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Barsetshire #18
The Old Bank House
'Charming, very funny indeed. Angela Thirkell is perhaps the most Pym-like of any twentieth-century author, after Pym herself' - Alexander McCall SmithEdgewood Rectory may be set in an ancient landscape, but the Grantly family are very much of their time. Caught up in the uncertain world that has emerged since the outbreak of peace, the Rector and Mrs Grantly are bewildered by the challenges facing their eldest Eleanor, longing for more excitement than can be found in the Red Cross Library; and Tom, struggling to readjust to student life at Oxford after his military service. When their elderly neighbour Miss Sowerby sells her beloved Old Bank House to self-made MP Sam Adams, the one-time outsider finds himself at the heart of Barsetshire society. And while Sam may dismiss her advice that the house needs a mistress, even a contented widower can be surprised by love.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1949
26 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Angela Thirkell
61 books257 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 14, 2012
Rating: 3.4* of five
I have finally figured it out: The pleasure of reading these books comes from the same orderly place that the pleasure of studying genealogical tables comes from. If you're into it, this kind of book, with its large cast of characters that you meet here, the large cast of characters you've met before in other circumstances, and the passing mentions of familiar names, will wrap you up in a tea-cosy and feed you clotted cream on scones in front of a warm fire.
Still, in this entry into the Chronicles of Barsetshire, the characters one meets again are interesting but not A list, and a lot of the new people aren't that fascinating. Laura Morland, the authoress's alter ego in these books, appears, and that's always fun. But overall, this book would most certainly not be the first one a newbie should pick up. It's a fill-in and comfort read for us old hands.
No recommendations, no avoid notices, just a small sigh of contentment at having discovered a new book in an old, well-loved series.
I have finally figured it out: The pleasure of reading these books comes from the same orderly place that the pleasure of studying genealogical tables comes from. If you're into it, this kind of book, with its large cast of characters that you meet here, the large cast of characters you've met before in other circumstances, and the passing mentions of familiar names, will wrap you up in a tea-cosy and feed you clotted cream on scones in front of a warm fire.
Still, in this entry into the Chronicles of Barsetshire, the characters one meets again are interesting but not A list, and a lot of the new people aren't that fascinating. Laura Morland, the authoress's alter ego in these books, appears, and that's always fun. But overall, this book would most certainly not be the first one a newbie should pick up. It's a fill-in and comfort read for us old hands.
No recommendations, no avoid notices, just a small sigh of contentment at having discovered a new book in an old, well-loved series.
February 26, 2017
I haven't been this touched by a book in awhile, especially a book in this, one of my favorite series. I was actually disappointed in the last two books (I'm reading Angela Thirkell's Barsetshire series in order) - the books immediately after WWII were so well-done and I really felt the sheer exhaustion and numbness after long years of war, deprivation, rationing, blackouts; there was still humor, but tinged with melancholy as characters came to grips with a way of life gone forever. Then for a couple books Thirkell seemed to lose her way, humor and touching sentiment gave way to bitching about rationing and social changes - all fair game, but the books became a chore to finish.
Well, she's certainly back on track with Old Bank House; I found this book touching in so many ways, as sweet young Eleanor Grantley encounters sensitive, anxious little Lord Mellings, his strong, practical, tireless mother, Lady Pomfret and the sweet-natured but exhausted Lord Pomfret; begins a rocky romance with Colin Keith (will he FINALLY get to the altar?!) and we see her elderly neighbor, Miss Sowerby, bid a sad and fond farewell to her beloved Old Bank House. Very touching and full of the gentle, affectionate humor I appreciate so much from this author.
That was just the first half of the book; we also see Eleanor's older brother Tom, a former major in the Barsetshires who saw combat, as he struggles to adjust to civilian life, first as a mortified 28-year-old student at Oxford trying to read Greats, then as a budding farmer (no pun intended!). This brings him into contact with several old Barsetshire families, the Pomfrets and Marlings and Grahams among others (I struggle to keep all the names straight!), which allows longtime fans to check in with beloved characters and bid a fond and bittersweet farewell to others, meet the new generation and see several romantic entanglements charmingly settled.
