What do you think?
Rate this book
The Provincial Lady #2
The Provincial Lady in London
These highly acclaimed, delightful novels are written in diary form by the Provincial Lady, who lives in a country house with her husband, two children, the children's French governess, Cook and a few assorted helpers. The era of the 1930s is wittily and shrewdly recreated with amusing illustrations. The P.L. finds herself slogging through the mud of a collective farm, coping with Soviet trains and hotels and almost literally rubbing shoulders with robust citizens at a public beach.
344 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1930
About the author
E.M. Delafield
118 books162 followersEdmée Elizabeth Monica Dashwood, née de la Pasture (9 June 1890 – 2 December 1943), commonly known as E. M. Delafield, was a prolific English author who is best-known for her largely autobiographical Diary of a Provincial Lady, which took the form of a journal of the life of an upper-middle class Englishwoman living mostly in a Devon village of the 1930s, and its sequels in which the Provincial Lady buys a flat in London and travels to America. Other sequels of note are her experiences looking for war-work during the Phoney War in 1939, and her experiences as a tourist in the Soviet Union.
Daughter of the novelist Mrs. Henry De La Pasture.
Daughter of the novelist Mrs. Henry De La Pasture.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
December 7, 2020
This, the second book in the Provincial Lady Series,
IS
humorous, just as the first one was, but it is a repeat of what was delivered there. As a result, I found it boring.
The humor points a finger at women’s submissiveness to men, men’s tendency to be chary with their words and women’s supposed interest in clothes, jewelry, gossip and social status. All of this is laughed at, rather than criticized in a didactic, boring lecture. Humor is a better way of delivering a message than a preachy sermon. Nevertheless, the humor is the same as in the first book. A joke repeated several times is no longer funny. I did laugh at the start, but I was bored by the end.
We meet the same characters in the first book, with an addition of one or two. The characters met before are scarcely interesting anymore; second time around, they have become boring. The new characters have different names and circumstances, but they are essentially the same in type. For example, a male tutor replaces the live-in French governess. The vicar’s wife returns, committing the same follies as before. She is joined by a wife, a collector of husbands and male admirers, whom we now laugh at too. Always it is humor that conveys the message, but the messages conveyed and the characters portrayed are the same.
The plot is repetitive too. We follow one year in the life of a Devonshire family in the 1930s. Mom has published one book and wants to write more but household obligations and domestic chores continually get in the way--despite her now having an apartment of her own in London! Summer is spent, this year in Brittany, France. She travels to a conference or two and goes to dinner parties with friends. The party conversations bored me. The foreign countries visited, France and Belgium, are scarcely described. A missed opportunity!
Repetition and monotony drag down the story, despite the sprinkling of funny lines. I should steer clear of series. Others like them, but they do not seem to be for me. If you like series, you’ll probably like this a lot more than me!
Georgina Sutton narrates the audiobook. She also reads the first of the series. Her narration is marvelous. I have no complaints whatsoever. I did turn the speed down to 90%; this allows me time to suck on the humor. Her pacing helps the listener perceive the humor. Her French is good too. Sutton’s narration is worth four stars!
I liked the first book a lot, but this gave me nothing new, and so it bored me. I can give it two stars; it’s OK because of its humor.
***********************
The second of a series of four:
1.Diary of a Provincial Lady 4 stars
2.The Provincial Lady in London 2 stars
(Alternate title is The Provincial Lady Goes Further)
3.The Provincial Lady in America TBR
4.The Provincial Lady in Wartime TBR
The humor points a finger at women’s submissiveness to men, men’s tendency to be chary with their words and women’s supposed interest in clothes, jewelry, gossip and social status. All of this is laughed at, rather than criticized in a didactic, boring lecture. Humor is a better way of delivering a message than a preachy sermon. Nevertheless, the humor is the same as in the first book. A joke repeated several times is no longer funny. I did laugh at the start, but I was bored by the end.
We meet the same characters in the first book, with an addition of one or two. The characters met before are scarcely interesting anymore; second time around, they have become boring. The new characters have different names and circumstances, but they are essentially the same in type. For example, a male tutor replaces the live-in French governess. The vicar’s wife returns, committing the same follies as before. She is joined by a wife, a collector of husbands and male admirers, whom we now laugh at too. Always it is humor that conveys the message, but the messages conveyed and the characters portrayed are the same.
The plot is repetitive too. We follow one year in the life of a Devonshire family in the 1930s. Mom has published one book and wants to write more but household obligations and domestic chores continually get in the way--despite her now having an apartment of her own in London! Summer is spent, this year in Brittany, France. She travels to a conference or two and goes to dinner parties with friends. The party conversations bored me. The foreign countries visited, France and Belgium, are scarcely described. A missed opportunity!
Repetition and monotony drag down the story, despite the sprinkling of funny lines. I should steer clear of series. Others like them, but they do not seem to be for me. If you like series, you’ll probably like this a lot more than me!
Georgina Sutton narrates the audiobook. She also reads the first of the series. Her narration is marvelous. I have no complaints whatsoever. I did turn the speed down to 90%; this allows me time to suck on the humor. Her pacing helps the listener perceive the humor. Her French is good too. Sutton’s narration is worth four stars!
I liked the first book a lot, but this gave me nothing new, and so it bored me. I can give it two stars; it’s OK because of its humor.
***********************
The second of a series of four:
1.Diary of a Provincial Lady 4 stars
2.The Provincial Lady in London 2 stars
(Alternate title is The Provincial Lady Goes Further)
3.The Provincial Lady in America TBR
4.The Provincial Lady in Wartime TBR
August 5, 2010
I have been interested in this book since I first saw it listed in the book catalogue, A Common Reader, a bookseller-by-post institution that I very much miss. Sometimes it was as good as reading an actual book. Anyhow, I was lucky enough to find this copy at a Friends of the Library book sale on the day that you buy books at the rate of a dollar a bag-full. We left with three bags full. Which reminds me of a rhyme. As mentioned in my review of Bridget Jones's Diary, I began reading this one after mentally throwing Bridget Jones across the room with hearty disgust. What dreck!
As a point of interest, maybe only to me, later when I was googling E. M. Delafield, I found a review of Bridget Jones in which the reviewer states that Helen Fielding is Delafeild's literary successor, a statement that could only be perpetrated by someone who has not read the Provincial Lady books, but instead only knows that the story is told in a diary format. You see, Delafield's lady is actually funny. And insightful. Bridget is a thumping bore. Of course the Bridget's plot is a good one, but, huh-hmmmm, it would be since it is the plot of a book that has routinely appeared in the top ten greatest novels lists.
Since this is actually a review for Delafield's book I suppose I should actually review it and stop my ranting about "that one."
The Provincial Lady if not exactly a scream is but certainly is a lot of fun to spend a weekend with. Her insights into the literary world of the 1930s are wry. With nary a harsh word she exposes all manner of pretensions. In this outing, our heroine is, in her opinion, less than glowing in the limelight of her recent literary success. She never seems to have the right thing to wear. Okay, I know how that feels. She becomes reacquainted with an acquaintance from years ago. The acquaintance makes out a more friendlier relationship than actually existed. Said auld acquaintance has since had a tawdry romantic history, and leans a bit heavily on our heroine. Okay, currently similarly enmeshed. She is getting all sorts of advice about where and whether or not she should send young daughter Vicky off to prep school. Vicky, a bit of a pill in not especially awful ways, wants to go. Currently, my parents are insisting that I am not doing my duty if I do not ship elf and twig off to name brand prep schools in the next few years and are wondering how the application processes are going. Hmmm...Then there is the servant problem. Our provincial lady just can't bring herself to recommend changes in the servants plans, menus, work. I used to clean before the maid came so she wouldn't think badly of me.
This is all to say that I think The Provincial Lady and I could be good friends. So, I think I will seek out the other books. I just wished I could remember her name. But, that's okay, she has troubles with names too
As a point of interest, maybe only to me, later when I was googling E. M. Delafield, I found a review of Bridget Jones in which the reviewer states that Helen Fielding is Delafeild's literary successor, a statement that could only be perpetrated by someone who has not read the Provincial Lady books, but instead only knows that the story is told in a diary format. You see, Delafield's lady is actually funny. And insightful. Bridget is a thumping bore. Of course the Bridget's plot is a good one, but, huh-hmmmm, it would be since it is the plot of a book that has routinely appeared in the top ten greatest novels lists.
