I managed to tick off two challenges with one book again with this read. A novella sized non-fiction book for non-fiction November and novellas in November. It was the non-fiction week for novellas in November last week – and while I am not keeping up with the schedule completely I’m not too far off.
Popcorn is a collection of autobiographical essays by Cornelia Otis Skinner – an American writer and actress whose memoir Their Hearts were Young and Gay I read a staggering five years ago. I bought Popcorn and Nuts in May by her around the same time and they have been lingering on the tbr ever since. I am finding it very hard to settle down to non-fiction these days – and have only read a couple this entire year – in 2020 I have needed to lose myself in fiction more than ever.
This collection however struck just the right note with Skinner’s sparkling humour and deliciously wry observations. This lovely old edition comes with a preface by F. Tennyson Jesse and quirky illustrations by Alajalov and Soglow (whoever they were).
The America that Skinner is writing about is not the America of 2020, that is immediately obvious. In fact, it was almost certainly the America of just a certain class – here is the reasonably well off America, the America of the stable family. It is also never serious – there is very little mention of the war at all – presumably, these pieces were meant as an escape from reality. The collection opens with ‘The Defense of Long Island’ in which she is compelled by patriotic neighbours to do her bit. Even before we get to this first essay, F. Tennyson Jesse immediately dates this collection as she states in her preface how Skinner is making good natured fun of America – and claims that
“…they stand, in their light-hearted way, for the very principle for which we are all fighting. There could not be a German Cornelia Otis Skinner – outside of a concentration camp.”
(F Tennyson Jesse – Preface to Popcorn)
In pieces that may well resonate still with many women – Cornelia Otis Skinner regales us with the tortures she endured in the name of beauty. In ‘The Body Beautiful’ – and ‘The Skin Game’ – she encounters so called experts who regard her with a mixture of pity and dismay and shames her into spending a lot of money. We witness her attempts at learning to dance, ice skating, horse riding and flower arranging. She describes her triumphs and more usually pit falls with a tone reminiscent of our own beloved Provincial Lady. She is never less than a warm and amusing companion, self-deprecating and delightfully observant of the world around her.
American family life comes under some wry scrutiny in this collection too – although it is all pretty tongue in cheek of course. These pieces about her child and family life in general were the ones I liked the best. She highlights the pitfalls of parenting – and the social life of a New York child. Convinced that the children are all rather more understanding of the unwritten rules than their hapless parents. In ‘It’s a Wise Parent’ she goes on to describe a children’s party she gave in New York – after which her son retired to bed in a foul temper, a lolly pop stick is found jammed into the piano strings and a parent rings up to inform Cornelia that her daughters band (a brace for teeth) is missing and could she look for it. She describes it thus…
“A repellent contraption of wire and silver, it looked like a surrealist exhibit or some part of an alarm clock. I wrapped it tenderly in cotton and placed it in a box from Cartier’s. Cynthia lives on Park Avenue in a penthouse I shall never see (although my child informs me he has been there). I left the box with the doorman, requesting him to see that Cynthia’s mother got it immediately. I had it well timed and as I drove away I prayed with fervor that she’d open it at the table.”
She recounts shopping with her very reluctant young son for new clothes in Youth’s Furnishings – and it recalled to me, my own similar shopping trips in the 1970s and 80s. Each generation of child I am sure, lives through this particular loathed ritual
She also recounts the dreaded ‘Business Party’ – in which none of the attendees wish to be there – yet everyone is going through the motions all the same.
I had already decided that I liked Cornelia Otis Skinner when I read – Our Hearts… however she did let me down a little when she says..
“I am no feminist. I don’t for one second think woman is man’s equal and the mere idea of a brave new world in which we all work shoulder to shoulder, even cheek to cheek, with those admirable creatures fills me with boredom and dismay. I don’t want to do man’s work. I don’t even want the vote.”
In this piece called ‘Allow Me, Madame’ she goes on to complain that while she is happy for men to do most things she would rather like to be allowed to lay a fire or tune a radio by herself – despite men not believing she can manage either of these complex procedures. I know feminism was a dirty word in the 1940s – but still – really Cornelia I was disappointed.
Still, pushing that to one side this was a lovely little collection to spend time with – and I need to try and rad that third Skinner book that I have before another five years have elapsed.
Oh dear, that is a discomfiting quote! Writing always has to be considered within its historical context, though, and the rest of the book sounds like an interesting view into a certain section of American society.
Well overall it is a lovely collection, but I was more surprised by that extract than perhaps I should have been. It is certainly of its time.
[…] Popcorn by Cornelia Otis Skinner reviewed by Ali at HeavenAli […]
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one not quite jelling with nonfiction at the moment. I’ve just put aside an interesting art book because it wasn’t really working for me. This does sound very much of its place and time, but I do hope her view on women is tongue in cheek!
Oh yes, I think her tongue was very firmly planted in her cheek. It’s a lovely read overall.
Well done for finding novella-length nonfiction for the challenge! Believe it or not, I have a copy of Our Hearts were Young and Gay — it was a random find at the free bookshop where I used to volunteer. I always read “Love” and “Heart” books in advance of Valentine’s Day, so I’ll try to get to that one in February.
Our Hearts.. is an absolute delight. You were lucky to find it, it isn’t so common to find her books in the UK, which is why I hoovered up 3 from ebay at the same time.
[…] Popcorn by Cornelia Otis Skinner (reviewed by Ali at Heavenali) […]
I feel completely floored by someone saying they’re not interested in the right to vote! I guess I’m very much of my time too. This does still sound a highly entertaining read.
I know! Although I’m not sure how serious she was really. It was definitely of its time though, and it is still highly entertaining.
Well, it sounds fun despite the dated attitudes. I try to read older books as tolerantly as I can (although there are times when I draw the line if things are too repellent) but I think the humour and entertainment value would be the most important thing here!
I try to read things with an eye on the period in which they were written. So, that quote didn’t spoil it for me really, and I hoped that her tongue was firmly in her cheek. It’s difficult to know how serious she was being really.
I have a few books by this author to read although not this title. In spite of her dreadful comments on voting and feminism, there are times when it’s good to escape to an earlier decade and another life. Lovely review, Ali.
Yes this was a rather delicious little escape from reality, and COS was a generally lovely companion. I have decided to accept her comments as being of their time, and hopefully rather tongue in cheek. I shall definitely continue to read her.
Wah to the quote and sentiment, hope it didn’t spoil your enjoyment of what sounds like a lovely little collection.
It didn’t really, I shall definitely continue to read her work.
What an interesting name. At first I thought it was Cordelia (and I immediately thought of how much Anne Shirley longed to be called ‘Cordelia’ in Anne of Green Gables), but no….
Ah yes, good old Anne Shirley. I so loved the Netflix series Anne with an E.