I got to know Lucy Marling and Emmy Graham much better in this book, and these two strong-minded, hard-working Amazons of the field and cowshed are among my favorite characters in all of Thirkell's huge recurring cast! And no spoilers, but to see them happily settled with men who share their interests and appreciate them just as they are made for a delightful and satisfying ending.
We also get to spend more time with the fascinating, down-to-earth Sam Adams, self-made businessman, MP and now pillar of the county - his evolution seems complete now that he has taken over stewardship of the Old Bank House from the stately and rather formidable Miss Sowerby. She warns him from the beginning that the "house needs a mistress", and he finally is on the way to acquiring one at the end of the book! I can't wait to read the next installment, County Chronicle, to see what happens next to the delightful denizens of Barsetshire.
Well, she's certainly back on track with Old Bank House; I found this book touching in so many ways, as sweet young Eleanor Grantley encounters sensitive, anxious little Lord Mellings, his strong, practical, tireless mother, Lady Pomfret and the sweet-natured but exhausted Lord Pomfret; begins a rocky romance with Colin Keith (will he FINALLY get to the altar?!) and we see her elderly neighbor, Miss Sowerby, bid a sad and fond farewell to her beloved Old Bank House. Very touching and full of the gentle, affectionate humor I appreciate so much from this author.
That was just the first half of the book; we also see Eleanor's older brother Tom, a former major in the Barsetshires who saw combat, as he struggles to adjust to civilian life, first as a mortified 28-year-old student at Oxford trying to read Greats, then as a budding farmer (no pun intended!). This brings him into contact with several old Barsetshire families, the Pomfrets and Marlings and Grahams among others (I struggle to keep all the names straight!), which allows longtime fans to check in with beloved characters and bid a fond and bittersweet farewell to others, meet the new generation and see several romantic entanglements charmingly settled.
I got to know Lucy Marling and Emmy Graham much better in this book, and these two strong-minded, hard-working Amazons of the field and cowshed are among my favorite characters in all of Thirkell's huge recurring cast! And no spoilers, but to see them happily settled with men who share their interests and appreciate them just as they are made for a delightful and satisfying ending.
We also get to spend more time with the fascinating, down-to-earth Sam Adams, self-made businessman, MP and now pillar of the county - his evolution seems complete now that he has taken over stewardship of the Old Bank House from the stately and rather formidable Miss Sowerby. She warns him from the beginning that the "house needs a mistress", and he finally is on the way to acquiring one at the end of the book! I can't wait to read the next installment, County Chronicle, to see what happens next to the delightful denizens of Barsetshire.
July 17, 2009
Old Miss Sowerby is forced to sell her family home, and she couldn't have been luckier with her buyer. Sam Adams, who pulled himself up by his own bootstraps to great wealth, has acquired enough polish to make himself welcome among the County. He is generous to others, and The Old Bank House is generous to him. From there he influences his neighbors for good, especially the Marlings. We meet the Grantly family, residents of yet another rectory, follow Major Tom Grantly in his search for a career, and finally find a wife for Colin Keith. This is one of the crucial books I missed -- I'm lucky the library had it.
"Much has been written and said about the relations between people and houses. Some of our friends live in hideous houses ... and yet so inform these graceless tenements with their own personality that after their death we think of them as palaces of delight. Others have inherited or acquired houses famous for their beauty and managed to make them feel like an unfriendly Scotch Hydro.... Again there are houses that always get the better of their owners whether rich, poor, intelligent or stupid. ...For one ugly house that degrades the owner to its own level, there will be found twenty beautiful, or handsome, or elegant houses that have exercised a good influence on everyone who has lived in them. And so it was with the Old Bank House.... To Miss Sowerby it had resigned itself meekly, knowing that although she could not afford to spend a penny on it, she would dust and polish and love as long as her strength lasted. When it saw Mr. Adams approaching, it may have felt some apprehension, but it was too well bred to show it and when it had heard and witnessed Mr. Adams's interview with Miss Sowerby it took him under its wing."
