To Serve Them All My Days - Part 1 Initiate - July 2019

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

For the most part I'm going to follow R.F. Delderfield's divisions for our threads.

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

I'm going to combine reading with binge-watching the reportedly superb BBC miniseries produced in 1980-1981. It is supposed to be very faithful to the book and I'm looking forward to a re-read and first watch. I'll try to stay ahead of things and let you all know which miniseries episodes (there are thirteen in all) correspond to each of the eight book sections.

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

Episode 1 of the miniseries covers the events in Part 1 Initiate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3G3L...

[Susan in NC]

Thanks for taking pity on the less than tech-savvy! I just googled “To serve them all my days YouTube”, it got me there, but if I close the tab, I’m sunk...so thank you!

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

I'm glad the links helped!

[Katy]

I'll get my book by next week. I'll join in then.

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

That's great, Katy. This is a nice lazy slow summer reading/viewing event (with apologies to our Southern Hemisphere moderator and friends....although it also makes a good mid-winter event)

[Susan in NC]

Hana wrote: "That's great, Katy. This is a nice lazy slow summer reading/viewing event (with apologies to our Southern Hemisphere moderator and friends....although it also makes a good mid-winter event)"

True! I just watched the first few minutes on YouTube, and the weather looks quite crisp and cool for our sweltering Southern Hemisphere friends - I could see David’s breath when he thanks the station master for directions.🌬

[Susan in NC]

I put this on the Buddy Read thread, and Hana suggested I move it here as an observation on the powerful first few pages of the book, and opening scene of the film:

Normally I agree about book v. Movie, but just the first few minutes of episode 1 showed me this will be a lovely viewing experience- I think I may have watched some of it back then, would’ve been in 8th grade or freshman in high school in 1980 so I don’t recall.

As good as the show appears to be, I thought the beginning of the book hauntingly portrays the horror, boredom and misery of life in the WWI trenches. It also gives us a well-rounded but concise snapshot of our young Welsh hero, who he is and where he’s from - and what the war has done to him. Sets the stage beautifully.

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

Thanks, Susan! Those flashbacks to the trenches are terrifying and it's not surprising that even the sound of a door banging shut makes our combat vet jump.

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

I love the lyrics to the Bamfyld school song in the miniseries opening title sequence. They capture Algie's educational philosophy perfectly:

Bamfylde School Song
by Kenyon Emrys-Roberts

Look ahead to a life worth living,
Full of hope, full of faith, full of cheer,
To a life that is made for giving
Without stint, without shame, without fear.

Look ahead to the One who leads us,
To the Lord who guides our ways.
We shall follow, follow, follow,
We shall follow Him all our days.

[Kavan]

I have a great fondness for late 70's and early 80's British television, but no miniseries can capture all the little details Delderfield fills his text with... That's not a knock on the miniseries at all but as Susan says the opening of the miniseries, likely due to budget, really does not give you the sense the text does of the horror of WWI and why David has come to the school.

British writers of that period Delderfield, Lawrence, H.E. Bates and others really depict nature as a character in the text, and that's true of Devon here.

[Susan in NC]

Good point! I want to read as much as possible this weekend before I watch any more of the film.

[Susan in NC]

Hana wrote: "Thanks, Susan! Those flashbacks to the trenches are terrifying and it's not surprising that even the sound of a door banging shut makes our combat vet jump."

Very true - even if I hadn’t read that scene, the actor’s bearing, obvious physical exhaustion and reaction to the slamming train doors (and of course, the flashbacks of the trenches) very powerfully convey his fragile state.

[Katy]

Wonderful writing! I am sure I am going to enjoy this novel. Haven't had the chance to view the episode that goes with this section, but am looking forward to this also. I love that this group introduces me to such enjoyable novels.

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

It is beautifully written! The descriptions of Exmoor give such a wonderful sense of place. Another thing I'm noticing on this re-read is how well all the minor characters are drawn--and the nicknames crack me up.

[Susan in NC]

Hana wrote: "It is beautifully written! The descriptions of Exmoor give such a wonderful sense of place. Another thing I'm noticing on this re-read is how well all the minor characters are drawn--and the nickna..."

Yes, I love the nicknames the boys give the masters - and their respect and admiration, even for the master with no sense of humor, but always there for the boys - shines through the imitations and nicknames! But I do feel sorry for the one young master who can’t control his class and can only muster an ‘I say, I say’ to protest the rowdyism is rather sad. Kids can be brutal!

[Susan in NC]

So much beautiful writing, but I love this passage at the beginning of chapter 3, part one:

“The air and its landscape improved his health, soothing his ragged nerves and inducing a state of suspended dreaminess when he was not occupied in class, or with games, or dormitory supervision. Slowly, week by week, the Western Front began to recede, an old wound he was learning to live with...”

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

That 'upland air'! Davy's neurologist was so right :)

[Susan in NC]

Hana wrote: "That 'upland air'! Davy's neurologist was so right :)"

Yes!

[ShanDizzy]

I wanted to own a hard copy of this book so I purchased it from thriftbooks.com two days ago. I can't wait to get it. I think I will follow what some in the group are doing and read the book along with viewing the show.

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

I'm so glad you are going to be joining in, ShanDizzy!

[Susan in NC]

ShanDizzy wrote: "I wanted to own a hard copy of this book so I purchased it from thriftbooks.com two days ago. I can't wait to get it. I think I will follow what some in the group are doing and read the book along ..."

I hope you enjoy it, Shannon - the writing is lovely, and I’ve watched parts of the BBC film as well, and enjoyed. It follows the book pretty closely, and great acting and writing. Helps me visualize and figure out some of the cultural differences, too, of a British public school of the era, and the political stuff going on in Britain at the time, as well.

