It is summer 1939 and the social event of the year is about to take place: Rose Birkett, a flighty beauty with a penchant for breaking engagements and hearts, is finally getting married, and the whole village - especially her parents - breathes a sigh of relief.
By autumn, however, summer weddings seem a distant memory as war reaches Barsetshire. While the younger generation throws itself into the war effort with cheerful aplomb, older residents remember the last war keenly, and are fearful.
When an entire London school of evacuees arrive, as well as a number of refugees, the village rallies round to accommodate them. Some inhabitants, though, fail to welcome the newcomers with open arms.
First published in 1940, this is a humorous and poignant picture of wartime in a rural community.
My Thoughts
Despite the humour, there is a sad undertone to this novel, which is understandable as the year is 1939 and war has been declared. Many of the young men met in the previous eight novels are preparing to do their bit - whether in the services or in some other way. The young women, too, are all scrambling to find their niche – nursing, on the land or helping with evacuees and refugees, and serving on various committees.
Aside from the reaction to the onset of war, this novel is dominated by one of my favourite characters, Lydia Keith, first introduced in Summer Half. She is now in her twenties and taking care of her mother, who has a heart condition. She also helps her father manage his estate as he has come out of retirement to assist in the family's solicitors office. Lydia is also involved with committees related to the war effort. While she would rather be off doing something more valued, as the only Keith sibling still living at home, she sees it as her duty to remain and assist her parents. This sacrifice does not go unnoticed, earning her more love and respect from the man she loves, and a declaration that I'm sure other readers anticipated and welcomed as much as I did.
We also learn of the deaths of other characters and how those who formed romantic attachments are faring, one in particular. Rose Birkett has finally made it to the altar, marrying a former student of the Southbridge School who is now a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, about to take up a position in South America.
Amusingly, Rose's parents are still not sure the marriage will take place and Mr Birkett, even though he wants his troublesome daughter off his hands, tries to dissuade Rose's intended. The young man is adamant that he loves Rose, faults and all, except for her attachment to an unusual musical instrument which he deals with gently but forcibly - as he does with all Rose's nonsense. So, it is with great relief that Mr and Mrs Birkett farewell Rose and her husband. We continue to hear from Rose through her letters to her parents and by the tone of them, she remains the same.
All of the novels so far have been wrapped up nicely by the end, but in this one Thirkell deviates from what was expected and leaves us with a very poignant cliffhanger as to the fate of one of the main characters. I'm hoping for good news in the next book, Northbridge Rectory.
Hosted by: Kay @ Whatmeread
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