Reviews

Despite being set in London during World War II, Mrs Porter Calling is an uplifting read about friendship and pulling together when all seems lost. It’s the third story in the series about Emmy Lake and her colleagues at Women’s Friend magazine. While it would help to have read the previous novels in the series, this book could be read as a standalone although where all the characters fit might seem a bit confusing initially.

At the start, everything is moving along as best as it can be during the middle of a war. The magazine is ticking along well and Emmy has a great group of friends around her. But then the publisher of the magazine dies and is left to his niece, The Honourable Mrs Porter. Mrs Porter is determined to turn the magazine into Vogue meets Tatler and make everything a bit ‘less mis[erable]’. There’s to be none of the frugal ways to make a meal from little, gardening or knitting pages and Emmy’s agony aunt letters are far too dreary to print. Despite the staff telling Cressida (‘do call me Egg’) that Woman’s Friend is simply not that kind of magazine, she’s determined to have her way and drive the magazine into obscurity. Meanwhile, Emmy’s friend Thel and her children have moved into the house she shares with Bunty and there’s a lot going on, the most minor of being hiding rogue chickens. Major upheavals and disappointments occur, but Bunty and her friends get through it – not quite with a stiff upper lip, but through teamwork and friendship.

Emmy’s stories are always uplifting and a bit of fun. It doesn’t make light of war or its effects such as rationing, but shows the power of friendship in helping each other. The story is peppered with quaint British sayings, but it’s not naff, rather more nostalgic. It’s definitely a comfort read, with the goodies and baddies clearly defined, and good triumphing over evil in the form of Mrs Porter and her assistant. Mrs Porter’s dog, Small Winston, provides some comic relief in choosing who he does and doesn’t bite. Mrs Porter herself is a great combination in clueless, mindless wealth and class snobbery – and demonstrates that she really doesn’t get it as the boss. It’s a relatable plot line for many in modern workplaces I’m sure – a change of direction that is not consulted with staff and not in line with what the readers want. Did karma get Mrs Porter back? Well…possibly but in quite a subtle way for me with the major effects felt by the Women’s Friend staff. But all’s well that ends well for Emmy, Bunty and her friends and the next question is – will the readers meet Emmy again in 1944?

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kairhone's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Content Warnings

kxtiebooks's review against another edition

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5.0

Love this series so much

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