"Much has been written and said about the relations between people and houses. Some of our friends live in hideous houses ... and yet so inform these graceless tenements with their own personality that after their death we think of them as palaces of delight. Others have inherited or acquired houses famous for their beauty and managed to make them feel like an unfriendly Scotch Hydro.... Again there are houses that always get the better of their owners whether rich, poor, intelligent or stupid. ...For one ugly house that degrades the owner to its own level, there will be found twenty beautiful, or handsome, or elegant houses that have exercised a good influence on everyone who has lived in them. And so it was with the Old Bank House.... To Miss Sowerby it had resigned itself meekly, knowing that although she could not afford to spend a penny on it, she would dust and polish and love as long as her strength lasted. When it saw Mr. Adams approaching, it may have felt some apprehension, but it was too well bred to show it and when it had heard and witnessed Mr. Adams's interview with Miss Sowerby it took him under its wing."
February 20, 2011
This book isn't badly written; it's just that all of Thirkell's books are are so similar, and I guess I'm getting bored with them.
May 29, 2011
Angela Thirkell's Barsetshire novels would certainly never be described as great literature and yet there is something so enchanting about them that one can't help coming back to read more. For me, each new book feels like going home to hear all the latest juicy gossip about people I've come to know and love. What the books lack in plot and action is well compensated for by their humor ("Well, it takes all sorts to make a world." "So it does...but how very nice it would be if it didn't. There are so many sorts one could willingly dispense with...") and wonderful characters.
The focus point of this novel, the Old Bank House in Edgewood and its new owner Mr. Adams, provides a perfect illustration for the novel's main theme. Post war England, as many of the "older set" are coming to realize, will be a very different place from the peaceful world they had before the strife. Lines between gentry and commoner grow more blurred each day. People like Mr. Adams, who has become quite more respectable since we met him several novels ago, are stepping in to take the place of the old "regime." How will the people of the county react to this changing world and the many uncertainties it brings? As the older generation is slowly eroded by death, will the younger Barsetshire set be able to take up the reins? Will they, as their parents fervently wish, be able to stand strong against the new threats that peacetime brings like that of socialism, societal instability and moral decay? Will they make the sacrifices of their
parents worth the price. And, amidst all this turmoil, will they find love or be forced to face the future alone? Though hope at many points seems dim, they all struggle valiantly to make the best of this changing world and to enjoy its few remaining innocent pleasures with their neighbors and friends.
Thirkell draws on her theme of houses and the way they define and reflect their owners to give us a glimpse of each familiar Barsetshire family, from the dedicated but overworked Pomfrets at Thorne Hall, who must grapple with enormous social responsibilities and limited resources, to the Grahams at Holdings, where the new generation faces the loss of their beloved matriarch, Lady Emily. Glimpses into Edgewood Rectory, Marling Hall, Northbridge and many others provide the reader with plenty of laughter and enjoyment as Thirkell keenly observes and comments on the lives and personalities of the inhabitants. New and sometimes surprising relationships between the families develop, adding to the rich weaving of the tapestry that is Barsetshire.
One of the best things about this book is how very similar the problems that its characters face are to many we face today: things like post-war trauma and uncertainty and socialized medicine ("A pal of mine who knew about these things...tells me They budged for eight millions for dentists. More likely to be fifty millions by the look of it. Not much honest poverty now.") Although I know I miss out on much of Thirkell's humor, which is based heavily on period and British references, enough still comes through to make this book, like its predecessors, a rewarding read. And seeing some of my favorite characters, like Lucy Marling and Mr. Adams, finally find the happiness they deserve made it even better. The mothers of grown up children in these days mostly find...that they are not as selfish as they thought they were and that a treat.