Since this is actually a review for Delafield's book I suppose I should actually review it and stop my ranting about "that one."
The Provincial Lady if not exactly a scream is but certainly is a lot of fun to spend a weekend with. Her insights into the literary world of the 1930s are wry. With nary a harsh word she exposes all manner of pretensions. In this outing, our heroine is, in her opinion, less than glowing in the limelight of her recent literary success. She never seems to have the right thing to wear. Okay, I know how that feels. She becomes reacquainted with an acquaintance from years ago. The acquaintance makes out a more friendlier relationship than actually existed. Said auld acquaintance has since had a tawdry romantic history, and leans a bit heavily on our heroine. Okay, currently similarly enmeshed. She is getting all sorts of advice about where and whether or not she should send young daughter Vicky off to prep school. Vicky, a bit of a pill in not especially awful ways, wants to go. Currently, my parents are insisting that I am not doing my duty if I do not ship elf and twig off to name brand prep schools in the next few years and are wondering how the application processes are going. Hmmm...Then there is the servant problem. Our provincial lady just can't bring herself to recommend changes in the servants plans, menus, work. I used to clean before the maid came so she wouldn't think badly of me.
This is all to say that I think The Provincial Lady and I could be good friends. So, I think I will seek out the other books. I just wished I could remember her name. But, that's okay, she has troubles with names too
June 11, 2008
Delicious gem of a novel — even better than its predecessor! Told in a witty, telegraphic style, our delightful heroine, now a minor authoress, must balance caring for her children, navigating a foreign watering hole, soothing the frequently ruffled feathers of the French nanny who is always having a crise, and budgeting within the confines of her shockingly thin bank account (or, unfortunately, budgeting not quite within the confines of her bank account). All of this while trying to write a follow-up book to satisfy her publisher! A dinner party with an old school chum whose glamorous life and ageless skin prompts a crise for our dear heroine is worth the price of the book.
December 14, 2015
April 5th - Pleasure at receiving notice of availability of book to borrow diminished when I arrive a site and find it is the second volume, not the first, which I was anticipating. Reflect that beggars - as in me - cannot be choosers and at any rate if one remains flexible there is no reason reading a series out of order must be a problem. Greatly enjoy memoirs and books in letter or diary form, so expect to enjoy this one. (Mem.: Ponder possibility of plot by publishers in releasing second volumes of series free to public sites, thus inducing readers to shell out hard earned money for first book. Resolve to remain firm in face of such machinations.)
April 6th - Puzzle over question of MC's husband - Robert - who seems to neither toil nor does he spin, while his family is always short of Funds. Wonder if he is impoverished Peer or Gentleman Farmer. As daughter of a farmer I can sympathize with the difficulties. However, I seem to recall my Father working seven days a week. It does not appear Robert works any days at all. If access to first volume were forthcoming suspect this question could be resolved. (N.B. "Marked difference between real life and fiction again exemplified here." As overdue bills and complaints from bank not at all amusing in real life.)
April 7th - Not for first time am compelled to relegate authors who sprinkle books with French Phrases to one of the deeper circles in Hades, at the same time acknowledging that taking German in High School because it was the language of my Grandmother not a sign of high decision making skills in younger self. Although as other choice was Spanish, I do not see how this situation could have been improved upon at the time. (Query: If Welsh had been offered, would I have taken it for similar reason, and if so would it perhaps have proved more useful in giving me some idea how to pronounce incomprehensible names and locations in Historical Fiction and Fantasy novels?)
Reach end of volume, determined to find way to read other entries in the series - free or cheap. Also determine not to copy (non-)writing habits from Main Character, as these chiefly consist of leaving home for long periods and spending non-existent funds travelling to places one does not really wish to see. 3.5 stars
April 6th - Puzzle over question of MC's husband - Robert - who seems to neither toil nor does he spin, while his family is always short of Funds. Wonder if he is impoverished Peer or Gentleman Farmer. As daughter of a farmer I can sympathize with the difficulties. However, I seem to recall my Father working seven days a week. It does not appear Robert works any days at all. If access to first volume were forthcoming suspect this question could be resolved. (N.B. "Marked difference between real life and fiction again exemplified here." As overdue bills and complaints from bank not at all amusing in real life.)
April 7th - Not for first time am compelled to relegate authors who sprinkle books with French Phrases to one of the deeper circles in Hades, at the same time acknowledging that taking German in High School because it was the language of my Grandmother not a sign of high decision making skills in younger self. Although as other choice was Spanish, I do not see how this situation could have been improved upon at the time. (Query: If Welsh had been offered, would I have taken it for similar reason, and if so would it perhaps have proved more useful in giving me some idea how to pronounce incomprehensible names and locations in Historical Fiction and Fantasy novels?)
Reach end of volume, determined to find way to read other entries in the series - free or cheap. Also determine not to copy (non-)writing habits from Main Character, as these chiefly consist of leaving home for long periods and spending non-existent funds travelling to places one does not really wish to see. 3.5 stars
January 8, 2017
I very much enjoyed the first book in Delafield's Provincial Lady series, and was keen to continue. The narrative voice, as it is in the original tome, is captivating and witty. One connects with the narrator at once; the reader is immediately part of her world, and all of the challenges which befall her. No old ground from the first book is covered in detail, but even if you haven't read the first tome for years and years, you are thrust right back into it, recalling forgotten details almost at once. The Provincial Lady Goes Further is culturally aware and laugh-aloud funny in places, and so very enjoyable. Still written in diary form, and decidedly difficult to put down, this is a wonderfully entertaining read, sure to delight all fans of Persephone and Virago books.
March 4, 2013
Perhaps even better than 'Diary of a Provincial Lady'! I really enjoyed this book:) The style is very straight-forward and almost unintentionally humorous. We are taken along on a ride through the Provincial Lady's life as she sets up a flat in London, from which to write. There are distractions aplenty and funny, almost anecdotal stories about her family and household staff. I'm looking forward to reading the next one, "Provincial Lady in America."
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
September 12, 2019
From 1933
This is the sequel to something like Diary of a Provincial Lady, which I once read. Okay, I didn't like this. Even Diary was pretty boring, but very funny. I often tell my cat he is being disquieting, and I got the word from that.
This is the sequel to something like Diary of a Provincial Lady, which I once read. Okay, I didn't like this. Even Diary was pretty boring, but very funny. I often tell my cat he is being disquieting, and I got the word from that.
February 8, 2020
E.M. Delafield (pen name of Elizabeth Dashwood) does not get the credit she is due. And I include myself in this criticism. It wasn’t until this sequel to
Diary of a Provincial Lady that I realized it. So many women writers — ranging from D.E. Stevenson (in her Mrs Tim Of The Regiment and its sequels) to Erma Bombeck to Jean Kerr to Jen Mann and many, many, many more — owe Delafield a debt of gratitude for introducing the humorous mother slyly chronicling her daily life. Why, every other blog on the Internet is a variation of that theme!
In this second book, Delafield’s narrator gets bamboozled into taking a flat in London (ergo, the alternative title of The Provincial Lady in London), and hilarity ensues. Lady B. remains as insufferable as ever; friends Rose, Emma and Felicity also return, and the children remain as incorrigible as ever. In short, I loved every single word! Highly recommended.
Oh, and I nearly forgot! I did not commend Arthur Watts’ prescient drawings (original to the novel) in the first book, but I will here. They’re a wonderful addition.
Diary of a Provincial Lady that I realized it. So many women writers — ranging from D.E. Stevenson (in her Mrs Tim Of The Regiment and its sequels) to Erma Bombeck to Jean Kerr to Jen Mann and many, many, many more — owe Delafield a debt of gratitude for introducing the humorous mother slyly chronicling her daily life. Why, every other blog on the Internet is a variation of that theme!
In this second book, Delafield’s narrator gets bamboozled into taking a flat in London (ergo, the alternative title of The Provincial Lady in London), and hilarity ensues. Lady B. remains as insufferable as ever; friends Rose, Emma and Felicity also return, and the children remain as incorrigible as ever. In short, I loved every single word! Highly recommended.
Oh, and I nearly forgot! I did not commend Arthur Watts’ prescient drawings (original to the novel) in the first book, but I will here. They’re a wonderful addition.
January 12, 2018
3 estrellas
Cómico y chispeante. E.M. Delafield tiene la habilidad de hacer reir con las situaciones más absurdas y cotidianas de esta dama de provincia, la cual tiene un serio complejo de inferioridad y un guardarropa limitado para sus citas sociales.
