I first came across Angela Thirkell last year when I read ‘High Rising’ just before Christmas. I knew then this was an author I wanted to read more of. Angela Thirkell is funny and witty and has an eye for comic detail.
Wild Stawberries is a charming novel with a charming cover! It will put a twinkle in your eye as you read of the hapless goings on of the rich and their privileged lives. It is full of characters who play to type. There are love triangles and eccentric aunts, and wild children and high teas, and servents, all told in the spirit of the 1930’s Summer in which it is set.
The aristocratic Leslie family, overseen by Sir Henry and Lady Emily live in the rather large Rushwater House. They lost one son in the war, they have two remaining sons, David spoilt and rather full of himself and John, much more serious and grieving for his wife whose wife died after just one year of marriage. Their only daughter Agnes has come home for the summer, bringing with her, her brood of unruly children. She has also invited her niece Mary to stay
Their grandson Martin, the son of their dead son is also part of this eccentric bunch and lives with his grandparents. This is the year he turns 17 and a big party in the grounds of the house is planned to celebrate. His Grandmother, Lady Emily is at the forefront of all the goings on and in her own way is a force to be reckoned with as she tries to take control of her unruly flock. She, with her forgetfulness and distractions provides much of the humour in Wild Strawberries. She is is at times overbearing and a snob but also kind and generous and clearly very comfortable in her role delegating and attempting to organise. She only falters when a French family come to stay and she is unsure of the etiquette on when to visit them.
Mary is an innocent, never having been a house guest with such a larger than life family before. She is warmly welcomed in and soon forms relationships with all members of the family. And it is only a very short time before she is bowled over by David’s good looks and extravagant ways. Waiting in the wings is the sensible John and although his sensibilities make it seem unlikely that he will sweep her off her feet he is clearly in love with her. And so it goes on.
Mary loves David, John loves Mary, David thinks he loves Joan but actually loves himself and Joan doesn’t appear to love anyone. And all the time Mary believes she is being thwarted by Joan in her love for David.
” In Joan, Mary saw what anyone might call a good-looking girl if they liked that fair type with pale green-brown eyes and a hard sort of mouth. University women were always hard- unsympathetic and conceited as well. She might be useful to David, but that was no reason for her to ave such a very well-tailored silk suit. But probably she earned a huge salary and had everything made to measure.
Mutual hatred passed between the girls in waves. Hatred for David also permeated the air, but to none of these currents did David appear to be attuned”
Events finally culminate on the evening of Martins birthday party where all is resolved rather quickly in the end.
I enjoyed this novel very much. These are privileged people living in a privileged world but they are painted as kind and generous. The story is gentle, with a minimal amount of drama but with just enough to be entertaing and interesting to read. If you enjoy the period between the wars, or are a fan of Downton or a costume drama I suspect Wild Strawberries is one for you!
