From the Bookshelf of Retro Reads…

Wild Strawberries (Barsetshire, #2)

Angela Thirkell

Start date: August 15, 2018

Finish date: September 14, 2018

Discussion: Buddy reads

Discussion leader: Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂

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What Members Thought

Aug 18, 2018 Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: humour

This book was a much better experience than Thirkell's first Barsetshire novel

. The characters were better realised,(Mr Holt was wonderful!) it was genuinely very funny in parts and there was one scene that moved me to tears.

But there was one page of Thirkell's usual cheerful racism. I had a lot of trouble getting into the book after that. I just couldn't believe what I had read.

The character of Agnes (meant to be endearing) drove me up the wall. Thirkell painted Agnes with very deft strok ...more

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Nov 15, 2017 Linda Dobinson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favourite-classics

Of the three Angela Thirkell novels I have read this is my favourite - it is wonderful! 'Wild Strawberries' is set in a Downton Abbey type world. I say 'type' because there is comedy but no drama.
One of the things that fascinates me about classics is the language. As you read books from different periods you notice how the language changes. For example in 19 century novels there are words such as - tolerable, countenance (face), altered. There are none of these words in 'Wild Strawberries' which Of the three Angela Thirkell novels I have read this is my favourite - it is wonderful! 'Wild Strawberries' is set in a Downton Abbey type world. I say 'type' because there is comedy but no drama.
One of the things that fascinates me about classics is the language. As you read books from different periods you notice how the language changes. For example in 19 century novels there are words such as - tolerable, countenance (face), altered. There are none of these words in 'Wild Strawberries' which was published in 1934. Instead there is - awfully, ripping, and delicious - not referring to food but to experiences, conversation, and - Agnes is 'deliciously warm now you have got my shawl' (p249).
Thirkell's observations of the upper middle classes is brilliant. The characters are wonderful. Sometimes wonderfully eccentric.
Lady Emily manners are contrary. On one hand she frets about when she should pay a visit to the French family who are renting the vicarage for the summer - going to soon might be considered sizing them to see if they 'looked good enough'(p151), but going late might be considered rude. Yet she has no qualms about arriving late at church every Sunday and keeping the vicar waiting. And, of course, the vicar will wait - this was an age of deference and Lady Emily is an Earl's daughter.
Agnes Graham is beautiful but apathetic - she has 'a very gentle voice, which she never took the trouble to raise', and now lives 'in a state of perfectly contented subjection to her adoring husband and children' (p30). 'Contented subjection' is a good description. When her children misbehave she will say 'wicked one, wicked one', while hugging and kissing said 'wicked one'.
Of the men in the family Mr. Leslie, John and Martin are normal but David is somewhat incorrigible. He is handsome and has an independent income so he does not have to work. He has tried different jobs but none have worked out. He keeps going on about writing a novel but never gets around to putting pen to paper. Instead he decides to do 'the film version and the dramatic version, then with that success behind (him) it will be easy as anything to write the novel' (p199).
This book is a window on another world and I recommend it. ...more

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Nov 27, 2016 Mela rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: group-virago-modern-classic, region-british, historical-romance, humor, historical-period-1914-1945, greatly-delightful, series, the-best-witty-romances

I see the movie, with Stephen Fry of course! I love the British comedies and this book is a great material for a very funny and engaging movie.

I have had so much fun with this piece. I will definitely read more of Angela Thirkell.

When I think of the scene in the church or with the gong I am smiling from ear to ear. There were so ridiculous moments, they are simply delightful. Thirkell seams to be a master of the genre. Lady Emily, Agnes - they are wonderful. One of the best comedies I have ever ...more

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Jul 31, 2024 Cphe rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2024, vintage-retro, historical, england, virago

Loved the time and place of the novel - didn't enjoy the characters half as much. ...more

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Mar 29, 2021 Tuesdayschild rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: england, pub-1930-1950-s, audio, 2021-read, gentle-read, baw-suggestions

Out of the three books I've read in this series - High Rising 3-4*s, and, The Brandon's, I noted it as just so-so, wouldn't recommend - this title falls between those two ratings earning itself three stars.
Thirkell has injected some really funny, laugh out loud, moments in Wild Strawberries.

David didn't endear himself to me - selfish and self-centred- with his thoughtless treatment of Mary ..... just as well, otherwise there would have been a huge tangle of emotional attaching to unravel.
Though ...more

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Sep 29, 2019 Andrea AKA Catsos Person rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library-dcpl, i-own-amzn, 2018-reads, fiction-other

I got off to a “cranky” start with this book, but the tide turned.

If anyone wonders why I avoid contemporary fiction, I ask that they read this passage as the reason why:

“The question which now agitated Lady Emily was, should she call on Madame Boulle before Martin went for his first French lesson or after. None of her considerable social experience in the past appeared to be the slightest help to her in this matter. On the very day when the Boulle family were to come into the vicarage she was s ...more

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Jan 08, 2021 Ludovica rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: united-kingdom

“Fragole selvatiche” è una commedia romantica ben raccontata, piena di battute ironiche e divertenti. La trama principale è in fondo molto semplice e il finale piuttosto prevedibile. E tuttavia, secondo me, è una lettura spassosa che fotografa nel suo piccolo due mondi, la sonnacchiosa campagna e la vivace città, con i pittoreschi esemplari che li abitano.

Ci sono tante tematiche più ampie che vengono sfiorate lungo la narrazione: lo scontro generazionale tra padri e figli, la questione dell’eman ...more

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