I have now read several Angela Thirkell novels, and it would be fair to say I have had an on and off relationship with them. True, I have criticised her a bit – I not keen on her class consciousness, and I do think she infantilises her working-class characters especially domestic servants. However, even in those novels I have criticised in the past, there were things I really enjoyed too. I like her humour very much, her world (did it ever exist? – I think probably not in quite this way) is one it is rather comforting to spend a little time. We are always pretty much assured of a happy ending – and there are moments when we need such assurances.
Before Lunch was included in a marvellous and hugely generous Librarything Virago group secret Santa parcel last Christmas, and it has also served to nicely tick off 1939 in my A Century of Books. Before Lunch joins that group of Angela Thirkell novels I can honestly say I enjoyed. The class stuff is still present – I’ve come to expect it – though I don’t believe there is anything cruel behind it. I think Angela Thirkell must have been a product of her own upbringing and class – and isn’t it nicer to believe that all domestic staff are slavishly devoted to their masters than the reverse?
Anyhow – on with the book. It has a quite unashamedly nostalgic feel, English rural life, where everyone knew their place in the world. Published of course during that last year of peace, Before Lunch reflects a time of small worries and long summer days.
Jack Middleton is a difficult man, rather garrulous and fussy and a little too fond of his dog Flora, he has lots of funny little ways. Luckily his wife Catherine Middleton is able to put up him with quite easily and adores him.
“‘I am glad you can tolerate me as I am,’ said Mr Middleton, still suspicious, ‘for at my age it is very improbable that I shall change. Had I been a younger man when you married me, Catherine, a man more suited to you in age, you might have remoulded my life, shaped me again to your liking. But you took pity on an ageing wreck, your young life twined itself round the rugged roots of a storm-shattered tree, and I cannot alter my way of living, I cannot change my spots.’
‘I do love the way you say everything twice over,’ said Mrs Middleton, ‘and I would hate you to change your spots. What were you calling me for?’
Mr Middleton’s impressive face dissolved in a flash and became as formless as water.
‘I called you because I needed you,’ he said suddenly becoming a heartbroken child. ‘I called you once and you did not come.”
The Middletons rent their very comfortable country home from Lord Bond, the White House next door forms part of the estate and is currently unoccupied. Jack Middleton’s widowed sister; Lilian Stonor, intends to spend the summer at the White House, bringing her grown up stepchildren Denis and Daphne with her. Jack’s equilibrium is somewhat shaken at this news, remembering only too well Daphne’s lively enthusiasm and Denis’s apparent sickliness, which depressed him a bit.
When the three arrive, they soon make themselves at home, quickly becoming a part of local village life. Jack’s business partner Alister Cameron is another frequent guest, charmed especially by the presence of the Stonors, he finds Daphne to be delightful company – though he is closer to Lilian in age. Denis is pale and tired, but the good country air does him the world of good, and allow him to get on with his music, he is writing a ballet – and forms a tender friendship with Catherine, which threatens to leave them both a little heartsore.
Lady Bond gives Daphne a little bit of work typing her correspondence, and this brings her into contact with Cedric – aka C W; Lord and Lady Bond’s son and heir. So, Daphne likes C W, Alister likes Daphne, Lilian is starting to see Alister Cameron in a new light but wants her adored step children to be happy. Daphne hears lots of talk about C W and a certain Betty Dean. Catherine loves her husband and is a little shaken by dear Denis, who is so sympathetic towards her. Cue lots of misunderstandings, tears and sulks before everybody gets together with the right person.
Denis delights old Lord Bond by playing Gilbert and Sullivan for him, and Daphne deals rather well with Spencer the butler who Lord Bond is rather bullied by. Lady Bond is hilarious in a managing kind of way, enjoying calling village meetings to fight against the scandalous intention of Sir Ogilvy Hibberd to build a garage on Pooker’s Piece. A meeting is held to discuss the meeting they will hold to discuss the proposal, and nothing whatever is achieved. Jack Middleton talks a lot about cows, and Lady Bond’s brother Lord Stoke, irritates his sister to distraction, taking the chair without asking and leaving suddenly. It is all very funny and sharply observed.
