From the Bookshelf of Retro Reads…

Before Lunch (Barsetshire, #8)

Angela Thirkell

Start date: June 8, 2024

Finish date: July 7, 2024

Discussion: Group Reads

Discussion leader: Susan in NC

Why we're reading this: This year's Thirkell!…more
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What Members Thought

Jan 25, 2018 Mela rated it really liked it

Shelves: internet-archive, historical-fiction, region-british, group-virago-modern-classic, historical-romance, humor, historical-period-1914-1945, group-guardian-1000-novels

Yes. It is extraordinary how many things can happen before lunch.

This book had/was:

--> British charm
--> witty dialogues
--> wise, observant eye of Angela Thirkell
--> smart and funny satire of British society living in countryside
--> perfectly chosen and described characters
--> unusual, original love stories (I mean, Mrs. Thirkell connected people who most writers wouldn't have connected).

These (mentioned above) things you can find in her other books. In this one, they created an almost perfec ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Jan 13, 2011 Susan in NC rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: currently-re-reading, favorites, tbr-with-gr-groups, kindle, my-library

2024 reread - 3.5 stars, lowered from my usual 5 stars for a Thirkell social comedy, set among the rural landed English gentlefolk of the 1930s and usually very entertaining. I first read this in 2011, left only a star review, wanted to review it for future reference- Thirkell is a comfort reread for me! She was prolific, producing a Barsetshire novel almost yearly, and as with any lengthy series, the quality varies.

Now I know why I couldn’t remember a thing from my first read many years ago. Th 2024 reread - 3.5 stars, lowered from my usual 5 stars for a Thirkell social comedy, set among the rural landed English gentlefolk of the 1930s and usually very entertaining. I first read this in 2011, left only a star review, wanted to review it for future reference- Thirkell is a comfort reread for me! She was prolific, producing a Barsetshire novel almost yearly, and as with any lengthy series, the quality varies.

Now I know why I couldn’t remember a thing from my first read many years ago. This one is set on the cusp of World War II, only vaguely referenced here; in future books it takes center stage as beloved characters go off to fight, and those at home valiantly suffer blackouts, rationing and endless war work. I look forward to rereading those excellent books, some of her best, I think.

This lighter than lightweight plot, about trying to stop development on a rural piece of county land, had several of Thirkell’s favorite characters - the pompous, self-centered windbag of an older man; the tired yet adoring younger wife around whom what action there is, revolves; the younger professional man and even younger handsome young swain, both imagining love for the wrong woman. There were funny, raucous meetings where county characters came together to gossip, make speeches and drink tea (and accomplish nothing). The young swain writes music, and willingly comes to play Gilbert & Sullivan for downtrodden Lord Bond, whose wife is one of those force-of-nature aristocratic women Thirkell does so well, who rule everyone around them with an iron fist.

There are some very funny scenes, as one can expect from any Thirkell novel, all set in the rural, imaginary Barsetshire created by Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope. (view spoiler)

Anyway, knocked off a star and a half for not getting the usual Thirkell happy buzz I expect. ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Sep 18, 2017 Mir rated it liked it · review of another edition

These Carol & Graf reprints had much better editing than the more recent editions.

5 likes · Like · see review

May 28, 2019 Elinor rated it liked it · review of another edition

Not my favourite Barsetshire novel, but I'm trying to read them in order and this was next on the list. There were definitely a few great scenes and the usual sparkling dialogue, but I found myself confused between the two middle-aged neighbour women, both of whom fell in love unexpectedly. It's unusual that anybody winds up unhappy in Angela Thirkell's novels so I felt a little badly for the one couple whose passion was doomed. However, I did enjoy the emergence of some minor characters from pr ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

May 08, 2019 Jenn Estepp rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindling, comfort-food, lit-wall

Deciding to finally make my way through Thirkell has been a wonderful decision. While this one was not as immediately compelling as some others, I love the characters and admire the bit of melancholia that is threaded through it.

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 03, 2024 Jackie rated it really liked it

I loved this book and I'm sure I will want to re-read it at some point. The characters and their interactions always feel real, usually make me think, and often make me laugh. What more can I ask of a novel? ...more

1 like · Like · see review