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The Provincial Lady #4
The Provincial Lady in Wartime
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.World War II has begun and the P.L. must cope with gas masks, evacuated relatives and Canteen service.
392 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1940
About the author
E.M. Delafield
152 books158 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
February 12, 2020
Considering how very little happens in this book, it’s pretty amusing. E.M. Delafield’s narrator heads to London to try to help with the war effort, but is turned away again and again. She finally ends up as a volunteer at a canteen for ambulance drivers and nurses. That’s pretty much it. It shouldn’t have been funny and interesting, yet it was!
The Provincial Lady finds old friends and new in London, and she’s just as witty and incisive as ever. The description of Granny Bo-Peep — an incredibly annoying old lady with an overpowering sense of her self-worth — is worth the price of admission all by itself. The novel ends incredibly abruptly, perhaps because of the death of the son of Elizabeth Dashwood (Delafield’s real name) in late 1940, although others assume that it was because Dashwood got a paid job in government service. The ending — really a lack of one — led me to lower the book’s rating.
This final novel in the series is said to have been at the request of Harold Macmillan, then a Tory member of Parliament, but later prime minister. I’m glad he asked.
The Provincial Lady finds old friends and new in London, and she’s just as witty and incisive as ever. The description of Granny Bo-Peep — an incredibly annoying old lady with an overpowering sense of her self-worth — is worth the price of admission all by itself. The novel ends incredibly abruptly, perhaps because of the death of the son of Elizabeth Dashwood (Delafield’s real name) in late 1940, although others assume that it was because Dashwood got a paid job in government service. The ending — really a lack of one — led me to lower the book’s rating.
This final novel in the series is said to have been at the request of Harold Macmillan, then a Tory member of Parliament, but later prime minister. I’m glad he asked.
May 5, 2015
The Provincial Lady in this book takes us with her to the first few months of the Second World War, when nothing much was happening, and she and many others were trying to get themselves roles in which they could feel they were helping their country's cause. In the course of this she meets various people and describes them with her usual sharp wit. After a lunch with Lady Blowfield and a man who claimed to have all sorts of insider knowledge, she finds herself in sympathy with a couple for whom she had not previously cared much:
"... I feel more drawn towards them than I should ever have believed possible. Am sorry to note that abuse and condemnation of a common acquaintance often constitutes very strong bond of union between otherwise uncongenial spirits." (page 174)
Earlier in the book, she hears from her aunt about Our Vicar's Wife who has been to tea and "... has declared that she is getting on splendidly and the evacuees are settling down, and a nephew of a friend of hers, in the Militia, has told his mother, who has written it to his aunt, who has passed it on to Our Vicar's Wife, that all Berlin is seething with discontent, and a revolution in Germany is scheduled for the first Monday in November. Is this, asks Aunt Blanche rhetorically, what the Press calls Wishful Thinking?" (page 121)
Interesting to read to get a feel for that strange period after war was declared and before the battle really started as far as the English could see.
"... I feel more drawn towards them than I should ever have believed possible. Am sorry to note that abuse and condemnation of a common acquaintance often constitutes very strong bond of union between otherwise uncongenial spirits." (page 174)
Earlier in the book, she hears from her aunt about Our Vicar's Wife who has been to tea and "... has declared that she is getting on splendidly and the evacuees are settling down, and a nephew of a friend of hers, in the Militia, has told his mother, who has written it to his aunt, who has passed it on to Our Vicar's Wife, that all Berlin is seething with discontent, and a revolution in Germany is scheduled for the first Monday in November. Is this, asks Aunt Blanche rhetorically, what the Press calls Wishful Thinking?" (page 121)
Interesting to read to get a feel for that strange period after war was declared and before the battle really started as far as the English could see.
September 9, 2020
The diary opens on Sept 1st, with WW2 about to be declared, and the household is bustling about preparing for it, measuring up for gas masks and sorting out evacuees. While Aunt Blanche decides to leave London and become a paying guest at their house, our provincial lady heads up to London in order to find important war work to do and serve her country. Despite posters abounding, asking everyone to step up and help out, she finds it very difficult to find work. Everywhere she tries there are hundreds of people trying to do the same and she is always told to wait. She volunteers in a canteen and her descriptions of the characters using it are very funny and keep the book moving along at a rapid pace. The story only takes place during the first 3 months of the war and you get a real sense of that uncertainty and waiting to see what will happen; what we know now as the phoney war. Always amusing with her funny characterisations, made me think of Miss Ranskill Comes Home and the way she (Miss Ranskill) views all those busy, efficient war workers.
A wonderful end to a delightful series.
A wonderful end to a delightful series.
January 9, 2023
4 Stars
December 14, 2020
Extremely funny and wry, this delighted me utterly and really helped my research. (16+)
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
February 22, 2017
I first read The Provincial Lady in Wartime two years ago, and very much enjoyed revisiting it. It is the final book in Delafield's endlessly charming and witty Provincial Lady series, and is certainly a fitting end to the whole. I loved the regression to diary format once more, missing as it was from The Provincial Lady in Russia, and enjoyed those rather amusing scenes which peppered the book. I'm very much looking forward to embarking upon Delafield's standalone novels now.