[Abigail]

I'm afraid I watched the first three episodes and it did not suit my mood of the moment, so I dropped out. Next time!

[Susan in NC]

See, I wasn’t sure but got sucked in by the writing, then when it got to politics I used the show, and that helped immensely - even if I didn’t quite understand the issue, the film helped put the characters’ passions in context. Also, I loved the actors, especially those playing Davy, Algy, Elly and Howarth, and wanted to see more of them. I thought the writing of the film was really well done - condensed and streamlined the story without losing any of the important bits. I wish all adaptations could be done so well!

[ShanDizzy]

Abigail wrote: "I'm afraid I watched the first three episodes and it did not suit my mood of the moment, so I dropped out. Next time!"

I understand Abigail. It is one of the reasons why I didn't join in with the group when started. I wasn't in the right emotional frame of mind for it. Still rebuilding in more ways than physically from aftereffects of hurricane michael. But I have wanted to read it for years, added it to my list but forgot about it. Then when I saw it as a group read, I bought a used copy to have for when I'm mentally ready to tackle it. I'm still in my "fluff" read frame of mind. Nothing too heavy or long.

[ShanDizzy]

Hana wrote: "I'm so glad you are going to be joining in, ShanDizzy!"

Thanks Hana & Susan in NC. I'm sure that I will get immersed in it as I did with a Trollope tome.

[Abigail]

ShanDizzy, that's a lot to deal with! I get the fluff mode--have been reading a lot of Austenesque novels myself lately. Give yourself and your life time to heal.

[Susan in NC]

Abigail wrote: "ShanDizzy, that's a lot to deal with! I get the fluff mode--have been reading a lot of Austenesque novels myself lately. Give yourself and your life time to heal."

Amen, sister! Now I’m trying out The Warrielaw Jewel, getting back into a fluffier frame of mind, which I plan to enjoy for what’s left of summer! Between my own and some of my loved ones’ health issues, I need some lighter, fluffier reading. It’s my self-medication of choice...

[Abigail]

I'm currently reading The Warrielaw Jewel too and enjoying it a lot.

[Susan in NC]

Abigail wrote: "I'm currently reading The Warrielaw Jewel too and enjoying it a lot."

I read the first few chapters and didn’t like the characters - but she did create an atmosphere! I could really use a Warrielaw family tree or character list. I may try again tomorrow. But like I said in the other thread, if it starts to feel like homework, it’s no fun!

[ShanDizzy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Abigail wrote: "I'm currently reading The Warrielaw Jewel too and enjoying it a lot."

Susan, l just started this yesterday. I only got through the first few sentences of chapter one. I too hope it's not like 'homework' to keep the cast of characters straight. I look forward to reading your thoughts in the thread dedicated to this story.

[Susan in NC]

ShanDizzy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Abigail wrote: "I'm currently reading The Warrielaw Jewel too and enjoying it a lot."

Susan, l just started this yesterday. I only got through the first few sentences of chapte..."
The Warrielaw Jewel is the one that was like homework for me. To Serve Them All My Days was a delight! I guess it all depends on what you’re in the mood for.

If you have access to YouTube, the links Hana provided to the BBC film are definitely worth watching, it was true to the book and well written and acted.

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

Abigail wrote: "I'm afraid I watched the first three episodes and it did not suit my mood of the moment, so I dropped out. Next time!"
Thanks for trying, Abigail. The Warrielaw Jewel looks interesting--I'll look forward to your review.

[Nigeyb]

Hello all


I'm currently reading To Serve Them All My Days by R.F. Delderfield and absolutely loving it. I'm reading it with another group here on GoodReads.

I came across your discussion, and this group, through this book and I primarily wanted to say how much I have enjoyed reading all your comments.

I have yet to watch the BBC adaptation however I try that once I have finished the book - so thanks to Hana for all the links. It was adapted by Andrew Davies who is usually a byword for quality.

The edition of the book I am reading has a cover to tie-in with the series. I'll paste the cover at the bottom of this post.

I think the early sections powerfully show the trauma and after effects of shell shock but also how relative normality and patience can be so beneficial.

I'm currently poised to start Part Six and am finding the whole thing ridiculously addictive.

By the way, you might be interested to learn that I first heard of this book from the wonderful (and highly recommended) Backlisted Podcast. Back in November 2017 they had an episode on this book. You can find out more here...

https://www.backlisted.fm/episodes/53...

The podcast is also available on iTunes and all the other usual podcast providers. I'm looking forward to relistening once I have finished the book.

Having just finished Part Five I'll add a post there. I'm conscious some people in this group might also still be reading it and it's certainly a book where much of the pleasure comes from not knowing what is going to happen next, so your decision to split the discussion into subsections is very sensible.

It reminds me of London Belongs to Me by Norman Collins. Although the context is very different it has the same episodic, slightly soapy feel, that makes it a pleasure to read, as the reader enjoys the ups and downs of the lives of the recurring characters. There are also moments of great tragedy and wonderful happiness.

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

Nigeyb wrote: "I think the early sections powerfully show the trauma and after effects of shell shock but also how relative normality and patience can be so beneficial."

Welcome, Nigeyb! It's never too late to join into our discussions! I agree that these first moments in the novel are incredibly powerful in the depictions of the pain and trauma of shell shock. The healing power and renewal that comes from friendship with a caring soul and the beginning of a new sense of purpose is a deep lesson for all of us.

[Hana, Hana is In Absentia]

Thanks for the link for London Belongs to Me--looks like a good one!