Simpático y llevadero si te gusta el humor inglés.
Cómico y chispeante. E.M. Delafield tiene la habilidad de hacer reir con las situaciones más absurdas y cotidianas de esta dama de provincia, la cual tiene un serio complejo de inferioridad y un guardarropa limitado para sus citas sociales.
Simpático y llevadero si te gusta el humor inglés.
June 10, 2019
Not as good as the first book, but enjoyable all the same.
Did Not Finish
August 23, 2025Did not quite finish, even though I loved the first book.
The jokes got a bit old, I think, and my favorite parts were the domestic shenanigans, which evoked a lot of childhood nostalgia - the picnics in bad weather, the dog sitting on the children in the backseet, the father mostly hidden between the Times. In the middle of the second book, the narrator gets a flat in London - ostensibly to Write undisturbed, but mostly to see Literary Peers and Heartbroken Friends - and I started skipping pages and losing interest.
Might come back though.
The jokes got a bit old, I think, and my favorite parts were the domestic shenanigans, which evoked a lot of childhood nostalgia - the picnics in bad weather, the dog sitting on the children in the backseet, the father mostly hidden between the Times. In the middle of the second book, the narrator gets a flat in London - ostensibly to Write undisturbed, but mostly to see Literary Peers and Heartbroken Friends - and I started skipping pages and losing interest.
Might come back though.
July 20, 2010
Lady in London continues the series which began with The Diary of a Provincial Lady. Delafield's Lady continues her fun chronicle of daily life, domestic incidents, and the spreading of her creative wings as a published writer.
The Lady still talks of village life in Devonshire, her domestic challenges, interactions with her domestic help, her skeptical husband Robert, and the young children Robin and Vicky. It is all with a certain amount of amusement -- half pointing out the eccentricities of friends and foes and half doubting her own daily sanity.
In this volume of the diaries, the Lady has now published a book to some success and rents a flat in London from which she may do her writing part time. So now her second residence offers an added setting for her attempts at household economizing and encountering an array of new faces who all wish to meet the author and are "all interested in Books."
And if you ever have episodes of procrastination, you've found a companion in the Lady. Through the latter part of this diary, she regularly faces the blank page which should hold the beginnings of her next commissioned work entitled "Modern Freedom in Marriage" (modern in 1933, that is).
I've now read two of Delafield's Lady diaries. They are more gentle wit than anything. I find myself repeatedly in like mind with this character of early last-century England. Her subtlety carries her through life filled with village happenings and the fast lane of London.
It is thoughtful writing, highly recommended.
The Lady still talks of village life in Devonshire, her domestic challenges, interactions with her domestic help, her skeptical husband Robert, and the young children Robin and Vicky. It is all with a certain amount of amusement -- half pointing out the eccentricities of friends and foes and half doubting her own daily sanity.
In this volume of the diaries, the Lady has now published a book to some success and rents a flat in London from which she may do her writing part time. So now her second residence offers an added setting for her attempts at household economizing and encountering an array of new faces who all wish to meet the author and are "all interested in Books."
And if you ever have episodes of procrastination, you've found a companion in the Lady. Through the latter part of this diary, she regularly faces the blank page which should hold the beginnings of her next commissioned work entitled "Modern Freedom in Marriage" (modern in 1933, that is).
I've now read two of Delafield's Lady diaries. They are more gentle wit than anything. I find myself repeatedly in like mind with this character of early last-century England. Her subtlety carries her through life filled with village happenings and the fast lane of London.
It is thoughtful writing, highly recommended.
September 9, 2011
This is a sequel to The Diary of a Provincial Lady and it's equally enjoyable. Since the publication of her first book has attained some financial success, the Provincial Lady acquires a London flat - husband Robert doesn't get much say in this and stays comfortably in Devon. In London, the P.L. (whose name we never find out) spends time with friends and their literary acquaintances. Old friends, hardly remembered, Pamela Pringle for one, show up, and P.L. is fascinated by her somewhat scandalous lifestyle. P.L.'s cynical asides are still highly amusing. Fashions, finances, piles of correspondence and domestic concerns still dominate her life. At school holidays, the P.L. returns home and we enjoy more of the household, servants, the governess Mademoiselle, and a new addition, a summer tutor, affectionately referred to as Casabianca.
The edition I own contains four volumes in one, The Diary of a Provincial Lady and three sequels.
The edition I own contains four volumes in one, The Diary of a Provincial Lady and three sequels.
July 24, 2007
If anything, this book is funnier than the first one ... I couldn't stop laughing. Clearly, I should have been reading these while in the hospital - they would have done me a world of good. What fun!! Bridget Jones is a piker compared to this!
August 31, 2021
Funny and relaxing. Just like the first volume.
February 5, 2020
Fame and fortune change the quiet life of the Provincial Lady.
This book is the sequel to "Diary of a Provincial Lady." An author who writes a very successful book almost always tries to cash in by writing another one about the same characters. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
Planned as a light-hearted book about an English housewife, "Diary" unexpectedly turned into a best-seller. The story of a quiet,conventional wife and mother who uses her diary to skewer her friends, neighbors, in-laws, politics, society, and the educational system is very funny reading and people demanded more. Sequels are frequently disappointing because the writer has simply run out of material, but I enjoyed this one even more than the first in the series.
I think it's because the author has already created her "characters" (thinly disguised versions of herself, her husband, son, daughter) and has established that her readers love her narrator's acerbic humor. In this book, she's free to pull out all the stops and she does. The narrator has achieved the dream of all writers - a popular book - and if it hasn't made her a household name or wealthy, at least people around her know that she's a published author and her initial payments from her publisher are far beyond what she had hoped for. In effect, she's won a small lottery. Now what?
Of course, she gets to hear the opinions of all her friends about her book. All are delighted to see their neighbors held up to ridicule, but no one sees himself/herself in the book. Naturally, all explain earnestly that they, too, could write a fascinating book if only they had time. Writing looks so easy when someone else is doing it.
As to the money, she considers installing electricity in her country home or replacing her ancient, unreliable car. In the end, she buys a few clothes and rents an apartment ("flat") in London. This is typical of the times, when London was the center of the cultural universe and even those who claimed to enjoy country living couldn't do without regular visits to London to shop, go to the theater, visit museums and art galleries and generally catch up on the latest sophisticated modes of living.
In the case of the narrator, she also wants a place where she can write without constant interruptions from children, servants, neighbors, etc. Any woman who's ever worked from home will sympathize. But setting up and furnishing an apartment takes more time and money than she anticipates and lands her in more than her usual funny situations.
There are also changes at home. Daughter Vickie has convinced her parents to send her to boarding school. A school must be chosen and Vickie's French governess must be gotten rid of. Easier said than done. There are the usual servant problems and turn-over. Most cooks and maid want jobs in the city, not in a quiet village.
The narrator's social life expands as she meets authors of all types. She quickly discovers that most of them are as silly and boring as her village neighbors and she has to travel further to be irritated by them. But one new friend is anything but boring. Pamela Pringle is a contemporary of the narrator, but currently on her third husband with signs that a fourth may be in the offing. She's the quintessential drama queen and her complete self-absorption is believable and hilarious.
Although the two women have so little in common, Pamela is determined to use the new friendship to her advantage. She always needs a sympathetic ear and an alibi if her husband accuses her of being with her lover. As she says, it's not her fault that men go crazy over her. And the men who follow her around do seem crazy, or at least odd.
And speaking of odd.... Why are all the spinsters in older English novels such crack-pots? They're all either thin and timid as rabbits or stout, hearty, and over-bearing. No such thing as an unmarried Englishwoman who acts like a normal person, apparently.
This book reminds me of one of my favorite books - Margaret Halsey's "With Malice Toward Some", a young American woman's account of a year spent in England in the early 1930's. I love the humor from that period, which I think derives from the conflict between traditional society and newer sophistication. When people are torn between their respect for the old ways and the attraction of the new ones, funny situations are inevitable. Not sure how many people would enjoy this 90-year-old story, but I like it very much.
This book is the sequel to "Diary of a Provincial Lady." An author who writes a very successful book almost always tries to cash in by writing another one about the same characters. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
Planned as a light-hearted book about an English housewife, "Diary" unexpectedly turned into a best-seller. The story of a quiet,conventional wife and mother who uses her diary to skewer her friends, neighbors, in-laws, politics, society, and the educational system is very funny reading and people demanded more. Sequels are frequently disappointing because the writer has simply run out of material, but I enjoyed this one even more than the first in the series.