August 19, 2023
"Am struck by paradoxical thought that youth is by no means the happiest time of life, but that most of the rest of life is tinged by regret for its passing, and wonder what old age will feel like, in this respect"
I think this is my favourite of the Provincial Lady books. It is actually set not in wartime proper but in the phoney war when nothing very much happened. Obviously Delafield herself lived through this and I presume the way things were proceeding is an accurate depiction of how things were before April 1940 when the war started in ernest (the diary ends in November 1939); you get the impression that London, and presumably most of the country, was holding its breath. The lady goes to stay in London, hoping desperately for some role to play but at this point there are far more people volunteering than there are jobs and she ends up working in a canteen. Robert is left at home and the children at school but I thing this was given added poignancy by knowing that her son Robin is now 18 and will be called up probably within the year. I also found it interesting that she keeps thinking back to the Great War, when she was young and there was a part for her to play (the quote at the start relates to this).
I think this is my favourite of the Provincial Lady books. It is actually set not in wartime proper but in the phoney war when nothing very much happened. Obviously Delafield herself lived through this and I presume the way things were proceeding is an accurate depiction of how things were before April 1940 when the war started in ernest (the diary ends in November 1939); you get the impression that London, and presumably most of the country, was holding its breath. The lady goes to stay in London, hoping desperately for some role to play but at this point there are far more people volunteering than there are jobs and she ends up working in a canteen. Robert is left at home and the children at school but I thing this was given added poignancy by knowing that her son Robin is now 18 and will be called up probably within the year. I also found it interesting that she keeps thinking back to the Great War, when she was young and there was a part for her to play (the quote at the start relates to this).
Want to Read
December 7, 2020The last in a series of four:
1.Diary of a Provincial Lady 4 stars
2.The Provincial Lady in London TBR
3.The Provincial Lady in America TBR
4.The Provincial Lady in Wartime TBR
1.Diary of a Provincial Lady 4 stars
2.The Provincial Lady in London TBR
3.The Provincial Lady in America TBR
4.The Provincial Lady in Wartime TBR
January 27, 2008
Published in the first year of WWII, this is a cute, superficial look at the zeitgeist of England. It's not nearly as funny as the first few Provincial Lady novels--I'd recommend fans of those to stop at The Provincial Lady in America. When war is declared, the Lady tries to get war-work--only to realize that every other person in England is trying to Do Their Part as well. After weeks of asking Ministry officials for something to do, she finally gets volunteer work at a canteen. Everyone waits around and absolutely nothing happens. If this tale was told about any other war I'd have found it rather more amusing.
May 7, 2009
I am very fond of this series from the 1930s, but this one is not the best. It was published in 1940 and just covers the first couple months of the war, in the fall of 1939, and it gets very repetitive, with everyone constantly being told to "stand by" and wondering when the real war will actually begin. Apparently Delafield is parodied as Esme Delacroix in the Simpsons episode "Diatribe of a Mad Housewife", which I am longing to see, even though I became disenchanted with the Simpsons sometime around season 9.
January 23, 2015
Told in a diary format, this fictional story covers 9/1-11/21/39, a few months of the “phony war” period in Great Britain after war was declared against Germany. The main character heads to London to help her country, only to find that her country isn’t ready for her yet. Her dry often humorous entries about trying to find a war-related job also capture the details and atmosphere of the time from the implementation of blackouts to barrage balloons flying over London to colorful, “stylish” covers for gas masks that match women's outfits.
March 2, 2011
This is an interesting account of homefront life during the early part of WWII in what is commonly called the "Phoney War." I've read many "fictional" accounts of homefront life during this time and rarely is this period between Sept. 1939 and May 1940 covered (though Delafield end the book in November '39). The uneasiness and restlessness of what is to come and when is captured well in this dairy format. A nice read in the Provincial Lady series, though not the strongest of the bunch.
November 10, 2013
Found it hard to finish this one. I enjoyed the other Provincial Lady books, but this one is repetitious and not as illuminating about World War II as I thought it would be. Most interesting here was the waiting described by people on the homefront, whose anxiety in anticipating the war is well chronicled.
September 26, 2022
3* Diary of a Provincial Lady
2* The Provincial Lady Goes Further
4* Consequences
4* The Provincial Lady in Wartime
TR The Way Things Are
TR The Provincial Lady in Russia
TR Thank Heaven Fasting
2* The Provincial Lady Goes Further
4* Consequences
4* The Provincial Lady in Wartime
TR The Way Things Are
TR The Provincial Lady in Russia
TR Thank Heaven Fasting
July 25, 2022
I liked this book because of the topic - WWII. Daily frustrations due to of lack of information, wanting to help, early days of disorganization both in various governmental agencies, and with volunteers.
December 23, 2020
In view of the last, the first three, in the series, which are comprised of light, ironic, casual seeming in tone, entries in diary of an upper middle class lady in England, who's as deprecating of her career as author and consequent fame as she's of various other facets of life of someone at her status and class, one wonders how she'd write to fit in a volume about WWII in the series. It wasn't funny.
But then, nor is she, not intentionally, and underneath it all she's clearly serious about things that matter, and has no self consciousness of posing when writing about setting forth across Atlantic and admitting homesickness, nostalgia about children and husband, or fearing never seeing them again, either due to her drowning or something going wrong with any of them. She not only admits all of it, matter-of-factly, but succinctly too, before moving on to nausea on sea and more.
So one expects her to be matter of fact about WWII, of course. Will she be ironic? She's not about to change her mind and soul! Will she be more than just funny? About silly parties, no. About war, definitely.
