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Barsetshire #19
County Chronicle
As readers of Angela Thirkell's enticing chronicles of Barsetshire are well aware, the county itself - a fictional but familiar stretch of English countryside inhabited by infatuation, endearments, and cross purposes - can seem the primary character in her delightful comedies. Nowhere is this more true than in COUNTY CHRONICLE, in which readers are reacquainted with the plaints, and passions of several members of Barsetshire society. Through a choreographed round of fetes, parties, and other occasions, Thirkell introduces a series of intrigues - romantic, literary, and personal - as well as a few intriguing stragers to the country houses and village lanes of Barsetshire.
344 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1950
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187 people want to read
About the author
Angela Thirkell
58 books258 followers Angela Margaret Mackail was born on January 30, 1890 at 27 Young Street, Kensington Square, London. Her grandfather was Sir Edward Burne-Jones the pre-Raphaelite painter and partner in the design firm of Morris and Company for whom he designed many stained glass windows - seven of which are in St Margaret's Church in Rottingdean, West Sussex. Her grandmother was Georgiana Macdonald, one of a precocious family which included among others, Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister, and Rudyard Kipling. Angela's brother, Denis Mackail, was also a prolific and successful novelist. Angela's mother, Margaret Burne-Jones, married John Mackail - an administrator at the Ministry of Education and Professor of Poetry at Oxford University.
Angela married James Campbell McInnes in 1911. James was a professional Baritone and performed at concert halls throughout the UK. In 1912 their first son Graham was born and in 1914 a second son, Colin. A daughter was born in 1917 at the same time her marriage was breaking up. In November 1917 a divorce was granted and Angela and the children went to live with her parents in Pembroke Gardens in London. The child, Mary, died the next year.
Angela then met and married George Lancelot Thirkell in 1918 and in 1920 they traveled on a troop ship to George's hometown in Australia. Their adventures on the "Friedricksruh" are recounted in her Trooper to the Southern Cross published in 1934. In 1921, in Melbourne Australia, her youngest son Lancelot George was born. Angela left Australia in 1929 with 8 year old Lance and never returned. Although living with her parents in London she badly needed to earn a living so she set forth on the difficult road of the professional writer. Her first book, Three Houses, a memoir of her happy childhood was published in 1931 and was an immediate success. The first of her novels set in Trollope's mythical county of Barsetshire was Demon in the House, followed by 28 others, one each year.
Angela also wrote a book of children's stories entitled The Grateful Sparrow using Ludwig Richter's illustrations; a biography of Harriette Wilson, The Fortunes of Harriette; an historical novel, Coronation Summer, an account of the events in London during Queen Victoria's Coronation in 1838; and three semi-autobiographical novels, Ankle Deep and Oh, These Men, These Men and Trooper to the Southern Cross. When Angela died on the 29th of January 1961 she left unfinished the last of her books, Three Score and Ten which was completed by her friend, Caroline LeJeune. Angela is buried in Rottingdean alongside her daughter Mary and her Burne-Jones grandparents.
Angela married James Campbell McInnes in 1911. James was a professional Baritone and performed at concert halls throughout the UK. In 1912 their first son Graham was born and in 1914 a second son, Colin. A daughter was born in 1917 at the same time her marriage was breaking up. In November 1917 a divorce was granted and Angela and the children went to live with her parents in Pembroke Gardens in London. The child, Mary, died the next year.
Angela then met and married George Lancelot Thirkell in 1918 and in 1920 they traveled on a troop ship to George's hometown in Australia. Their adventures on the "Friedricksruh" are recounted in her Trooper to the Southern Cross published in 1934. In 1921, in Melbourne Australia, her youngest son Lancelot George was born. Angela left Australia in 1929 with 8 year old Lance and never returned. Although living with her parents in London she badly needed to earn a living so she set forth on the difficult road of the professional writer. Her first book, Three Houses, a memoir of her happy childhood was published in 1931 and was an immediate success. The first of her novels set in Trollope's mythical county of Barsetshire was Demon in the House, followed by 28 others, one each year.
