The Courts Of Idleness

Berry #2

by Dornford Yates

These comic stories are set during World War I and the period just after, when the genteel world of Edwardian England had changed beyond recognition. One of Yates’ earliest books, it harks back to that more decorous, decadent time, and we encounter the madcap adventures of a group of well-to-do young people as they career across Europe from Madeira to Macedonia fighting heinous villains and solving mysteries.

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1920

About the author

Dornford Yates (real name Cecil William Mercer) was a popular British novelist.

Reviews

[Lady Hermione]

I was surprised, in view of the real tragedy in the book, to read them described as 'lovely little stories'. Read with caution if you want fairytale happy endings.

[Michael Wilton]

A look back int an age gone past - like soaking in a warm bath.

[Neil]

The second B. Berry book, not that it's all Boy, Berry, Daphne, Jonah & Co. of the 12 stories only the last 6 feature the usual gang. However the first 5 stories feature another collection of rich young people, almost indistinguishable from Berry & co. the main difference is that these stories are told in the third rather than first person ( and the names.) The first six stories although standalone short stories do lead into the first world war. The Berry stories are naturally the best in the book, the first two are pre WW1 with the rest we pick up just after their war service where they all meet up again in Egypt, by this time the stories are getting really rather good and if Yates can keep up this standard I expect to thoroughly enjoy the rest of his books.

[Melanie]

lovely little stories of a bygone age