And she not only hits it running but does so clean out of boundary.
............
"September 1st, 1939.—Enquire of Robert whether he does not think that, in view of times in which we live, diary of daily events might be of ultimate historical value to posterity. He replies that It Depends.
"Explain that I do not mean events of national importance, which may safely be left to the Press, but only chronicle of ordinary English citizen's reactions to war which now appears inevitable.
"Robert's only reply—if reply it can be called—is to enquire whether I am really quite certain that Cook takes a medium size in gas-masks. Personally, he should have thought a large, if not out-size, was indicated. Am forced to realise that Cook's gas-mask is intrinsically of greater importance than problematical contribution to literature by myself, but am all the same slightly aggrieved. Better nature fortunately prevails, and I suggest that Cook had better be asked to clear up the point once and for all. Inclination on the part of Robert to ring the bell has to be checked, and I go instead to kitchen passage door and ask if Cook will please come here for a moment.
"She does come, and Robert selects frightful-looking appliances, each with a snout projecting below a little talc window, from pile which has stood in corner of the study for some days.
"Cook shows a slight inclination towards coyness when Robert adjusts one on her head with stout crosspiece, and replies from within, when questioned, that It'll do nicely, sir, thank you. (Voice sounds very hollow and sepulchral.)"
"Cook (evidently thinks Robert most unreasonable) asserts that she's sure it'll do beautifully—this surely very curious adverb to select?—and departs with a look implying that she has been caused to waste a good deal of valuable time.
"Cook's gas-mask is put into cardboard box and marked with her name, and a similar provision made for everybody in the house, after which Robert remarks, rather strangely, that that's a good job done.
"Telephone bell rings, Vicky can be heard rushing to answer it, and shortly afterwards appears, looking delighted, to say that that was Mr. Humphrey Holloway, the billeting officer, to say that we may expect three evacuated children and one teacher from East Poplar at eleven o'clock to-night.
"Have been expecting this, in a way, for days and days, and am fully prepared to take it with absolute calm, and am therefore not pleased when Vicky adopts an air capable and says: It'll be all right, I'm not to throw a fit, she can easily get everything ready. (Dear Vicky in many ways a great comfort, and her position as House prefect at school much to her credit, but cannot agree to be treated as though already in advanced stage of senile decay.)
"I answer repressively that she can help me to get the beds made up, and we proceed to top-floor attics, hitherto occupied by Robin, who has now, says Vicky, himself been evacuated to erstwhile spare bedroom."
............
"Vicky undertakes to put flowers in each room before nightfall, and informs me that picture of Infant Samuel on the wall is definitely old-fashioned and must go. Feel sentimental about this and inclined to be slightly hurt, until she suddenly rather touchingly adds that, as a matter of fact, she thinks she would like to have it in her own room—to which we accordingly remove it.
"Robin returns from mysterious errand to the village, for which he has borrowed the car, looks all round the rooms rather vaguely and says: Everything seems splendid—which I think is overestimating the amenities provided, which consist mainly of very old nursery screen with pictures pasted on it, green rush-bottomed chairs, patchwork quilts and painted white furniture. He removes his trouser-press with an air of deep concern and announces, as he goes, that the evacuated children can read all his books if they want to. Look round at volumes of Aldous Huxley, André Maurois, Neo-Georgian Poets, the New Yorker and a number of Greek textbooks, and remove them all."
............
"Vicky asks whether she hadn't better tell Cook, Winnie and May about the arrival of what she calls "The little evacuments", and I say Certainly, and am extremely relieved at not having to do it myself. Call after her that she is to say they will want a hot meal on arrival but that if Cook will leave the things out, I will get it ready myself and nobody is to sit up.
"Reply reaches me later to the effect that Cook will be sitting up in any case, to listen-in to any announcements that may be on the wireless.
"Announcement, actually, is made at six o'clock of general mobilisation in England and France.
"I say, Well, it's a relief it's come at last, Robin delivers a short speech about the Balkan States and their political significance, which is not, he thinks, sufficiently appreciated by the Government—and Vicky declares that if there's a war, she ought to become a V.A.D. and not go back to school.
"Robert says nothing.
"Very shortly afterwards he becomes extremely active over the necessity of conforming to the black-out regulations, and tells me that from henceforward no chink of light must be allowed to show from any window whatever. He then instructs us all to turn on every light in the house and draw all the blinds and curtains while he makes a tour of inspection outside. We all obey in frenzied haste, as though a fleet of enemy aircraft had already been sighted making straight for this house and no other, and then have to wait some fifteen minutes before Robert comes in again and says that practically every curtain in the place will have to be lined with black and that sheets of brown paper must be nailed up over several of the windows.
"Undertake to do all before nightfall to-morrow, and make a note to get in supply of candles, matches, and at least two electric torches."
............
"Aunt Blanche, speaking from London, wishes to know if we should care to take her as paying guest for the duration of the war. It isn't, she says frenziedly, that she would mind being bombed, or is in the least afraid of anything that Hitler—who is, she feels perfectly certain, simply the Devil in disguise—may do to her, but the friend with whom she shares a flat has joined up as an Ambulance driver and says that she will be doing twenty-four-hour shifts, and sleeping on a camp bed in the Adelphi, and that as the lease of their flat will be up on September 25th, they had better give it up. The friend, to Aunt Blanche's certain knowledge, will never see sixty-five again, and Aunt Blanche has protested strongly against the whole scheme—but to no avail. Pussy—Mrs. Winter-Gammon—has bought a pair of slacks and been given an armlet, and may be called up at any moment."
