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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Took a while to get into this, but then loved it!
Found a Guardian review of this book, by Jilly Cooper no less...
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/may/03/featuresreviews.guardianreview31
Found a Guardian review of this book, by Jilly Cooper no less...
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/may/03/featuresreviews.guardianreview31
Fun diary-style novel of middle-class domestic life in 1930's England. I found the main character utterly charming and funny with her daily struggles with the minutiae of household life, although her world also struck me as a bit sad with her blank, distant husband and sweet son sent off to boarding school. Funny, intimate, mostly gentle, slightly biting-- an entertaining glimpse into a different time and place.
This August I decided to only reread books I love. As a perfect, light, summery read I started with this - a book that has no right to be so relatable, especially to a man in his thirties who has no children, lives and entirely different life to the protagonist, and whom certainly isn't moving in the same social spheres.
That, in itself, is the magic of this. The main character is flawed, unfiltered, often wishing polite accidents on those she doesn't like and remonstrating herself after or having trivial mishaps that haunt her life for days at a time. It's a very particular humour which probably doesn't land well with everyone, but never fails to draw out a laugh or a smile from me.
Plus, it's a small, compact read that can be enjoyed in one sitting. - an absolute treat for a summer morning.
That, in itself, is the magic of this. The main character is flawed, unfiltered, often wishing polite accidents on those she doesn't like and remonstrating herself after or having trivial mishaps that haunt her life for days at a time. It's a very particular humour which probably doesn't land well with everyone, but never fails to draw out a laugh or a smile from me.
Plus, it's a small, compact read that can be enjoyed in one sitting. - an absolute treat for a summer morning.
funny
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was charming and funny and a very wry look at provincial life of a woman who has children and a husband who falls asleep over the Times in the evenings and single friends with interesting feminist friends and trying local folk...
First published in 1930, this is terrific fun. It's the fictional diary of an upper middle class woman living in Devon and details her daily life with a grumpy husband, problematic staff, judgy neighbours and spirited children, all the while hoping to kickstart a writing career. It's like a 1930s Bridget Jones. It's short and it's quite delightful.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Antisemitism
Really had - if not high, then mediumish - expectations for this one. A quintessentially British comedic novel. Unfortunately felt the fragmented diary entry format to be grating, probably more due to listening to the audio rather than reading the physical copy. Sarcastic and fun, with a lot of room for reflection on not only the 'time period' but also contemporary, personal life. Ultimately, however, did not enjoy it enough to merit anything other than three stars.
Charming and very old-fashioned (naturally, given the publication date), but if, like me, you're fond of pre-1960s fiction from Britain that is just plain nice and about everyday life, you will enjoy this as I did. Perfect if you're looking for a less snooty Angela Thirkell or something like D.E. Stevenson's books.