Summer Half (Barsetshire, #5) in Retro Reads

Jul 10, 2021 Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: humour, vintage-retro-romance

3.5★

I was so hoping this would be a Thirkell that I could wholeheartedly recommend, as I found the beginning very amusing. Minor character Edith reminded me greatly of a family member of my husband's who never listens properly!

"Well," said Colin, "I went over to Southbridge today and saw the headmaster. I think..."

"I don't know him well but I know his wife," said Edith, "She is charming. My brothers were there when Mr Birkett was the headmaster of the preparatory school, and they adored him."

...more

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Mar 12, 2019 Elinor rated it really liked it

This book provides a comprehensive impression of English gentry life between wars -- with its descriptions of boarding schools, steam trains, country homes, punting on rivers, picnics, tennis, clothes, cooks and housekeepers -- all woven together with a cast of interesting characters who engage in misunderstandings and romantic interludes while speaking brilliant dialogue, frequently using literary quotes and Latin terms to express themselves. Nobody does it better than Thirkell, although I foun ...more

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Jun 02, 2019 Mela rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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

Marvelous, as Rose would have said ;-)

How I missed all those people. Most of all: Lydia and Tony - I adore them.

And Thirkell's wit - simply wonderful. The adventures of Hacker with the chameleon... (let's say it again) marvelous ;-)

You’d love the cook. She’s a perfect angel, and doesn’t mind drowning kittens a bit.

Swan and Morland dematerialised, and suddenly reappeared at the far end of the room, absorbed in books.

‘I wish you’d split that frock for me. I loathe it.’

Of course, there ...more

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Jul 22, 2021 Carolien rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021, romance

3.5 stars. The fifth book of Angela Thirkell's Barchester series. In this instalment the connection to Anthony Trollope's original series is quite pronounced as it is set in the cathedral town of Barchester. Not the most interesting of Thirkell's characters, although Lydia and Toby Morland are gems. A book that suits the languid tempo of a summer holiday. ...more

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Jun 23, 2011 Susan in NC rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: want-to-reread, reread, currently-re-reading, tbr-with-gr-groups, my-library, favorites, audiobook

I really enjoyed this reread of one of my favorite early Thirkell novels. As with all of her books, there is little plot, per se, more humorous set pieces of life among the landed gentry in Barsetshire, a fictional rural British county. This one takes place in the 1930s, although she wrote books in this series through World War Two, and into the post-war years.

These early books are lighter in tone, and this one is particularly nostalgic; indeed, this book, set during the summer half-term at a b I really enjoyed this reread of one of my favorite early Thirkell novels. As with all of her books, there is little plot, per se, more humorous set pieces of life among the landed gentry in Barsetshire, a fictional rural British county. This one takes place in the 1930s, although she wrote books in this series through World War Two, and into the post-war years.

These early books are lighter in tone, and this one is particularly nostalgic; indeed, this book, set during the summer half-term at a boys school, and at the nearby country home of the Keith family, has an almost dreamy quality in the descriptions of shimmering sunlight on the river, tea and tennis parties for the adults, and frolicking on and in the river for the younger characters. Over the years, I’ve read up to the last few books in the series, but have enjoyed revisiting these earlier books with the Retro Reads group, with the quirky characters and humorous scenes almost reminiscent of Wodehouse.

In this one, Colin Keith has been taken on as a schoolmaster at Southbridge School. He’d much rather be reading law in preparation for joining his family firm, but feels he should be supporting himself; without consulting his father, he interviews and is accepted, but dreads the job teaching and living among the young boys.

Poor Mr. Birkett, the headmaster, has to contend with interfering parents, lovesick schoolmasters, and quirky students. One of his best teachers is engaged to his stunning daughter, Rose, who is one of the most empty-headed, self-centered beauties I’ve ever encountered in print, and a bane to her parents. She thrives on emotional scenes, fast cars, movies, and adoration - until the cleverer admires realize there is very little “there” there with the fair Rose! She makes her moody, Communist-sympathizing fiancé miserable, which arouses the protective instincts of his students (who generally see right through Rose), and any protective females who happen to witness Rose’s casual flirtations. They try to protect or distract the fiancé, embarrassing him and leading to further misery for him. Sounds silly, but in Thirkell’s hands it leads to several ridiculous and funny scenes over the course of the summer.

For fans, it’s a treat to meet an older, much improved Tony Morland, schoolmaster Everard Carter, charming barrister Noel Merton, and the Birkett and Keith families. They all reappear in future Thirkell novels - one of my favorite characters is Lydia Keith, first appearing here as an outspoken, very energetic and entertaining teenaged girl, but I enjoyed following her as she grew up in future books.

A lovely visit to Barsetshire for fans, new and old! I want to finish the series, so I can keep dipping into the earlier books - some of the best are set during the blackouts, rationing and endless committee work of WWII. ...more

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Mar 28, 2016 Tania rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: middlebrow, virago, humour

This one was a bit more jolly hocky sticks than other books of hers I've read, but I really enjoyed it.

Colin gets a job in a school as he feels he ought to earn some money rather than live off his Father who wants him to become a barrister. There he meets Philip Winter who has become engaged to Rose, the headmasters daughter. Rose is beautiful but has a brain the size of a sparrow and is utterly selfish. Tony Morland also makes an appearance here. It's nice to find him a little more grown up. ...more

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Jul 04, 2021 Tuesdayschild rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, gentle-read, pub-1930-1950-s, 2021-read

I had a few false starts with this book and put it aside and then had another try at giving this Thirkell book a chance.
The right frame of mind makes all the difference, what previously felt like a 'silly' book ended up being a witty, humorous read filled with literary references.

I really enjoy, Goodreads, Michael Bafford's review of this book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Extra: There are a few retro, earlier-era, racially inappropriate mentions in this book.
Romances are all clean; ...more

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Oct 31, 2015 Jodi rated it liked it

Not as funny as Wodehouse but still a lot of fun. I'm so grateful my friend introduced me to the prospector system our library uses. My book world has really opened up! I am glad to have access now to more books written 50+ years ago because they are delightful! ...more

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Apr 09, 2019 Jenn Estepp rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: comfort-food, kindling, lit-wall

I am on a Thirkell kick and this one and August Folly are sort of running together in my head, because I read them pretty much straight through. But all the starry eyes.

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