Northbridge Rectory by Angela Thirkell
Book Review

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I'm still way behind in Reading Thirkell's Barsetshire Series in Order Challenge, but hopefully I will catch up at some point.

Synopsis

Barsetshire during wartime finds Mr Downing, Miss Pemberton, and Mrs Turner engaged in a love triangle; a chorus of officers raucously quartered at the rectory; and village ladies with violent leanings.

In Mrs Major Spender, Thirkell offers a devastating sketch of the good-natured egoist, and readers will be pleased that the less-than-articulate Betty finds a soulmate in Captain Copham.

My Thoughts

Northbridge Rectory, its inhabitants and those of the village of Northbridge, is the focus of book #10 of Angela Thirkell's Barseretshire series.

Verena Villars, wife of the vicar and hostess to a number of officers of the Barsetshire regiment billeted at the rectory, finds that her previous role as schoolmaster's wife has not prepared her for the duties of a rector's wife. She finds it difficult at times, but is often frustrated by the fact that everyone comments how tired she looks and should rest, when she hardly does anything as the village ladies have everything in hand. She finds the attention of Mr. Holden, a young officer who is infatuated with her, a little tiresome. A young man infatuated with an older woman is a regular trope in Thirkell's novels, which can be amusing or annoying. The reactions of the women concerned are always interesting: some are oblivious, while others acknowledge and deal with it in a gracious manner, as does Mrs Villars.

Did I like this book? The answer is yes and no. After Cheerfulness Breaks In, I found it a bit of a let down as the cliffhanger we were left with in that novel was not addressed until well into the book and then with just a cursory line or two. However, aside from this, I did like the contrasts in the various households and how they were coping with rationing and other war-time restrictions. The main three were the sociable Turners (Mrs Turner and her two nieces, Betty who constantly mangles the word actually, pronouncing it akcherly, and her sister, usually referred to as the other one); the dour and frugal household of Miss Pemberton and her lodger Mr Downing, two academics; and the Rectory filled with the comings and goings of officers and guests who make their presence felt, like the garrulous Mrs Spender.

As usual, there are a number of romances, some resulting in engagements - and one that is avoided by being deftly handled before any declarations are made, without hurt or embarrassment to those concerned. And there are the mundane and totally unexpected subjects thrown in, such as the discussion about false teeth, which highlights the direction in which conversations go at dinner parties and never fail to amuse. Other assorted events are scattered throughout the story, some of which are birdwatching, air-raids and enemy spotting duty from the church tower.

While the story tended to plod along and was depressing at times, I especialliy enjoyed the closing segment of the book with the introduction of John Villars, a wing commander in the RAF. He arrives at the rectory like a whirlwind, bringing chaos and so much joy to his mother, thus ending the novel on a high note.

The next book in the series is Marling Hall.

Hosted by: Kay @ Whatmeread

2 comments:

  1. This is a new to me series!

    Thanks for sharing it with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge!

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad this challenge came up, otherwise I would have missed out reading this delightful classic series.

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