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Proper Family Christmas
‘Wickedly funny, this Christmas house party is both a delight and a horrible warning.’ Katie Fforde William really isn’t into Christmas – all the jingly tinselly presenty stuff makes him feel queasy. He’d like to spend it alone in his vast old house with his cat. But Haseley House could be a goldmine in the right hands – and William’s relatives want to make sure it does end up in the right hands! Hilary intends to ignore Christmas. With Daniel away, she won’t have to conceal how desperately she still misses Ben. But widows aren’t allowed to spend Christmas alone, and it sounds as if William might need her support. Frances, the nanny, was hoping for a break from spoilt little Tobias, but now she’s told they’re to stay with his eccentric grandfather in some spooky old house. Can Hilary possibly be having feelings for another man? Will Frances overcome the snobbery threatening to separate her and Daniel? This particular family Christmas is going to change everybody’s lives.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 29, 2020
A difficult book to review. It’s funny in parts but for all the wrong reasons. An extended family come together at Christmas time in the home of the eldest patriarch .. he’s a cantankerous old man (probably my favourite character) and his family have gathered in a predatory manor to claim the family home and ship him off to be cared for. It’s a book that displays the worst kind of snobbery. But there are moments when it’s impossible not to laugh out loud at their antics..
There are all the usual Christmassy shenanigans within. My three stars totally reflects on me and I’m sure that others may read it and just enjoy it for all it’s Christmas frivolity.
There are all the usual Christmassy shenanigans within. My three stars totally reflects on me and I’m sure that others may read it and just enjoy it for all it’s Christmas frivolity.
January 14, 2017
A wily and rich old man, William, has his predatory and cunning family imposed upon him for Xmas in his valuable mansion. Needless to say, certain family members have their eyes on his fortune and are rapacious in going about getting hold of it. However others are honourable and loyal family members, with a couple of outsiders to liven up the mix!
This is a light-hearted and amusing tale, which rollicks along at breath taking speed. On the surface of it the characters are rather stereotypical, but the author’s wry observations on their thoughts and actions rescue this and the characters game far more depth through this. They actually have great appeal, particularly Hilary, William and Oliver, and are not as simplistic as they first appear.
It’s amazing how much happens in three days! Romances are sorted out, ‘all names are returned to their rightful owners’ and no harm done. I could easily see this as a play, a romantic comedy with some sharp twists and turns and observations on human hopes and ambitions.
Once again, it is not a book I would have chosen to pick up and read but I really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the speed of the whole narrative and the good – humoured mocking of the characters by the author.
Early on the underlying humour and irony made itself felt. You understand that all is not quite as it seems and you know that far from being a victim, William is actually in charge.
This is a light-hearted and amusing tale, which rollicks along at breath taking speed. On the surface of it the characters are rather stereotypical, but the author’s wry observations on their thoughts and actions rescue this and the characters game far more depth through this. They actually have great appeal, particularly Hilary, William and Oliver, and are not as simplistic as they first appear.
It’s amazing how much happens in three days! Romances are sorted out, ‘all names are returned to their rightful owners’ and no harm done. I could easily see this as a play, a romantic comedy with some sharp twists and turns and observations on human hopes and ambitions.
Once again, it is not a book I would have chosen to pick up and read but I really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the speed of the whole narrative and the good – humoured mocking of the characters by the author.
Early on the underlying humour and irony made itself felt. You understand that all is not quite as it seems and you know that far from being a victim, William is actually in charge.
February 21, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this humorous three days of Christmas at Haseley House tale.
Lives and relationships are formed, broken, tangled and untangled as greed, cunning, goodheartedness, and humour produce the required happy ending
By devious means the Christmas house-party, instead of one plus the cat, numbers from 15 to 18 - three generations plus friends, nannies and others.
"This particular family Christmas is going to change everybody's lives. William isn't into Christmas. He'd like to spend it alone in his vast old house with his cat. Haseley House could be a gold-mine in the right hands and the family want to make sure it does end up in the right hands ..."
Lives and relationships are formed, broken, tangled and untangled as greed, cunning, goodheartedness, and humour produce the required happy ending
By devious means the Christmas house-party, instead of one plus the cat, numbers from 15 to 18 - three generations plus friends, nannies and others.
"This particular family Christmas is going to change everybody's lives. William isn't into Christmas. He'd like to spend it alone in his vast old house with his cat. Haseley House could be a gold-mine in the right hands and the family want to make sure it does end up in the right hands ..."
November 14, 2020
This is my first book by this author and won’t be the last as such a brilliant book I didn’t want to put it down. It’s funny and full of families and Christmas and has ups and downs in family life and makes you laugh at places so much.