Angela also wrote a book of children's stories entitled The Grateful Sparrow using Ludwig Richter's illustrations; a biography of Harriette Wilson, The Fortunes of Harriette; an historical novel, Coronation Summer, an account of the events in London during Queen Victoria's Coronation in 1838; and three semi-autobiographical novels, Ankle Deep and Oh, These Men, These Men and Trooper to the Southern Cross. When Angela died on the 29th of January 1961 she left unfinished the last of her books, Three Score and Ten which was completed by her friend, Caroline LeJeune. Angela is buried in Rottingdean alongside her daughter Mary and her Burne-Jones grandparents.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 28, 2025
For anyone who has been disappointed or frustrated by Thirkell’s post-war novels: she is back at her best with County Chronicle. Gone is the almost obsessive complaining about Them (Labour and the Atlee government), which is so tedious to read. Or not really “gone” so much as less frequent (and thus less tiresome).
As the older generation of landed gentry realize their land and holdings may not survive into the next generation, everyone still works faithfully to keep the houses from falling down around them and the land from completely going to seed — as well as tending to endless committee and volunteer work for the county, with mostly good humor.
Most poignant in County Chronicle: the frank treatment of the war’s after effects. A young woman whose fiancé was killed at D-Day is finally relieved of her mental anguish when a fellow officer (who witnessed the fiancé’s death) describes his face in those last moments of life: first surprised, then tired, and then he closed his eyes. So much more meaningful than “He died instantly.”
The conversations about death — and the young “walking wounded” veterans struggling both mentally and in company — really are Thirkell at her finest. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an evocative rendering of life and conversations of those whose many, many loved ones and friends have perished. Her acknowledgment of the struggles of those who survived really seems ahead of her time, even. as she acknowledges that we can never truly know what they are going through.
And of course the book still is witty, sometimes laugh out loud funny, with a number of loving and suitable engagements by story’s end.
For me, this is the best book thus far in her postwar period.
As the older generation of landed gentry realize their land and holdings may not survive into the next generation, everyone still works faithfully to keep the houses from falling down around them and the land from completely going to seed — as well as tending to endless committee and volunteer work for the county, with mostly good humor.
Most poignant in County Chronicle: the frank treatment of the war’s after effects. A young woman whose fiancé was killed at D-Day is finally relieved of her mental anguish when a fellow officer (who witnessed the fiancé’s death) describes his face in those last moments of life: first surprised, then tired, and then he closed his eyes. So much more meaningful than “He died instantly.”
The conversations about death — and the young “walking wounded” veterans struggling both mentally and in company — really are Thirkell at her finest. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an evocative rendering of life and conversations of those whose many, many loved ones and friends have perished. Her acknowledgment of the struggles of those who survived really seems ahead of her time, even. as she acknowledges that we can never truly know what they are going through.
And of course the book still is witty, sometimes laugh out loud funny, with a number of loving and suitable engagements by story’s end.
For me, this is the best book thus far in her postwar period.
May 12, 2017
Another delightful entry in Thirkell's Barsetshire series. I've read every one in order over the last several years and especially enjoyed these last several books.
They were fun and funny and populated with beloved characters who have become like old friends, but also melancholy and bittersweet as those characters continue adjusting to post-war England and loved ones and friends lost in the war and the loss of a way of life that has all but disappeared. Remarkably they still receive "packages from America" which is the only way they can bake cakes and have special treats as rationing was still going on five years after the war...touching but warm, funny and sad, recommended only for fans who are familiar with the books - otherwise I think a reader would spend most of the book wondering who are these people and why should I care?! But a treasure for long-time fans!