Before Lunch is a delightful social comedy, which zips along at a cracking pace. It was a perfect quick, comfort read which gave me quite a lot to chuckle over.
heavenali 
Yes, you’re right about the class consciousness and other potential issues with these books. Having enjoyed Thirkell’s novel High Rising, I then went on to read a slim collection of Christamssy stories featuring the same characters, but they were marred by the inclusion of some pretty explicit and disturbing racial slurs. It really put me off her work. A shame really, as the social comedy elements in these novels are rather enjoyable!
Yes there are still elements I enjoy about Thirkell even in the books I was less keen on. They are good for certain moods I suppose.
That’s exactly it for me: only in a certain mood and with reservations. But, as you say, the humour still works in most instances. And I just love the ongoing, multi-book-ness of it all.
I think many of us feel similarly about Thirkell. Her humour is quite delicious.
This sounds great – and it’s certainly one of the Thirkells I see around quite a lot, so I think it must be one of her most popular! I haven’t finished one in years and years, though recently started one and gave up when I couldn’t work out who all the characters were. Perhaps I need to start at the beginning and keep going – though it would be a while before I got to this one!
She does sometimes introduce lots of characters all at once, which can be confusing and a bit hard to work out connections between them. This wasn’t too bad from that point of view.
I’ve had issues with Thirkell too, mostly because of hunting and my fury at a poor mother being at the beck and call of her ghastly male child. But I admit that I loved the quote here so maybe when the mood is right I’ll give her another go!!
Mrs Moreland and Tony, I didn’t mind Tony I think he’s a character you either love or hate. But yes, I do think Thirkell has to be approached only when in the right frame of mind.
I’ve only read High Rising by her so far but I was irked by some casual anti-Semitic remarks. I know it was a different time but it still annoyed me. Although on the whole it was very enjoyable and a nice light novel to be entertained by. I do want to read some more and have two more in that series on my shelf. Lovely review.
Yes that casual anti-semitic stuff makes me uncomfortable, it tells us something about the times though unfortunately.
I have that same ambivalence toward Thirkell, though she is a brilliant comic writer! I do have a battered hardcover copy of Before Lunch and will try to reread it soon, since I remembered nothing about it till you wrote your excelelnt review. I have been very slowly rereading the series in order but since I started a year ago and have only made it to The Brandons I cannot pretend I’ve made very good progress. And sometimes I mix up the characters… 🙂
I can understand you mixing up characters, there were a couple that appeared in this one I felt must have appeared in Pomfret Towers, as Lord Pomfret briefly reappeared. However, I couldn’t remember anything about them from that book.
I also have been slowly reading Thirkell’s books in order and Before Lunch is the next one for me but will wait until ACOB is finished. I’m glad it’s a good one! I think I read somewhere that all of her novels end in an engagement.
Ha ha, I’m sure all the ones I have read so far have ended with an engagement. I hope you enjoy Before Lunch, when you get a chance to read it.
There are 29 books in the series–quiet daunting.
Yes a bit, I probably won’t read them all.
I’m still reading and rereading various novels, mainly out of order as I have got them! The Virago reprints are very good, but they have picked out certain ones to publish. I am trying to review all of them on Northernreader, but it’s quite an undertaking! I really like this review, as it explains it so well.
Thank you, yes I know that you read a lot of Angela Thirkell, reviewing them all is quite an undertaking. However, what a brilliant resource those reviews will be when you’ve finished.
Thank you so much for reminding me about this author, whose books I remember reading and enjoying a few years ago, but had forgotten the author’s name.
Well I am glad I could remind you of them. I hope you will be able to enjoy her books all over again now.
This does sound like a good one and one I don’t have yet – I am also reading them out of order, I’ve found, although you started me off so beautifully a few Christmasses ago. I can tolerate the hunting (sorry Karen – not saying I actively like it, have just read too many pony books) and I am pro-Tony Moreland but the casual racism and anti-Semitism and patronising attitude are harder to swallow. But on the whole I like her very much.
I don’t think it can matter very much which order they are read in. They are good books for when in the mood for this kind of escapism.
Escapism sounds just the ticket right now! I have Wild Strawberries which Sarah from Hard Book Habit kindly sent me – this has given me a nudge to read it soon!
I hope you enjoy it, I must admit I didn’t love that one, but plenty do.
[…] Before Lunch by Angela Thirkell – is an enjoyable social comedy written in that last year of peace. It was a deliciously witty bit of escapism. […]