August Folly (Barsetshire, #4) in Retro Reads

May 20, 2020 Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: vintage-retro-romance, humour

I'm going to have a problem with my rating though as I gave Wild Strawberries & The Demon in the House 4★, & I liked this one quite a bit more - but not enough to give 4.5★. There were patches where I lost interest.

But the bits that worked were a lot a lot of fun. I loved the village politics & jostling for power (not so different from small town life, really) and I loved that all the characters had their flaws & quirks - just like real people.

The cricket scene was hysterical - & I lead the list ...more

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Apr 25, 2010 Susan in NC rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, want-to-reread, reread

5/2020 - rereading with Retro Reads group, looking forward to it! Actually in the middle of a much later book in the series, but these earlier books were so fun, want to see how this, my first Thirkell, holds up for me!

Well, held up beautifully - I can’t say it’s still my favorite, but you never forget your first! There are several books later in the series, especially those set right before and during WWII, that are favorites. I enjoyed revisiting the friendly and expansive Dean family, and the 5/2020 - rereading with Retro Reads group, looking forward to it! Actually in the middle of a much later book in the series, but these earlier books were so fun, want to see how this, my first Thirkell, holds up for me!

Well, held up beautifully - I can’t say it’s still my favorite, but you never forget your first! There are several books later in the series, especially those set right before and during WWII, that are favorites. I enjoyed revisiting the friendly and expansive Dean family, and the less exuberant, but amusing Tebbens family; I had to chuckle as Jessica Dean is just a baby in this book, but in the much later book I’m also reading, she’s a (view spoiler) I’ve covered a lot of ground in Barsetshire alongside Thirkell and her ever-expanding cast of characters, and enjoyed it very much - it’s a real treat to touch base with beloved characters that have become old friends. Thirkell’s gentle humor and sentimental match-making continue to entertain me, and provide a welcome escape from pandemic worries!

4/25/2010 : This was my first Angela Thirkell novel and I really enjoyed it and look forward to digging out more of her books at my local used book store. As I am currently (and slowly!) working my way through Anthony Trollope's Barsetshire novels, I love the idea that Thirkell is picking up the same mythical Barsetshire places, families and even the gentle humor and social satire of Trollope. I agree with other reviewers that although she's in the category of Austen or Trollope for social comedy she's not at their level, but her writing reminds me more of Wodehouse (but not quite as farcical) or E.F. Benson's Lucia novels (but not quite as brilliantly snarky). I really enjoyed her light style and fond recreation of life between the wars in the English countryside, complete with summer theatricals, first loves, and other minor village intrigues. If you enjoy the authors mentioned above, you'll probably read this with a smile on your face, as I did! ...more

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Jan 25, 2018 Mela rated it really liked it

Shelves: region-british, humor, historical-romance, group-virago-modern-classic, historical-fiction, historical-period-1914-1945, internet-archive

I love Angela Thirkell world. This cozy British atmosphere. Witty and charming.

I really admire British writers that they are able to create such critical study of society (nation) in such way. Not with pathos and drama but in a funny, enjoyable way (but also not stupid, simple). This is exactly why I am Anglophile.

One of the strongest points of the book were characters, generally likeable but not perfect, everyone had some own problems, scars.
I would have liked to have more of romance in Thirkel ...more

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Aug 30, 2016 Theresa rated it liked it · review of another edition

Richard Tebbin is home from Oxford. Seemingly spoiled and shrugging off his parents’ delight at seeing him once again, he does seem to me to be too focused on himself and his own concerns. Can one summer change him?

“Richard strode off up the hill alone, angry and mortified because the irritation which his parents always produced in him had for the thousandth time got the upper hand. He had promised himself again and again this term that next time he would make allowances, treat them with toleran Richard Tebbin is home from Oxford. Seemingly spoiled and shrugging off his parents’ delight at seeing him once again, he does seem to me to be too focused on himself and his own concerns. Can one summer change him?

“Richard strode off up the hill alone, angry and mortified because the irritation which his parents always produced in him had for the thousandth time got the upper hand. He had promised himself again and again this term that next time he would make allowances, treat them with tolerant kindness, and now, before he had even shaken hands with his father, or let himself be kissed by his mother, everything had gone wrong. It was quite impossible to apologize to one’s parents. They might be solemn about it and anyway it was not one’s own fault.”

Perhaps an infatuation with a mother of nine children is just the ticket for Richard’s growth and maturity.

The Deans are visiting their relatives in the small town of Worsted. Rachel Dean, the matriarch, has a heart murmur and several accomplished children. Her biggest dilemma seems to be how to handle the young Richard’s growing enthusiasm for her company. And there are other characters with equally difficult problems to solve.

Helen Dean is struggling with the knowledge that her brother Laurence’s attention is now taken up by Margaret (Richard's sister). Can Helen survive the competition and resulting and find her own place in the world? Meanwhile their old family friend, Charles Fanshawe, realizes he is too old for Helen.

A loose bull on the rampage will bring Richard to sudden decision and admiration, just in time to recoup his sense of worth suffering from the results of poor examination grades.

Angela Thirkell reminds me of a female Wodehouse. Her wry humor may not be ‘politically correct’ in today’s world, but set during England’s pre-war and WW2 years, they may have been just the ticket to distract England from her burdens.

“Mr. Moxon had been for two months in the Argentine. He had studied the whole question (‘What question?’ asked Laurence, unheard), and had come to the conclusion that fellowship would solve everything.

“But you can’t have fellowship with natives,’ said Susan. ‘One has to shoot them if they are too troublesome. One tired to murder Daddy in his tent so he shot him. It went against the grain, but he had to.”

Mr. Moxon, who had never before sat at a murderer’s table, said he was grieved to hear it but, things were better now, implying to the fury of the young Deans, that their father’s departure had considerably raised the moral tone of the place.”

Thirkell's light, frothy novels often have all their loose, tangled ends satisfyingly and with subtle humor, tied up by the final chapters. Some of the references to the Greek play were sadly lost on me (my education has been sorely neglected I fear). Although I didn’t enjoy this one as much, (“Pomfret Towers” and “The Brandons” seemed to strike me better), I look forward to reading more Angela Thirkell novels in future. ...more

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May 16, 2018 Elinor rated it it was amazing

Angela Thirkell's novels offer just the sort of light entertainment you need when life gets too busy. I'm currently in that phase, and at the end of each stressful day I enjoy escaping into English country life as described with great intelligence and wit by this prolific author. I can read a Thirkell novel in two or three evenings, but fortunately she has written several dozen so I won't run out any time soon! ...more

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Jul 23, 2021 Tuesdayschild rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: england, recommended-by-others, audio, 2021-read, pub-1930-1950-s

Richard, immature, lazy, and infatuated over a happily married 50-year-old woman with nine children – that portion just feels off (!) – is a really annoying character in this book. As the rest of the story was interesting enough and had me laughing out loud at some points, I ignored Richard’s idiocy and listened right to the end.
Extra: The talking animal’s inserts didn’t quite work in this literary setting.

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