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The Nutmeg Tree
Book by Sharp, Margery
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1937
94 people are currently reading
1064 people want to read
About the author
Margery Sharp
76 books173 followersMargery Sharp was born Clara Margery Melita Sharp in Salisbury. She spent part of her childhood in Malta.
Sharp wrote 26 novels, 14 children's stories, 4 plays, 2 mysteries and many short stories. She is best known for her series of children's books about a little white mouse named Miss Bianca and her companion, Bernard. Two Disney films have been made based on them, called The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under.
In 1938, she married Major Geoffrey Castle, an aeronautical engineer.
Sharp wrote 26 novels, 14 children's stories, 4 plays, 2 mysteries and many short stories. She is best known for her series of children's books about a little white mouse named Miss Bianca and her companion, Bernard. Two Disney films have been made based on them, called The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under.
In 1938, she married Major Geoffrey Castle, an aeronautical engineer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
December 20, 2017
With keen insight into people’s minds and hearts, and an uncanny sense of social class distinctions during the previous century in Great Britain, Margery Sharp writes with compassion, understanding, and a great sense of humour.
This poignant tale is of an estranged mother who is called upon by her daughter to help her marry the young man she desires, despite her grandmother’s and her guardian’s disapproval. The mother, Julia, is all too aware that she and her daughter’s young man are cut from the same cloth – opportunists who can’t seem to settle themselves into a sustaining lifestyle.
Then Julia herself falls in love – and the match could not be more unsuitable from her point of view. Although she does everything possible to keep her feelings close to herself and secret, her daughter’s young man has strong suspicions that he articulates to Julia in support of his own suit.
What if the object of her affections were to return her feelings? How could she possibly counsel the younger couple against making a mistake if she moves forward? Yet, how to retreat when she hasn’t the funds to return home and her daughter still needs her?
This book has great wit and humour, coupled with many snags and tangles that are both funny and of serious concern to the characters involved. I enjoyed this - my 3rd read of Margery Sharp’s works - from start to finish. Her descriptive settings, the depth of her characters, the plots – and the plotting! – are all greatly entertaining and highly recommended.
This poignant tale is of an estranged mother who is called upon by her daughter to help her marry the young man she desires, despite her grandmother’s and her guardian’s disapproval. The mother, Julia, is all too aware that she and her daughter’s young man are cut from the same cloth – opportunists who can’t seem to settle themselves into a sustaining lifestyle.
Then Julia herself falls in love – and the match could not be more unsuitable from her point of view. Although she does everything possible to keep her feelings close to herself and secret, her daughter’s young man has strong suspicions that he articulates to Julia in support of his own suit.
What if the object of her affections were to return her feelings? How could she possibly counsel the younger couple against making a mistake if she moves forward? Yet, how to retreat when she hasn’t the funds to return home and her daughter still needs her?
This book has great wit and humour, coupled with many snags and tangles that are both funny and of serious concern to the characters involved. I enjoyed this - my 3rd read of Margery Sharp’s works - from start to finish. Her descriptive settings, the depth of her characters, the plots – and the plotting! – are all greatly entertaining and highly recommended.
May 14, 2022
Divertida comedia de enredo ambientada en la Provenza francesa en los años treinta. En ella una mujer de vida alegre se hace pasar por una dama respetable para no avergonzar a una hija estirada y bastante puritana, que la necesita.
La primera escena de este libro ya nos muestra el tono a veces disparatado y a veces entrañable que nos vamos a encontrar en esta novela. Nuestra protagonista, Julia, se está dando un baño en su apartamento londinense, cantando “la Marsellesa” a voz en grito mientras sus acreedores aporrean la puerta. Julia no tiene donde caerse muerta, pero es muy ingeniosa y encantadora, así que, para pagarse el pasaje para llegar a la casa donde se encuentra su hija con su suegra, consigue convencer al acreedor de que salde sus deudas y vende los pocos muebles de valor que le quedan. Susan y su suegra, la aristocrática señora Packett, la necesitan.
La señora Packett es todo un personaje. Su hijo era un soldado de permiso cuando tuvo un affair con una mujer del teatro y cuando ésta se quedó embarazada, se casó con ella, para volver al frente y morir. Así pues, la señora Packett y su marido acogieron a Julia y a su hija durante nueve años, donde trataron a la viuda como si fuera su hija. Sin embargo la vida encorsetada de los aristócratas de campo no era para Julia, y pronto dejó a la niña al cuidado de sus abuelos y se fue a Londres a vivir su vida. Hay mujeres que no saben ser madres y eso no las hace malas personas, Julia es así.
Pero ahora la divertida señora Packett ha escrito a Julia para que acuda a hacer frente común con ella porque, de la noche a la mañana, la joven Susan ha conocido a un chico y se quiere casar. Y eso a ella no le parece de recibo. Julia se mete en un embrollo fingiendo que ha llevado una vida intachable en Londres hasta que la mentira se hace tan insostenible que se le viene encima. Con divertidos y románticos resultados.
El entorno de la casa que alquilan es tan hermoso que Julia se ve gravemente influida por las circunstancias y algunos líos en los que le quiere meter su suegra, además están el joven prometido que es un poquito pícaro y el tutor de su hija, que supuestamente vela por los intereses de la joven, aunque en realidad está hasta las narices de todo y quiere retirarse para viajar y ver paisajes.
Esta lectura es una delicia. Es divertida, chispeante, irónica y tiene unos personajes fantásticos. Especialmente Julia, que es tremenda, de principio a fin. El tipo de vida que ha llevado hace que conozca a gente de toda ralea y eso le sirve de herramienta para solventar las situaciones en que se mete (porque, normalmente, se mete ella sola en situaciones) así como para calar al muchacho que se quiere casar con su hija, que es para echarla de comer aparte. El final puede que sea un tanto predecible llegado a un punto, o tal vez no, y quizás esa sea la gracia, saber que todo irá bien, pase lo que pase. Y que la familia unida cuidará de todos sus miembros. Una delicia de principio a fin.
La primera escena de este libro ya nos muestra el tono a veces disparatado y a veces entrañable que nos vamos a encontrar en esta novela. Nuestra protagonista, Julia, se está dando un baño en su apartamento londinense, cantando “la Marsellesa” a voz en grito mientras sus acreedores aporrean la puerta. Julia no tiene donde caerse muerta, pero es muy ingeniosa y encantadora, así que, para pagarse el pasaje para llegar a la casa donde se encuentra su hija con su suegra, consigue convencer al acreedor de que salde sus deudas y vende los pocos muebles de valor que le quedan. Susan y su suegra, la aristocrática señora Packett, la necesitan.
La señora Packett es todo un personaje. Su hijo era un soldado de permiso cuando tuvo un affair con una mujer del teatro y cuando ésta se quedó embarazada, se casó con ella, para volver al frente y morir. Así pues, la señora Packett y su marido acogieron a Julia y a su hija durante nueve años, donde trataron a la viuda como si fuera su hija. Sin embargo la vida encorsetada de los aristócratas de campo no era para Julia, y pronto dejó a la niña al cuidado de sus abuelos y se fue a Londres a vivir su vida. Hay mujeres que no saben ser madres y eso no las hace malas personas, Julia es así.
Pero ahora la divertida señora Packett ha escrito a Julia para que acuda a hacer frente común con ella porque, de la noche a la mañana, la joven Susan ha conocido a un chico y se quiere casar. Y eso a ella no le parece de recibo. Julia se mete en un embrollo fingiendo que ha llevado una vida intachable en Londres hasta que la mentira se hace tan insostenible que se le viene encima. Con divertidos y románticos resultados.
El entorno de la casa que alquilan es tan hermoso que Julia se ve gravemente influida por las circunstancias y algunos líos en los que le quiere meter su suegra, además están el joven prometido que es un poquito pícaro y el tutor de su hija, que supuestamente vela por los intereses de la joven, aunque en realidad está hasta las narices de todo y quiere retirarse para viajar y ver paisajes.
Esta lectura es una delicia. Es divertida, chispeante, irónica y tiene unos personajes fantásticos. Especialmente Julia, que es tremenda, de principio a fin. El tipo de vida que ha llevado hace que conozca a gente de toda ralea y eso le sirve de herramienta para solventar las situaciones en que se mete (porque, normalmente, se mete ella sola en situaciones) así como para calar al muchacho que se quiere casar con su hija, que es para echarla de comer aparte. El final puede que sea un tanto predecible llegado a un punto, o tal vez no, y quizás esa sea la gracia, saber que todo irá bien, pase lo que pase. Y que la familia unida cuidará de todos sus miembros. Una delicia de principio a fin.
May 23, 2016
"There were beautiful ladies in white hats, less beautiful males who were evidently going to pay for what the ladies consumed; and at the sight of so many drinks Julia's heart fainted within her. She needed a drink. She needed a drink badly. What with the heat, disappointment and weariness, she felt as though she had never needed a drink before.
By the time she reached the edge of the hedge, longing had turned to resolution. She not only needed a drink, she was damn well going to have one.
Julia turned round and slowly retraced her steps. She was determined that if they put her in prison it should be for three Manhattans."
Well. If that does not make you want to read this book, then there's nothing else I can do for you. I have only just discovered Margery Sharp and OH MY GOD--Margery Sharp, where have you been all my life?
There are many good ones--you might as well start with this one. As far as I can tell, they are all funny, light-hearted, very British, and primarily concerned with the escapades of smart ladies.
Now, for our cocktail: Julia wants a Manhattan, so she'll have one, and so will you.
Manhattan
2 oz bourbon or rye
1 oz sweet vermouth (aka Italian vermouth)
Dash of Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry
Combine the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Stir vigorously. Pour into a cocktail glass, and garnish with a REAL maraschino cherry, not one of those candy-colored, dyed monstrosities (look for Luxardo maraschino cherries, available in good liquor stores, specialty food stores, or online).