I think it's because the author has already created her "characters" (thinly disguised versions of herself, her husband, son, daughter) and has established that her readers love her narrator's acerbic humor. In this book, she's free to pull out all the stops and she does. The narrator has achieved the dream of all writers - a popular book - and if it hasn't made her a household name or wealthy, at least people around her know that she's a published author and her initial payments from her publisher are far beyond what she had hoped for. In effect, she's won a small lottery. Now what?
Of course, she gets to hear the opinions of all her friends about her book. All are delighted to see their neighbors held up to ridicule, but no one sees himself/herself in the book. Naturally, all explain earnestly that they, too, could write a fascinating book if only they had time. Writing looks so easy when someone else is doing it.
As to the money, she considers installing electricity in her country home or replacing her ancient, unreliable car. In the end, she buys a few clothes and rents an apartment ("flat") in London. This is typical of the times, when London was the center of the cultural universe and even those who claimed to enjoy country living couldn't do without regular visits to London to shop, go to the theater, visit museums and art galleries and generally catch up on the latest sophisticated modes of living.
In the case of the narrator, she also wants a place where she can write without constant interruptions from children, servants, neighbors, etc. Any woman who's ever worked from home will sympathize. But setting up and furnishing an apartment takes more time and money than she anticipates and lands her in more than her usual funny situations.
There are also changes at home. Daughter Vickie has convinced her parents to send her to boarding school. A school must be chosen and Vickie's French governess must be gotten rid of. Easier said than done. There are the usual servant problems and turn-over. Most cooks and maid want jobs in the city, not in a quiet village.
The narrator's social life expands as she meets authors of all types. She quickly discovers that most of them are as silly and boring as her village neighbors and she has to travel further to be irritated by them. But one new friend is anything but boring. Pamela Pringle is a contemporary of the narrator, but currently on her third husband with signs that a fourth may be in the offing. She's the quintessential drama queen and her complete self-absorption is believable and hilarious.
Although the two women have so little in common, Pamela is determined to use the new friendship to her advantage. She always needs a sympathetic ear and an alibi if her husband accuses her of being with her lover. As she says, it's not her fault that men go crazy over her. And the men who follow her around do seem crazy, or at least odd.
And speaking of odd.... Why are all the spinsters in older English novels such crack-pots? They're all either thin and timid as rabbits or stout, hearty, and over-bearing. No such thing as an unmarried Englishwoman who acts like a normal person, apparently.
This book reminds me of one of my favorite books - Margaret Halsey's "With Malice Toward Some", a young American woman's account of a year spent in England in the early 1930's. I love the humor from that period, which I think derives from the conflict between traditional society and newer sophistication. When people are torn between their respect for the old ways and the attraction of the new ones, funny situations are inevitable. Not sure how many people would enjoy this 90-year-old story, but I like it very much.
December 29, 2018
This is a year of re-reads, but re-reads are not without their compensations. There was the delightful interlude in the middle with a discussion about Frances Iles' real identity Anthony Berkeley Cox by his contemporaries, a deeper interest in the material led me down a rabbit hole of who's who in the text (a mixture of fascinating and tragic, but eye opening nevertheless), and the gradual understanding of the glossed-over subtext regarding what had to be a very strained marriage at that point. The first read, which happened when I was at least a decade younger, definitely was not this deep a read.
This book is not as sharp a satire as its predecessor, and I missed the insight into the gentrified country life from the point of view of women. But literary London with all its glitter and polish made a decent substitute to skewer, and a successful female writer poking fun at herself and her own world is a rarity in every era. She feels like an everywoman, mirroring what most of us would have felt about the world, making us forget her own success and accomplishments. But her feelings of not belonging is also universal, and she made her deprecation into her wittiest tool, so there is indeed a lesson there. This book is always warmly recommended, and though not necessary, would be better appreciated if read in order.
This book is not as sharp a satire as its predecessor, and I missed the insight into the gentrified country life from the point of view of women. But literary London with all its glitter and polish made a decent substitute to skewer, and a successful female writer poking fun at herself and her own world is a rarity in every era. She feels like an everywoman, mirroring what most of us would have felt about the world, making us forget her own success and accomplishments. But her feelings of not belonging is also universal, and she made her deprecation into her wittiest tool, so there is indeed a lesson there. This book is always warmly recommended, and though not necessary, would be better appreciated if read in order.
April 30, 2019
I wish I liked this series more. I'm an inveterate Britophile, and even I can't help seeing the nameless voice of these books as a snob. She does engage in a fair bit of self-deprecation, which helps. Still, it's difficult to empathize with someone whose biggest problem is finding and keeping good domestic help. At one point, she mentions how nice it would be to be rich. Her husband doesn't appear to do anything, other than eat, read the newspaper, and grumble about everything. Perhaps if he sought gainful employment, his wife wouldn't have to earn all the income and worry about her frequent overdrafts at the bank. I can't reconcile the purchase of a flat in London, sending two children to boarding school, and vacations at the seaside in France with poverty, which the author frequently pleads.
Despite this obviously being meant as humorous, I did not laugh at all. It was more a matter of recognizing a punch line, and thinking “Yeah, I understand why other women of her time and socioeconomic stature might find that funny.”
Despite this, I will most likely read the third in the series, if only to see if she ever earns enough with her writing to buy all the dresses she wants.
January 31, 2020
Adorada Dama de provincias, me has conquistado.
Con esas palabras finalizaba mi pequeña opinión acerca del primer libro de La dama de provincias. Algo que, un año después, reafirmo.
Las idas y venidas (y por supuesto, las dudas existenciales) de La dama de provincias ha sido uno de los bonitos regalos que me ha proporcionado la literatura en los últimos años. Y al igual que su primera parte, La dama de provincias prospera está plagado de divertidos momentos domésticos (y no tan domésticos) PERO que entre los cuales se puede ver entre líneas un tono crítico y reivindicativo por parte de la autora y, personalmente y en tal contexto, me chifla.
Sinceramente, os animo a compartir aventuras con este peculiar personaje. ¡Creedme! Es muy fácil cogerle cariño y sentirse identificada en alguna de las situaciones presentes dentro de su mundo cotidiano lleno de encanto.
Con esas palabras finalizaba mi pequeña opinión acerca del primer libro de La dama de provincias. Algo que, un año después, reafirmo.
Duda que se plantea por sí sola en este punto: ¿Por qué mi guardarropa nunca contiene otra cosa que pesadas prendas, adecuadas para regiones árticas u otras extraordinariamente ligeras, idóneas para los trópicos? El punto medio, por lo visto, no existe.
Las idas y venidas (y por supuesto, las dudas existenciales) de La dama de provincias ha sido uno de los bonitos regalos que me ha proporcionado la literatura en los últimos años. Y al igual que su primera parte, La dama de provincias prospera está plagado de divertidos momentos domésticos (y no tan domésticos) PERO que entre los cuales se puede ver entre líneas un tono crítico y reivindicativo por parte de la autora y, personalmente y en tal contexto, me chifla.
Sinceramente, os animo a compartir aventuras con este peculiar personaje. ¡Creedme! Es muy fácil cogerle cariño y sentirse identificada en alguna de las situaciones presentes dentro de su mundo cotidiano lleno de encanto.
September 21, 2017
After loving the first book in the series earlier in the month, I went straight on to the second one. This volume dealt less with the domestic situation and more with the society life in London which I don’t enjoy as much.
Again, with this being short I got through it really quickly and liked the development of the protagonist’s career as a writer, a plot point that I assume was heavily influenced by the author’s own life.
Overall I would still highly recommend the series and though you wouldn’t be missing anything with regards to the plot if you started here, I would suggest starting with the first as I found that the development of the main character is a great thing to read.
Again, with this being short I got through it really quickly and liked the development of the protagonist’s career as a writer, a plot point that I assume was heavily influenced by the author’s own life.
Overall I would still highly recommend the series and though you wouldn’t be missing anything with regards to the plot if you started here, I would suggest starting with the first as I found that the development of the main character is a great thing to read.
January 2, 2015
I loved The Diary of a Provincial Lady, because it's written exactly the style in which I imagine a harassed mother in the 1930's might write. This book follows on, and is just as funny. The problems the author has with finding extra staff and a way of furnishing a flat she has rented in London (so she can write)are not your everyday problems, but the way she writes about them made me smile and sometimes laugh aloud. Recommended for Anglophiles and people not maddened by upper middle class.