............
"Impression prevails as of having lived through at least two European wars since morning, but this view certainly exaggerated and will doubtless disperse after sleep."
............
"September 3rd, 1939.—England at war with Germany. Announcement is made by Prime Minister over the radio at eleven-fifteen and is heard by us in village church, where wireless has been placed on the pulpit. Everyone takes it very quietly and general feeling summed up by old Mrs. S. at the Post Office who says to me, after mentioning that her two sons have both been called up: Well, we've got to show ‘Itler, haven't we? Agree, emphatically, that we have.
"September 7th.—Discuss entire situation as it affects ourselves with Robert, the children and Cook.
"Robert says: Better shut up the house as we shan't be able to afford to live anywhere, after the war—but is brought round to less drastic views and agrees to shutting up drawing-room and two bedrooms only. He also advocates letting one maid go—which is as well since both have instantly informed me that they feel it their duty to leave and look for war work."
............
"Have agreeable sense of having dealt promptly and efficiently with war emergency—this leads to speculation as to which Ministerial Department will put me in charge of its workings, and idle vision of taking office as Cabinet Minister and Robert's astonishment at appointment. ... "
"On reaching dining-room, find that electric kettle has boiled over and has flooded the carpet. Abandon all idea of Ministerial appointment and devote myself to swabbing up hot water, in the midst of which car returns. Opening of front door reveals that both headlights have turned blue and it minute ray of pallid light only. This effect achieved by Robert unknown to me, and am much impressed."
............
"September 12th.—Aunt Blanche settling down, and national calamity evidently bringing out best in many of us, Cook included, but exception must be made in regard to Lady Boxe, who keeps large ambulance permanently stationed in drive and says that house is to be a Hospital (Officers only) and is therefore not available for evacuees. No officers materialise, but Lady B. reported to have been seen in full Red Cross uniform with snow-white veil floating in the breeze behind her. (Undoubtedly very trying colour next to any but a youthful face; but am not proud of this reflection and keep it to myself.)
"Everybody else in neighbourhood has received evacuees, most of whom arrive without a word of warning and prove to be of age and sex diametrically opposite to those expected.
"Rectory turns its dining-room into a dormitory and Our Vicar's Wife struggles gallantly with two mothers and three children under five, one of whom is thought to be suffering from fits. Both her maids have declared that they must find war work and immediately departed in search of it. I send Vicky up to see what she can do, and she is proved to be helpful, practical, and able to keep a firm hand over the under-fives."
............
"Light relief is afforded by Miss Pankerton, who is, we all agree, having the time of her life. Miss P.—who has, for no known reason, sprung into long blue trousers and leather jerkin—strides about the village marshalling six pallid and wizened little boys from Bethnal Green in front of her. Extraordinary legend is current that she has taught them to sing "Under a spreading chestnut-tree, the village smithy stands", and that they roar it in chorus with great docility in her presence, but have a version of their own which she has accidentally overheard from the bathroom and that this runs:
"Under a spreading chestnut-tree
"Stands the bloody A.R.P.
"So says the —ing B.B.C.
"Aunt Blanche, in telling me this, adds that: "It's really wonderful, considering the eldest is only seven years old." Surely a comment of rather singular leniency?"
............
"Our own evacuees make extraordinarily brief appearance, ... Do my best for them with cups of tea, cakes, toys for the children and flowers in bedroom. Only the cups of tea afford even moderate satisfaction, and mother leaves the house at dawn next day to find Humphrey Holloway and inform him that he is to telegraph to Dad to come and fetch them away immediately—which he does twenty-four hours later. Feel much cast-down, and apologise to H. H., who informs me in reply that evacuees from all parts of the country are hastening back to danger zone as rapidly as possible, as being infinitely preferable to rural hospitality. Where this isn't happening, adds Humphrey in tones of deepest gloom, it is the country hostesses who are proving inadequate and clamouring for the removal of their guests."
" ... further says that, now he comes to think of it, some of the families in village are quite pleased with the London children. Adds—as usual—that the real difficulty is the mothers."
"September 17th.—Installation of Doreen Fitzgerald, Marigold and Margery. Children pretty and apparently good. D. Fitzgerald has bright red hair but plain face and to all suggestions simply replies: Certainly I shall."
"Acknowledge Serena Thingamy—have never been told surname—but attention distracted by infant Margery who has remained glued to Happy Families throughout and now asks with brassy determination for Master Bones the Butcher's Son. Produce Master Potts by mistake, am rebuked gravely by Margery and screamed at by Marigold, and at the same time informed by Aunt Blanche that she can never remember the girl's name but I must know whom she means—dear little Serena Fiddlededee. Agree that I do, promise to go down into the underworld in search of her, and give full attention to collecting remaining unit of Mr. Bun the Baker's family."
............