They were fun and funny and populated with beloved characters who have become like old friends, but also melancholy and bittersweet as those characters continue adjusting to post-war England and loved ones and friends lost in the war and the loss of a way of life that has all but disappeared. Remarkably they still receive "packages from America" which is the only way they can bake cakes and have special treats as rationing was still going on five years after the war...touching but warm, funny and sad, recommended only for fans who are familiar with the books - otherwise I think a reader would spend most of the book wondering who are these people and why should I care?! But a treasure for long-time fans!
September 25, 2011
A wedding between two of the sweetest, if not most elegant or genteel, characters is the perfect introduction to this Barsetshire novel. Lucy Marling, the tomboyish daughter of one of Barsetshire's older families, and Sam Adams, the now polished newcomer to the county, are an unlikely but utterly lovable pair and their union sets the tone for the entire book. It is followed by a moody descent as other characters search for their own happiness. Isabel Dale, a secret author of thrillers who still struggles with the loss of her fiance during the war, befriends Oliver Marling, Lucy's brother, and helps him to grow out of his selfishness and his fruitless love for the beautiful Jessica Dean. Isabel, too, grows out of her own fruitless love and learns to finally open her heart again to a local impoverished nobleman. Mrs. Brandon, that innocent ingenue that charms every man she meets, is hurt by her own son's selfishness and must finally learn to become an independent woman and stand up for herself, while possibly finding love in the process. All of these events, and many other smaller ones, slowly unfold throughout the novel in a nicely arranged set of county gatherings and events. As with all of her books, Thirkell relies heavily on witty, perceptive dialogue that is rich with references to great literature and current events but is written in a down-to-earth way that rings realistic and true, just like her characters. Like the description given of Isabel's novels, the people of Barsetshire are so life-like that one wouldn't be surprised to meet them in the street! There is a continued sense of nostalgia throughout the book as characters mourn the loss of the pre-war way of life and complain about "Them" of the current government. Although some of the political and social references are lost on the modern reader, the overall tone is clearly conveyed. And, yet, a sense of hope and promise about the future remains, underscored by the lifting mood at the end of the book, which culminates in a few very satisfactory pairings. As Verlyn Klinkenborg noted, "That is one reason to love Thirkell — the simple reassurances these books offer."
My favorite quotes from the book:
The opening dialogue between Lucy and Mr. Adams as they plan their wedding and Lucy's reaction to Mr. Adams' declaration of love: "...even greater was his surprise when his bluff, highly reliable farm manager looked at him through eyes brimming with tears, held out her hands in a helpless gesture and coming up to him laid her head on his shoulder..."
The book is full of funny little tidbits, but this one was probably my favorite. famous actress Jessica Dean, now pregnant with her partner Aubrey Clover's baby, expresses a sense of fear about the future. When her adoring husband asks her why, she responds: "What worries me and [our baby] ... is how on earth you can get anyone as good as us to act with you."
My favorite quotes from the book:
The opening dialogue between Lucy and Mr. Adams as they plan their wedding and Lucy's reaction to Mr. Adams' declaration of love: "...even greater was his surprise when his bluff, highly reliable farm manager looked at him through eyes brimming with tears, held out her hands in a helpless gesture and coming up to him laid her head on his shoulder..."
The book is full of funny little tidbits, but this one was probably my favorite. famous actress Jessica Dean, now pregnant with her partner Aubrey Clover's baby, expresses a sense of fear about the future. When her adoring husband asks her why, she responds: "What worries me and [our baby] ... is how on earth you can get anyone as good as us to act with you."
August 24, 2022
Let's see, says Angela Thirkell. Which of my characters has yet to be married? Lucy; Heather; Sam; Anne; Robin; Jessica; Aubrey -- all taken care of. Time for them to start having babies. But Oliver is still on my hands. Also Lavinia Brandon. Not to mention Charles and Clarissa. Hmm. Better invent some new characters. What fun!
At least I hope it was as much fun for her as it was for me.
At least I hope it was as much fun for her as it was for me.
March 7, 2018
Isabel Dale is just another quiet but kind Thirkell hero who earns the love of an excellent man and gets a surprise thanks to the characters of Trollope's Dr Thorne — and she's a successful thriller writer on top of it all. Lucky girl.