The focus point of this novel, the Old Bank House in Edgewood and its new owner Mr. Adams, provides a perfect illustration for the novel's main theme. Post war England, as many of the "older set" are coming to realize, will be a very different place from the peaceful world they had before the strife. Lines between gentry and commoner grow more blurred each day. People like Mr. Adams, who has become quite more respectable since we met him several novels ago, are stepping in to take the place of the old "regime." How will the people of the county react to this changing world and the many uncertainties it brings? As the older generation is slowly eroded by death, will the younger Barsetshire set be able to take up the reins? Will they, as their parents fervently wish, be able to stand strong against the new threats that peacetime brings like that of socialism, societal instability and moral decay? Will they make the sacrifices of their
parents worth the price. And, amidst all this turmoil, will they find love or be forced to face the future alone? Though hope at many points seems dim, they all struggle valiantly to make the best of this changing world and to enjoy its few remaining innocent pleasures with their neighbors and friends.
Thirkell draws on her theme of houses and the way they define and reflect their owners to give us a glimpse of each familiar Barsetshire family, from the dedicated but overworked Pomfrets at Thorne Hall, who must grapple with enormous social responsibilities and limited resources, to the Grahams at Holdings, where the new generation faces the loss of their beloved matriarch, Lady Emily. Glimpses into Edgewood Rectory, Marling Hall, Northbridge and many others provide the reader with plenty of laughter and enjoyment as Thirkell keenly observes and comments on the lives and personalities of the inhabitants. New and sometimes surprising relationships between the families develop, adding to the rich weaving of the tapestry that is Barsetshire.
One of the best things about this book is how very similar the problems that its characters face are to many we face today: things like post-war trauma and uncertainty and socialized medicine ("A pal of mine who knew about these things...tells me They budged for eight millions for dentists. More likely to be fifty millions by the look of it. Not much honest poverty now.") Although I know I miss out on much of Thirkell's humor, which is based heavily on period and British references, enough still comes through to make this book, like its predecessors, a rewarding read. And seeing some of my favorite characters, like Lucy Marling and Mr. Adams, finally find the happiness they deserve made it even better. The mothers of grown up children in these days mostly find...that they are not as selfish as they thought they were and that a treat.
Read
February 19, 2016I did enjoy this as much as I enjoy all her books, but I have to say I'm getting a bit fed up with her insistence that all the working class people are intellectually somehow "subnormal," yet also very good looking geniuses. (Example: Subnormal Ed Pollet, a genius with cars, marries subnormal Millie, extremely good looking, and they produce beautiful children who are idiots yet apparently brilliant with machines and plants.) All of these mentally deficient genius tradesmen are apparently content to worship the gentry for...being born into families who used to be rich? Living in nicer houses? It's not clear, but instead of starting their own garages or gardening empires these poor brilliant idiots are quite happy living in tiny cottages and doing the mucky jobs the gentry don't want to do.
But okay. You have to take Thirkell as she is, like how anytime the royal family gets mentioned (which is frequently), one character announces that it makes her want to cry, and then all the other characters have to fight back tears. You just roll your eyes and get on with the story. And vent a little bit on Goodreads afterwards.
But okay. You have to take Thirkell as she is, like how anytime the royal family gets mentioned (which is frequently), one character announces that it makes her want to cry, and then all the other characters have to fight back tears. You just roll your eyes and get on with the story. And vent a little bit on Goodreads afterwards.
August 18, 2022
The usual Angela Thirkell plot. She introduces several unattached people; they fall in love; sometimes they fall in love with the right person; there is some sort of misunderstanding; in the end two or possibly four of the right people wind up together. In the next book they will be having babies. Also, sometimes someone dies. It's all about life and death in the county; social change; the decline of an older generation and the rise of a new one.
In The Old Bank House, the older generation passes in the form of Miss Sowerby who sells her house and moves away to spend the rest of her days with her widowed sister. We also bid a sad farewell to the grand dame of an old Barsetshire family. But the young Fosters are growing up, the young Leslies and Grahams are making their way, and Sam Adams the ironmonger has found his place in the social circle of the landed gentry.