May 18, 2010
A delight from beginning to end! I challenge you to read this and not go through your day internally describing events as our Lady would. She is a scream and the stories and the characters involved ring true, which is what makes them so amusing. Looking forward to picking up the next installment.
April 29, 2015
Very enjoyable account of the Provincial Lady's exploits in London and at home. Smiled amusedly throughout and laughed out loud at various points. Not great literature, but a lot of fun. I especially enjoyed her references to contemporary songs/plays/books--really gave a sense of the times.
August 14, 2018
3.5 stars. I thought this was funnier than the first. The style is enjoyable. The P.L.’s life is so very chaotic. I have no idea how she possibly keeps track of her purchases and expenses, but as it’s fiction, I try not to care.
June 22, 2024
Similar to the first novel, except this time the Provincial Lady is starting to enjoy the success of her first book.
December 16, 2020
One looks foreword to continuing the charming, witty, delightful and relaxing saga from the first part, Diary Of A Provincial Lady. One isn't disappointed, but it's startling and gratifying instead to discover that now the protagonist, earlier disguised as busy lady of vaguely upper class but not quite titled, is not only here frankly in her published author self but is presenting two different facets of then feminist concerns - her own self and life, and the little daughter who's asking to go to school, arguing that her brother went when he was her age.
This brings, of course, other facets of the then life forth - schools being mostly boarding, at least for the well off, and girls being sent to school - instead of the until then prevalent custom of being taught at home by a governess - being seen as pathetic exiled figures! What education they did receive either way is yet another question, and one suspects there was very good reason Madame Marie Curie had few contemporaries matching her education, much less later achievements.
Author is equally deprecating and ironic about the status and the various roles and activities of the protagonist, whether as an author invited at conference or an upper class lady invited to speak around neighbourhood, whether attending parties in country or in London or Brussels, whether managing friends or employees or creditors.
.......
"June 9th.--Life takes on entirely new aspect, owing to astonishing and unprecedented success of minute and unpretentious literary effort, published last December, and--incredibly--written by myself. Reactions of family and friends to this unforeseen state of affairs most interesting and varied.
"Dear Vicky and Robin more than appreciative although not allowed to read book, and compare me variously to Shakespeare, Dickens, author of the Dr. Dolittle books, and writer referred to by Vicky as Lambs' Tails."
"June 14th.--Note curious and rather disturbing tendency of everybody in the neighbourhood to suspect me of Putting Them into a Book. Our Vicar's Wife particularly eloquent about this, and assures me that she recognised every single character in previous literary effort. She adds that she has never had time to write a book herself, but has often thought that she would like to do so. Little things, she says--one here, another there--quaint sayings such as she hears every day of her life as she pops round the parish--Cranford, she adds in conclusion. I say Yes indeed, being unable to think of anything else, and we part.
"Later on, our Vicar tells me that he, likewise, has never had time to write a book, but that if he did so, and put down some of his personal experiences, no one would ever believe them to be true. Truth, says our Vicar, is stranger than fiction.
"Very singular speculations thus given rise to, as to nature of incredible experiences undergone by our Vicar. Can he have been involved in long-ago crime passionnel (crime of passion), or taken part in a duel in distant student days when sent to acquire German at Heidelberg? Imagination, always so far in advance of reason, or even propriety, carries me to further lengths, and obliges me to go upstairs and count laundry in order to change current of ideas."
.......
"Vicky meets me on the stairs and says with no preliminary Please can she go to school. Am unable to say either Yes or No at this short notice, and merely look at her in silence. She adds a brief statement to the effect that Robin went to school when he was her age, and then continues on her way downstairs, singing something of which the words are inaudible, and the tune unrecognisable, but which I have inward conviction that I should think entirely unsuitable.
"Am much exercised regarding question of school, and feel that as convinced feminist it is my duty to take seriously into consideration argument quoted above."
"June 15th.--Cheque arrives from publishers, via Literary Agent, who says that further instalment will follow in December. Wildest hopes exceeded, ... Robert and I spend pleasant evening discussing relative merits of Rolls-Royce, electric light, and journey to the South of Spain--this last suggestion not favoured by Robert--but eventually decide to pay bills and Do Something about the Mortgage. Robert handsomely adds that I had better spend some of the money on myself, and what about a pearl necklace? I say Yes, to show that I am touched by his thoughtfulness, but do not commit myself to pearl necklace. Should like to suggest very small flat in London, but violent and inexplicable inhibition intervenes, and find myself quite unable to utter the words. Go to bed with flat still unmentioned, but register cast-iron resolution, whilst brushing my hair, to make early appointment in London for new permanent wave.
"Also think over question of school for Vicky very seriously, and find myself coming to at least three definite conclusions, all diametrically opposed to one another.
"June 16th.--Singular letter from entire stranger enquires whether I am aware that the doors of every decent home will henceforward be shut to me? Publications such as mine, he says, are harmful to art and morality alike. Should like to have this elucidated further, but signature illegible, and address highly improbable, so nothing can be done. Have recourse to waste-paper basket in absence of fires, but afterwards feel that servants or children may decipher fragments, so remove them again and ignite small private bonfire, with great difficulty, on garden path."
"Question of school for Vicky recrudesces with immense violence, and Mademoiselle weeps on the sofa and says that she will neither eat nor drink until this is decided. I say that I think this resolution unreasonable, and suggest Horlick's Malted Milk, to which Mademoiselle replies Ah, ça, jamais! (Oh, that, never!) and we get no further. Vicky remains unmoved throughout, and spends much time with Cook and Helen Wills. I appeal to Robert, who eventually--after long silence--says, Do as I think best.
"Write and put case before Rose, as being Vicky's godmother and person of impartial views. Extreme tension meanwhile prevails in the house, and Mademoiselle continues to refuse food. Cook says darkly that it's well known as foreigners have no powers of resistance, and go to pieces-like all in a moment. Mademoiselle does not, however, go to pieces, but instead writes phenomenal number of letters, all in purple ink, which runs all over the paper whenever she cries."
"June 18th.--Dear Rose, always so definite, writes advocating school for Vicky. Co-educational, she says firmly, and Dalcroze Eurythmics. Robert, on being told this, says violently that no child of his shall be brought up amongst natives of any description. Am quite unable either to move him from this attitude, or to make him see that it is irrelevant to educational scheme at present under discussion.
"Rose sends addresses of two schools, declares that she knows all about both, and invites me to go and stay with her in London and inspect them. I explain to Robert that this can be combined with new permanent wave, but Robert evidently not in a receptive mood, and remains immersed in The Times.
"Post also brings officious communication from old Mrs. Blenkinsopp's Cousin Maud, saying that if I'm looking for a school for my brat, she could put in a word at dear old Roedean. Shall take no notice of this whatever.
"June 20th.--Take bold step of writing to secretary of Literary Society to say that I will accompany its members to Brussels, and assist at Conference. Am so well aware that I shall regret this letter within an hour of writing it, that I send Vicky to village with instructions to post it instead of leaving it in box in hall as usual.
"(Query: Does this denote extreme strength of mind or the reverse? Answer immediately presents itself, but see no reason for committing it to paper.)"
.......
" ... Am introduced by Emma to any number of literary lights, most of whom seem to be delegates from the Balkans.
"(N.B. Should be very, very sorry if suddenly called upon to give details as to situation, and component parts, of the Balkans.)
"Perceive, without surprise, that the Balkans are as ignorant of my claims to distinction as I of theirs, and we exchange amiable conversation about Belgium,--King Albert popular, Queen Elizabeth shingled, and dresses well--and ask one another if we know Mr. Galsworthy, which none of us do.
"July 3rd.--Literary Conference takes place in the morning. The Balkans very eloquent. They speak in French, and are translated by inferior interpreters into English. Am sorry to find attention wandering on several occasions to entirely unrelated topics, such as Companionate Marriage, absence of radiators in Church at home, and difficulty in procuring ice. Make notes on back of visiting-card, in order to try and feel presence at Conference in any way justified. Find these again later, and discover that they refer to purchase of picture-postcards for Robin and Vicky, memorandum that blue evening dress requires a stitch before it can be worn again, and necessity for finding out whereabouts of Messrs. Thos. Cook & Son, in case I run short of money--which I am almost certain to do.