And Mrs Brandon manages to escape her selfish son Francis with a deus ex machina in the form of a lovely clergyman.
And Mrs Brandon manages to escape her selfish son Francis with a deus ex machina in the form of a lovely clergyman.
July 3, 2023
This is the first book of Angela Thirkell's where the sense of having missed some of the events in earlier books really tells. It is a standalone; it has a complete and happy ending. Rather, it is so good that a wish to have known some of the people before, follows you, as if they were pleasant strangers whom you meet for the first time (and probably the last) at a friend's party and wish you had met them earlier.
In other respects, this book follows the same pattern as the rest. Thirkell's genius lies not in the plot, but in the development of character, so that over the years, and after living through the uncertainties of war and the blow of peace, people grow from brash self-confidence to a greater understanding, compassion, and a different kind of self-confidence.
In especial, her theme here is the inborn selfishness in every living creature and the different forms it takes in otherwise adult, educated, ought-to-know-better men and women. It might be just Mrs Morland's chatter about her books, or the unrequited loves of Clarissa Graham or Oliver Marling, which transforms the former into a tease and the latter from an authority on obscure churchmen of the seventeenth century to the self-absorbed bore he turns out to be. And the flippant Francis Brandon who won a pretty widow from under the noses of two men flirting with her, carefree lighthearted Francis turns into an unpleasant man publicly offensive to his mother and his wife, to general sympathy for both and general disapprobation of Francis. Even the servants pass judgement on him, and their verdict is 'selfish like his father.' More disturbingly, Mrs Francis, whose first husband had made her deeply unhappy in the very first year of their marriage because of his unfaithfulness, now realises that Francis is that way inclined himself.
In this, Thirkell's humour flashes out every now and then, but whereas in the earlier books in the series, wit, satire and humour formed the staple and the spine, her later books are heavily coloured with the 'end of civilisation', as she calls it, of World War II and its aftermath. Since her generation were still recovering from the first World War, 'the war to end all wars', still mourning the loss of their menfolk, the second had to a great degree the disastrous effect of breaking her spirit.
In other respects, this book follows the same pattern as the rest. Thirkell's genius lies not in the plot, but in the development of character, so that over the years, and after living through the uncertainties of war and the blow of peace, people grow from brash self-confidence to a greater understanding, compassion, and a different kind of self-confidence.
In especial, her theme here is the inborn selfishness in every living creature and the different forms it takes in otherwise adult, educated, ought-to-know-better men and women. It might be just Mrs Morland's chatter about her books, or the unrequited loves of Clarissa Graham or Oliver Marling, which transforms the former into a tease and the latter from an authority on obscure churchmen of the seventeenth century to the self-absorbed bore he turns out to be. And the flippant Francis Brandon who won a pretty widow from under the noses of two men flirting with her, carefree lighthearted Francis turns into an unpleasant man publicly offensive to his mother and his wife, to general sympathy for both and general disapprobation of Francis. Even the servants pass judgement on him, and their verdict is 'selfish like his father.' More disturbingly, Mrs Francis, whose first husband had made her deeply unhappy in the very first year of their marriage because of his unfaithfulness, now realises that Francis is that way inclined himself.
In this, Thirkell's humour flashes out every now and then, but whereas in the earlier books in the series, wit, satire and humour formed the staple and the spine, her later books are heavily coloured with the 'end of civilisation', as she calls it, of World War II and its aftermath. Since her generation were still recovering from the first World War, 'the war to end all wars', still mourning the loss of their menfolk, the second had to a great degree the disastrous effect of breaking her spirit.
December 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this one. I love the progression of the novel and how it moves seamlessly from Lucy to Isabel to Mrs. Brandon and then back and forth between the last two for the second half of the book. Isabel was a new character and she was lovely. I especially enjoyed her relationship with the senior Marlings and the Pallisers. There was so much good Trollope family history in this with Isabel Dale being a descendent of both Greshams and Dales and living in the Great House at Allington. Also we got to see the Pallisers! All of them were superb, but especially Lady Cora and Lord Silverbridge. I’m halfway through reading Trollope’s Palliser series now, so the timing was superb. We see Mr. Wickham again here and I liked him MUCH better than previously. His relationship with Isabel was sweet.
There were, true to Thirkell, three engagements/weddings in this. And, contrary to most of her other novels, I was wrong about one until 3/4s of the way through the book. That was a nice surprise! Oliver Marling is a character is a piece of work. The author acknowledges that he does not show to good advantage and she’s right. I love how Jessica and Aubrey call their daughter Sarah Siddons. I still have no idea if Baby Clover has another name or not. 😜
This book was also more poignant as regards WW2. So many of the main male characters in this series survive that it is easy to forget the loss of life during the war. But we see so much of Isabel’s grief at losing her fiancé and Lady Cora’s musings that all her male friends are dead and if she had just gotten one of them to propose to her at least. It brought the reality of the war to the forefront, but very honestly and tastefully.
Dec 16 2020 update: I just finished the Palliser series today and read back through all the parts of this book about the Pallisers. So many more references are making sense after The Duke’s Children. I am glad I saved the next Thirkell book for after I finished the Palliser series since Lady Cora is Lord Silverbridge’s granddaughter. Also I love that in this book another Lord Silverbridge marries another Isabel. I so love that Thirkell stays in Trollope’s world. It’s so immensely satisfying to me.
There were, true to Thirkell, three engagements/weddings in this. And, contrary to most of her other novels, I was wrong about one until 3/4s of the way through the book. That was a nice surprise! Oliver Marling is a character is a piece of work. The author acknowledges that he does not show to good advantage and she’s right. I love how Jessica and Aubrey call their daughter Sarah Siddons. I still have no idea if Baby Clover has another name or not. 😜
This book was also more poignant as regards WW2. So many of the main male characters in this series survive that it is easy to forget the loss of life during the war. But we see so much of Isabel’s grief at losing her fiancé and Lady Cora’s musings that all her male friends are dead and if she had just gotten one of them to propose to her at least. It brought the reality of the war to the forefront, but very honestly and tastefully.
Dec 16 2020 update: I just finished the Palliser series today and read back through all the parts of this book about the Pallisers. So many more references are making sense after The Duke’s Children. I am glad I saved the next Thirkell book for after I finished the Palliser series since Lady Cora is Lord Silverbridge’s granddaughter. Also I love that in this book another Lord Silverbridge marries another Isabel. I so love that Thirkell stays in Trollope’s world. It’s so immensely satisfying to me.
March 31, 2023
The Vicar, who was a very nice worthy man but so dull that we shall not trouble to invent a name for him...
I simply adore Thirkell's wit, metaphors, and style of writing. It is always a pure pleasure going back into her world. Its escapism will never disappoint me.
Although it was not one of the best in the series, it did have a few good points and HEA for some beloved characters, also a warm moment when Mrs. Brandon's angel appeared, and with Bishop's angel this time.
Furthermore, there was a beautiful moment of another "goodbye", another step of grieving for all those lost in the war (and not only).
old wounds did not bleed anew; not with that first searing pain, not with the aching misery of the later days, not with the hard brightness that had hidden the scars, but a little because those deaths were now a memory; because beauty vanishes, beauty passes
[3.5-4 stars]
July 24, 2014
Deliciously delightful. Angela Thirkell does it again. Lots of characters as usual, but I've now reached the point where I don't have to refer to my Thirkell encyclopedia, so well do I know most of them.
Book opens with the contemplation of a marriage between two people of a "certain age" who, in the last book, arranged it as a matter of practicality but very soon find out that they both love each other very much. Other characters are at loose ends, like Isabel Dale, whose fiance died in the war and who now offers herself as a sort of extra daughter to the Marlings, or Lavinia Brandon, whose son and daughter-in-law simply won't find their own house and prefer living in hers. Life marches on for this lot of sensitive yet stiff-upper-lip people, and it's somehow very comforting to read. Always tinged with bits of irony that can be terribly funny but are never too harsh.
Book opens with the contemplation of a marriage between two people of a "certain age" who, in the last book, arranged it as a matter of practicality but very soon find out that they both love each other very much. Other characters are at loose ends, like Isabel Dale, whose fiance died in the war and who now offers herself as a sort of extra daughter to the Marlings, or Lavinia Brandon, whose son and daughter-in-law simply won't find their own house and prefer living in hers. Life marches on for this lot of sensitive yet stiff-upper-lip people, and it's somehow very comforting to read. Always tinged with bits of irony that can be terribly funny but are never too harsh.
February 14, 2016
Isabel Dale's mother dies, so she has to leave the Marlings. Oliver Marling (as usual) is upset because she won't be there to do his typing for free. Lucy Marling is engaged to Sam Adams, but unsure how her family will take it. The Brandons are having problems with two families in one house - the selfish son Francis, the doting mother, and the ineffectual wife. The young folks are always running off to 'rehearse' with Lady Cora, the duke's daughter (Duke of Omnium) at Gatherum Castle. The duke's son and heir, Jeff, is getting involved with Isabel Dale, and her secret comes out. There is the usual complaining about the horrors of peace caused by Them (the current government (Labour).) As usual, all (or most) of the various plot threads get tied together before the end of the book.
January 30, 2008
I wrote about Thirkell here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/04/opi...
but since doing so I've come to think even more highly of her. I've got another 8 or 9 of her novels to go.
but since doing so I've come to think even more highly of her. I've got another 8 or 9 of her novels to go.
March 29, 2015
I did contemplate marking this down for the pervasive whingeing on about 'Them' i.e. the Atlee government (novel is set in 1948), but the rest was so very good I decided not to.
February 27, 2012
Isabel Dale (another Barset author)
November 11, 2019
It is the late forties, and Thirkell carries on the story of Barsetshire through her usual themes: families, friends, allies and mild enemies. It is rooted in the countryside, the houses, cottages and great buildings of the town and county. The memories of at least one war runs through conversations and thoughts as people consider the thankfully few losses of loved ones. Families are nonetheless changed, as traditions are upset and houses are no longer remain in the same ownership. New relationships can now be considered as some of the old rules are relaxed. An individual’s wealth is now important as well as their family, and some interesting relationships are created, not least between the new man of money, Sam Adams, and Lucy Marling from an old established but impoverished family. As the local church hierarchy is mentioned, the Bishop’s Palace is gently upset by the restoration of a bell allegedly used by fish asking for food by some mischievous children. This novel, in common with all of the other Barsetshire books, has a gentle reminder of the Barchester novels of Anthony Trollope, and the character names of his more famous families. Though not one of my favourite wartime novels, this book succeeds in carrying the story forward into a brave new postwar world, even though it is not universally welcomed.
This is a book where many stories and themes move throughout. Apart from the younger Lucy who discovers love and purpose through her marriage to Mr Adams, there is the mysterious Isabel whose sense of duty to her ailing mother means that even her dependability as a secretary and help must be second in her priorities. Political issues and the near universally deplored Labour government are seen as the reason for reduction in income, but finance is needed to stand as a Member of Parliament, which the older established families do not have. Sorrow is expressed at the departure of the local Vicar, as his replacement will have a different attitude to the local families. Inheritance is still an issue, with depleted lands and daughters of even wealthy households determined to work amidst the farm animals.
Lady Agnes is still vague and concerned with clothes and seemingly unaware of reality, but is always saved by her undoubted affectionate generosity. Those who were children in previous volumes are now grown up and causing their own waves in the traditional community, even if the weak and lovelorn Oliver Marling is still upsetting people. Another young man who is being condemned by many is Francis Brandon whose continued presence in his mother’s home together with his wife and children is seen as a deplorable situation. Lady Cora is a duke’s daughter with a sad past of lost loves in the recent war, but with a lot of drive in every respect. Her independence and determination to keep her family home going seems an old fashioned sort of quest, but the reader is left in no doubt that if anyone can save the farm and ancestral home it will be her. That she feels that there is no chance of finding love for herself is a sad note in a book that is full of romances at many ages.
This later book is sometimes confusing because of similar names such as Belton and Brandon, children and young people whose ages are not always consistent with what has occurred in previous novels, and place names which are not always clear. Thirkell herself admitted that she struggled with consistency in her later books, and it is only relatively recently that her devotees have tried to sort out maps and other questions. This is an excellent book, as comforting as any of her earlier writing, and I recommend it as a lovely read to anyone who enjoys complicated family and community stories.
This is a book where many stories and themes move throughout. Apart from the younger Lucy who discovers love and purpose through her marriage to Mr Adams, there is the mysterious Isabel whose sense of duty to her ailing mother means that even her dependability as a secretary and help must be second in her priorities. Political issues and the near universally deplored Labour government are seen as the reason for reduction in income, but finance is needed to stand as a Member of Parliament, which the older established families do not have. Sorrow is expressed at the departure of the local Vicar, as his replacement will have a different attitude to the local families. Inheritance is still an issue, with depleted lands and daughters of even wealthy households determined to work amidst the farm animals.
Lady Agnes is still vague and concerned with clothes and seemingly unaware of reality, but is always saved by her undoubted affectionate generosity. Those who were children in previous volumes are now grown up and causing their own waves in the traditional community, even if the weak and lovelorn Oliver Marling is still upsetting people. Another young man who is being condemned by many is Francis Brandon whose continued presence in his mother’s home together with his wife and children is seen as a deplorable situation. Lady Cora is a duke’s daughter with a sad past of lost loves in the recent war, but with a lot of drive in every respect. Her independence and determination to keep her family home going seems an old fashioned sort of quest, but the reader is left in no doubt that if anyone can save the farm and ancestral home it will be her. That she feels that there is no chance of finding love for herself is a sad note in a book that is full of romances at many ages.
This later book is sometimes confusing because of similar names such as Belton and Brandon, children and young people whose ages are not always consistent with what has occurred in previous novels, and place names which are not always clear. Thirkell herself admitted that she struggled with consistency in her later books, and it is only relatively recently that her devotees have tried to sort out maps and other questions. This is an excellent book, as comforting as any of her earlier writing, and I recommend it as a lovely read to anyone who enjoys complicated family and community stories.
February 8, 2019
Two weddings, a christening, a death, and numerous parties make up the events of this 19th novel of Barsetshire, with focus on the new story of Isabel Dale, and on the continuing story of Mrs. Brandon. While Isabel meets new people, mourns an old love, and enjoys a secret career, Mrs. Brandon must deal with the miserable effects of an intolerably selfishness adult son. As with all Thirkell books, it is charming, witty, occasionally snarky, and a thoroughly delightful read.
(These novels must be read in order.)
(These novels must be read in order.)
July 15, 2023
3.5 County Chronicle starts and finishes strongly, and the storylines overall are good. But it does sag a bit with too many repetitions. How many times do we need to hear that Francis Brandon and Oliver Marking are selfish men, or constant complaints about the Labour government? It takes away from some otherwise amusing and touching moments. If Oliver Marling''s opuscle was too short to be a proper book, Thirkell.could have loaned him about 50 pages here. Loved the Duke of Omnium's door of books!
January 5, 2022
Light and enjoyable as always, though the loathing of the Labour government and changes to the status quo of the gentry is palpable. Apparently the working class of Barsetshire were all Tories too, which is a little harder to believe.
August 4, 2025
I had to wait several weeks for this book to be shipped. It was worth waiting for. I love this series and most of the characters (I could shake Oliver. I liked him when we first met but he is not aging well.). Their stories and problems take me away from the present day which is a great gift.