In The Old Bank House, the older generation passes in the form of Miss Sowerby who sells her house and moves away to spend the rest of her days with her widowed sister. We also bid a sad farewell to the grand dame of an old Barsetshire family. But the young Fosters are growing up, the young Leslies and Grahams are making their way, and Sam Adams the ironmonger has found his place in the social circle of the landed gentry.
August 16, 2025
It had been a long, long time since I had read this one, and it's a goodie. Lucy and Sam Adams find each other after some agonizing misunderstandings, Eleanor Grantly behaves like an idiot but has a happy ending, and Miss Sowerby triumphs with Palafax borealis over Lady Norton in an encounter that will warm the hearts of all right-minded people.
Re-reading again (how many times have I read this?), 15 years later (2025). The Eleanor plot is just a bit dull, I had to weep about Lady Emily, poor Tom exemplifies all the young men who came through the war and don't know quite what to do with themselves, and of course there are happy endings all around. Not her very best, but "'tis enough, 'twill serve."
Re-reading again (how many times have I read this?), 15 years later (2025). The Eleanor plot is just a bit dull, I had to weep about Lady Emily, poor Tom exemplifies all the young men who came through the war and don't know quite what to do with themselves, and of course there are happy endings all around. Not her very best, but "'tis enough, 'twill serve."
June 5, 2015
If you think war was hard on the mythical county of Barcester, you should see peace. Mr. Adams who has been gradually transforming into someone the county will acknowledge (though not quite) buys the old Bank House in hopes of settling down in the country. Meanwhile a score of other characters from previous books are all worried about life's problems: aging parents, career choices, romance, or receiving ones army papers. The rest of the characters are parents of the afore mentioned and are even more worried. Rationing is still around though beginning to lighten a little. (Drape material but not the fabric light enough to make a dress.) A humors and gentle look at England in the mid-century.
September 26, 2013
This entry in the Barsetshire series reminded me of some of the earlier books in its style and wit - much more light-hearted than the previous few. A charming tale of the lives, particularly the love lives, of the county and not quite county. Thirkell makes all the nuances of the different classes of English society come to life for me (an American) in a way that few other authors have. Austen, for example, wrote almost exclusively of the gentry. Thirkell's books focus on the gentry but also included the "foreigners" who moved into the county in the 1920s and 30s, and who are very nice but not county, as well as the "self-made" men and their families.
January 26, 2014
The cover is certainly beautiful. And while it's not my favorite of Angela Thirkell's books, it's quite nice and continues to have spots of insight where the reader is inclined to laugh a little and say, "Yup."
Things must have felt awfully rotten in Britain during the first years after WW II. This book, like many of its predecessors, has the air of bravely carrying on and trying not to mind too much about the world changing around you, even though you're mostly sure it's not for the better. But it's not depressing, it's just kind of poignant. Likeable and occasionally loveable characters.
Things must have felt awfully rotten in Britain during the first years after WW II. This book, like many of its predecessors, has the air of bravely carrying on and trying not to mind too much about the world changing around you, even though you're mostly sure it's not for the better. But it's not depressing, it's just kind of poignant. Likeable and occasionally loveable characters.
February 10, 2016
This one begins with Mr. Adams buying the Old Bank House and thus moving into Barsetshire society. The young people of the Marlings, Keiths, Deans, and especially the Grantleys are also central. Lucy Marling is working for Adams, Tom Grantley wants to work on the land but without going back to school, Oliver Marling is still mooning after Jessica Dean, and several major changes take place. Lord and Lady Pomfret appear in supporting roles, and their children, especially Lord Mellings are fleshed out.
September 20, 2010
It took me a long time to get into this book, but once I settled into its mindset, I enjoyed the characters and their stories. Very much a British mannerisms style of novel, of the small-village type I enjoy. Recommended if you like stories based in character and place, especially when eccentric. Regardless, Thirkell's work is rich with detail that makes time and place realistic.
February 13, 2012
I DO own a copy of this book--but not the one pictured (and system won't let me mark it as owned--who knows why). Mine is the 1949 first American edition, a Borzoi Book from Alfred A. Knopf. Grey cloth cover, pretty good condition.
Sam Adams buys old Miss Sowerby's house in Edgewood. Gatherings of many of my favorite people!
Sam Adams buys old Miss Sowerby's house in Edgewood. Gatherings of many of my favorite people!
Read
November 3, 2009I have this as currently reading, but I am not sure I am going to finish it. I am about 1/3 of the way through it and I just can't get into it. Maybe I will save it as one of those books I read when I want to go to sleep :)
May 16, 2010
Delightful, but hardly compelling. Full of the quirky eccentrics that habitually inhabit novels of small town English life. I laughed aloud at some of the author's asides. But, by the end, I really didn't care what happened to any of the characters.
Want to read
January 17, 2014#18
October 28, 2018
This postwar Thirkell novel, as ever featuring the inhabitants of Barsetshire, revels in its interconnectedness. Though it could be read as a standalone, mainly concerning the Grantly family, a vicarage family shown in that difficult period immediately after the Second World War, the surrounding characters and the character of the eponymous House are so interconnected with the previous seventeen novels that it will be better appreciated as part of that long series. Grantlys, Marlings, Leslies, and Adams to name but a few families all have their contribution to make in this 1949 novel. While not the most easy to acquire book by Angela Thirkell, this is a novel of country life and people that will be enjoyed by long standing fans of the series, and provide gentle treats for the newer reader.
The story opens in Edgewood Rectory, set in its ancient landscape, but with a family of the time. Mrs Grantly has some vague notions, but loves her brood of four children who have all grown up with the challenges presented by war. Tom, a major in the Army who has returned to Oxford at his demobilisation, is feeling the confusion of a soon to be older graduate about what he can do with his considerable life experience. Eleanor has found a job well known to readers of Barsetshire, in the Red Cross library, but yearns to find a different employment with a family who will come to seem fond of her. Henry is annoyingly and ceaselessly looking for his call up papers for the peacetime army. Grace is at the annoying stage, literally latching onto various individuals. The Rector, Mr Grantly, is bewildered by his family, but accompanies his wife to see the elderly Miss Sowerby who is regretfully leaving the Old Bank House, an ancient and sympathetically described dwelling which has been bought by the blustering but good hearted Mr Adams. Much comedy ensues around a rare plant, taken care of by a boy in the kitchen away from those who would seek its seeds. This is a book in which romance is found, a gentle departure occurs, and some confusion over resulting employment all contributes to a satisfying end. There is the usual element of kindly farce as misunderstandings and personalities combine to work out in the end. With some splendid set pieces concerning a handsome bull, a well, and some interesting children, this is a delightful book dealing with characters who have become like friends to the long term reader.
While this is not one of the most significant books in the Barsetshire series, it does resolve the difficulties of several characters, even if the ages and generations involved are beginning to get a little hazy. This book represents the post war rationing, and the decline of some of the families who once lived in the large houses they now inhabit part of while still having many civic duties. There are still the class concerns of servants who are unmarried yet mother to several, there are still days in which the Nurses bring up children in nurseries. A man who owns factories and successful businesses can still struggle with social conventions, while a matriarch wonders aloud how to say thank you to American friends who still send food parcels. This is a book for those who know something of Barsetshire, but also those who are beginning to discover its joys. If you are able to locate this gentle, humourous book, I recommend it as a good read, wallowing in its perpetual summer.