A word about vermouth: Vermouth is wine with herbs and spices added. If you have a bottle of vermouth that's been open and gathering dust on a shelf for years, TOSS IT. You gotta keep that stuff refrigerated and work your way through it within a month or so! Go get a nice small bottle of Camparo Antica or Punt e Mes and enjoy yourself.
Cheers!
By the time she reached the edge of the hedge, longing had turned to resolution. She not only needed a drink, she was damn well going to have one.
Julia turned round and slowly retraced her steps. She was determined that if they put her in prison it should be for three Manhattans."
Well. If that does not make you want to read this book, then there's nothing else I can do for you. I have only just discovered Margery Sharp and OH MY GOD--Margery Sharp, where have you been all my life?
There are many good ones--you might as well start with this one. As far as I can tell, they are all funny, light-hearted, very British, and primarily concerned with the escapades of smart ladies.
Now, for our cocktail: Julia wants a Manhattan, so she'll have one, and so will you.
Manhattan
2 oz bourbon or rye
1 oz sweet vermouth (aka Italian vermouth)
Dash of Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry
Combine the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Stir vigorously. Pour into a cocktail glass, and garnish with a REAL maraschino cherry, not one of those candy-colored, dyed monstrosities (look for Luxardo maraschino cherries, available in good liquor stores, specialty food stores, or online).
A word about vermouth: Vermouth is wine with herbs and spices added. If you have a bottle of vermouth that's been open and gathering dust on a shelf for years, TOSS IT. You gotta keep that stuff refrigerated and work your way through it within a month or so! Go get a nice small bottle of Camparo Antica or Punt e Mes and enjoy yourself.
Cheers!
March 21, 2011
The Nutmeg Tree charts the fortunes of Julia, a middle aged former actress who retains her gleeful love of life and all it has to offer. Her enthusiasm and warmth has got her into trouble before in her youth, not least when she finds herself swiftly become pregnant, married and widowed in the space of a few months. Stifled by the kindness of her very proper and rather rich in-laws, she leaves her daughter Susan with them to be raised and returns to life and work in London. At the start of the novel, Julia has not seen her daughter for sixteen years until a letter arrives from Susan enlisting her mother’s help in persuading her grandparents to let her get married. Unable to resist this cry for help, the affectionate Julia immediately boards a boat for France, determined this time to be a proper mother. But old habits die hard and Julia’s exuberance will not be repressed, particularly when there are eligible gentlemen around.
I could tell that I had picked just the right book as soon as I read the opening paragraph: "Julia, by marriage Mrs Packett, by courtesy Mrs Macdermot, lay in her bath singing the Marseillaise. Her fine robust contralto, however, was less resonant than usual; for on this particular summer morning the bathroom, in addition to the ordinary fittings, contained a lacquer coffee table, seven hatboxes, half a dinner service, a small grandfather clock, all Julia’s clothes, a single-bed mattress, thirty-five novelettes, three suitcases, and a copy of a Landseer stag. The customary echo was therefore lacking; and if the ceiling now and then trembled, it was not because of Julia’s song, but because the men from the Bayswater Hire Furniture Company had not yet finished removing the hired furniture."
Julia is such a character it is impossible not to like her and enjoy reading about her exploits as she tries to appear respectable for the sake of her daughter. If just given the facts about her, she should be someone of whom the reader disapproves: she is far too free with her affections and abandons her young child out of boredom and frustration. Yet Sharp creates her in such a way that her great ability to give love suggests bounty and generosity rather than being a negative attribute, and there is no judgement at all on her decision to leave Susan with the Packetts. If anything, the reader is encouraged to sympathise with Julia’s feelings of being stifled and bored among her interfering but well-meaning in-laws. Her escapades never fail to entertain and bring a smile to my face.
The other characters are all equally enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the description of Susan’s grandmother: "It seemed to her more likely that her mother-in-law was of the type, not rare among Englishwomen, in whom full individuality only blossoms with age: one of those who, as sixty-one, suddenly startle their relatives by going up in aeroplanes or marrying their chauffeurs…"
The story itself isn’t exactly full of surprises; you can tell from the tone of the writing that everything will work out for the best. Sometimes however, the journey is far more important than the destination, and I’ll happily travel along with Julia any day. Sir William talks about feeling a mixture of affection and amusement towards Julia, and that’s exactly how I felt towards The Nutmeg Tree.
I could tell that I had picked just the right book as soon as I read the opening paragraph: "Julia, by marriage Mrs Packett, by courtesy Mrs Macdermot, lay in her bath singing the Marseillaise. Her fine robust contralto, however, was less resonant than usual; for on this particular summer morning the bathroom, in addition to the ordinary fittings, contained a lacquer coffee table, seven hatboxes, half a dinner service, a small grandfather clock, all Julia’s clothes, a single-bed mattress, thirty-five novelettes, three suitcases, and a copy of a Landseer stag. The customary echo was therefore lacking; and if the ceiling now and then trembled, it was not because of Julia’s song, but because the men from the Bayswater Hire Furniture Company had not yet finished removing the hired furniture."
Julia is such a character it is impossible not to like her and enjoy reading about her exploits as she tries to appear respectable for the sake of her daughter. If just given the facts about her, she should be someone of whom the reader disapproves: she is far too free with her affections and abandons her young child out of boredom and frustration. Yet Sharp creates her in such a way that her great ability to give love suggests bounty and generosity rather than being a negative attribute, and there is no judgement at all on her decision to leave Susan with the Packetts. If anything, the reader is encouraged to sympathise with Julia’s feelings of being stifled and bored among her interfering but well-meaning in-laws. Her escapades never fail to entertain and bring a smile to my face.
The other characters are all equally enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the description of Susan’s grandmother: "It seemed to her more likely that her mother-in-law was of the type, not rare among Englishwomen, in whom full individuality only blossoms with age: one of those who, as sixty-one, suddenly startle their relatives by going up in aeroplanes or marrying their chauffeurs…"
The story itself isn’t exactly full of surprises; you can tell from the tone of the writing that everything will work out for the best. Sometimes however, the journey is far more important than the destination, and I’ll happily travel along with Julia any day. Sir William talks about feeling a mixture of affection and amusement towards Julia, and that’s exactly how I felt towards The Nutmeg Tree.
May 3, 2022
2,5/5
El año pasado conocí a Margery Sharp en el momento oportuno, “Cluny Brown” fue una de las lecturas que más me entretuvieron del año y me enamoré tanto de su protagonista que cuando Hoja de Lata anunció la publicación de “El árbol de la nuez moscada” (1937) supe que la necesitaba en mi vida. Además me parecía que era el momento ideal para leerlo, a comienzos de primavera.
La historia se nos presenta con una carta: en ella está la petición de Susan a su madre, Julia (a la que apenas conoce), en la que expresa su deseo de verla e invitarla a su casa con el fin de que medie con su familia y pueda casarse pronto con el hombre al que ama. Julia, envalentonada por la petición y el repentino amor maternal, emprende un viaje donde conocerá a Bryan (el prometido de su hija) y a otros personajes con los que vivirá vitales experiencias.
Lo que más me ha gustado del escrito es el perfil de protagonista escogido: Julia es una mujer de 39 años, libre y sin ataduras que siempre ha vivido por el mundo del espectáculo y ha mirado por sí misma. En realidad, ha ido sorteando obstáculos, sin preocupaciones, sin límites pero también sin amor. Una femme fatale que incluso engañaba a hombres para que le dieran dinero, a la que le espera un destino inesperado.
Si hay algo que caracteriza las novelas de esta escritora es el gran sentido del humor con el que las dota. Sus obras son esa clase de comedias donde se ven distintas clases sociales británicas y a la vez recibimos críticas de esos estereotipos. Tiene ese tono fresco y jovial que resulta tan evasivo y refrescante en primavera.
En definitiva, a pesar de no haber disfrutado tanto en esta ocasión (las comparaciones son odiosas, lo sé) de la segunda obra de Margery que leo, tengo que decir que también soy plenamente consciente del beneficio que me ha ofrecido la lectura. Pocos libros te hacen sentir bien, pasar gratos y relajantes momentos y además no requiere de concentración, se lee sola.
El año pasado conocí a Margery Sharp en el momento oportuno, “Cluny Brown” fue una de las lecturas que más me entretuvieron del año y me enamoré tanto de su protagonista que cuando Hoja de Lata anunció la publicación de “El árbol de la nuez moscada” (1937) supe que la necesitaba en mi vida. Además me parecía que era el momento ideal para leerlo, a comienzos de primavera.
La historia se nos presenta con una carta: en ella está la petición de Susan a su madre, Julia (a la que apenas conoce), en la que expresa su deseo de verla e invitarla a su casa con el fin de que medie con su familia y pueda casarse pronto con el hombre al que ama. Julia, envalentonada por la petición y el repentino amor maternal, emprende un viaje donde conocerá a Bryan (el prometido de su hija) y a otros personajes con los que vivirá vitales experiencias.
Lo que más me ha gustado del escrito es el perfil de protagonista escogido: Julia es una mujer de 39 años, libre y sin ataduras que siempre ha vivido por el mundo del espectáculo y ha mirado por sí misma. En realidad, ha ido sorteando obstáculos, sin preocupaciones, sin límites pero también sin amor. Una femme fatale que incluso engañaba a hombres para que le dieran dinero, a la que le espera un destino inesperado.
Si hay algo que caracteriza las novelas de esta escritora es el gran sentido del humor con el que las dota. Sus obras son esa clase de comedias donde se ven distintas clases sociales británicas y a la vez recibimos críticas de esos estereotipos. Tiene ese tono fresco y jovial que resulta tan evasivo y refrescante en primavera.
En definitiva, a pesar de no haber disfrutado tanto en esta ocasión (las comparaciones son odiosas, lo sé) de la segunda obra de Margery que leo, tengo que decir que también soy plenamente consciente del beneficio que me ha ofrecido la lectura. Pocos libros te hacen sentir bien, pasar gratos y relajantes momentos y además no requiere de concentración, se lee sola.
January 26, 2025
Oh, how I adored this book!! I never thought I would ever give a Margery Sharp book 5 stars, but I am now!
After being a little bit disappointed by both Cluny Brown and Four Gardens novels (both books I liked, but were more like 3.5🌟 rounded up to 4🌟), I was feeling almost ambivalent towards this popular middlebrow author. Now, I'm very tempted to reread both of those books once I read a few more of Margery Sharp's other books.
This novel is wonderful in so many ways. The story starts off with the main character, Julia, singing in the bath trying to get away from creditors...and, from that moment on, I was completely hooked.
Everyone in this story is amusing and delightful, even if their particular character is supposed to be unlikable (and a couple of them definitely are). But, that aside, I loved learning all about flawed, vain, broke, and lovely Julia as she tries to help her daughter Susan (who is practically a stranger to her).
I hate to go into the details too much because part of the book's refreshing tone is learning about each character and how they relate to each other. Most of the characters grow and learn during this time while mundane, silly, and some very strange events occur while the Packett family is in France.
I haven't come across a novel so full of "sparkle" since Greenery Street by Denis Mackail, The Fair Miss Fortune by DE Stevenson and Pleasures and Palaces by Juliet Wilbor Tompkins. It was lively, fun, warm and utterly charming.
The story actually made me feel better about myself in the most lovely way because I struggle with self-confidence. One of the main themes of The Nutmeg Tree (at least what I got out of it) is that a person is lovable just as they are—there's no need to try and follow what others think you should be/do/feel because the BEST people will see you, love you and accept you no matter what.
I'm really grateful to all of my bookstagram friends for recommending this book to me. It would have been a shame to miss it and now I'm really excited to read more of Margery Sharp's books.
In general, I'm getting the feeling that, for me, the more "popular" a book is on bookstagram, the less I tend to like it. The more obscure books by authors seem to be my favorites. I found this to be especially true with Agatha Christie, Mary Stewart, Louisa May Alcott and at least a few others.
Highly, highly recommended!!
After being a little bit disappointed by both Cluny Brown and Four Gardens novels (both books I liked, but were more like 3.5🌟 rounded up to 4🌟), I was feeling almost ambivalent towards this popular middlebrow author. Now, I'm very tempted to reread both of those books once I read a few more of Margery Sharp's other books.
This novel is wonderful in so many ways. The story starts off with the main character, Julia, singing in the bath trying to get away from creditors...and, from that moment on, I was completely hooked.
Everyone in this story is amusing and delightful, even if their particular character is supposed to be unlikable (and a couple of them definitely are). But, that aside, I loved learning all about flawed, vain, broke, and lovely Julia as she tries to help her daughter Susan (who is practically a stranger to her).
I hate to go into the details too much because part of the book's refreshing tone is learning about each character and how they relate to each other. Most of the characters grow and learn during this time while mundane, silly, and some very strange events occur while the Packett family is in France.
I haven't come across a novel so full of "sparkle" since Greenery Street by Denis Mackail, The Fair Miss Fortune by DE Stevenson and Pleasures and Palaces by Juliet Wilbor Tompkins. It was lively, fun, warm and utterly charming.
The story actually made me feel better about myself in the most lovely way because I struggle with self-confidence. One of the main themes of The Nutmeg Tree (at least what I got out of it) is that a person is lovable just as they are—there's no need to try and follow what others think you should be/do/feel because the BEST people will see you, love you and accept you no matter what.
I'm really grateful to all of my bookstagram friends for recommending this book to me. It would have been a shame to miss it and now I'm really excited to read more of Margery Sharp's books.
In general, I'm getting the feeling that, for me, the more "popular" a book is on bookstagram, the less I tend to like it. The more obscure books by authors seem to be my favorites. I found this to be especially true with Agatha Christie, Mary Stewart, Louisa May Alcott and at least a few others.
Highly, highly recommended!!
March 9, 2016
In The Nutmeg Tree we meet a woman who believes that her past choices limits her future.
It begins with Julia in the tub singing The Marseilles while her furnishings are being repossessed. A curvaceous thirty-seven year old, Julia loves people and men love Julia. She is broke and soon will be homeless. The bath also holds a grandfather's clock, dishes, and other things with some value--to be sold to the local antique dealer for travel funds. For after sixteen years apart Julia's daughter Susan has requested her mother's presence. Susan is in love but her paternal grandparents and guardians have other plans for her.
Julia was a nineteen-year-old chorus girl when she woke up with Sylvester Packett, a WWI soldier who was passing through. When she told him about her pregnancy he wanted to do the 'right thing' and marry her. She was sent to his parents in the country while he went France and his death.
Julia tried to fit into the refined and quiet country life. She tried for a year and seven months before returning to London and the 'bad' life of the theater. The Packetts tried, too. After Julia was fully out of Susan's life, the Packetts offered to make Susan their heir and gave Julia seven thousand pounds in stock. Mrs. Packett thought Julia should open a cake shop. Of course, Julia tried her hand at staging plays and lost everything.
Julia knows her failings and faults. Now recalled by Susan she wants to appear respectful. She buys Galsworthy's The Forsyte Saga to read, the first novel she has ever bought. She fancied it was the right sort of book for a lady to be reading.
On the trip she meets a traveling trapeze artist who falls for her, and she is quite smitten herself. He wants to marry her, and a regretful Julia must leave him behind and go to her daughter.
"if she [Julia] took lovers more freely than most women it was largely because she could not bear to see men sad when it was so easy to make them happy."
She endeavors to reform herself during the visit to the Packetts and her daughter.
"She had often wanted to be good before. She had a great admiration for goodness, she loved it sincerely and humbly, as a peasant loves a saint. if she had never been good before it was not because her spirit was unwilling, but because the flesh was so remarkably weak."
She passes pretty well until she meets Susan's young man Bryan and realizes they are two of a kind, both a 'bad' sort. He is not good enough for Susan. It is an unsuitable attachment. Bryan also recognizes a fellow free spirit in Julia. The battle for Susan is on.
Susan is a prig and a perfectionist, a college student who needs a project. Bryan has become her project. She just knows she can help him make something of himself. Bryan just wants to knock about a bit.
Julia is a delightful character, flawed and feckless and bright and joyful. There are hilarious scenes with Julia secretly reverting 'to type' and handling the men who pursue her. Both Julia and Susan undergo an experience of self-recognition, necessary to their development. Very Jane Austenish! The novel ends with a true wish fulfillment happy endings.
It begins with Julia in the tub singing The Marseilles while her furnishings are being repossessed. A curvaceous thirty-seven year old, Julia loves people and men love Julia. She is broke and soon will be homeless. The bath also holds a grandfather's clock, dishes, and other things with some value--to be sold to the local antique dealer for travel funds. For after sixteen years apart Julia's daughter Susan has requested her mother's presence. Susan is in love but her paternal grandparents and guardians have other plans for her.
Julia was a nineteen-year-old chorus girl when she woke up with Sylvester Packett, a WWI soldier who was passing through. When she told him about her pregnancy he wanted to do the 'right thing' and marry her. She was sent to his parents in the country while he went France and his death.
Julia tried to fit into the refined and quiet country life. She tried for a year and seven months before returning to London and the 'bad' life of the theater. The Packetts tried, too. After Julia was fully out of Susan's life, the Packetts offered to make Susan their heir and gave Julia seven thousand pounds in stock. Mrs. Packett thought Julia should open a cake shop. Of course, Julia tried her hand at staging plays and lost everything.
Julia knows her failings and faults. Now recalled by Susan she wants to appear respectful. She buys Galsworthy's The Forsyte Saga to read, the first novel she has ever bought. She fancied it was the right sort of book for a lady to be reading.
On the trip she meets a traveling trapeze artist who falls for her, and she is quite smitten herself. He wants to marry her, and a regretful Julia must leave him behind and go to her daughter.
"if she [Julia] took lovers more freely than most women it was largely because she could not bear to see men sad when it was so easy to make them happy."
She endeavors to reform herself during the visit to the Packetts and her daughter.
"She had often wanted to be good before. She had a great admiration for goodness, she loved it sincerely and humbly, as a peasant loves a saint. if she had never been good before it was not because her spirit was unwilling, but because the flesh was so remarkably weak."
She passes pretty well until she meets Susan's young man Bryan and realizes they are two of a kind, both a 'bad' sort. He is not good enough for Susan. It is an unsuitable attachment. Bryan also recognizes a fellow free spirit in Julia. The battle for Susan is on.
Susan is a prig and a perfectionist, a college student who needs a project. Bryan has become her project. She just knows she can help him make something of himself. Bryan just wants to knock about a bit.
Julia is a delightful character, flawed and feckless and bright and joyful. There are hilarious scenes with Julia secretly reverting 'to type' and handling the men who pursue her. Both Julia and Susan undergo an experience of self-recognition, necessary to their development. Very Jane Austenish! The novel ends with a true wish fulfillment happy endings.
June 22, 2017
Julia Packett is such an interesting character. She is, to use an old-fashioned and somewhat pejorative term, no better than she ought to be. As a very young woman, she met a young lieutenant whose family was country gentry, and spent several days - and nights - with him. When she found herself enceinte, she wrote to him; to her surprise, he returned on leave and married her. He took her home to his family and returned to the battlefields of WW1; shortly thereafter he was killed.
Julia had a daughter, and for several months, did her best to play the widowed Mrs. Packett, knowing, however, that she wasn't "their sort." Eventually she returns to London and relinquishes parental rights to young Susan, leaving her to be raised by the Packetts. The elder Mrs. Packett is truly fond of Susan, raising the girl in her own image and making Susan the heir to their not inconsiderable fortune.
Mrs. Packett settles £7000 on Julia, thinking that she will likely remarry. Julia, meanwhile, follows the theatre which is in her blood, puts on 2 plays and loses the entire amount. For years, Julia gets by on her wits, her luck, occasional bit parts, and to put it bluntly, on her back. Not a very likely heroine, right?