William lives alone in a big old house and really doesn’t like Christmas and would like to be alone. His horse needs money spending on it and in the right hands could be a goldmine and his relatives want to make sure it ends up in the right hands. Hilary list her husband and her son is going away for Christmas so is happy to be alone and Ben set her up to to Williams for Christmas so they don’t have to be alone. But then then family members each turn up at Williams to and Frances the nanny was hoping for a beak at Christmas but has to go with the family to the grandfathers and she’s not happy but when she meets someone there will things change and will the family think of her differently. Christmas is really going to Chavez the lives of many with all of them stuck in the same house but will it be for the better and think William will be glad to be on his own again he’s not giving his house up or will he.
William lives alone in a big old house and really doesn’t like Christmas and would like to be alone. His horse needs money spending on it and in the right hands could be a goldmine and his relatives want to make sure it ends up in the right hands. Hilary list her husband and her son is going away for Christmas so is happy to be alone and Ben set her up to to Williams for Christmas so they don’t have to be alone. But then then family members each turn up at Williams to and Frances the nanny was hoping for a beak at Christmas but has to go with the family to the grandfathers and she’s not happy but when she meets someone there will things change and will the family think of her differently. Christmas is really going to Chavez the lives of many with all of them stuck in the same house but will it be for the better and think William will be glad to be on his own again he’s not giving his house up or will he.
January 20, 2025
A slow start with lots of characters that seemed scantily developed. However, the second half when the romances start to flesh out between Hilary and Oliver and Daniel and Frances add much more interest and after this the pace of the novel seems to speed up. Also the humour in the second half is 'laugh aloud' wicked with a bit of spice. I loved it then and found it page turning. Well done, Jane, you have a great sense of humour of the absurd that could really be developed and expanded beautifully.
January 9, 2025
I really enjoyed the storylines and the mix of characters, especially Frances, who at times seems to be the only sane person there! The strands tie together into a satisfying conclusion and several times made me laugh out loud. I like Jane Gordon-Cumming's writing style and recommend this book as satisfying read.
November 15, 2022
Too confusing as to who all the characters were
January 17, 2023
I've no idea how Kate Fforde could describe this book as "wickedly funny", it didn't make me so much as smile once. I strongly suspect she's never read it, they share the same agent or publicist & was told what to say!
The book reads like the script of a play. It's 95% dialogue, difficult to keep track of who's speaking it and very little description. I struggled to recall who was who because the characters were barely described and no suggestion of ages given.
For instance Leo is described as someone recently finished Uni, behaves like a spoilt child but then halfway through the book fancies his chances pairing up with Hilary at times whos late 40's & noone finds this odd? Plus his character is frequently absent yet has dialogue in scenes where its not mentioned he's present?
2 couples fall madly in love after 2 days together and we never find out the answer to the only point of any interest at all - who does William leave his money to?
I honestly can't believe this drivel ever got published. It seems the author's family were all authors so nepotism must have been involved!
The book reads like the script of a play. It's 95% dialogue, difficult to keep track of who's speaking it and very little description. I struggled to recall who was who because the characters were barely described and no suggestion of ages given.
For instance Leo is described as someone recently finished Uni, behaves like a spoilt child but then halfway through the book fancies his chances pairing up with Hilary at times whos late 40's & noone finds this odd? Plus his character is frequently absent yet has dialogue in scenes where its not mentioned he's present?
2 couples fall madly in love after 2 days together and we never find out the answer to the only point of any interest at all - who does William leave his money to?
I honestly can't believe this drivel ever got published. It seems the author's family were all authors so nepotism must have been involved!
January 4, 2019
Greed
But drawn out but William had his marbles, more then his relatives, and the spoilt grandchildren. They all seemed to be after his money, but were they? Was it a bit hoax or genuine?
But drawn out but William had his marbles, more then his relatives, and the spoilt grandchildren. They all seemed to be after his money, but were they? Was it a bit hoax or genuine?
November 27, 2020
I hated almost every character in this book. The only exceptions being William, Daniel and Hillary. I was irritated the whole way through by the way the characters acted, be that spinelessly or spitefully. A disappointing and laborious read.
December 18, 2022
Read this book so fast. The characters were all relatable and all had their own time and space within the book. This book got me in the Christmas spirit and I could definitely see this book happening in the Cotswolds.
November 16, 2024
This made me laugh out loud, reminded me of the bickering I had with my siblings at Christmas when we were younger. The best bit being even with all the squabbling and gossiping there is still a happy ever after.
January 5, 2025
Absolutely loved this book.
The characters the story line.
William the old man of the House is such a good character.
This book really make you want to shout out at some of the unsavoury characters.
Great ending.
The characters the story line.
William the old man of the House is such a good character.
This book really make you want to shout out at some of the unsavoury characters.
Great ending.
May 10, 2017
A fun story about family and friends and money. A bit confusing in places, with the numerous and sometimes 'thin' characters, but a decent read with lessons about how we treat other people.