The story opens in Edgewood Rectory, set in its ancient landscape, but with a family of the time. Mrs Grantly has some vague notions, but loves her brood of four children who have all grown up with the challenges presented by war. Tom, a major in the Army who has returned to Oxford at his demobilisation, is feeling the confusion of a soon to be older graduate about what he can do with his considerable life experience. Eleanor has found a job well known to readers of Barsetshire, in the Red Cross library, but yearns to find a different employment with a family who will come to seem fond of her. Henry is annoyingly and ceaselessly looking for his call up papers for the peacetime army. Grace is at the annoying stage, literally latching onto various individuals. The Rector, Mr Grantly, is bewildered by his family, but accompanies his wife to see the elderly Miss Sowerby who is regretfully leaving the Old Bank House, an ancient and sympathetically described dwelling which has been bought by the blustering but good hearted Mr Adams. Much comedy ensues around a rare plant, taken care of by a boy in the kitchen away from those who would seek its seeds. This is a book in which romance is found, a gentle departure occurs, and some confusion over resulting employment all contributes to a satisfying end. There is the usual element of kindly farce as misunderstandings and personalities combine to work out in the end. With some splendid set pieces concerning a handsome bull, a well, and some interesting children, this is a delightful book dealing with characters who have become like friends to the long term reader.
While this is not one of the most significant books in the Barsetshire series, it does resolve the difficulties of several characters, even if the ages and generations involved are beginning to get a little hazy. This book represents the post war rationing, and the decline of some of the families who once lived in the large houses they now inhabit part of while still having many civic duties. There are still the class concerns of servants who are unmarried yet mother to several, there are still days in which the Nurses bring up children in nurseries. A man who owns factories and successful businesses can still struggle with social conventions, while a matriarch wonders aloud how to say thank you to American friends who still send food parcels. This is a book for those who know something of Barsetshire, but also those who are beginning to discover its joys. If you are able to locate this gentle, humourous book, I recommend it as a good read, wallowing in its perpetual summer.
May 23, 2025
I loved this book. So many characters I love that I was able to tolerate Colin Keith and hope he is now settled and will just go away. Oliver, Oliver, Oliver please find some self respect.
I've been buying this series second hand and this edition by Moyer Bell 1997 had multiple typos on so many pages. Unfortunately a previous reader decided to correct all of them and often add snarky comments in the margins. I really hated those pencil markings. I was interested in the story and as I read my mind would have corrected most of them automatically. The corrections and notes broke my concentration and slowed me down. Of course if Moyer Bell had done a decent job of preparing this book for publication this would never have happened.
I've been buying this series second hand and this edition by Moyer Bell 1997 had multiple typos on so many pages. Unfortunately a previous reader decided to correct all of them and often add snarky comments in the margins. I really hated those pencil markings. I was interested in the story and as I read my mind would have corrected most of them automatically. The corrections and notes broke my concentration and slowed me down. Of course if Moyer Bell had done a decent job of preparing this book for publication this would never have happened.
January 28, 2019
The eighteenth of the Barsetshire series features the residents of Edgewood, where Sam Adams, Labour MP, buys the Old Bank House. As is with all of Thirkell's novels, this novel is witty, snarky, and thoroughly enjoyable. It is my favorite of the series, so far. (Note: this series must be read in order.)
February 12, 2025
This is #18 in Thirkell's Barsetshire series. I have read most (all?) of the books in this series to date. One thing that stood out in this volume was that life was placid somehow, coated with a honeyed hue, and was a very peaceful read. I am quite fond of Thirkell's writing.
March 7, 2018
My favorite of the Thirkell novels, involving Mr Adams, Lucy Merton and of course the Old Bank House.
December 31, 2020
Pleasant light reading which pictures the lives of the upper classes immediately post-war.
November 24, 2025
Post war Thirkell
Very very dated with way too many characters the publisher tries to compare her to E.F.Benson and P.G.Wodehouse this book is in no way like these author's works.
Very very dated with way too many characters the publisher tries to compare her to E.F.Benson and P.G.Wodehouse this book is in no way like these author's works.
November 24, 2025
Thirkell is right in my sweet spot. Just wish the audiobooks weren't Audible exclusives. Can't afford to get them all at once.
November 30, 2022
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022...
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022...
June 22, 2024
3.5, ok book with rather a surprise ending
Angela Thirkell is starting to become repetitive with characters referring increasingly to episodes in past books, so not one of series to start with but a reasonable contribution to the Barsetshire series
Another re read - I am re-reading the whole series in order for the first time( The Chalet School Series is the other series I am attempting to read in its entirety)
This book really marks the transition to including more of the descendants from Anthony Trollope’s Chronicles of Barsetshire, which I am pleased that I read in my late teens/ early 20s
There is also the change to much more interest in farming, and of course the political changes under the Socialist post-war British Government ( referred to as ‘THEM”)
The death of a beloved Barsetshire character was done well but the courtship/romance among the younger generation was rather boring
The most interesting part of the book is the change in Sam Adams, with a rather rapid change is his manners , tease and behaviour since he first entered the series in The Headmistress
The ending of The Old Bank House is one of the more memorable, and does at least show the Angela Thirkell was accepting a mixture of the old and the new in Barsetshire
( I am still puzzled why Virago Press has not published Private Enterprise- presumably an oversight rather than deliberate)
Angela Thirkell is starting to become repetitive with characters referring increasingly to episodes in past books, so not one of series to start with but a reasonable contribution to the Barsetshire series
Another re read - I am re-reading the whole series in order for the first time( The Chalet School Series is the other series I am attempting to read in its entirety)
This book really marks the transition to including more of the descendants from Anthony Trollope’s Chronicles of Barsetshire, which I am pleased that I read in my late teens/ early 20s
There is also the change to much more interest in farming, and of course the political changes under the Socialist post-war British Government ( referred to as ‘THEM”)
The death of a beloved Barsetshire character was done well but the courtship/romance among the younger generation was rather boring
The most interesting part of the book is the change in Sam Adams, with a rather rapid change is his manners , tease and behaviour since he first entered the series in The Headmistress
The ending of The Old Bank House is one of the more memorable, and does at least show the Angela Thirkell was accepting a mixture of the old and the new in Barsetshire
( I am still puzzled why Virago Press has not published Private Enterprise- presumably an oversight rather than deliberate)
March 25, 2017
During the late '80's and early '90's when my children were young, we lived on a heterogeneously populated street in a 'progressive' somewhat liberal town. Next door on one side were a conservative, church-going older couple, on the other side students who posted provocative political signage, next to them a police officer and his family, and across the street an artsy couple with two small children. We mostly didn't agree with more than one person of all these when it came to politics, religion, sports, or any other subject. Amazingly, we all liked each other very much and were in and out of each other's houses all the time.
I mention this because The Old Bank House reminded me of what that felt like; to be able to disagree with someone's ideas or beliefs and yet to like and respect them. In this book, there are several political ideas expressed that would not hold water with half the population of the U.S. today. I'm not sure if the author was being satirical or injecting her own views. But it didn't matter; what mattered were the characters and the story, and I liked them very much.
The writing style of The Old Bank House is definitely not modern. The text is quite dense, and some of the sentences go on forever. If I had stopped to untangle all the sentences, I'd probably only be about half-way through the book. But I'm one of those weird people who can get the gist of a thing and continue on with an idea of what was just said, never minding that it didn't totally make sense.
Quite a lovely read, for me, and I will be looking for another...
I mention this because The Old Bank House reminded me of what that felt like; to be able to disagree with someone's ideas or beliefs and yet to like and respect them. In this book, there are several political ideas expressed that would not hold water with half the population of the U.S. today. I'm not sure if the author was being satirical or injecting her own views. But it didn't matter; what mattered were the characters and the story, and I liked them very much.
The writing style of The Old Bank House is definitely not modern. The text is quite dense, and some of the sentences go on forever. If I had stopped to untangle all the sentences, I'd probably only be about half-way through the book. But I'm one of those weird people who can get the gist of a thing and continue on with an idea of what was just said, never minding that it didn't totally make sense.
Quite a lovely read, for me, and I will be looking for another...
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews