Greenbanks by Dorothy Whipple

Downton Abbey withdrawal symptoms have subsided ever so slightly with the storyline of Greenbanks by Dorothy Whipple.  The book opens on Christmas Day in 1909, with everyone gathered together in a comfortable house surrounded by snow.  There isn't anything like the controlled chaos of a 'downstairs' in this adaptation of Whipple's Edwardian family but you get the idea.

The Ashton's saga is a scaled-down version but several of the storylines from Downton Abbey are recognizable.  An older generation holding steadfast to tradition, a younger set trying to break free from the mold, letters calling young men to war and bandage classes for women.  And if men aren't always having the last word these days, society still dictates conscience and behaviour to quite a degree.

Louisa and her philandering husband, Robert, are parents to adult children who still run to them for advice on how to remove themselves from sticky situations.  With so many dynamics involving the core family, respective spouses and offspring they provide enough fodder for their own lively soap opera.  Whipple's restraint prevents Greenbanks from running to high drama but successfully brings the reader to a state of anticipation wondering how each event will conclude.

Affairs, illegitimacy, the female struggle for independance, World War I, money woes, sly financial dealings and yes, even a dishy vicar keep Louisa from growing too complacent about her family and staff.  Her one constant is granddaughter, Rachel, who prefers the spare room at Greenbanks to her bedroom at home.  And who could blame her with a father who scoffs at the idea of women filling their heads with knowledge.  I silently egged her on through each opportunity to achieve fulfillment and laughed when she used putty to fill the holes in her desk in an attempt at dentistry.

Greenbanks is a thoroughly enjoyable read, a cosy book.  My only issue with it came at the very end when a few words into the afterword I realized it wasn't the next chapter!  Surely an author I adore wouldn't abandon me right then and there, wondering about the impact of a certain character's absence at the breakfast table?  But she did.  I'm not overly ticked about it or anything, life goes on...which is the point Dorothy Whipple was making with this sort of ending.  I would like to think happily ever after comes into it but I'm not so sure.

Withdrawn Whipple

I've just risked life and limb at the mailbox and for what?  Nothing!  The sun is shining, children are screaming in the school playground and I was looking forward to my copy of Greenbanks by Dorothy Whipple arriving any minute. 

Looking forward to a parcel stamped "Royal Mail" from The Book Depository, I was about to unlock my mailbox when I heard snarling.  Instinctively turning to the sound I looked up into the foaming jaws of a canine boxer looking down on me from his post on top of a hot tub.  It's peering down at us from above the owners' fence.  Deacon and I made our escape and didn't look back to check if the dog had leapt the fence.

Safely inside the house I turned on the computer only to find out my pre-order of Greenbanks from The Book Depository has been cancelled.  My credit card has been refunded.  It all sounds so final.  I'm at the back of the line, out of the latest Whipple release loop!

Has anyone else experienced the same feeling of utter disappointment today due to an email sent by The Book Depository?  A support group might make me feel better.

They Knew Mr Knight by Dorothy Whipple

 "Mr Knight smiled to himself.  Five hundred a year!  And they sat down with it, these men.  They put up with it.  And the world was full of money.  They never even put out a hand towards it.  Poor chaps, they'd no guts or no wits, he didn't know which it was.  Mr Knight pulled down his waistcoat and settled himself more comfortably in his comfortable seat." 

Oh the delight of a Dorothy Whipple novel!  As cosy as a rainy Saturday afternoon spent watching a nostalgic film cuddled up in your favourite comfy sweater.

The Blakes are a typical family with the usual concerns about making ends meet.  Their three children are on the verge of adulthood and have their own ideas about the future.  Freda is a snob, Douglas lives to create science experiments and Ruth is a bit of a mess but does has an affection for writing.  There is also Uncle Edward who embarrasses the family with his inability to hold down a job due to problems with alcohol and laziness.

Poor Thomas Blake works day in and day out to earn enough money to provide for everyone, even his mother who hates to say thank you.  Things could have been so different if his father had been a better businessman but now Thomas is 'a servant where he should have been master'.

A chance encounter with Mr Knight, a wealthy financier, presents an opportunity for Thomas to step up in the world and he grabs it eagerly.  His daughter, Freda, is thrilled to be able to socialize with the richer set and can finally allow her snobbery to reach its full potential.  The oh-so sophisticated Mrs Knight kindly offers to show Freda around the best shops and even takes her to get a permanent wave against her mother's wishes.  The resulting scene is unforgettable and why I chose a related image for this post.

As the Blakes wealth increases, those left behind can't resist making comments about the high and mighty.  None more so than Mrs Greene, the quintessential net-flicker with a penchant for the negative.  And as Thomas spends more time with Mr Knight, Celia wonders if she has been a poor replacement for the men's club all these years.  Right on schedule, Uncle Edward turns up demanding an opportunity now that the Blake name is back over the factory door.  I couldn't help but enjoy the mortification of the family when Edward resorts to a form of blackmail in order to secure a position.  If he is refused a job at the factory then he will have to apply to a vacancy in staffing at the Knight's residence.  Can you imagine the shame!?