November 21, 2018
An entertaining, light Christmas read.
October 28, 2020
I finished it but didn't really enjoy it that much.
December 29, 2020
Didnt particularly find anything funny about this book. Hard to read and follow due to constant flipping between characters. Only continued to read as cant not finish a book. Wouldn't really recommend
December 25, 2025
Nice Christmas book
January 4, 2009
There are a lot of characters in this novel. So many that a family tree is provided at the front, and I found myself referring to it frequently in the early part of the book. It was useful, but I did find myself faintly irritated that the people were introduced so rapidly, and that they weren't rounded enough for me to tell them apart easily.
The most interesting person is Frances, the new nanny to a four-year-old called Tobias. His parents are the snobby and unfeeling Stephen and Leslie; they decide to spend Christmas with Stephen's father William at his ancient (and crumbling) mansion, in the hope of persuading him to write his will.
Meanwhile Stephen's jolly sister Julia and her philandering husband Tony, along with their rather ghastly daughter Posy and her even more appalling Nanny also decide to stay with William. Then William's sister Margery decides to bring a friend who is interested in old houses, and Margery's daughter-in-law Hilary is invited for good measure... confused? Yes, so was I.
There are even more people who appear during the first few chapters, mostly caricatured and unrealistic.
Having said that, it's not meant to be taken seriously. The novel is something of a family farce, with misunderstandings, complications, and intense family rivalry. I didn't particularly like the style, which was very rapid, switching viewpoints constantly, and interspersing thoughts and conversation with little explanation.
Still, it's not a bad book, and I found I got more interested in the various relationships as it progressed. The family gathering in a mansion, and one-dimensional characters reminded me a bit of some of Agatha Christie's books - so much so that I half expected someone to be murdered. I was relieved when everything turned out much as I expected it to towards the end.
Pleasant enough - if a little tiring - for a very light read over the holiday season.
The most interesting person is Frances, the new nanny to a four-year-old called Tobias. His parents are the snobby and unfeeling Stephen and Leslie; they decide to spend Christmas with Stephen's father William at his ancient (and crumbling) mansion, in the hope of persuading him to write his will.
Meanwhile Stephen's jolly sister Julia and her philandering husband Tony, along with their rather ghastly daughter Posy and her even more appalling Nanny also decide to stay with William. Then William's sister Margery decides to bring a friend who is interested in old houses, and Margery's daughter-in-law Hilary is invited for good measure... confused? Yes, so was I.
There are even more people who appear during the first few chapters, mostly caricatured and unrealistic.
Having said that, it's not meant to be taken seriously. The novel is something of a family farce, with misunderstandings, complications, and intense family rivalry. I didn't particularly like the style, which was very rapid, switching viewpoints constantly, and interspersing thoughts and conversation with little explanation.
Still, it's not a bad book, and I found I got more interested in the various relationships as it progressed. The family gathering in a mansion, and one-dimensional characters reminded me a bit of some of Agatha Christie's books - so much so that I half expected someone to be murdered. I was relieved when everything turned out much as I expected it to towards the end.
Pleasant enough - if a little tiring - for a very light read over the holiday season.
April 28, 2015
William Shirburn really isn’t into Christmas – all that jingly tinsly presenty stuff makes him feel queasy. He’d prefer to spend it alone watching trashy TV with his cat. But there’s an unwritten law that elderly people are not allowed to be left alone at Christmas, especially if they live in a vast old mansion that could be a gold-mine in the right hands – and William’s relative are very keen to ensure that Haseley House does end up in the right hands!
Originally published in 2005, A Proper Family Christmas was re-released in 2008, under the OxPens Imprint. As outlined in the synopsis above, William is rather looking forward to spending Christmas alone, with just the rather amusing Scratch for company. That isn't to be, however, as various members of his family decide to stay with him, and others get brought along in the process!
This allows for a combination of some rather wonderful characters, resulting in various conflicts, friendships, and potential relationships. Jane has created a great mix of personalities, with some being very annoying, and others extremely likeable.. and yet all are believable.
The writing style manages to draw you into the midst of the story, and it's easy to imagine being right there with them. There's a wonderful, warm humour running through, with plenty of lines that brought a smile to my face. It's a story that can be enjoyed at any time of the year, but is just perfect in the approach to Christmas.
Originally published in 2005, A Proper Family Christmas was re-released in 2008, under the OxPens Imprint. As outlined in the synopsis above, William is rather looking forward to spending Christmas alone, with just the rather amusing Scratch for company. That isn't to be, however, as various members of his family decide to stay with him, and others get brought along in the process!
This allows for a combination of some rather wonderful characters, resulting in various conflicts, friendships, and potential relationships. Jane has created a great mix of personalities, with some being very annoying, and others extremely likeable.. and yet all are believable.
