Appointment At The Palace

Adams Family Saga #21

by Mary Jane Staples

Excitement is running high in the Adams family. Mr Finch, after a long career in secret government work, is to be knighted - which means that Chinese Lady will become a real 'Lady'! What with having to find a new outfit suitable for the occasion, and worrying about whether she'll have to curtsey to the King, the redoubtable matriarch of the Adams family scarcely knows if she's coming or going.

Her grandson Paul, meanwhile, working for the Young Socialists, is worried at what his fiery colleague Lucy will say if she learns that he has titled connections. And Sammy, trying to rebuild his clothing business after the War, is horrified at the growing fashion for denim jeans, which even the young ladies of the family seem to be wearing. Should he forsake his beliefs that girls should dress like girls and start stocking these objectionable garments?

All differences are resolved, as the great day dawns when the Adams family goes to the Palace for their proudest moment.

Genres: Historical Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Mary Jane Staples is a pseudonym used by British author Reginald Thomas Staples (1911-2005). He is also published under the name Robert Tyler Stevens, R.T. Stevens, and James Sinclair.

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not read any of the previous books, following this family saga. I took this one as an antidote to all the wartime and misery tales, with the cheerful positivity of the hardworking couple getting honoured at Buckingham Palace. The Adams family, a Cockney mix with members from other countries, are rebuilding after WW2. That means rebuilding everything - London, family ties, relationships, personal and family fortunes. I expect that if you have been following the series you will give the book better marks, but there's nothing to really detract for a new reader except a varied and busy cast.

I noticed many descriptions of people but few of places. I particularly like a young woman determined to be a socialist and a women's champion, with her heart set on Parliament some day. Of course we see that the men in politics find women useful to do the typing, and want their votes, but only consider men for electoral candidates. Other facets include the introduction of jeans and some shady goings on to do with imports needed for the clothing trade.

[Jennsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the next instalment in a series about a family from south London. It was my least favourite so far, and I didn’t care for the story of Paul and Lulu, and the other characters were not mentioned as much. I found the story to be slow.

[Maryam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first hooked onto Mary Janes books after reading "Our Emily" . So whenever i go to the bookshop i search for her books. This was my second book. Imagine my shock when reading this book to find out that Emily(from the book mentioned earlier) has died and Boots has married again The main character i like is Sammy and the rest are all interesting characters.
So overall i think this book was very funny and interesting especially Sammy's horror with the latest fashion of jeans.

[Rhona Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little bit better this time with Lulu and Paul. This book continues where previous book left off. We are now in 1950/51 and we Sammy Adams trying to get hold of materials for his new factory. Will he come a cropper? We see Bess Adams receiving letters from American Jeremy Passmore. Will it lead to anything? Will Paul get the upper hand with Lulu? Fergus McKenzie professes
his love for Alice Adams, but does she love him enough to give up thoughts of a career as a lecturer.

[Sanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The saga of the 2 families continues. This time it leads up to the invitation for Edwin and Maisie to visit Buckingham Palace. The story carries on the lives after WW2 about all the people in these 2 families, whose lives are intertwined.
It was a nice read and although I did enjoy it , did find it a little slow in places.

[Rosie Whitehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Really good read as all the other Adams books, love them, I have read them now quite a few times.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual a good story, loved it, I’m ready for the next one

[deirdre reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great books

Love reading these , going back in time through a family saga, finding it great to read such a long saga

[Rowlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of her better novels. Quite tedious and boring but I soldiered on.

[Anki]

Bookmooch