Then one day 16 years later, Julia receives a very unexpected letter from her daughter. Susan has met a young man and wants to be married but her grandmother doesn't approve. Susan pleads with her mother to join them at a country villa in France. This is where Julia's adventure really begins. And what a romp it is, although there are plenty of tender, poignant moments as well. The ending is a bit abrupt and the reader is left to fill in the blanks somewhat, but still, one is left with no doubts that the intrepid Julia will make her happy ending.
For any Betties (and you know who you are):
Julia is neither an Araminta nor a Veronica. I would characterize her as Araminta's wayward sister; she is easily led down the primrose path.
When Julia finally meets her RBD, she has qualms about her past.
***********
“There are things I ought to tell you—”
“Don’t,” said Sir William. “I haven’t been a hermit myself, but I’m not going to bore you with the details.”
"I shouldn’t be bored a bit,” said Julia, who had no tact.
"In any case I shan’t tell you. We start clear from now.”
*******
Julia had a daughter, and for several months, did her best to play the widowed Mrs. Packett, knowing, however, that she wasn't "their sort." Eventually she returns to London and relinquishes parental rights to young Susan, leaving her to be raised by the Packetts. The elder Mrs. Packett is truly fond of Susan, raising the girl in her own image and making Susan the heir to their not inconsiderable fortune.
Mrs. Packett settles £7000 on Julia, thinking that she will likely remarry. Julia, meanwhile, follows the theatre which is in her blood, puts on 2 plays and loses the entire amount. For years, Julia gets by on her wits, her luck, occasional bit parts, and to put it bluntly, on her back. Not a very likely heroine, right?
Then one day 16 years later, Julia receives a very unexpected letter from her daughter. Susan has met a young man and wants to be married but her grandmother doesn't approve. Susan pleads with her mother to join them at a country villa in France. This is where Julia's adventure really begins. And what a romp it is, although there are plenty of tender, poignant moments as well. The ending is a bit abrupt and the reader is left to fill in the blanks somewhat, but still, one is left with no doubts that the intrepid Julia will make her happy ending.
For any Betties (and you know who you are):
Julia is neither an Araminta nor a Veronica. I would characterize her as Araminta's wayward sister; she is easily led down the primrose path.
It was not her nature to deny: if she took lovers more freely than most women it was largely because she could not bear to see men sad when it was so easy to make them happy.
When Julia finally meets her RBD, she has qualms about her past.
***********
“There are things I ought to tell you—”
“Don’t,” said Sir William. “I haven’t been a hermit myself, but I’m not going to bore you with the details.”
"I shouldn’t be bored a bit,” said Julia, who had no tact.
"In any case I shan’t tell you. We start clear from now.”
*******
November 9, 2019
High-level chick-lit from between the wars, this was a good choice as an audiobook. It's an entertaining social comedy that is very well-written and doesn't go on too long. I loved Cluny Brown, and look forward to several more of her books.
May 7, 2022
[CAST]
Bueno, bueno, bueno... primera lectura conjunta del grupo de lectura. Spoiler, ha sido un desastre. Le he puesto dos estrellas porque el libro está al menos, bien escrito, que sino se llevaba solo una. Esta novela está considerada una novela de comedia británica y una sátira de la sociedad inglesa del siglo XX, y discrepo bastante con considerarla una comedia. No tiene la gracia necesaria y frescura para considerarla como tal, por no hablar de lo sin gracia, absurda y plana que es la trama. El argumento principal sobre la reconciliación madre e hija debido a la boda tenía potencial pero se desinfla completamente a un cuarto de la novela, haciéndola insufrible y teniendo solo a personajes divagando sin rumbo fijo. Lo único que he encontrado agradable es el pique y las pullas constantes de británicos vs. franceses. Tampoco he encontrado el por qué del título de la novela, ya que no explican nada sobre el árbol.
Los personajes son más planos que un folio de papel y van tomando y cambiando decisiones a lo largo de la historia sin ningún motivo aparente, provocando al lector la desconexión total con ellos y indeferencia absoluta. La protagonista, Julia, me ha sacado de quicio durante todo el libro ya que no entendía sus acciones sin sentido, sus cambios de pensamiento y divagancia durante toda la trama. Los personajes secundarios lo mismo, insulsos como patatas fritas sin sal, sobre todo la abuela y la hija. Pero la parte que se lleva el premio al mejor despropósito, es el final, por llamarlo de alguna manera. Está hecho a correprisa y creo que ni la autora sabía lo que estaba haciendo, ya que era insalvable. Dicen que la mejor novela de la autora es Cluny Brown, pero sinceramente, no tengo ningún tipo de ganas de leerla después de haber descubierto esta. Se va al cajón de las decepciones anuales.
[CAT]
Bé... primera lectura conjunta del grup de lectura. Spoiler, ha estat un desastre. Li he posat dues estrelles perquè el llibre està almenys, ben escrit, que sinó es portava només una. Aquesta novel·la és considerada una novel·la de comèdia britànica i una sàtira de la societat anglesa del segle XX, i discrepo bastant amb considerar-la una comèdia. No té la gràcia necessària i frescor per a considerar-la com a tal, per no parlar del sense gràcia, absurda i plana que és la trama. L'argument principal sobre la reconciliació mare i filla a causa de les noces tenia potencial però es desinfla completament a un quart de la novel·la, fent-la insofrible i tenint només a personatges divagant sense rumb fix. L'única cosa que he trobat agradable és el piqui i les pulles constants de britànics vs. francesos. Tampoc he trobat el per què del títol de la novel·la, ja que no expliquen res sobre l'arbre.
Els personatges són més plans que un foli de paper i van prenent i canviant decisions al llarg de la història sense cap motiu aparent, provocant al lector la desconnexió total amb ells i indeferencia absoluta. La protagonista, Julia, m'ha fet sortir de polleguera durant tot el llibre ja que no entenia les seves accions sense sentit, els seus canvis de pensament i divagancia durant tota la trama. Els personatges secundaris el mateix, insulsos com a patates fregides sense sal, sobretot l'àvia i la filla. Però la part que s'emporta el premi al millor despropòsit, és el final, per cridar-lo d'alguna manera. Està fet a correprisa i crec que ni l'autora sabia el que estava fent, ja que era insalvable. Diuen que la millor novel·la de l'autora és Cluny Brown, però sincerament, no tinc cap mena de ganes de llegir-la després d'haver descobert aquesta. Es va al calaix de les decepcions anuals.
Bueno, bueno, bueno... primera lectura conjunta del grupo de lectura. Spoiler, ha sido un desastre. Le he puesto dos estrellas porque el libro está al menos, bien escrito, que sino se llevaba solo una. Esta novela está considerada una novela de comedia británica y una sátira de la sociedad inglesa del siglo XX, y discrepo bastante con considerarla una comedia. No tiene la gracia necesaria y frescura para considerarla como tal, por no hablar de lo sin gracia, absurda y plana que es la trama. El argumento principal sobre la reconciliación madre e hija debido a la boda tenía potencial pero se desinfla completamente a un cuarto de la novela, haciéndola insufrible y teniendo solo a personajes divagando sin rumbo fijo. Lo único que he encontrado agradable es el pique y las pullas constantes de británicos vs. franceses. Tampoco he encontrado el por qué del título de la novela, ya que no explican nada sobre el árbol.
Los personajes son más planos que un folio de papel y van tomando y cambiando decisiones a lo largo de la historia sin ningún motivo aparente, provocando al lector la desconexión total con ellos y indeferencia absoluta. La protagonista, Julia, me ha sacado de quicio durante todo el libro ya que no entendía sus acciones sin sentido, sus cambios de pensamiento y divagancia durante toda la trama. Los personajes secundarios lo mismo, insulsos como patatas fritas sin sal, sobre todo la abuela y la hija. Pero la parte que se lleva el premio al mejor despropósito, es el final, por llamarlo de alguna manera. Está hecho a correprisa y creo que ni la autora sabía lo que estaba haciendo, ya que era insalvable. Dicen que la mejor novela de la autora es Cluny Brown, pero sinceramente, no tengo ningún tipo de ganas de leerla después de haber descubierto esta. Se va al cajón de las decepciones anuales.
[CAT]
Bé... primera lectura conjunta del grup de lectura. Spoiler, ha estat un desastre. Li he posat dues estrelles perquè el llibre està almenys, ben escrit, que sinó es portava només una. Aquesta novel·la és considerada una novel·la de comèdia britànica i una sàtira de la societat anglesa del segle XX, i discrepo bastant amb considerar-la una comèdia. No té la gràcia necessària i frescor per a considerar-la com a tal, per no parlar del sense gràcia, absurda i plana que és la trama. L'argument principal sobre la reconciliació mare i filla a causa de les noces tenia potencial però es desinfla completament a un quart de la novel·la, fent-la insofrible i tenint només a personatges divagant sense rumb fix. L'única cosa que he trobat agradable és el piqui i les pulles constants de britànics vs. francesos. Tampoc he trobat el per què del títol de la novel·la, ja que no expliquen res sobre l'arbre.
Els personatges són més plans que un foli de paper i van prenent i canviant decisions al llarg de la història sense cap motiu aparent, provocant al lector la desconnexió total amb ells i indeferencia absoluta. La protagonista, Julia, m'ha fet sortir de polleguera durant tot el llibre ja que no entenia les seves accions sense sentit, els seus canvis de pensament i divagancia durant tota la trama. Els personatges secundaris el mateix, insulsos com a patates fregides sense sal, sobretot l'àvia i la filla. Però la part que s'emporta el premi al millor despropòsit, és el final, per cridar-lo d'alguna manera. Està fet a correprisa i crec que ni l'autora sabia el que estava fent, ja que era insalvable. Diuen que la millor novel·la de l'autora és Cluny Brown, però sincerament, no tinc cap mena de ganes de llegir-la després d'haver descobert aquesta. Es va al calaix de les decepcions anuals.