The writing style manages to draw you into the midst of the story, and it's easy to imagine being right there with them. There's a wonderful, warm humour running through, with plenty of lines that brought a smile to my face. It's a story that can be enjoyed at any time of the year, but is just perfect in the approach to Christmas.
December 1, 2007
11/30/07
TITLE/AUTHOR: A PROPER FAMILY CHRISTMAS by Jane Gordon-Cumming
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Women's Fiction/2005/312 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: stand-alone
TIME/PLACE: Present/UK
CHARACTERS: William Shirbourn/Hasley House owner
FIRST LINES: Haseley House is pretty ghastly really -- one of those mansions where the architect seems to have been terrified of omitting any style of any period, & so bunged it all in somewheree.
COMMENTS: rec 11/23 bookcrossing ring/ray. Another delightful transita offering. William is the elder Shirbourn living in the grand old Haseley House by himself and likes it that way, thank you very much. He's very content to spend a quiet holdiay. His family has other plans. Various members decide they need to be at Hasley House for Christmas, some have hidden agendas (try to get William to sign a will to deed the house over & oust him into a retirement home) & some are dragged along from their solitary homes because they need to be in a large group for a Proper Family Christmas. Very humorous and entertaining.
TITLE/AUTHOR: A PROPER FAMILY CHRISTMAS by Jane Gordon-Cumming
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Women's Fiction/2005/312 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: stand-alone
TIME/PLACE: Present/UK
CHARACTERS: William Shirbourn/Hasley House owner
FIRST LINES: Haseley House is pretty ghastly really -- one of those mansions where the architect seems to have been terrified of omitting any style of any period, & so bunged it all in somewheree.
COMMENTS: rec 11/23 bookcrossing ring/ray. Another delightful transita offering. William is the elder Shirbourn living in the grand old Haseley House by himself and likes it that way, thank you very much. He's very content to spend a quiet holdiay. His family has other plans. Various members decide they need to be at Hasley House for Christmas, some have hidden agendas (try to get William to sign a will to deed the house over & oust him into a retirement home) & some are dragged along from their solitary homes because they need to be in a large group for a Proper Family Christmas. Very humorous and entertaining.
November 25, 2015
An sich eine leichte, nette Geschichte über eine verrückte Familie, die Weihnachten zusammen feiert, wobei Dutzende Missverständnisse passieren und alte Konflikte hochkommen. Ziemlich klischeehafte Figuren und dem Leser wird deutlich gezeigt, wen er gefälligst sympathisch finden soll und wen er nicht mögen darf, aber auch unterhaltsam. Eben leichte Schlecht-Wetter-Kost sozusagen.
Hätte dem Buch eigentlich auch drei Sterne dafür gegeben, würde sich nicht eine ständige Abwertung von Homosexualität und die Verwendung von so unendlich vielen Vorurteilen dagegen wie ein roter Faden durch das Buch ziehen. Das war so ätzend und absolut unnötig.
Hätte dem Buch eigentlich auch drei Sterne dafür gegeben, würde sich nicht eine ständige Abwertung von Homosexualität und die Verwendung von so unendlich vielen Vorurteilen dagegen wie ein roter Faden durch das Buch ziehen. Das war so ätzend und absolut unnötig.
December 30, 2024
Read for the third time, this really is my favourite Christmas book. It has plenty of humour and characters that are believable and solid. No doubt I’ll get to it again in time.
Update 30th Dec 2024
Another outing for this book at this time of year. Read with perhaps a more critical eye. I still enjoyed the antics of the various family members, but found their attitude very corrosive. I guess that these sort of things happen for real, but unsure if I should enjoy them as much as I do.
Still a pleasant way of spending Twixmas, and no doubt I will return.
Update 30th Dec 2024
Another outing for this book at this time of year. Read with perhaps a more critical eye. I still enjoyed the antics of the various family members, but found their attitude very corrosive. I guess that these sort of things happen for real, but unsure if I should enjoy them as much as I do.
Still a pleasant way of spending Twixmas, and no doubt I will return.
December 10, 2015
Delightful!
What a fun Christmas read this was. I truly enjoyed the lighthearted drama and the characters were great. I highly recommend funny book that quickly draws you into the story.
What a fun Christmas read this was. I truly enjoyed the lighthearted drama and the characters were great. I highly recommend funny book that quickly draws you into the story.
Want to Read
February 3, 2008I had this book on order. Unfortunately, the supplier has been unable to get me a copy.
April 28, 2012
A wryly funny look at how families can interact at Christmas – I especially liked the characterisation, including that of Scratch a very intelligent cat.
November 25, 2012
Very funny, easy to read! Typical family!!!
January 3, 2015
A bit madcap but fun.
December 17, 2020
This gentle Christmas farce is a good read for the holidays. I read it every year.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews