Scan barcode
atf_123's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I think this was my favorite of the Emmy Lake chronicles!
morganthelibrarian's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
grafe_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mgnraisin's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
elizadambrosio's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sisbill's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Audible/pleasure
erellim's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
vshoenecke's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
samstillreading's review
4.0
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?
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
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?
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
kairhone's review against another edition
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
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and War