The Buttercup Spell

by Henry Cecil

Imagine a situation where a judge hands out a lenient sentence because he is suddenly filled with love for his fellow man. Think of a world where Trades Union leaders fully support their bosses' high salaries and where policemen hug and kiss drivers stopped for speeding. The secret of this strange behaviour is nothing less than buttercup pollen. It appears to contain the formula to make people love their fellow man. However, the attraction of this modern Utopia begins to fade as the country yearns for an end to the boredom of infinite love. Eventually the government is forced to step in and matters gradually return to normal.

Genres: Humor

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Henry Cecil Leon (19 September 1902 – 23 May 1976), who wrote under the pen-names Henry Cecil and Clifford Maxwell, was a judge and a writer of fiction about the British legal system. He was born near London in 1902 and was called to the Bar in 1923. Later in 1949 he was appointed a County Court Judge, a position he held until 1967. He used these experiences as inspiration for his work. His books are works of great comic genius with unpredictable twists of plot, but are not intended to be realistic or strong on characterization. They typically feature educated and genteel fraudsters and blackmailers who lay ludicrously ingenious plots exploiting loopholes in the legal system. There are several recurring characters, such as the drunken solicitor Mr Tewkesbury and the convoluted and exasperating witness Colonel Brain. He writes well about the judicial process, usually through the eyes of a young barrister but sometimes from the viewpoint of the judge; Daughters in Law contains a memorable snub from a County Court judge to a barrister who is trying to patronise him.

His 1955 novel Brothers in Law was made into a film in 1957 and, later, a television and radio series starring Richard Briers. While at Paramount Pictures, Alfred Hitchcock worked on adapting No Bail for the Judge for the screen several times between 1954 and 1960, and hoped to co-star Audrey Hepburn, Laurence Harvey, and John Williams, but the film was never produced.

Reviews

[Kavita · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the reasons I always enjoy picking up a Henry Cecil book is the creativity of the plots. Each time, it has a unique plot around which the story is built. I have not come across any repetitive themes, which must be very difficult to do, since all the books are set in the law courts and involve judges and lawyers.

In The Buttercup Spell, a man called Strang found that buttercup pollen has a beneficial effect on him. He decides to test it out on several people, each of whom ends up making strange decisions motivated by love for everyone. Strang eventually convinces the government of its usefulness and soon enough, everyone is loving everyone else. But after a few months, monotony sets in and people begin to feel the need for human conflict.

The concept was very interesting but as a story, it lacked ... well, conflict! The focus is mostly on how the world changes but while it was fun, so many questions popped up that I was sometimes left a little frustrated at the shallow treatment of this question. Because of the focus on the narrative, the characters are not developed well. I would have enjoyed a closer look at any one theme and / or character instead of random dialogues between random people showing how they all love each other now.

However, it was a very enjoyable read and is very different from any other novel I have read.

[Guru Prasad. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A neatly written book with a practical insight on what happens if too much love spreads and not a natural feeling but a feeling instigated by a Buttercup Pollen. You might feel that the book is too simple and not upto the mark. But, it is Henry Cecil and it is indeed one of the best light-reads you will ever get.

Imagine a world where your boss empathizes with you for every mistake you do! Imagine the police advising you to drive properly without slapping you with penalties! Imagine you showing complete responsibility and follow traffic rules to the letter! Such a world is what presented in this book. Read it till the end to relish the wonderful journey of the buttercup pollen and its psychological effects.

[Suryamouli Datta · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing for sure, this book gives a very strong message - that love can conquer everything which, I personally believe, is true ! Rgrds

[May]

Blurg.
Had to read it for my law class.
If someone else needs to do an assigment on it just ask me. I had to do a legal analysis.
:(

[Lady Clementina ffinch-ffarowmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather crazy and different from the usual Henry Cecil but great fun!

[Nitinsuresh]

Very well written.if you are on a long flight ideal book to light up your travel.what happens if everybody starts loving everybody..is it utopia or dyatopia.read to find it out

[Dianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars.