#17 Miss Buncle Married - D E Stevenson (1936)
I almost goes without saying that I loved Miss Buncle’s book - I say almost - because there are in the world those who are not aware of the wonderful books published by Persephone and so therefore may not have read Miss Buncle’s book as DE Stevenson books seem pretty hard to come by these days. I received this book for Christmas and have been looking forward to it enormously. It didn’t disappoint, in fact I fairly gulped it down. It looks like a fairly thick Persephone book, one that may have lasted until at least tomorrow night - but alas it was a much quicker read than I had anticipated and the pleasure of reading it all too soon over. I now feel quite bereft that I have finished it so quickly. I would have probably finished it hours ago - had I not deliberately slowed myself down - gone for walk, watched some TV etc.
One of the main delights in this novel for me was in the relationship between Barbara and her husband Arthur Abbott, although sometimes slightly confounded by his dear Barbara - ultimately he gets her in a way that no one else ever has or ever could. I was amused and charmed by how meek little Barbara turns into a veritable lion when she come across something she want so very badly as she wants The Archway House in Wandlebury.
As the Abbotts settle into their new life in Wandlebury, Barbara begins to involve herself in the lives of her neighbours. With her usual quiet perceptiveness she picks up on things; she learns a secret, one she even feels unable to share with Arthur - a secret which causes Barbara no end of worry. Arthur stumbles across an old friend of his from the trenches and Sam Abbott - Arthur’s nephew falls in love. Wandlebury is a wonderful setting - one in which Barbara and Arthur Abbott fit perfectly - they are surrounded by a host of marvellous characters - some wonderfully humorous creations of DE Stevenson, who give Barbara Abbott much to think about and are wonderful fodder for her imagination. Barbara and Arthur are rather afraid of her imagination - after what happened in Silverstream - they realise Barbara’s writing could be dangerous to their happiness.
This book was a complete joy - and I am desperate to read The Two Mrs Abbotts - the third in the series but it is pretty hard to find, and expensive the cheapest on abebooks today being nearly £28. I only hope that following the success of the Miss Buncle books Persephone decide to do the decent thing and put her fans out of their misery.
One of the main delights in this novel for me was in the relationship between Barbara and her husband Arthur Abbott, although sometimes slightly confounded by his dear Barbara - ultimately he gets her in a way that no one else ever has or ever could. I was amused and charmed by how meek little Barbara turns into a veritable lion when she come across something she want so very badly as she wants The Archway House in Wandlebury.
As the Abbotts settle into their new life in Wandlebury, Barbara begins to involve herself in the lives of her neighbours. With her usual quiet perceptiveness she picks up on things; she learns a secret, one she even feels unable to share with Arthur - a secret which causes Barbara no end of worry. Arthur stumbles across an old friend of his from the trenches and Sam Abbott - Arthur’s nephew falls in love. Wandlebury is a wonderful setting - one in which Barbara and Arthur Abbott fit perfectly - they are surrounded by a host of marvellous characters - some wonderfully humorous creations of DE Stevenson, who give Barbara Abbott much to think about and are wonderful fodder for her imagination. Barbara and Arthur are rather afraid of her imagination - after what happened in Silverstream - they realise Barbara’s writing could be dangerous to their happiness.
This book was a complete joy - and I am desperate to read The Two Mrs Abbotts - the third in the series but it is pretty hard to find, and expensive the cheapest on abebooks today being nearly £28. I only hope that following the success of the Miss Buncle books Persephone decide to do the decent thing and put her fans out of their misery.