" ... Evacuees, on the other hand, require cereals every day and are said by Doreen Fitzgerald not to like bacon. Just as well, replies Aunt Blanche, as this is shortly to be rationed. This takes me into conversational byway concerning food shortage in Berlin, and our pity for the German people with whom, Aunt Blanche and I declare, we have no quarrel whatever, and who must on no account be identified with Nazi Party, let alone with Nazi Government. The whole thing, says Aunt Blanche, will be brought to an end by German revolution. I entirely agree, but ask when, to which she replies with a long story about Hitler's astrologer. Hitler's astrologer—a woman—has predicted every event in his career with astounding accuracy, and the Führer has consulted her regularly. Recently, however, she has—with some lack of discretion—informed him that his downfall, if not his assassination, is now a matter of months, and as a result, astrology has been forbidden in Germany. The astrologer is said to have disappeared."
............
"Enquire after Rectory evacuees—can see two of them chasing the cat in garden—and Our Vicar's Wife says Oh, well, there they are, poor little things, and one mother has written to her husband to come and fetch her and the child away but he hasn't done so, for which Our Vicar's Wife doesn't blame him—and the other mother seems to ....
But then, nor is she, not intentionally, and underneath it all she's clearly serious about things that matter, and has no self consciousness of posing when writing about setting forth across Atlantic and admitting homesickness, nostalgia about children and husband, or fearing never seeing them again, either due to her drowning or something going wrong with any of them. She not only admits all of it, matter-of-factly, but succinctly too, before moving on to nausea on sea and more.
So one expects her to be matter of fact about WWII, of course. Will she be ironic? She's not about to change her mind and soul! Will she be more than just funny? About silly parties, no. About war, definitely.
And she not only hits it running but does so clean out of boundary.
............
"September 1st, 1939.—Enquire of Robert whether he does not think that, in view of times in which we live, diary of daily events might be of ultimate historical value to posterity. He replies that It Depends.
"Explain that I do not mean events of national importance, which may safely be left to the Press, but only chronicle of ordinary English citizen's reactions to war which now appears inevitable.
"Robert's only reply—if reply it can be called—is to enquire whether I am really quite certain that Cook takes a medium size in gas-masks. Personally, he should have thought a large, if not out-size, was indicated. Am forced to realise that Cook's gas-mask is intrinsically of greater importance than problematical contribution to literature by myself, but am all the same slightly aggrieved. Better nature fortunately prevails, and I suggest that Cook had better be asked to clear up the point once and for all. Inclination on the part of Robert to ring the bell has to be checked, and I go instead to kitchen passage door and ask if Cook will please come here for a moment.
"She does come, and Robert selects frightful-looking appliances, each with a snout projecting below a little talc window, from pile which has stood in corner of the study for some days.
"Cook shows a slight inclination towards coyness when Robert adjusts one on her head with stout crosspiece, and replies from within, when questioned, that It'll do nicely, sir, thank you. (Voice sounds very hollow and sepulchral.)"
"Cook (evidently thinks Robert most unreasonable) asserts that she's sure it'll do beautifully—this surely very curious adverb to select?—and departs with a look implying that she has been caused to waste a good deal of valuable time.
"Cook's gas-mask is put into cardboard box and marked with her name, and a similar provision made for everybody in the house, after which Robert remarks, rather strangely, that that's a good job done.
"Telephone bell rings, Vicky can be heard rushing to answer it, and shortly afterwards appears, looking delighted, to say that that was Mr. Humphrey Holloway, the billeting officer, to say that we may expect three evacuated children and one teacher from East Poplar at eleven o'clock to-night.
"Have been expecting this, in a way, for days and days, and am fully prepared to take it with absolute calm, and am therefore not pleased when Vicky adopts an air capable and says: It'll be all right, I'm not to throw a fit, she can easily get everything ready. (Dear Vicky in many ways a great comfort, and her position as House prefect at school much to her credit, but cannot agree to be treated as though already in advanced stage of senile decay.)
"I answer repressively that she can help me to get the beds made up, and we proceed to top-floor attics, hitherto occupied by Robin, who has now, says Vicky, himself been evacuated to erstwhile spare bedroom."
............
"Vicky undertakes to put flowers in each room before nightfall, and informs me that picture of Infant Samuel on the wall is definitely old-fashioned and must go. Feel sentimental about this and inclined to be slightly hurt, until she suddenly rather touchingly adds that, as a matter of fact, she thinks she would like to have it in her own room—to which we accordingly remove it.
"Robin returns from mysterious errand to the village, for which he has borrowed the car, looks all round the rooms rather vaguely and says: Everything seems splendid—which I think is overestimating the amenities provided, which consist mainly of very old nursery screen with pictures pasted on it, green rush-bottomed chairs, patchwork quilts and painted white furniture. He removes his trouser-press with an air of deep concern and announces, as he goes, that the evacuated children can read all his books if they want to. Look round at volumes of Aldous Huxley, André Maurois, Neo-Georgian Poets, the New Yorker and a number of Greek textbooks, and remove them all."
............
"Vicky asks whether she hadn't better tell Cook, Winnie and May about the arrival of what she calls "The little evacuments", and I say Certainly, and am extremely relieved at not having to do it myself. Call after her that she is to say they will want a hot meal on arrival but that if Cook will leave the things out, I will get it ready myself and nobody is to sit up.
"Reply reaches me later to the effect that Cook will be sitting up in any case, to listen-in to any announcements that may be on the wireless.
"Announcement, actually, is made at six o'clock of general mobilisation in England and France.
"I say, Well, it's a relief it's come at last, Robin delivers a short speech about the Balkan States and their political significance, which is not, he thinks, sufficiently appreciated by the Government—and Vicky declares that if there's a war, she ought to become a V.A.D. and not go back to school.
