Reviews

It's surprising that I ended up giving this one four stars, because for a significant part of the book I had trouble keeping characters straight, or even really caring whether I could or not. I blame this on the fact that I had long intervals between reading the first part of the book. The latter half I breezed through, and the comedic moments kept me chuckling until I decided that really I do like it.

In this book, multiple characters in a village pop in and out, like each other or don't, change their minds in some cases, and generally all manage to get along in spite of eccentricities. So it's a gentle, domestic book with middle-class and slightly upper-class Brits from the mid-20th century. Just my cup of tea.

Here is a sample:

"Mr. Custance appeared at the door, holding a book in his hand and asking if Amy could find room for it in her suitcase. Mrs. Custance answered blithely that he would not need books in Cornwall; they would go for long walks and there would be other people to talk to in the evenings. Since he already had several books secreted in his own suitcase and in his coat pockets, Mr. Custance took this rebuff bravely."

I do like that! ;)

celestialwillow's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

Read this as it was recommended to lovers of Angela Thirkell novels. I can see where the comparison is coming from, but Elizabeth Fair isn't quite at the same level as Angela. Readable, though.

quietjenn's review

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3.0

Pleasant and unassuming. Very typical of Fair, although I think most of her other books are better. There's a character in this one that I quite disliked, so that's swaying me a bit.