Fishy, Said the Admiral

by Elizabeth Cadell

Mrs. Ellison makes a valiant effort to prevent her brother, the Admiral, from visiting her while her children are at home for the Easter holidays. The Admiral, however, overrides all her objections. Unable to cope single-handed with a testy brother, a convalescent elder son and two younger children, Henry and Sue, Mrs. Ellison enlists the aid of a homeless refuge, Miss Eider, and the charming, but faintly mysterious girl from Scotland, Ellice Brook. To add to the numbers comes Aunt Adeline, who proves a staunch support to Mrs. Ellison in her attempts to smooth the tangles of her son Charles’s romance with Ellice. The young Henry and Sue do their share towards bringing the affair to a successful conclusion.

Genres: Fiction, Romance

298 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

About the author

Violet Elizabeth Vandyke was born on 10 November 1903 in Calcutta, British Raj, daughter of British parents, Elizabeth Lynch and Frederick Reginald Vandyke, a colonial officer. During the Great War she studied music in London, but refused a musical career and returned to India where she married in 1928 Henry Dunlop Raymond Mallock Cadell, and they had a son and daughter. After she was widowed ten years later, she returned to England.

Elizabeth wrote her first book 'My Dear Aunt Flora' during the Second World War in 1946, there after producing another 51 light-hearted, humourous and romantic books which won her a faithful readership in England and America. In addition to England and India, many of her books are set in Spain, France, and Portugal. She finally settled in Portugal, where her married daughter still lived.

She died on 9 October 1989, aged eighty-five.

Reviews

[Oolookitty]

A cute British family comedy; as Kirkus says, "reminiscent of Angela Thirkell if not as polished."

[Wendy]

This is high on my wish list but the occasional used copy that comes onto the market is way out of my price range and libraries don't keep these sorts of novels any more. Too old-fashioned, I believe - sadly.
Finally, after 6 years of waiting I have got my hands on this book. Definitely one of her best and in a similar vein to My Dear Aunt Flora.

[Ann]

A lighthearted comedy from the 1940s. Harriet Ellison finds herself unable to say "no" to her brother, the Admiral, who insists on inflicting his presence in her house just when most of her children are home and need her attention. Charles, her oldest son, is recovering from a foot injury and pondering whether he should take a job offer in South America. Fifteen-year old Henry is mainly concerned with his ravenous appetite, his desire to avoid all chores, and his love of pranks. His younger sister Sue tags along. Harriet receives some domestic help in the shape of Miss Eider, an Eastern European refugee whose mangling of the English language is put to good comic use, and Ellice, a young girl who seems to have her own secret reasons for volunteering to come and work hard in this unusual family. Into this mix come Clare, a voluptuous young beauty who has her eye on Charles, and an opera-loving Aunt. Between Henry's practical jokes, and the undercurrents of romance between Clare, Charles and Ellice, the poor Admiral gets no peace whatsoever.

A light entertainment for a rainy afternoon.

[George]

This is really made by the characters because not a lot actually happens. The Admiral is an enjoyable monster, the children are amusing and Miss Eider provides some comic relief. The protagonist is charming and there is a dea ex machina to smooth the way.

The best Cadells are really farces and often, as here, the romance is not entirely convincing.

It is always slightly disconcerting in Cadell books when a hint of darkness intrudes. Fortunately I haven’t come across one where it was a major element.

[Miriam]

This was funny overall and was well-written, but I couldn't help being mad at the main character for being a doormat.

[Valerie]

At times this book gets to be laugh-out-loud funny. It hinges on a question and on getting the question answered. In between the question and the answer there is a lot of jumping to contusions.

[Sep]

A bitter sweet story of the Ellison family composed of a widowed mother, oldest daughter--Helen (married and off scene), oldest son--Charles--recovering from an accident and trying to decide whether or not to take a job in South America, (There is some tragic secret about Charles that doesn't come out until the end.) Last are Henry and Sue both still in boarding school but like Charles home for the summer. Into this mix comes the Admiral, Mrs. Ellison's very challenging brother.

Mix the above with two very different young ladies and you have a light romance except for one thing. The negative characters are REALLY mean, even cruel. Also, part of the "humor" is that none of the family helps their mother with the ENDLESS housework involved in hostessing this house party.

Most of it was a light read and there are FREQUENT humorous situations that became part of Cadell's trademark.

[Gypsi]

This is a delightful and entertaining novel of family and friend relationships, wrapped around a light romance, and filled with a good deal of charm. I certainly enjoyed it.

[Linda Chrisman]

Gently amusing as always. Really dislike the cheesy cover illustration. They cheapen the books by the lack of quality.

[Jannah]

Lots of fun🥰

[Karen (Living Unabridged)]

Great characters and set up.

[Bonnie Gilbert]

A very difficult book to find in print...

I have read many of Elizabeth Cadell's novels but had not been able to find this one in print. It is a great story about an extended family living their lives in a British village. I had read it perhaps 45 years ago but didn't remember the story. I have so enjoyed reading it again. Thanks to whoever made it available again on Kindle.