April 4, 2008
The Nutmeg Tree is a fantastically light British social comedy from 1937. Theatrical and big-hearted Julia has been happily estranged from her daughter (the product of a WWI-era dalliance with a doomed soldier) for 20 years. Then she receives a letter asking for her assistance with her daughter Susan's pending engagement; Susan's very proper grandmother does not approve of the match! So Julia must journey to a tiny French village near Aix to re-connect with the rich side of the family and to meet this fellow who has captured her daughter's heart.
This book is full of social satire, loving descriptions of fancy bathrooms and explicit details of fashion and millinery. The heroine is in constant danger of receiving dirty postcards from her old friend the acrobat. She also bilks a middle aged man out of a martini and 1000 francs at a casino. It's all very modern and freewheeling.
I cannot understand why Ms. Sharpe's books are now all out of print. She seems to be the very fount from which chick lit sprang. If you can find this, you should totally read it.
This book is full of social satire, loving descriptions of fancy bathrooms and explicit details of fashion and millinery. The heroine is in constant danger of receiving dirty postcards from her old friend the acrobat. She also bilks a middle aged man out of a martini and 1000 francs at a casino. It's all very modern and freewheeling.
I cannot understand why Ms. Sharpe's books are now all out of print. She seems to be the very fount from which chick lit sprang. If you can find this, you should totally read it.
September 19, 2016
This 1937 novel was a revelation. In the first place, before stumbling across it, I was unaware of Margery Sharp's adult novels, having only been acquainted with her children's books like The Rescuers. I also don't believe I've ever before read a true comedy of manners. This book was a delight and very insightful into pre-WWII Europe society. I hope this isn't a spoiler but the ending too was a revelation; I think the only way to describe it is as "speculation" on the reader's part. What happens to each character? Not only in their imagined future but in the possible next page. Somehow that ending with no closure wasn't frustrating but fitting. Like you've been observing these people for a few days at a grand hotel, getting a little acquainted with them all, but now you observe them loading luggage into the car, about to head off, and you have no time to say goodbye. You know you're likely to never see them again but are wistful about that prospect too.
January 1, 2015
I absolutely LOVE this book. I haven't encountered such splendid writing in a while; there were so many perfect descriptions that described beautifully some of my favorite things, which I of course connected to. The characters are all so realistic, and the plot too, that it seems like you're reading a true story sometimes. The last 10 pgs or so gave me a jump- I wasn't sure what was going to happen, and in the second to last chapter there was a "put down the book and gasp moment"; it's so well written. So happy to have spontaneously picked it up
October 31, 2020
Vintage chick lit at its finest. A middle-aged (for those times -- she was 39 years old) heroine named Julia who has lived a full life meets the man of her dreams, who is of a different class. I'm always surprised that class plays such a huge role in British fiction, especially the older books, but that's probably because I'm Canadian. Anyway, Julia is a delightful character and this light-hearted romp is a very satisfying read.
October 11, 2018
Preposterous fluff which tries to be deep about it.
August 31, 2018
Audiobook Review
This modern historical written in 1936 and re-released in audio caught my eye when I read the blurb. I had visions of the old classic romantic comedy romp, Auntie Mame and I just had to give it a listen. A was in the mood for a delightful female protagonist full of whimsy who stymied everyone around her even while making their world a brighter place. And, I was spot on.
Julia Packett decides to do it up right when she comes to her estranged daughter's rescue. She's not been a respectable woman in all her life, but she was an actress so she will pull this off for Susan's sake. Straight-laced Susan is preparing to marry someone unsuited to her and contacts Julia to back her up when it comes to her guardians from Susan's father's side. Julia is determined to help, but is surprised when she encounters the prospective groom. Its up to Julia to sort things out in a way that the headstrong and always right (no really, she is) Susan will not suspect.
Naturally, Julia attracts trouble from the outset and all along the way, but it is when she meets Sir William Warren that she knows she's really in for it. Sir William is a debonair, upstanding man of distinction. He'd never tolerate her past or her shenanigans, right?
I had not heard of Margery Sharp before, but I am thrilled to have stumbled over her book. Her writing had that old-style sparkle that books from that period possess. Julia was such a colorful and vivid personality that nearly everyone else was gray and flat in comparison. She sees herself as a bad sort because she's not conventional. She loved working the theater, entertaining people, and being entertained, but there's not a mean bone in her body. Not that she hasn't crossed the line a few times or pulled some tricks to make her way along. There is excitement in living by her wits and wiles without a penny in her pocket. She's worldly without being jaded. Her heart is warm and she's plucky.
It was fun listening to Julia's scrapes and adventures and seeing her undone when true love strikes her. Julia was so charming that I was on her side even when she was at her lying, scheming best. The other characters are her foils more than anything else, but they too were engaging in their own way.
I enjoyed that this was set in the French countryside outside Aix and there was a villa/village/resort town feel to it all.
My only real niggle was that this ended abruptly. Julia's storyline was wrapped up and so were the others, I realized, when I gave it some thought. But, it just stopped rather than did a wrap up. This too was the way of some authors at that time whom I've read.
The narrator was new to me, but I enjoyed the way Anna Parker-Naples fit the story's era and tone. She did well with both genders and the social class accents along with the French as well as English. I thought she was a brilliant match for Julia which was crucial since Julia's POV was the main one.
In summary, it sparkled and had a little old-style sass. Those who enjoy light and romantic modern historicals written from a contemporary of the times should definitely give this one a go .
My thanks to Tantor Audio for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This modern historical written in 1936 and re-released in audio caught my eye when I read the blurb. I had visions of the old classic romantic comedy romp, Auntie Mame and I just had to give it a listen. A was in the mood for a delightful female protagonist full of whimsy who stymied everyone around her even while making their world a brighter place. And, I was spot on.
Julia Packett decides to do it up right when she comes to her estranged daughter's rescue. She's not been a respectable woman in all her life, but she was an actress so she will pull this off for Susan's sake. Straight-laced Susan is preparing to marry someone unsuited to her and contacts Julia to back her up when it comes to her guardians from Susan's father's side. Julia is determined to help, but is surprised when she encounters the prospective groom. Its up to Julia to sort things out in a way that the headstrong and always right (no really, she is) Susan will not suspect.
Naturally, Julia attracts trouble from the outset and all along the way, but it is when she meets Sir William Warren that she knows she's really in for it. Sir William is a debonair, upstanding man of distinction. He'd never tolerate her past or her shenanigans, right?
I had not heard of Margery Sharp before, but I am thrilled to have stumbled over her book. Her writing had that old-style sparkle that books from that period possess. Julia was such a colorful and vivid personality that nearly everyone else was gray and flat in comparison. She sees herself as a bad sort because she's not conventional. She loved working the theater, entertaining people, and being entertained, but there's not a mean bone in her body. Not that she hasn't crossed the line a few times or pulled some tricks to make her way along. There is excitement in living by her wits and wiles without a penny in her pocket. She's worldly without being jaded. Her heart is warm and she's plucky.
It was fun listening to Julia's scrapes and adventures and seeing her undone when true love strikes her. Julia was so charming that I was on her side even when she was at her lying, scheming best. The other characters are her foils more than anything else, but they too were engaging in their own way.
I enjoyed that this was set in the French countryside outside Aix and there was a villa/village/resort town feel to it all.
My only real niggle was that this ended abruptly. Julia's storyline was wrapped up and so were the others, I realized, when I gave it some thought. But, it just stopped rather than did a wrap up. This too was the way of some authors at that time whom I've read.
The narrator was new to me, but I enjoyed the way Anna Parker-Naples fit the story's era and tone. She did well with both genders and the social class accents along with the French as well as English. I thought she was a brilliant match for Julia which was crucial since Julia's POV was the main one.
In summary, it sparkled and had a little old-style sass. Those who enjoy light and romantic modern historicals written from a contemporary of the times should definitely give this one a go .
My thanks to Tantor Audio for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2016
3.5
I had no idea what was going to greet me when I downloaded The Nutmeg Tree. The premise did sound interesting - a free-spirited and fun-loving woman receives a letter from her daughter, whom she left in the care of her in-laws 16 years prior, summoning her to come help make her guardians accept her choice of fiance. Upon meeting the young man, she discovers that he is made of the same cloth as her and thus not suited for her daughter.
Julia is an unconventional lead, especially when considering that the book was originally published in 1937, but Margery Sharp succeeds in making this idiosyncratic character a warm and endearing one. From the first scene, holding off men come to collect a debt while taking a bath, Julia is portrayed as a bold character with a knack for putting herself in the most amazing situations. At no time is the reader made to judge her decision to leave Susan. Instead we get a comedy full of wit and humour with Julia desperately trying to appear respectable for the sake of her daughter. Having said this, the novel also tackles some important notions, such as what makes a person ‘good’, or ‘bad’, and do they have therefore more rights to be happy. Julia does a lot of soul searching while entertaining us with her easygoing, if a little mad, charm.
I hadn’t heard of Margery Sharp, even as the author of The Rescuers, until I found several of her novels being re-realeased as ebooks. She didn’t just write for children but had success with novels, plays and short stories for adults. The Nutmeg Tree was for instance adapted for the theatre (The Lady in Waiting - 1940) and a Hollywood film (Julia Misbehaves - 1948). I for one shall try more of her books (probably Cluny Brown: A Novel).
I had no idea what was going to greet me when I downloaded The Nutmeg Tree. The premise did sound interesting - a free-spirited and fun-loving woman receives a letter from her daughter, whom she left in the care of her in-laws 16 years prior, summoning her to come help make her guardians accept her choice of fiance. Upon meeting the young man, she discovers that he is made of the same cloth as her and thus not suited for her daughter.
Julia is an unconventional lead, especially when considering that the book was originally published in 1937, but Margery Sharp succeeds in making this idiosyncratic character a warm and endearing one. From the first scene, holding off men come to collect a debt while taking a bath, Julia is portrayed as a bold character with a knack for putting herself in the most amazing situations. At no time is the reader made to judge her decision to leave Susan. Instead we get a comedy full of wit and humour with Julia desperately trying to appear respectable for the sake of her daughter. Having said this, the novel also tackles some important notions, such as what makes a person ‘good’, or ‘bad’, and do they have therefore more rights to be happy. Julia does a lot of soul searching while entertaining us with her easygoing, if a little mad, charm.
I hadn’t heard of Margery Sharp, even as the author of The Rescuers, until I found several of her novels being re-realeased as ebooks. She didn’t just write for children but had success with novels, plays and short stories for adults. The Nutmeg Tree was for instance adapted for the theatre (The Lady in Waiting - 1940) and a Hollywood film (Julia Misbehaves - 1948). I for one shall try more of her books (probably Cluny Brown: A Novel).
October 8, 2019
Beschreibung
Julia Packett ist eine lebensfrohe Dame, die mit ihrem fröhlichen Naturell ihre Mitmenschen bezaubert und die meiste Zeit ihres Lebens einfach in den Tag hineinlebt. Als ihr freies Leben in London von einem finanziellen Engpass bedroht wird, kommt der Hilferuf ihrer Tochter genau zur richtigen Zeit. Julia lässt kurzerhand alle ihre Probleme stehen und liegen und kauft sich ein einfaches Ticket, um zu ihrer Tochter und Schwiegermutter nach Frankreich in die Haute-Savoie zu reisen.
In der idyllischen Landschaft und der Abgeschiedenheit des Anwesens soll sich Julia, die ihre Tochter eigentlich überhaupt nicht kennt, einen jungen Mann in Augenschein nehmen, den ihre Tochter zu ehelichen gedenkt. Für Julia stellt sich die schwierige Herausforderung, ihrer Tochter darzulegen, wie ungeeignet die Ehe mit diesem jungen Mann ist, ohne zu offenbaren, dass sie beide aus dem gleichen Holz geschnitz sind. Als der vornehme Patenonkel Sir William Waring anreist, um sich auch ein Bild des jungen Mannes zu machen wird die Situation noch einmal verschärft.
Meine Meinung
Nachdem letztes Jahr bereits eine Neuübersetzung von Margery Sharps Roman »Die Abenteuer der Cluny Brown« im Eisele Verlag herausgebracht wurde, folgt nun mit »Die vollkommene Lady« ein weiterer Roman der Autorin in einer Neuübersetzung von Wibke Kuhn, die erstmals 1937 erschien.
Obwohl die Erstveröffentlichung der Geschichte schon ein paar Tage zurückliegt hatte ich überhaupt keine Schwierigkeiten mich in Margery Sharps Erzählung zurecht zu finden, was sicherlich auch ein großer Verdienst der Neuübersetzung von Wibke Kuhn zu verdanken ist. Als Erzählstimme hat Sharp sich eine besonders fröhliche und amüsante Hauptprotagonistin auserkoren, die mit ihrer herzlichen und unbeschwerten Art mein Leserherz im Sturm erobert hat. Am schönsten finde ich, dass es sich bei Julia Packett um eine Frau handelt, die keine Probleme damit hat sich ihre eigenen Schwächen einzugestehen und das zu einer Zeit, in der die Gesellschaft viel Wert auf Etikette und ein gutes Benehmen legte.
Der Buchtitel passt insofern wie angegossen, dass Julia, die perfekte Schauspielerin in ihrer Rolle als Dame von Welt, alles daran setzt vor ihrer Tochter und Schwiegermutter als »Die vollkommene Lady« zu erscheinen. Doch die Maskerade steht auf einem brüchigen Fundament und droht mit der Zeit immer stärker ins Wanken zu geraten.
Im Vordergrund der Geschichte steht neben Julias einnehmendem Charakter die Tatsache, dass ihre Tochter Susan sich in einen Mann verliebt hat, der alles andere als für sie geeignet zu sein scheint. Während Susan sich um die Unterstützung und einer zustimmenden Meinung zu ihrer anvisierten Ehe mit dem Müßigänger Bryan sucht, dauert es nicht lange und Julia durchschaut den Charakter des jungen Mannes. Der Unterhaltungswert der Situation nährt sich nun aus der Krux, wie Julia es bewerkstelligen kann, denn jungen Windhund, der so gar nicht zu ihrer enrsthaften Tochter passt und zu ihrem Leidwesen viel zu sehr nach ihrem Naturell schlägt, entlarven kann ohne dass sie die wahre Beschaffenheit ihres eigenen Charakters dabei entblößt.
Margery Sharp hat mit »Die vollkommene Lady« einen Roman vorgelegt der vor allen Dingen durch eine polarisierende Hauptprotagonistin besticht und trotz des unaufgeregten Plots für heitere Lesestunden und Entertainment sorgt. Mit spitzer Zunge porträtiert die Autorin ein Bild der Gesellschaft zu den 30er Jahren und bricht mit ihrer Romanheldin Julia das Bild einer scheinbar perfekten Lady auf. Außerdem vermittelt die Geschichte die Botschaft an junge heiratsfähige Frauen, ihre Partnerwahl gut zu überdenken und nicht bei der ersten blinden Verliebtheit vor den Traualtar zu treten.
Fazit
Ein charmanter sowie zeitloser Klassiker, der in dieser hübschen Neuübersetzung hoffentlich den Weg in viele Leserherzen finden wird.
Julia Packett ist eine lebensfrohe Dame, die mit ihrem fröhlichen Naturell ihre Mitmenschen bezaubert und die meiste Zeit ihres Lebens einfach in den Tag hineinlebt. Als ihr freies Leben in London von einem finanziellen Engpass bedroht wird, kommt der Hilferuf ihrer Tochter genau zur richtigen Zeit. Julia lässt kurzerhand alle ihre Probleme stehen und liegen und kauft sich ein einfaches Ticket, um zu ihrer Tochter und Schwiegermutter nach Frankreich in die Haute-Savoie zu reisen.
In der idyllischen Landschaft und der Abgeschiedenheit des Anwesens soll sich Julia, die ihre Tochter eigentlich überhaupt nicht kennt, einen jungen Mann in Augenschein nehmen, den ihre Tochter zu ehelichen gedenkt. Für Julia stellt sich die schwierige Herausforderung, ihrer Tochter darzulegen, wie ungeeignet die Ehe mit diesem jungen Mann ist, ohne zu offenbaren, dass sie beide aus dem gleichen Holz geschnitz sind. Als der vornehme Patenonkel Sir William Waring anreist, um sich auch ein Bild des jungen Mannes zu machen wird die Situation noch einmal verschärft.
Meine Meinung
Nachdem letztes Jahr bereits eine Neuübersetzung von Margery Sharps Roman »Die Abenteuer der Cluny Brown« im Eisele Verlag herausgebracht wurde, folgt nun mit »Die vollkommene Lady« ein weiterer Roman der Autorin in einer Neuübersetzung von Wibke Kuhn, die erstmals 1937 erschien.
Obwohl die Erstveröffentlichung der Geschichte schon ein paar Tage zurückliegt hatte ich überhaupt keine Schwierigkeiten mich in Margery Sharps Erzählung zurecht zu finden, was sicherlich auch ein großer Verdienst der Neuübersetzung von Wibke Kuhn zu verdanken ist. Als Erzählstimme hat Sharp sich eine besonders fröhliche und amüsante Hauptprotagonistin auserkoren, die mit ihrer herzlichen und unbeschwerten Art mein Leserherz im Sturm erobert hat. Am schönsten finde ich, dass es sich bei Julia Packett um eine Frau handelt, die keine Probleme damit hat sich ihre eigenen Schwächen einzugestehen und das zu einer Zeit, in der die Gesellschaft viel Wert auf Etikette und ein gutes Benehmen legte.
Der Buchtitel passt insofern wie angegossen, dass Julia, die perfekte Schauspielerin in ihrer Rolle als Dame von Welt, alles daran setzt vor ihrer Tochter und Schwiegermutter als »Die vollkommene Lady« zu erscheinen. Doch die Maskerade steht auf einem brüchigen Fundament und droht mit der Zeit immer stärker ins Wanken zu geraten.
Im Vordergrund der Geschichte steht neben Julias einnehmendem Charakter die Tatsache, dass ihre Tochter Susan sich in einen Mann verliebt hat, der alles andere als für sie geeignet zu sein scheint. Während Susan sich um die Unterstützung und einer zustimmenden Meinung zu ihrer anvisierten Ehe mit dem Müßigänger Bryan sucht, dauert es nicht lange und Julia durchschaut den Charakter des jungen Mannes. Der Unterhaltungswert der Situation nährt sich nun aus der Krux, wie Julia es bewerkstelligen kann, denn jungen Windhund, der so gar nicht zu ihrer enrsthaften Tochter passt und zu ihrem Leidwesen viel zu sehr nach ihrem Naturell schlägt, entlarven kann ohne dass sie die wahre Beschaffenheit ihres eigenen Charakters dabei entblößt.
Margery Sharp hat mit »Die vollkommene Lady« einen Roman vorgelegt der vor allen Dingen durch eine polarisierende Hauptprotagonistin besticht und trotz des unaufgeregten Plots für heitere Lesestunden und Entertainment sorgt. Mit spitzer Zunge porträtiert die Autorin ein Bild der Gesellschaft zu den 30er Jahren und bricht mit ihrer Romanheldin Julia das Bild einer scheinbar perfekten Lady auf. Außerdem vermittelt die Geschichte die Botschaft an junge heiratsfähige Frauen, ihre Partnerwahl gut zu überdenken und nicht bei der ersten blinden Verliebtheit vor den Traualtar zu treten.
Fazit
Ein charmanter sowie zeitloser Klassiker, der in dieser hübschen Neuübersetzung hoffentlich den Weg in viele Leserherzen finden wird.
October 3, 2015
Here is an English heroine (flapper era was her prime) who is past her youth, plump and completely broke. She has lived her life for the adventure and serendipity she craves. Now she meets in France for counsel toward a marriage decision for her daughter. The daughter is straight laced as they come. What unfolds is rather slow, but funny and yet always to a core of individuality held supreme. My problem with it was the ending. It's an ending for the 1930's silver screen and of course optimally happy with wealth and love in abundance. Not impossible, but in a real life scenario of a Mother who has made these choices? Certainly fun, but make believe times two. It holds lots of witty repartee and sneaking subterfuge. I could picture Claudette Colbert as the theatrical Mom. And Lord William? Maybe Sean Connery in his prime. The daughter is a cool prig of a tall blonde. Maybe Grace Kelly at 20. This is a book of manners and talk. It's slow and would not be appreciated by the moderns who wants "lots" to happen or tons of sex or foul deeds.
July 21, 2022
Once again what could have been a solid 5 star read is spoiled for me by the Ebook Edition Trap. You think you've got a good 20 pages of story left, turn a page--CHOP. An extremely unsatisfactory chopped-short ending and the rest of the pages are reviews, About the Author, Other Titles by This Author, and Other Titles in This Collection. Like having a door slammed in your face mid-conversation.
As far as it goes, though extremely predictable (I knew how it would go from the second chapter), it was a nice easy read for a heatwave. The characters we are supposed to like are likeable enough, and the reasons for the ones we're not supposed to like are evident. A lot of little non-crises and non-conflicts turn up, but just turn the page and All is Well. There are days (such as when the temperature is well above 105F) that sort of read is just my drop.
Chicklit, oh yes most definitely, but mild, restful chicklit--until the author slammed the door in my face.
As far as it goes, though extremely predictable (I knew how it would go from the second chapter), it was a nice easy read for a heatwave. The characters we are supposed to like are likeable enough, and the reasons for the ones we're not supposed to like are evident. A lot of little non-crises and non-conflicts turn up, but just turn the page and All is Well. There are days (such as when the temperature is well above 105F) that sort of read is just my drop.
Chicklit, oh yes most definitely, but mild, restful chicklit--until the author slammed the door in my face.
June 5, 2019
Chick lit from the 30's that reads surprisingly modern, with its flawed but relatable protagonist and sprinkles of humor.
I was really into the central themes of not feeling to belong to people, even if there are nice to you, of rushed relationships that might not have a future, of a woman meeting her estranged daughter and feeling outclassed in a way. However, the plot went on to diverge from the relationship of Julia and the Packetts and the possible marriage of Susan and instead later on focused on Julia's romantic escapades, which I didn't care for much. The ending didn't feel like it resolved anything.
I was really into the central themes of not feeling to belong to people, even if there are nice to you, of rushed relationships that might not have a future, of a woman meeting her estranged daughter and feeling outclassed in a way. However, the plot went on to diverge from the relationship of Julia and the Packetts and the possible marriage of Susan and instead later on focused on Julia's romantic escapades, which I didn't care for much. The ending didn't feel like it resolved anything.
July 1, 2016
Well written, very funny
October 31, 2016
A delightful, light-hearted, entertaining novel from 1937 that manages to celebrate its sexually adventurous female protagonist in the midst of a romantic comedy. Fun!
March 5, 2019
A fun and fluffy read.
Julia Packett was a delightful character.
Julia Packett was a delightful character.
November 30, 2023
Serían 3.5 estrellas.
A ver, el libro está bien. Margery Sharp escribe muy bien y tiene un tono cautivador. Pero venía de leerme Cluny Brown y... No.
Los personajes son simples. La historia también. Es divertida a veces, pero le faltan la gracia y la ironía de la otra novela.
Cluny se metía en problemas sin querer, siendo ella misma. A Julia, en cambio, le sale todo estupendo pero siempre actúa con dramatismo y victimismo. Aun siendo yo la reina del drama, me deja perpleja. De su comportamiento final, no hablo... Pero los que la rodean tienen que tener más paciencia que Santo Job.
Y Susan... Podría tener un premio al personaje más coñazo que he leído. No tiene nervio ninguno.
¿Voy a leerme más libros de Margery Sharp? Pues si puedo en primavera/verano igual me leo Una tarta de rododendros. Porque aun después de lo que dije, estos libros son un lugar feliz para mí y siempre es bueno sentirse en casita.
A ver, el libro está bien. Margery Sharp escribe muy bien y tiene un tono cautivador. Pero venía de leerme Cluny Brown y... No.
Los personajes son simples. La historia también. Es divertida a veces, pero le faltan la gracia y la ironía de la otra novela.
Cluny se metía en problemas sin querer, siendo ella misma. A Julia, en cambio, le sale todo estupendo pero siempre actúa con dramatismo y victimismo. Aun siendo yo la reina del drama, me deja perpleja. De su comportamiento final, no hablo... Pero los que la rodean tienen que tener más paciencia que Santo Job.
Y Susan... Podría tener un premio al personaje más coñazo que he leído. No tiene nervio ninguno.
¿Voy a leerme más libros de Margery Sharp? Pues si puedo en primavera/verano igual me leo Una tarta de rododendros. Porque aun después de lo que dije, estos libros son un lugar feliz para mí y siempre es bueno sentirse en casita.
November 2, 2021
An odd complaint: I wanted this to be longer. It certainly could've used at least another chapter or two for a truly satisfying finish, but I suppose the point is that a woman like Julia will simply continue getting into ridiculous but heartfelt scrapes for the rest of her life. And if you're the right sort of person, you won't mind getting dragged along for the ride - in fact, it might even be one of the things you find endearing about her.
For my part, I found this entire book absolutely charming. After reading and thoroughly enjoying Nightingale Wood, I went in search of more Stella Gibbons books...and somehow in the process stumbled across Margery Sharp's. Some of them share a publisher, so it's easy to scroll through the similarly designed covers and get a bit confused about which books belong to which author - and in some sense, they are fairly similar writers.
Sharp is...well, less sharp? Witty, but in a more indulgent, forgiving sort of way. A bit more flippant and overtly funny than Gibbons, but with the same sort of clever interest in pulling apart the threads of 1930s/1940s English society. I wonder if Sharp (1905-1991) and Gibbons (1902-1989) knew each other, or ran in any of the same circles - from their writing, it seems they would've gotten along famously.
Funnily enough, I've been a fan of Sharp's for years - through her children's books, namely The Rescuers. I actually finally hunted down copies of the last two books in that series a couple months ago, little imagining that there was a wealth of her adult fiction waiting for me to enjoy just as much. I impulsively bought a few of her other books alongside this one, and I sincerely hope I like them, too, because this one was truly a delight.
The blurb, by the way, is pretty misleading. I went into it imagining a sort of Lady Susan scenario, where a disreputable but immensely charming young mother would do her best to steal away her earnestly virtuous daughter's suitor. But Julia isn't like that at all.
Born to an actress mother herself, Julia grew up around the stage and in a vibrant, less socially acceptable class of people. She grew up not entirely pure, but immensely kind - and with a clever, creative sort of self-reliance that admittedly largely hinges on making people (particularly men) like her. But Julia isn't, at any point, mercenary. While she begins the book by cheerfully ripping off a pawnshop owner, there's a sense of camaraderie in their interaction; he's aware of the gamble, and perhaps even enjoys the process. And for the most part, even as she breaks men's hearts (or their wallets) and tells elaborately inventive stories to get her way, Julia doesn't ever truly seem to harm anyone. And she certainly never intends to.
There's something so funny and sweet about how immensely hard she tries to be "a lady." She's not putting on airs or even necessarily faking it - she genuinely wants her in-laws to like her, and tries her best to be a good mother to the daughter who'd come from a wartime indiscretion - swiftly amended by marriage, followed by her new husband's death in the War. While Julia left her child to be raised by her husband's parents, it was a perfectly reasonable abandonment that seems to have sparked little in the way of hurt feelings - and which allowed Susan to have the type of upbringing that perfectly suited her.
I like that neither Julia or Susan, or even Julia's mother-in-law, is ever presented as worse than the other, or even worth poking fun at. They're extremely different personalities, and that's okay, because people are different - as Julia points out, that's what makes life, and people, so interesting. The key is to get them on paths that work best for them, and Julia truly does have her daughter's best interests at heart.
There's some really sweet romance mixed in, of course, because Julia's not the type of woman who enjoys being without a man for long - and while I admit I was initially pulling for Fred, I was starry-eyed for Julia and her (hopefully) future husband by the end. I like that he liked her so completely - and so thoroughly for who she actually is. Their relationship, with its open, honest communication and frank assessment of each other's pasts and flaws, stands in stark contrast to Susan's engagement - to a handsome young man whom she plans to change into someone she can respect for the longterm.
This isn't the type of relationship that can actually last, at least not happily, and Julia knows that well. Susan is too young and idealistic (and strong-minded) to really understand just yet - and I do wish that there had been a few more chapters to really show how things ultimately went for her. We do get the hints of her future, though, and I suppose imagination has to carry the rest.
Just an entirely enjoyable book that does exactly what it's meant to. It's the type of fluff that I've always been drawn to - set in a period of time I find myself nostalgic for, even though it was nearly 50 years before I was born.
Will definitely read more of Sharp's works, and perhaps pick up some more books if I like the next few I already have waiting.
For my part, I found this entire book absolutely charming. After reading and thoroughly enjoying Nightingale Wood, I went in search of more Stella Gibbons books...and somehow in the process stumbled across Margery Sharp's. Some of them share a publisher, so it's easy to scroll through the similarly designed covers and get a bit confused about which books belong to which author - and in some sense, they are fairly similar writers.
Sharp is...well, less sharp? Witty, but in a more indulgent, forgiving sort of way. A bit more flippant and overtly funny than Gibbons, but with the same sort of clever interest in pulling apart the threads of 1930s/1940s English society. I wonder if Sharp (1905-1991) and Gibbons (1902-1989) knew each other, or ran in any of the same circles - from their writing, it seems they would've gotten along famously.
