The Water Gipsies

by A.P. Herbert

The Water Gipsies is a romantic comedy novel by British writer A. P. Herbert first published in 1930. It portrays the adventures of Jane Bell and her sister Lily, who operate a barge along England's rivers and canals.

Genres: Fiction, British Literature

383 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 1960

About the author

Sir Alan Patrick Herbert, CH (usually writing as A.P. Herbert or A.P.H.) was an English humorist, novelist, playwright and law reform activist. He was an independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Oxford University for 15 years, five of which he combined with service in the Royal Navy.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why doesn't anyone write books like this anymore? So so good!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, old-fashioned story, with lots of drama. Class distinctions keep Jane from achieving her romantic ambitions, but kept me intrigued with her adventures in life, work, and love. I'm so happy to find this one!

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb read. So much enjoyment I have to give it 5 stars.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rather strange story. Published in 1930, the author seems to be slyly poking fun at the various "types" of the time. The heroine, Jane, a housemaid, has received much of her knowledge from going to the cinema and reading a cheap Sunday newspaper — somehow, she expects that hew life will come to resemble these. She has two suitors, one a boatman on the canal: the other, the Bolshevik son of the local pub owner. But she forms a crush on an artist. The story is very dense, and rather unbelievable.

[Andra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a pleasant surprise. I really wasn’t sure what to expect having found this book randomly at a rare book store one weekend. Witty, examination of life in a harbor town outside London in the 1930’s. Dark satire at times, disparity between classes. Really liked it, an unexpected treat.

[Kevin Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gentle romantic comedy from a world now long gone, pre-world war two. A best-seller in its day (1930) it was adapted into film in 1932 with an early starring role for Ann Todd. Its a light read for sure, but full of warmth for its main characters, who often struggle to make ends meet, post 1929 economic crash, the Hammersmith community however, never forget their common humanity in a rapidly changing world.

A. P. Herbert's novel is set on the waterways and canals of the Thames. Its central characters include the Bell family. Mr. Bell, a widower, who believes he can secure his two daughter's Jane and Lily's future with a big bet on the Derby horse-race. His eldest daughter, Jane Bell, is a dreamer who dallies between three male suitors each of whom has differing attractions to her. Jane's romantic adventures form the main, often humorous narrative of the light-hearted read.

[scarlettraces · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5)

[T Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable, engrossing story--up to a point. The ending was a shocker and I felt like the author was teasing me or toying with my emotions. I ended up feeling ripped off.