As any fan of Whipple knows, her characterization is excellent.  In my humble opinion, in They Knew Mr Knight it is sublime.  Pin down an opinion of a character and then ask yourself a few chapters further along if you feel the same way.  How she does it without being even remotely unsettling is quite fascinating when you think about it.  Waiting to discover whether Mr Knight is either scoundrel or saviour certainly kept me riveted throughout.

During the climax of the story I was pouring tea with one hand whilst not taking my eyes off of the page, trusting my ear to tell me when the cup was full.  The sign of a good book I'd say.

More from The Closed Door and Other Stories...

Try as I might, there is absolutely no choosing a clear favourite amongst this collection of short stories.  The Closed Door and Other Stories by the sublime Dorothy Whipple exceeded all my expectations and I highly recommend it! 

Picking up where I left off...

Family Crisis - Mr Parker prides himself on being respected and over the course of time becomes an unbearable snob.  No expense is spared in elevating his son, Alec, to a position in a law firm.  His daughter, Margaret, is frustratingly kept at home to hone her domestic skills and cater to her lazy mother.  When an event shocks this family to their very core, Mr Parker comes to realize that those he has held in the highest esteem were not perhaps the ones who deserved his attention most.

After Tea - This story had me cheering at the end!  In an all too familiar scene, Christine, shares the bulk of the domestic duties with the maid.  In fact, the maid is better off as she is paid and allowed time off.  Christine is desperate to attend free lectures at the university but her parents put her off.  When some information comes to light, Christine finds the strength to make a stand and it is sheer triumph!

Wednesday - This was the most heartbreaking story in the collection.  Mrs Bulford, caught in a messy divorce, is now reduced to waiting at the gate to see her children.  Her former husband has a new wife and in anguish but understanding she hears her younger children refer to this woman as 'Mumsie'.  Catherine, at thirteen, quietly turns away from her mother's attempts at affection, old enough to know what has gone on.  I just may need a tissue if I go on any longer!

Summer Holiday - Rose was the nicest nurse-maid the family had ever had.  In fact, she was treated almost as one of the family.  There are twins, Roger and Charles, but it is Ellie and her big sister who never seem to leave Rose alone for a moment.  They adore her beau, Frank, and love to sit near him when he comes for visits.  The family takes a vacation at the seaside where they stay at Mrs Simpson's rooming house.  Another resident, a flashy Mr Salter, quickly takes a shine to Rose but the young sisters are ill at ease around him.  This holiday won't soon be forgotten but not because of the sun, surf and ice cream!

Saturday Afternoon - Mrs Thorpe and daughter, Muriel, love Saturday afternoons when Mr Thorpe leaves the house to attend his club or do goodness knows what else.  They settle in the garden, eat chocolates and knit or read.  But one afternoon there is a knock on the door and it is a policeman asking for Mr Thorpe.  Saturday afternoons may never be the same again!

Cover - Harry Smith married his sweetheart, Meg Saunders.  Nothing unusual in that but considering what Meg got up to while Harry was away fighting in the war...well, that takes a certain fellow.  A chance to leave the village and escape gossip is a most welcome opportunity but despite new beginnings and a new friendship the ending is a poignant one.

This collection was the perfect companion for Persephone Reading Weekend.  Each story was fascinating and will no doubt be pulled off of my shelf again and again.  I was swept back to another era and marvelled at how I could so enjoy stories where young women are kept at home to cook and clean while their spirits long to soar.  Such is the skill with which Dorothy Whipple tells a story I suppose. 

I had to work on Saturday and today I am losing the fight against a head cold but Persephone Reading Weekend has definitely made this weekend sparkle for me.  Thanks to everyone who participated for your entertaining and thought-provoking posts and most of all to Verity and Claire for their efforts in hosting this event yet again! 

Hosted by Verity and Claire

Four from The Closed Door...

Oh, this is a delightful collection for any admirer of Dorothy Whipple!

The Closed Door - You would think that after ten years of marriage, Ernest and Alice would be over the moon to finally become parents.  But poor Stella is merely a hindrance to the family routine and a drain on their more than adequate budget.  Any small rays of happiness are dashed by her mean parents and Stella comes to the brink of a physical and mental breakdown.  Will she ever recover enough spirit to become a vital woman with confidence and self-esteem?

The Rose - Elsie Smith is Joe's second wife and finding fault with almost everything he does is a pastime of hers.  She even gestures from the front window for him to correct his posture as he goes off to work.  One day, Elsie is convinced Joe is up to something behind her back and she's going to catch him at it!  Which one is in for a surprise?

Youth - Cue some Big Band music for this evocative story about eighteen year-old Anne, and her aunt, Miss Morley.  Not one to engage in much frivolity, the spinster takes her niece on an outing to London.  Her displeasure at Anne's insistence on visiting a dance hall is clearly evident but what can happen during a bit of music in the afternoon?  The repressed Anne meets the gaze of Pilot-Officer, Geoffrey Lawton and she flushes with excitement.  Hmmm...spinter aunt versus handsome officer.  Anne has a dilemma on her hands, or does she?

The Handbag - Mrs West is married to an extremely busy Councillor.  William used to take his wife along on his trips away and to various functions but lately she has been left behind.  She feels every bit of her forty-eight years, in fact, she's looking even older than her husband these days.  Not at all glamorous like the widowed Mrs Wintersley who works closely with her husband.  One day a package arrives at the house.  Inside is a handbag accompanied by a letter which Mrs West reads while sinking onto her bed. 

I bet you are dying to know what it says aren't you!  If you have a copy of The Closed Door and Other Stories languishing on your shelf you are probably already halfway to the bookcase to find out! 

There are six more stories for me to read but I'm on the desk Saturday morning at the library.  So watch this space for more snippets and enjoy the rest of Persephone Reading Weekend!

Hosted by Claire and Verity

Persephone Reading Weekend

Unless you've been climbing Everest or trekking through Outer Mongolia you know that tomorrow is the start of Persephone Reading Weekend.

I confess to getting a head start yesterday and dove into the title story of Dorothy Whipple's, The Closed Door and Other Stories.  Am I the only one who has begun to hear choral music when I say 'Dorothy Whipple'?  I digress.

No. 74 in Persephone's catalogue, this slim volume of short stories is my choice for the weekend and I've been looking forward to it since it arrived several months ago.  At just page 32, Whipple already has me wanting to weep for one character and whip another! 

Which title have you chosen?

  Hosted by Claire and Verity

The Priory by Dorothy Whipple

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!

High Wages by Dorothy Whipple

If you are familiar with Persephone Books then you know the brilliance of Dorothy Whipple. She has worked her magic once again with High Wages, I loved this book! My heart ached for Jane Carter, still in her teens, leaving the family home after her father passes away, to strike out on her own. She left behind a stepmother and 'those children', an image of Cinderella did pass through my thoughts at one point. Being accepted for work at Chadwick's, a fabric and haberdashery shop was a dream come true for Jane. Sharing a room with another employee and being served various forms of offal for dinner by Mrs Chadwick, while she ate fine cuts with her husband upstairs, rarely brought about a complaint from Jane. She was independent and learning more every day about how to sell to customers in the shop. Jane catches on quickly and has a knack for fashion and design, quickly making herself popular with customers and indispensable to Mr Chadwick. Mrs Greenwood is one of those customers who doesn't mind utilizing Jane's way with a ribbon but won't let her forget that she's just a shop girl. No where near close enough in station to socialize with her pampered daughter, Sylvia, or the young men in her circle. At one of the social events of the year, The Hospital Ball, Jane is kindly treated to tickets by the warm and generous Mrs Briggs. Again, like Cinderella, Jane fashions an outfit she's absolutely giddy about and attracts the eye of some handsome young men. Mrs Greenwood is livid and with her booming voice and looks of disgust, she makes Jane feel horrible. But not for long, after all, what crime has she committed? When she's hauled up on the proverbial carpet by Mr Chadwick for upsetting the town know-it-all, Jane defends herself with a spirit that had me cheering her on with a smile on my face. That should give you a pretty good idea of what you're in for with this wonderful story. I despair for anyone who isn't interested in where this story leads. Dorothy Whipple has created a perfect cast of characters with this book, bringing forth feelings of loathing, sympathy, hope, dread and romance. The sign of a good book is one that has me dying to complete my list of things to do so that I can make a pot of tea and find out what's going to happen next. High Wages is definitely one of those books!

A Book Chat at Persephone

A treasured memory of my trip to London last May, was the day Kristina and I visited the Persephone shop for a book chat. As luck would have it, the book being discussed was Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple which I had just recently finished. We were shown into the room at the back where we sat on chairs in a tight circle. Tea was promptly poured and offered around, it was loose leaf, of course. Nicola sliced some Devon Seed Cake, so perfect with a cup of tea. Once the conversation began I think the group would have happily sat there for hours discussing the ins and outs of the book. One of the many topics mulled over was the significance of twin beds and married couples. We all had a laugh when one lady in the group said that her mother thought it was unhygienic for a couple to share a bed! It was terrific to have that kind of insight from someone whose mother would have been a grown woman in the 50's. I think of that visit often and wouldn't hesitate to plan my next trip around another book chat at Persephone. For those of you lucky enough to visit whenever you like, do yourself a favour and attend one. I've baked a few Devon Seed Cakes since May to remember a very special afternoon and laugh when I remember asking Nicola if hers was home baked, to which she replied "yes and presumably by someone in Devon". Wonderful!