Funnily enough, I've been a fan of Sharp's for years - through her children's books, namely The Rescuers. I actually finally hunted down copies of the last two books in that series a couple months ago, little imagining that there was a wealth of her adult fiction waiting for me to enjoy just as much. I impulsively bought a few of her other books alongside this one, and I sincerely hope I like them, too, because this one was truly a delight.
The blurb, by the way, is pretty misleading. I went into it imagining a sort of Lady Susan scenario, where a disreputable but immensely charming young mother would do her best to steal away her earnestly virtuous daughter's suitor. But Julia isn't like that at all.
Born to an actress mother herself, Julia grew up around the stage and in a vibrant, less socially acceptable class of people. She grew up not entirely pure, but immensely kind - and with a clever, creative sort of self-reliance that admittedly largely hinges on making people (particularly men) like her. But Julia isn't, at any point, mercenary. While she begins the book by cheerfully ripping off a pawnshop owner, there's a sense of camaraderie in their interaction; he's aware of the gamble, and perhaps even enjoys the process. And for the most part, even as she breaks men's hearts (or their wallets) and tells elaborately inventive stories to get her way, Julia doesn't ever truly seem to harm anyone. And she certainly never intends to.
There's something so funny and sweet about how immensely hard she tries to be "a lady." She's not putting on airs or even necessarily faking it - she genuinely wants her in-laws to like her, and tries her best to be a good mother to the daughter who'd come from a wartime indiscretion - swiftly amended by marriage, followed by her new husband's death in the War. While Julia left her child to be raised by her husband's parents, it was a perfectly reasonable abandonment that seems to have sparked little in the way of hurt feelings - and which allowed Susan to have the type of upbringing that perfectly suited her.
I like that neither Julia or Susan, or even Julia's mother-in-law, is ever presented as worse than the other, or even worth poking fun at. They're extremely different personalities, and that's okay, because people are different - as Julia points out, that's what makes life, and people, so interesting. The key is to get them on paths that work best for them, and Julia truly does have her daughter's best interests at heart.
There's some really sweet romance mixed in, of course, because Julia's not the type of woman who enjoys being without a man for long - and while I admit I was initially pulling for Fred, I was starry-eyed for Julia and her (hopefully) future husband by the end. I like that he liked her so completely - and so thoroughly for who she actually is. Their relationship, with its open, honest communication and frank assessment of each other's pasts and flaws, stands in stark contrast to Susan's engagement - to a handsome young man whom she plans to change into someone she can respect for the longterm.
This isn't the type of relationship that can actually last, at least not happily, and Julia knows that well. Susan is too young and idealistic (and strong-minded) to really understand just yet - and I do wish that there had been a few more chapters to really show how things ultimately went for her. We do get the hints of her future, though, and I suppose imagination has to carry the rest.
Just an entirely enjoyable book that does exactly what it's meant to. It's the type of fluff that I've always been drawn to - set in a period of time I find myself nostalgic for, even though it was nearly 50 years before I was born.
Will definitely read more of Sharp's works, and perhaps pick up some more books if I like the next few I already have waiting.
August 5, 2025
Julia got pregnant during WW1 after a fling with a young army officer, who did the decent thing and married her, but was killed not long afterwards. JUlia stayed with her parents in law in the country, where her daughter Susan was born. AFter attempting for a while to fit in with her very respectable in-laws, Julia wearied of it and returned to her slightly disreputable life in London, willingly agreeing to let Susan stay in the country with her doting grandparents, who bestow on her a substantial sum of money. JUlia hasn't seen Susan for many years when she suddenly receives a letter from her, asking her to come and stay with Susan and her grandmother in the south of France. It seems that Susan has fallen in love, and wants Julia's help in persuading her grandmother (now a widow) that Bryan, the man she wants to marry, is a suitable husband for her. SO Julia sets out for the south of France, managing to have an adventure on the way,because she is that kind of person.
ARriving at the hillside villa in Provence where Susan and her grandmother are staying, Julia sees at once that Bryan is the same kind of person she is herself - adventurous, fun loving, not wanting to take life seriously. A quite unsuitable husband for the very earnest Susan, with her intense interest in good works and her ambitions for Brian to have a successful career as a lawyer. Julia needs to convince both Bryan and Susan that they are unsuited to each other, while at the same time trying to keep up the appearance of respectability that she has decided is necessary in order not to embarrass Susan. And then there is Susan's grandmother, a kindly lady who is unaware of the sort of life Julia has been leading, not to mention the imminent arrival of Susan's other guardian, Sir William.
A very amusing story with some very likeable characters, only slightly shadowed for me by the fact that Julia hadn't been to see her daughter for so many years, though the cool and self-possessed Susan doesn't seem to feel any resentment towards her. Perhaps it would not have all gone so smoothly in real life, but this is not a novel that you read for realism.
ARriving at the hillside villa in Provence where Susan and her grandmother are staying, Julia sees at once that Bryan is the same kind of person she is herself - adventurous, fun loving, not wanting to take life seriously. A quite unsuitable husband for the very earnest Susan, with her intense interest in good works and her ambitions for Brian to have a successful career as a lawyer. Julia needs to convince both Bryan and Susan that they are unsuited to each other, while at the same time trying to keep up the appearance of respectability that she has decided is necessary in order not to embarrass Susan. And then there is Susan's grandmother, a kindly lady who is unaware of the sort of life Julia has been leading, not to mention the imminent arrival of Susan's other guardian, Sir William.
A very amusing story with some very likeable characters, only slightly shadowed for me by the fact that Julia hadn't been to see her daughter for so many years, though the cool and self-possessed Susan doesn't seem to feel any resentment towards her. Perhaps it would not have all gone so smoothly in real life, but this is not a novel that you read for realism.
January 26, 2015
Originally reviewed at www.emeraldcitybookreview.com
In The Nutmeg Tree, our heroine is Julia Packett, a very different but equally idiosyncratic character. Summoned to the south of France by an impulsive message from the daughter she hasn't seen since infancy, who is seeking approval of her intended marriage, Julia immediately identifies the young man in question as a "wrong one," but how can she convince her besotted daughter? And how can a former showgirl pull off the role of a respectable member of a very proper family, when in fact she is nothing of the sort?
Julia's "misbehavior" (leaving her daughter to be raised by the father's family, taking up with a series of male companions, and ending up having to sell off furniture to pay the rent) might not seem utterly damning today, but on the novel's publication in 1937 this lifestyle would have raised some eyebrows. Julia is portrayed with so much sympathy and humor, though, that we embrace her follies as part of her inimitable verve and zest for life. In her outer and inner battles, we root for her and forgive her many lapses, which if we are honest may remind us of our own efforts to "be good."
But can Julia forgive herself? In contrast to Cluny Brown, whose youthful imperviousness to criticism is part of her charm, the more world-worn Julia is struggling toward a new level of self-knowledge. Because this is a comedy, this is symbolized by the possibility of union with a man who can complement and appreciate her. And because this is Margery Sharp, their story is told in a way that is both larger-than-life funny, and relevant to deeper human concerns. How can Julia "marry" the experience that has given her insight and compassion for other people (but left her a bit worse for wear), with what remains unspoiled in her, still worthy of love and honor? It's a question we all have to resolve in our own way -- though we may not all do it through dealings with acrobats met on trains.
In The Nutmeg Tree, our heroine is Julia Packett, a very different but equally idiosyncratic character. Summoned to the south of France by an impulsive message from the daughter she hasn't seen since infancy, who is seeking approval of her intended marriage, Julia immediately identifies the young man in question as a "wrong one," but how can she convince her besotted daughter? And how can a former showgirl pull off the role of a respectable member of a very proper family, when in fact she is nothing of the sort?
Julia's "misbehavior" (leaving her daughter to be raised by the father's family, taking up with a series of male companions, and ending up having to sell off furniture to pay the rent) might not seem utterly damning today, but on the novel's publication in 1937 this lifestyle would have raised some eyebrows. Julia is portrayed with so much sympathy and humor, though, that we embrace her follies as part of her inimitable verve and zest for life. In her outer and inner battles, we root for her and forgive her many lapses, which if we are honest may remind us of our own efforts to "be good."
But can Julia forgive herself? In contrast to Cluny Brown, whose youthful imperviousness to criticism is part of her charm, the more world-worn Julia is struggling toward a new level of self-knowledge. Because this is a comedy, this is symbolized by the possibility of union with a man who can complement and appreciate her. And because this is Margery Sharp, their story is told in a way that is both larger-than-life funny, and relevant to deeper human concerns. How can Julia "marry" the experience that has given her insight and compassion for other people (but left her a bit worse for wear), with what remains unspoiled in her, still worthy of love and honor? It's a question we all have to resolve in our own way -- though we may not all do it through dealings with acrobats met on trains.
Read
July 10, 2008I picked up this book in a free box at a yard sale in Griggs Park because the author wrote the Miss Bianca books, a series about a mouse spy that I loved when I was maybe ten. Miss Bianca was adventurous and clever and had a lushly round shape, all of which is also true of Julia, the heroine of this 1937 novel for grown-ups. At the outset Julia takes a boat to France to visit her long-lost daughter (conceived with a soldier during the Great War but apparently largely forgotten since), and on the way she meets a troupe of acrobats and ends up performing with them in Paris, wearing an ostrich-feather headdress. (Headwear seems to be highly significant throughout.) Once in France, Julia thinks, “Hey, I’m almost out of money, but five francs and some red lipstick should get me to a casino in Aix,” but instead of making her fortune there, of course, more antics ensue. And then more antics. And then more. Despite all the wild impetuosity, this book was strangely dull. Yet it was reprinted a gazillion times. My tiny pocketbook edition was published in 1942 and says on the first page, In order to cooperate with the government’s war effort, this book has been made in strict conformity with WPB regulation restricting the use of certain materials. I wish I knew what this meant; please tell me if you have a clue.
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