"Robert says nothing.
"Very shortly afterwards he becomes extremely active over the necessity of conforming to the black-out regulations, and tells me that from henceforward no chink of light must be allowed to show from any window whatever. He then instructs us all to turn on every light in the house and draw all the blinds and curtains while he makes a tour of inspection outside. We all obey in frenzied haste, as though a fleet of enemy aircraft had already been sighted making straight for this house and no other, and then have to wait some fifteen minutes before Robert comes in again and says that practically every curtain in the place will have to be lined with black and that sheets of brown paper must be nailed up over several of the windows.
"Undertake to do all before nightfall to-morrow, and make a note to get in supply of candles, matches, and at least two electric torches."
............
"Aunt Blanche, speaking from London, wishes to know if we should care to take her as paying guest for the duration of the war. It isn't, she says frenziedly, that she would mind being bombed, or is in the least afraid of anything that Hitler—who is, she feels perfectly certain, simply the Devil in disguise—may do to her, but the friend with whom she shares a flat has joined up as an Ambulance driver and says that she will be doing twenty-four-hour shifts, and sleeping on a camp bed in the Adelphi, and that as the lease of their flat will be up on September 25th, they had better give it up. The friend, to Aunt Blanche's certain knowledge, will never see sixty-five again, and Aunt Blanche has protested strongly against the whole scheme—but to no avail. Pussy—Mrs. Winter-Gammon—has bought a pair of slacks and been given an armlet, and may be called up at any moment."
............
"Impression prevails as of having lived through at least two European wars since morning, but this view certainly exaggerated and will doubtless disperse after sleep."
............
"September 3rd, 1939.—England at war with Germany. Announcement is made by Prime Minister over the radio at eleven-fifteen and is heard by us in village church, where wireless has been placed on the pulpit. Everyone takes it very quietly and general feeling summed up by old Mrs. S. at the Post Office who says to me, after mentioning that her two sons have both been called up: Well, we've got to show ‘Itler, haven't we? Agree, emphatically, that we have.
"September 7th.—Discuss entire situation as it affects ourselves with Robert, the children and Cook.
"Robert says: Better shut up the house as we shan't be able to afford to live anywhere, after the war—but is brought round to less drastic views and agrees to shutting up drawing-room and two bedrooms only. He also advocates letting one maid go—which is as well since both have instantly informed me that they feel it their duty to leave and look for war work."
............
"Have agreeable sense of having dealt promptly and efficiently with war emergency—this leads to speculation as to which Ministerial Department will put me in charge of its workings, and idle vision of taking office as Cabinet Minister and Robert's astonishment at appointment. ... "
"On reaching dining-room, find that electric kettle has boiled over and has flooded the carpet. Abandon all idea of Ministerial appointment and devote myself to swabbing up hot water, in the midst of which car returns. Opening of front door reveals that both headlights have turned blue and it minute ray of pallid light only. This effect achieved by Robert unknown to me, and am much impressed."
............
"September 12th.—Aunt Blanche settling down, and national calamity evidently bringing out best in many of us, Cook included, but exception must be made in regard to Lady Boxe, who keeps large ambulance permanently stationed in drive and says that house is to be a Hospital (Officers only) and is therefore not available for evacuees. No officers materialise, but Lady B. reported to have been seen in full Red Cross uniform with snow-white veil floating in the breeze behind her. (Undoubtedly very trying colour next to any but a youthful face; but am not proud of this reflection and keep it to myself.)
"Everybody else in neighbourhood has received evacuees, most of whom arrive without a word of warning and prove to be of age and sex diametrically opposite to those expected.
"Rectory turns its dining-room into a dormitory and Our Vicar's Wife struggles gallantly with two mothers and three children under five, one of whom is thought to be suffering from fits. Both her maids have declared that they must find war work and immediately departed in search of it. I send Vicky up to see what she can do, and she is proved to be helpful, practical, and able to keep a firm hand over the under-fives."
............
"Light relief is afforded by Miss Pankerton, who is, we all agree, having the time of her life. Miss P.—who has, for no known reason, sprung into long blue trousers and leather jerkin—strides about the village marshalling six pallid and wizened little boys from Bethnal Green in front of her. Extraordinary legend is current that she has taught them to sing "Under a spreading chestnut-tree, the village smithy stands", and that they roar it in chorus with great docility in her presence, but have a version of their own which she has accidentally overheard from the bathroom and that this runs:
"Under a spreading chestnut-tree
"Stands the bloody A.R.P.
"So says the —ing B.B.C.
"Aunt Blanche, in telling me this, adds that: "It's really wonderful, considering the eldest is only seven years old." Surely a comment of rather singular leniency?"
............
"Our own evacuees make extraordinarily brief appearance, ... Do my best for them with cups of tea, cakes, toys for the children and flowers in bedroom. Only the cups of tea afford even moderate satisfaction, and mother leaves the house at dawn next day to find Humphrey Holloway and inform him that he is to telegraph to Dad to come and fetch them away immediately—which he does twenty-four hours later. Feel much cast-down, and apologise to H. H., who informs me in reply that evacuees from all parts of the country are hastening back to danger zone as rapidly as possible, as being infinitely preferable to rural hospitality. Where this isn't happening, adds Humphrey in tones of deepest gloom, it is the country hostesses who are proving inadequate and clamouring for the removal of their guests."
