipple, Team Whipple. Yay yay yay!
ReplyDelete