"Emma introduces Italian delegate, who bows and kisses my hand. Feel certain that Robert would not care for this Continental custom. Conference continues. I sit next to (moderately) celebrated poet, who pays no attention to me, or anybody else. Dear Emma, always so energetic, takes advantage of break in Conference to introduce more Balkans, both to me and to adjacent poet. The latter remains torpid throughout, and elderly Balkan, who has mistakenly endeavoured to rouse him to conversation, retires with embittered ejaculation: Ne vous réveillez pas, monsieur (Do not wake up, sir).
"Close of Conference, and general conversation, Emma performing many introductions, including me and Italian delegate once more. Italian delegate remains apparently unaware that he has ever set eyes on me before, and can only conclude that appearance and personality alike have failed to make slightest impression.
"Find myself wondering why I came to Belgium at all. Should like to feel that it was in the interests of literature, but am doubtful, and entirely disinclined to probe further. Feminine human nature sometimes very discouraging subject for speculation."
.......
"Land at St. Malo, in severe gale and torrents of rain, and Vicky and Robin express astonishment at hearing French spoken all round them, and Robert says that the climate reminds him of England. Casabianca says nothing, but gives valuable help with luggage and later on tells us, very nicely, that we have lost one suitcase. This causes delay, also a great deal of conversation between taxi-driver who is to take us to St. Briac, porter and unidentified friend of taxi-driver's who enters passionately into the whole affair and says fervently Ah, grâce a Dieu! (Oh, thanks God!) when suitcase eventually reappears."
"August 15th.--I enter into conversation with two of fellow-guests at hotel, one of whom is invariably referred to by Robert as "the retired Rag-picker" owing to unfortunate appearance, suggestive of general decay. He tells me about his wife, dead years ago--(am not surprised at this)--who was, he says, a genius in her own way. Cannot find out what way was. He also adds that he himself has written books. I ask what about, and he says Psychology, but adds no more. We talk about weather--bad here, but worse in England--Wolverhampton, which he once went through and where I have never been at all--and humane slaughter, of which both of us declare ourselves to be in favour. Conversation then becomes languid, and shows a tendency to revert to weather, but am rescued by Casabianca, who says he thinks I am wanted--which sounds like the police, but is not.
"Casabianca inclined to look superior, and suggest that really, the way people force their acquaintance upon one when abroad--but I decline to respond to this and tell him in return that there will be a dance at the hotel to-night and that I intend to go to it. He looks horror-stricken, and says no more."
.......
"Children ask excessively ancient riddles, and supply the answers themselves, and Robert concentrates on arithmetical problems. Receive these in silence, and try and think of any field of knowledge in which I can hope to distinguish myself--but without success. Finally, Robin challenges me with what are Seven times Nine? to which I return brisk, but, as it turns out, incorrect, reply. Casabianca takes early opportunity of referring, though kindly, to this, and eventually suggests that half an hour's arithmetic daily would make my accounts much simpler. I accept his offer, although inwardly aware that only drastic reduction of expenditure, and improbable increase of income, could really simplify accounts--but quite agree that counting on fingers is entirely undesirable procedure, at any time of life, but more especially when early youth is past.
"Bathing takes place as usual, but additional excitement is provided by sudden dramatic appearance of unknown French youth who asks us all in turns if we are doctors, as a German gentleman is having a fit in a bathing-hut. Casabianca immediately dashes into the sea--which--he declares--an English doctor has just entered. (Query: Is this second sight, or what?) Robin and Vicky enquire with one voice if they can go and see the German gentleman having a fit, and are with great difficulty withheld from making one dash for his bathing-cabin, already surrounded by large and excited collection.
"Opinions fly about to the effect that the German gentleman is unconscious--that he has come round--that he is already dead--that he has been murdered. At this, several people scream, and a French lady says Il ne manquait que cela! (Only that was missing!) which makes me wonder what the rest of her stay at St. Briac can possibly have been like.
"Ask Robert if he does not think he ought to go and help, but he says What for? and walks away.
"Casabianca returns, dripping, from the sea, followed by equally dripping stranger, presumably the doctor, and I hastily remove children from spectacle probably to be seen when bathing-hut opens; the last thing I hear being assurance from total stranger to Casabianca that he is tout à fait amiable (nothing but friendly).
"Entire episode ends in anti-climax when Casabianca shortly afterwards returns, and informs us that The Doctor Said it was Indigestion, and the German gentleman is now walking home with his wife--who is, he adds impressively, a Norwegian. This, for reasons which continue to defy analysis, seems to add weight and respectability to whole affair.
"We return to hotel, again caught in heavy shower, are besought by Robin and Vicky to stop and eat ices at revolting English tea-shop, which they patriotically prefer to infinitely superior French ....
This brings, of course, other facets of the then life forth - schools being mostly boarding, at least for the well off, and girls being sent to school - instead of the until then prevalent custom of being taught at home by a governess - being seen as pathetic exiled figures! What education they did receive either way is yet another question, and one suspects there was very good reason Madame Marie Curie had few contemporaries matching her education, much less later achievements.
Author is equally deprecating and ironic about the status and the various roles and activities of the protagonist, whether as an author invited at conference or an upper class lady invited to speak around neighbourhood, whether attending parties in country or in London or Brussels, whether managing friends or employees or creditors.
.......
"June 9th.--Life takes on entirely new aspect, owing to astonishing and unprecedented success of minute and unpretentious literary effort, published last December, and--incredibly--written by myself. Reactions of family and friends to this unforeseen state of affairs most interesting and varied.
"Dear Vicky and Robin more than appreciative although not allowed to read book, and compare me variously to Shakespeare, Dickens, author of the Dr. Dolittle books, and writer referred to by Vicky as Lambs' Tails."
"June 14th.--Note curious and rather disturbing tendency of everybody in the neighbourhood to suspect me of Putting Them into a Book. Our Vicar's Wife particularly eloquent about this, and assures me that she recognised every single character in previous literary effort. She adds that she has never had time to write a book herself, but has often thought that she would like to do so. Little things, she says--one here, another there--quaint sayings such as she hears every day of her life as she pops round the parish--Cranford, she adds in conclusion. I say Yes indeed, being unable to think of anything else, and we part.
"Later on, our Vicar tells me that he, likewise, has never had time to write a book, but that if he did so, and put down some of his personal experiences, no one would ever believe them to be true. Truth, says our Vicar, is stranger than fiction.
"Very singular speculations thus given rise to, as to nature of incredible experiences undergone by our Vicar. Can he have been involved in long-ago crime passionnel (crime of passion), or taken part in a duel in distant student days when sent to acquire German at Heidelberg? Imagination, always so far in advance of reason, or even propriety, carries me to further lengths, and obliges me to go upstairs and count laundry in order to change current of ideas."
.......
"Vicky meets me on the stairs and says with no preliminary Please can she go to school. Am unable to say either Yes or No at this short notice, and merely look at her in silence. She adds a brief statement to the effect that Robin went to school when he was her age, and then continues on her way downstairs, singing something of which the words are inaudible, and the tune unrecognisable, but which I have inward conviction that I should think entirely unsuitable.
"Am much exercised regarding question of school, and feel that as convinced feminist it is my duty to take seriously into consideration argument quoted above."
"June 15th.--Cheque arrives from publishers, via Literary Agent, who says that further instalment will follow in December. Wildest hopes exceeded, ... Robert and I spend pleasant evening discussing relative merits of Rolls-Royce, electric light, and journey to the South of Spain--this last suggestion not favoured by Robert--but eventually decide to pay bills and Do Something about the Mortgage. Robert handsomely adds that I had better spend some of the money on myself, and what about a pearl necklace? I say Yes, to show that I am touched by his thoughtfulness, but do not commit myself to pearl necklace. Should like to suggest very small flat in London, but violent and inexplicable inhibition intervenes, and find myself quite unable to utter the words. Go to bed with flat still unmentioned, but register cast-iron resolution, whilst brushing my hair, to make early appointment in London for new permanent wave.
"Also think over question of school for Vicky very seriously, and find myself coming to at least three definite conclusions, all diametrically opposed to one another.
"June 16th.--Singular letter from entire stranger enquires whether I am aware that the doors of every decent home will henceforward be shut to me? Publications such as mine, he says, are harmful to art and morality alike. Should like to have this elucidated further, but signature illegible, and address highly improbable, so nothing can be done. Have recourse to waste-paper basket in absence of fires, but afterwards feel that servants or children may decipher fragments, so remove them again and ignite small private bonfire, with great difficulty, on garden path."