" ... further says that, now he comes to think of it, some of the families in village are quite pleased with the London children. Adds—as usual—that the real difficulty is the mothers."
"September 17th.—Installation of Doreen Fitzgerald, Marigold and Margery. Children pretty and apparently good. D. Fitzgerald has bright red hair but plain face and to all suggestions simply replies: Certainly I shall."
"Acknowledge Serena Thingamy—have never been told surname—but attention distracted by infant Margery who has remained glued to Happy Families throughout and now asks with brassy determination for Master Bones the Butcher's Son. Produce Master Potts by mistake, am rebuked gravely by Margery and screamed at by Marigold, and at the same time informed by Aunt Blanche that she can never remember the girl's name but I must know whom she means—dear little Serena Fiddlededee. Agree that I do, promise to go down into the underworld in search of her, and give full attention to collecting remaining unit of Mr. Bun the Baker's family."
............
" ... Evacuees, on the other hand, require cereals every day and are said by Doreen Fitzgerald not to like bacon. Just as well, replies Aunt Blanche, as this is shortly to be rationed. This takes me into conversational byway concerning food shortage in Berlin, and our pity for the German people with whom, Aunt Blanche and I declare, we have no quarrel whatever, and who must on no account be identified with Nazi Party, let alone with Nazi Government. The whole thing, says Aunt Blanche, will be brought to an end by German revolution. I entirely agree, but ask when, to which she replies with a long story about Hitler's astrologer. Hitler's astrologer—a woman—has predicted every event in his career with astounding accuracy, and the Führer has consulted her regularly. Recently, however, she has—with some lack of discretion—informed him that his downfall, if not his assassination, is now a matter of months, and as a result, astrology has been forbidden in Germany. The astrologer is said to have disappeared."
............
"Enquire after Rectory evacuees—can see two of them chasing the cat in garden—and Our Vicar's Wife says Oh, well, there they are, poor little things, and one mother has written to her husband to come and fetch her and the child away but he hasn't done so, for which Our Vicar's Wife doesn't blame him—and the other mother seems to ....
June 29, 2017
(This was a shared read-aloud. My star-rating is probably more of a 3.5 than a 4, but I'll round it up, because I enjoyed the series as a whole so much.)
Though I am fond of the Provincial Lady, I'd recommend this primarily for two groups of readers-- serious P.L. fans/completists and those interested in firsthand accounts of the English home front during the early part of WWII. It's about on par with The Provincial Lady in America, with neither being as good as the first two books in the series. There's a good deal of repetition, and nothing much happens. It has its amusing moments, but they seem fewer than I remember from the first book or two.
That said, from a historical point of view, it's fascinating to get a "real-time" glimpse into what people were thinking, saying, and doing during the first few months of WWII, when they were essentially marking time, waiting for the war to begin in earnest. Obviously, they had no way of knowing what the future held-- something that is easy to gloss over when reading a traditional, textbook history, always aware of the eventual outcome. Though the book keeps a fairly light, humorous tone, the P.L. and her friends and family must have been under a terrible burden of stress and worry. (I was saddened to learn from another person's review that )
So-- This was well worth reading, but I imagine that if I ever feel like a re-read, I'll content myself with the first two!
Though I am fond of the Provincial Lady, I'd recommend this primarily for two groups of readers-- serious P.L. fans/completists and those interested in firsthand accounts of the English home front during the early part of WWII. It's about on par with The Provincial Lady in America, with neither being as good as the first two books in the series. There's a good deal of repetition, and nothing much happens. It has its amusing moments, but they seem fewer than I remember from the first book or two.
That said, from a historical point of view, it's fascinating to get a "real-time" glimpse into what people were thinking, saying, and doing during the first few months of WWII, when they were essentially marking time, waiting for the war to begin in earnest. Obviously, they had no way of knowing what the future held-- something that is easy to gloss over when reading a traditional, textbook history, always aware of the eventual outcome. Though the book keeps a fairly light, humorous tone, the P.L. and her friends and family must have been under a terrible burden of stress and worry. (I was saddened to learn from another person's review that )
So-- This was well worth reading, but I imagine that if I ever feel like a re-read, I'll content myself with the first two!
March 1, 2018
This is the final book of The Diary of a Provincial Lady series. This is outstanding work. It really takes the reader back to London in the days of the WWII and the interests, as well as difficulties of the population.
I am surprised, however, with some weaknesses in the plot. Especially when at the time of writing, it would be difficult, if not impossible for such a lady to leave family and install herself in London. But here we encounter old and new characters and are able to glimpse the lives of those toiling about in wartime London. Another thing that nearly makes me sad, is that the author living and writing in wartime, does make contemporary authors look rather bad. And even untalented in my opinion. Or perhaps it is just that people back then could express themselves better, both in writing and as conversationalists. An art that has been lost to us.
I will not forget this series in a hurry. I came to love the provincial lady, and now as she would say, there's nothing but try and acquire the Provincial Lady in Russia. I do hope to be able to get it soon enough. In the meantime, I will miss the Provincial Lady. 5 stars. Easily.