March 28, 2022
Remarkably, County Chronicle is the 19th Barsetshire romantic comedy of manners set in the English countryside still recovering from World War Two.
January 18, 2024
Interesting to anyone wanting to understand more about social patterns of the era
September 30, 2024
Re-read.
August 2, 2025
Despite all of the weeping women, and disgruntled “help” I do love Thirkell’s writing.
December 30, 2022
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022...
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022...
July 12, 2016
As my first Thirkell book, I would not recommend it. I felt like I was dropped in the middle of a soap opera. The whole time I felt like story threads from other books were being picked up and woven throughout this one, as if I should already be familiar with the multiple characters, their traits, their past, etc.
Her writing style is unusual. The story jumps from one family to another. For example, the author writes about a family planning a party, tells what happens at the party, then follows another family home and writes about their views on the party. The author then follows family two until the next event, when someone else takes over the story thread. Lots of people to remember and relationships to work out.
I guess one should read her books in order. This is not a stand-alone story.
Her writing style is unusual. The story jumps from one family to another. For example, the author writes about a family planning a party, tells what happens at the party, then follows another family home and writes about their views on the party. The author then follows family two until the next event, when someone else takes over the story thread. Lots of people to remember and relationships to work out.
I guess one should read her books in order. This is not a stand-alone story.
August 20, 2024
Another re-read
One of my reading goals for this year was to read MrsThirkell’s Barsetshire series in order
I first read most of the books in the series in a haphazard manner in 2019/2020 , especially during lockdown
This of course led to several spoilers
At this stage in the series it is still pleasant to return to Barsetshire
Mrs Thirkell’s comments on the post- war Labour Government are still amusing rather than bitter and 4 years after the end of WW2 people are getting on with life but the references to events, especially loss of loved- ones as significant plot lines does not feel strange
Two main plots are the lives and loves of Isobel Dale and Mrs Lavinia Brandon, both of whom are pleasant and memorable characters and deserve their happy endings
One of my reading goals for this year was to read MrsThirkell’s Barsetshire series in order
I first read most of the books in the series in a haphazard manner in 2019/2020 , especially during lockdown
This of course led to several spoilers
At this stage in the series it is still pleasant to return to Barsetshire
Mrs Thirkell’s comments on the post- war Labour Government are still amusing rather than bitter and 4 years after the end of WW2 people are getting on with life but the references to events, especially loss of loved- ones as significant plot lines does not feel strange
Two main plots are the lives and loves of Isobel Dale and Mrs Lavinia Brandon, both of whom are pleasant and memorable characters and deserve their happy endings
November 14, 2022
This is definitely more fun when you know who everyone is. And after my first read, some time ago, I have read Trollope's Barsetshire novels. So the Dale, Thornes, Gresham's are more a part of the joke.
Times have changed since 1948 and the tone of narrative concerning people of color is decidedly NOT correct for today. It is an example of the racism experienced by so many.
But the situation for families and fiances and friends who have lost men in the war is presented with compassion.
Times have changed since 1948 and the tone of narrative concerning people of color is decidedly NOT correct for today. It is an example of the racism experienced by so many.
But the situation for families and fiances and friends who have lost men in the war is presented with compassion.
July 23, 2020
Loved this one: it's somehow lighter (though THEY are still causing trouble in the government and many people are still touched by losses from the war), funnier, and faster paced than many Thirkells. Since I enjoy most of hers at least a little bit, it was fun to order this one and then discover that I really liked it. Zoomed through it. Helps to have a snow day to read it over as well!
**Re-read it when I was stuck for fiction for a bit. Now, I am struck by the complete whiteness of the world these books unfold in--also the complete upperclassness of it. Hmmm. **
**Re-read it when I was stuck for fiction for a bit. Now, I am struck by the complete whiteness of the world these books unfold in--also the complete upperclassness of it. Hmmm. **
September 7, 2019
I think I won't bother with anymore of Thirkell's books.
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