"Question of school for Vicky recrudesces with immense violence, and Mademoiselle weeps on the sofa and says that she will neither eat nor drink until this is decided. I say that I think this resolution unreasonable, and suggest Horlick's Malted Milk, to which Mademoiselle replies Ah, ça, jamais! (Oh, that, never!) and we get no further. Vicky remains unmoved throughout, and spends much time with Cook and Helen Wills. I appeal to Robert, who eventually--after long silence--says, Do as I think best.
"Write and put case before Rose, as being Vicky's godmother and person of impartial views. Extreme tension meanwhile prevails in the house, and Mademoiselle continues to refuse food. Cook says darkly that it's well known as foreigners have no powers of resistance, and go to pieces-like all in a moment. Mademoiselle does not, however, go to pieces, but instead writes phenomenal number of letters, all in purple ink, which runs all over the paper whenever she cries."
"June 18th.--Dear Rose, always so definite, writes advocating school for Vicky. Co-educational, she says firmly, and Dalcroze Eurythmics. Robert, on being told this, says violently that no child of his shall be brought up amongst natives of any description. Am quite unable either to move him from this attitude, or to make him see that it is irrelevant to educational scheme at present under discussion.
"Rose sends addresses of two schools, declares that she knows all about both, and invites me to go and stay with her in London and inspect them. I explain to Robert that this can be combined with new permanent wave, but Robert evidently not in a receptive mood, and remains immersed in The Times.
"Post also brings officious communication from old Mrs. Blenkinsopp's Cousin Maud, saying that if I'm looking for a school for my brat, she could put in a word at dear old Roedean. Shall take no notice of this whatever.
"June 20th.--Take bold step of writing to secretary of Literary Society to say that I will accompany its members to Brussels, and assist at Conference. Am so well aware that I shall regret this letter within an hour of writing it, that I send Vicky to village with instructions to post it instead of leaving it in box in hall as usual.
"(Query: Does this denote extreme strength of mind or the reverse? Answer immediately presents itself, but see no reason for committing it to paper.)"
.......
" ... Am introduced by Emma to any number of literary lights, most of whom seem to be delegates from the Balkans.
"(N.B. Should be very, very sorry if suddenly called upon to give details as to situation, and component parts, of the Balkans.)
"Perceive, without surprise, that the Balkans are as ignorant of my claims to distinction as I of theirs, and we exchange amiable conversation about Belgium,--King Albert popular, Queen Elizabeth shingled, and dresses well--and ask one another if we know Mr. Galsworthy, which none of us do.
"July 3rd.--Literary Conference takes place in the morning. The Balkans very eloquent. They speak in French, and are translated by inferior interpreters into English. Am sorry to find attention wandering on several occasions to entirely unrelated topics, such as Companionate Marriage, absence of radiators in Church at home, and difficulty in procuring ice. Make notes on back of visiting-card, in order to try and feel presence at Conference in any way justified. Find these again later, and discover that they refer to purchase of picture-postcards for Robin and Vicky, memorandum that blue evening dress requires a stitch before it can be worn again, and necessity for finding out whereabouts of Messrs. Thos. Cook & Son, in case I run short of money--which I am almost certain to do.
"Emma introduces Italian delegate, who bows and kisses my hand. Feel certain that Robert would not care for this Continental custom. Conference continues. I sit next to (moderately) celebrated poet, who pays no attention to me, or anybody else. Dear Emma, always so energetic, takes advantage of break in Conference to introduce more Balkans, both to me and to adjacent poet. The latter remains torpid throughout, and elderly Balkan, who has mistakenly endeavoured to rouse him to conversation, retires with embittered ejaculation: Ne vous réveillez pas, monsieur (Do not wake up, sir).
"Close of Conference, and general conversation, Emma performing many introductions, including me and Italian delegate once more. Italian delegate remains apparently unaware that he has ever set eyes on me before, and can only conclude that appearance and personality alike have failed to make slightest impression.
"Find myself wondering why I came to Belgium at all. Should like to feel that it was in the interests of literature, but am doubtful, and entirely disinclined to probe further. Feminine human nature sometimes very discouraging subject for speculation."
.......
"Land at St. Malo, in severe gale and torrents of rain, and Vicky and Robin express astonishment at hearing French spoken all round them, and Robert says that the climate reminds him of England. Casabianca says nothing, but gives valuable help with luggage and later on tells us, very nicely, that we have lost one suitcase. This causes delay, also a great deal of conversation between taxi-driver who is to take us to St. Briac, porter and unidentified friend of taxi-driver's who enters passionately into the whole affair and says fervently Ah, grâce a Dieu! (Oh, thanks God!) when suitcase eventually reappears."
"August 15th.--I enter into conversation with two of fellow-guests at hotel, one of whom is invariably referred to by Robert as "the retired Rag-picker" owing to unfortunate appearance, suggestive of general decay. He tells me about his wife, dead years ago--(am not surprised at this)--who was, he says, a genius in her own way. Cannot find out what way was. He also adds that he himself has written books. I ask what about, and he says Psychology, but adds no more. We talk about weather--bad here, but worse in England--Wolverhampton, which he once went through and where I have never been at all--and humane slaughter, of which both of us declare ourselves to be in favour. Conversation then becomes languid, and shows a tendency to revert to weather, but am rescued by Casabianca, who says he thinks I am wanted--which sounds like the police, but is not.
"Casabianca inclined to look superior, and suggest that really, the way people force their acquaintance upon one when abroad--but I decline to respond to this and tell him in return that there will be a dance at the hotel to-night and that I intend to go to it. He looks horror-stricken, and says no more."
.......
"Children ask excessively ancient riddles, and supply the answers themselves, and Robert concentrates on arithmetical problems. Receive these in silence, and try and think of any field of knowledge in which I can hope to distinguish myself--but without success. Finally, Robin challenges me with what are Seven times Nine? to which I return brisk, but, as it turns out, incorrect, reply. Casabianca takes early opportunity of referring, though kindly, to this, and eventually suggests that half an hour's arithmetic daily would make my accounts much simpler. I accept his offer, although inwardly aware that only drastic reduction of expenditure, and improbable increase of income, could really simplify accounts--but quite agree that counting on fingers is entirely undesirable procedure, at any time of life, but more especially when early youth is past.
"Bathing takes place as usual, but additional excitement is provided by sudden dramatic appearance of unknown French youth who asks us all in turns if we are doctors, as a German gentleman is having a fit in a bathing-hut. Casabianca immediately dashes into the sea--which--he declares--an English doctor has just entered. (Query: Is this second sight, or what?) Robin and Vicky enquire with one voice if they can go and see the German gentleman having a fit, and are with great difficulty withheld from making one dash for his bathing-cabin, already surrounded by large and excited collection.
"Opinions fly about to the effect that the German gentleman is unconscious--that he has come round--that he is already dead--that he has been murdered. At this, several people scream, and a French lady says Il ne manquait que cela! (Only that was missing!) which makes me wonder what the rest of her stay at St. Briac can possibly have been like.
"Ask Robert if he does not think he ought to go and help, but he says What for? and walks away.
"Casabianca returns, dripping, from the sea, followed by equally dripping stranger, presumably the doctor, and I hastily remove children from spectacle probably to be seen when bathing-hut opens; the last thing I hear being assurance from total stranger to Casabianca that he is tout à fait amiable (nothing but friendly).
"Entire episode ends in anti-climax when Casabianca shortly afterwards returns, and informs us that The Doctor Said it was Indigestion, and the German gentleman is now walking home with his wife--who is, he adds impressively, a Norwegian. This, for reasons which continue to defy analysis, seems to add weight and respectability to whole affair.
"We return to hotel, again caught in heavy shower, are besought by Robin and Vicky to stop and eat ices at revolting English tea-shop, which they patriotically prefer to infinitely superior French ....
September 2, 2013
I went all out to get this book after completing the first book of this series. I was not disappointed by the book all though I can't say it was better than the first.
This phase of the Provincial Lady's life revolves more around London. Her provincial home and society is very much there but with the happy success of her first book, our endearing Lady is thrown into an elitist circle which is curious and condescending about her. She holds her own in the pages of her diary with her pen- she draws for us again delightful caricatures of the people she meets. Some of the humor casts a sort of deja vu. You realize that at a basic level, the London life and people are not so different from those in the provincial world that the Lady drew in the first book of this series. What makes this second book a fun ride again is the ability of the writer to interpret the absurdities of life and be able to convey it in a deliciously funny way.