I am surprised, however, with some weaknesses in the plot. Especially when at the time of writing, it would be difficult, if not impossible for such a lady to leave family and install herself in London. But here we encounter old and new characters and are able to glimpse the lives of those toiling about in wartime London. Another thing that nearly makes me sad, is that the author living and writing in wartime, does make contemporary authors look rather bad. And even untalented in my opinion. Or perhaps it is just that people back then could express themselves better, both in writing and as conversationalists. An art that has been lost to us.
I will not forget this series in a hurry. I came to love the provincial lady, and now as she would say, there's nothing but try and acquire the Provincial Lady in Russia. I do hope to be able to get it soon enough. In the meantime, I will miss the Provincial Lady. 5 stars. Easily.
September 21, 2011
This is the concluding volume in a series. I own an omnibus edition which includes all four books, The Diary of a Provincial Lady, The Provincial Lady Goes Further, The Provincial Lady in America, and The Provincial Lady in Wartime. Overall this is a very funny series and I enjoyed the P.L.'s dry caustic remarks. I read the books in fairly quick succession and by the time I read The Provincial Lady in Wartime I was beginning to feel a sameness in the books. The period covered in the last book is the "phoney war" when everyone including the P.L. is hoping to serve in some capacity but all they can do is stand by. In the meantime, they cope with evacuees and petrol rationing, and the P.L. volunteers in a canteen. I am pleased to have read the whole series.
January 22, 2024
The last of the Provincial Lady collection, this book covers the first three months of WW II - a time before very much happened in Great Britain. It mostly focuses on the Provincial Lady's desire to find meaningful war work at a time when most of the nation was seeking meaningful war work, but before such work was widely available. She ultimately finds herself volunteering in a canteen. It addresses gas masks, evacuees, blackout, and lots of speculation about what is to come.
It has all of the wit of the earlier books, but much less activity. The topics are very repetitive and the time period covered was not as long as I would have liked. However, there are new and interesting characters introduced in this book. Overall an enjoyable read.
It has all of the wit of the earlier books, but much less activity. The topics are very repetitive and the time period covered was not as long as I would have liked. However, there are new and interesting characters introduced in this book. Overall an enjoyable read.
October 28, 2012
It feels a bit wrong to adore a book about the beginning of WW II in England, and to especially enjoy it's humor, but with this endearing diary, it cannot be helped.
Having read several other Delafield books, I knew that I enjoyed her humorous tongue-in-cheek style.
This book centers on the late months of 1939 before the war, when children were beginning to be evacuated and people not in the military were seeking ways to do their part toward the war effort. Delafield gives us an idea of what was transpiring, but with that clever British wit that I love.
Having read several other Delafield books, I knew that I enjoyed her humorous tongue-in-cheek style.
This book centers on the late months of 1939 before the war, when children were beginning to be evacuated and people not in the military were seeking ways to do their part toward the war effort. Delafield gives us an idea of what was transpiring, but with that clever British wit that I love.
December 12, 2009
Delafield's unnamed narrator convinces herself, and her husband, that she should seek war work in London at the start of World War II. All the ministries say that they need help, but they are not looking for someone right now. She volunteers as a canteen worker at an all night shelter, and finds herself in a strange world, surrounded by many colorful characters. Her London adventures are punctuated by a trip home, where she experiences the home front in the country.
April 26, 2013
The Provincial Lady has certainly gained worldly wisdom and self-confidence by the early months of the second World War. Her account of this time, from this point of view, is fascinating, and her wit as dry as ever, but knowing what lay ahead for everyone involved in the war made reading this book a melancholy experience. Also, it's the last of the Provincial Lady's diaries, and I felt rather lost when I finished it. I enjoyed the earlier novels much more.
August 1, 2013
Three and a half stars, probably, but thought it better than the "America" one. Have wanted to read this one for a while as I am interested in the British home front during WWII--but this just covered the autumn of 1939, so I was a little disappointed. Though the style of the books is quite familiar to me by now, this one still made me smile. Wish there were a book for every year or so of the war.
March 31, 2016
a bit better than "PL in America" but not a lot. No where near as amusing and charming as the first two diaries in this series. Some absolutely diabolical typos too which does not exactly make the book any easier to read. After going round and round in circles for much of the book it ended far too abruptly, like toppling off a cliff.
May 17, 2015
Not as funny or charming as the previous Provincial Lady books, which isn't surprising given the war theme. Gave a good sense of the time period. Like Sword of Honour and A Dance to the Music of Time, it talked a lot about how difficult it was to find war work at the beginning of the war. Everyone was hustling around, offering their services, and they were told that nothing was available.
September 27, 2015
Quite fun, as all the Lady books are. Sobering to think, though, that the workers all ready for a bombing of London have roughly seven more months of waiting in store but then will get REAL LIVE BOMBS.
And the poor Lady has roughly a year to go before the death of her real-life son, to be followed just a few years later by her own.
And the poor Lady has roughly a year to go before the death of her real-life son, to be followed just a few years later by her own.
May 20, 2016
The final book in the Provincial Lady series. This one is set at the beginning of WWII, once war was declared but before there was any attack on Britain. I agree with most of the other reviews of this book that it was probably the least entertaining of the series, however it remained funny in parts with entertaining new characters such as Selena and P W-G.
August 28, 2016
After really loving fine first three books in the diary series I was disappointed by the Provincial Lady in Russia. The last book of the series has fully restored my love of the books. Witty and engaging with a wonderful array of characters who are totally believable. I would highly recommend the whole series and know they are books I will go back to in the future.
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