"Literary Agent saying how much he looks forward to seeing my new manuscript. (Can only hope that he enjoys the pleasures of anticipation as much as he says, since they are, at present rate of progress, likely to be prolonged.)"- a sample f her wit. I have often been awed by the prose of writers like P.G.Wodehouse and Georgette Heyer when delivering a witty dialogue or sentence. I am awed by Ms Delafield as well when she turns in sentences as above. I was laughing out loud when I read the above line but was also filled with envy at how with apparent ease and simplicity, Ms Delafield has executed such a comic turn and left me in splits. Genius, creativity, inspiration.. whatever you may choose to call it. It just rocks.
Despite all of this however, I still have to say that the first book was superior. It is however a very subjective opinion based on my personal preference for life in the country side. The wealth of characters and day-to-day situations I saw in the first book were easily r"elatable". I see them every day at home and could connect to the author immediately. In this book however, I felt the author was in a world she was unfamiliar and uncomfortable with. That perhaps defines the success of the book but I felt I had lost my connection with the Provincial Lady. I also missed immensely Mademoiselle and Lady B and those lovely small-town characters who really brought the first book to life. In addition, I wish I had seen more of the children, the Vicar's wife, Robert and the rest.
But these are not deterrents from the book. This is another lovely offering from Ms Delafield. I look forward to the next one now.. just cant get enough of the Provincial Lady.
This phase of the Provincial Lady's life revolves more around London. Her provincial home and society is very much there but with the happy success of her first book, our endearing Lady is thrown into an elitist circle which is curious and condescending about her. She holds her own in the pages of her diary with her pen- she draws for us again delightful caricatures of the people she meets. Some of the humor casts a sort of deja vu. You realize that at a basic level, the London life and people are not so different from those in the provincial world that the Lady drew in the first book of this series. What makes this second book a fun ride again is the ability of the writer to interpret the absurdities of life and be able to convey it in a deliciously funny way.
"Literary Agent saying how much he looks forward to seeing my new manuscript. (Can only hope that he enjoys the pleasures of anticipation as much as he says, since they are, at present rate of progress, likely to be prolonged.)"- a sample f her wit. I have often been awed by the prose of writers like P.G.Wodehouse and Georgette Heyer when delivering a witty dialogue or sentence. I am awed by Ms Delafield as well when she turns in sentences as above. I was laughing out loud when I read the above line but was also filled with envy at how with apparent ease and simplicity, Ms Delafield has executed such a comic turn and left me in splits. Genius, creativity, inspiration.. whatever you may choose to call it. It just rocks.
Despite all of this however, I still have to say that the first book was superior. It is however a very subjective opinion based on my personal preference for life in the country side. The wealth of characters and day-to-day situations I saw in the first book were easily r"elatable". I see them every day at home and could connect to the author immediately. In this book however, I felt the author was in a world she was unfamiliar and uncomfortable with. That perhaps defines the success of the book but I felt I had lost my connection with the Provincial Lady. I also missed immensely Mademoiselle and Lady B and those lovely small-town characters who really brought the first book to life. In addition, I wish I had seen more of the children, the Vicar's wife, Robert and the rest.
But these are not deterrents from the book. This is another lovely offering from Ms Delafield. I look forward to the next one now.. just cant get enough of the Provincial Lady.
July 5, 2015
Enjoying the prattlings of the Provincial Lady even if not reading her diaries in order.
Some interesting take aways about life for the British 1930's counterpart to the American suburban housewife:
1. Even though one has a cook and a housekeeper and the children are either at boarding school or home with a 24/7 governess or tutor, the Lady is frazzled with so much to do she rarely has time to keep the diary.
2. One of life's biggest stresses appears to relate to servants--how does one tell cook to correct an error with out cook giving notice? And cook giving notice is one of life's worset catastrophes as no one wants a post out in the boring provinces, so such help at a reasonable wage is almost impossible to find.
3. While cook and housekeeper seem to hold the upper hand in relation to the Lady, the poor French governess has devoted her life to the family and her charge so doesn't want to leave them. THus when the young charge is to go off to boarding school, the Lady's problem is telling the governess she is no longer needed.
4. One can feel the pain of the governess, though, much more than the Lady's. The governess's entire life can be completely taken from her by her employer.
5. A bit difficult to see the husband who is so uncommunicative he may even have a social disability. But even if he can't help how is, it feels lonely to think of being married to someone like him and especially in a world, like the one in the books, where divorce is never even considered.
6. Unless you are Pamela Pringle. Pamela is on her third husband and leaves him behind as much as she can while surrounding herself with a variety of younger men. Theory: Pamela is the Lady testing out a "wild romantic life" in contrast to which, life with her husband is preferable.
Some interesting take aways about life for the British 1930's counterpart to the American suburban housewife:
1. Even though one has a cook and a housekeeper and the children are either at boarding school or home with a 24/7 governess or tutor, the Lady is frazzled with so much to do she rarely has time to keep the diary.
2. One of life's biggest stresses appears to relate to servants--how does one tell cook to correct an error with out cook giving notice? And cook giving notice is one of life's worset catastrophes as no one wants a post out in the boring provinces, so such help at a reasonable wage is almost impossible to find.
3. While cook and housekeeper seem to hold the upper hand in relation to the Lady, the poor French governess has devoted her life to the family and her charge so doesn't want to leave them. THus when the young charge is to go off to boarding school, the Lady's problem is telling the governess she is no longer needed.
4. One can feel the pain of the governess, though, much more than the Lady's. The governess's entire life can be completely taken from her by her employer.
5. A bit difficult to see the husband who is so uncommunicative he may even have a social disability. But even if he can't help how is, it feels lonely to think of being married to someone like him and especially in a world, like the one in the books, where divorce is never even considered.
6. Unless you are Pamela Pringle. Pamela is on her third husband and leaves him behind as much as she can while surrounding herself with a variety of younger men. Theory: Pamela is the Lady testing out a "wild romantic life" in contrast to which, life with her husband is preferable.
December 10, 2014
(Shared read-aloud.)
The Provincial Lady is just as amusing here as in the first book. The Provincial Lady's time in London feels like an endless round of not-quite-pleasant evenings at parties. There are also references to more cosmopolitan (i.e. scandalous) doings than I recall from the first book, which was set in the country (...thus the "Provincial" Lady). Some of the topical references flew right over our heads, I'm afraid, but more often than not, there was a cozy recognition of the universal human experience-- that comfortable sensation of "the more things change, the more they stay the same".
While reading these first two Provincial Lady books, we've repeatedly commented on the odd financial circumstances of the Lady and her family. They seem always to be worried about a shortness of funds. It's practically a hobby of the Lady's to hold the bankers at bay-- and yet they employ a cook and a maid. Then there's Mademoiselle -- to say nothing of the London flat! Clearly the Lady and her family are fairly well off (certainly not starving)-- but she's consistently stressed about money! I know it's meant to be funny-- and the Lady likely considers Cook an absolute necessity-- but the family's strange relationship with money is the one aspect of the books that is hardest for a modern, middle-class reader to completely grasp (much less sympathize with).
The Provincial Lady is just as amusing here as in the first book. The Provincial Lady's time in London feels like an endless round of not-quite-pleasant evenings at parties. There are also references to more cosmopolitan (i.e. scandalous) doings than I recall from the first book, which was set in the country (...thus the "Provincial" Lady). Some of the topical references flew right over our heads, I'm afraid, but more often than not, there was a cozy recognition of the universal human experience-- that comfortable sensation of "the more things change, the more they stay the same".
While reading these first two Provincial Lady books, we've repeatedly commented on the odd financial circumstances of the Lady and her family. They seem always to be worried about a shortness of funds. It's practically a hobby of the Lady's to hold the bankers at bay-- and yet they employ a cook and a maid. Then there's Mademoiselle -- to say nothing of the London flat! Clearly the Lady and her family are fairly well off (certainly not starving)-- but she's consistently stressed about money! I know it's meant to be funny-- and the Lady likely considers Cook an absolute necessity-- but the family's strange relationship with money is the one aspect of the books that is hardest for a modern, middle-class reader to completely grasp (much less sympathize with).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews