Finally getting the two books I read for the 1929 club reviewed. I knew I had to get myself prepared to even have a chance of getting down to writing about them in time. The two books I read were rather different, one a more literary type book a curious blend of fiction and travelogue by a British writer and sister to the slightly better-known F. Tennyson Jesse, the second by an American golden age crime writer. To be honest I had more success with one than the other – reviewed here in the order I read them.
Eve in Egypt – Stella Tennyson Jesse (1929)
This is certainly presented more as a novel than a travelogue although there are definitely features of the latter – the book is peppered with photographs that Jesse herself took on a similar expedition. Set in the late 1920s, the novel does have a very 1920s feel to it – a good deal of gushing, jolly hockey sticks, frivolity and wit which is charming. The characters are all very engaging (of a particular type) and the dialogue between them is deliciously sparkling. So, there are definitely things to enjoy here, and kept me reading. A couple of things worked less well for me, but I will come on to those later.
Eve Wentworth is a very beautiful young woman from a certain kind of privileged background (though this is never mentioned – we know the kind of family they are immediately) she lives with her sister Serena and brother-in-law Hugh Erskin. She is in a slightly awkward situation, having been asked by two different men to marry them, they are waiting for an answer, which she seems unable to give. She is bemused it seems by how silly men get over her – but accepts it as her lot in life too.
“The nuisance was that so often just being natural and friendly seemed to do more harm than anything else! What a pity men were so terribly susceptible! The least little thing, and they seemed to be thrown off their balance. No stamina, Eve supposed.”
Just at the right moment longtime family friend Jeremy Vaughan invites them to join him on a tour of Egypt, sailing on a traditional dahabeah along the Nile. For Eve this is a perfect escape. Eve has always liked Jeremy, the two have always got on well, with a teasing, relaxed friendship that has developed with those years of easy familiarity. However, during the trip Eve begins to sense her feelings toward Jeremy are changing, which is further complicated by the appearance of a wealthy young American and her brother they meet along the way. So, that is essentially the main premise, which is lovely, charming and hugely appealing – some predictability to the ending, but I don’t mind that.
Now to what worked less well for me.
As Eve, Serena, Hugh and Jeremy travel along the Nile, they employ the services of a dragoman named Moussa who will remain with them throughout their tour guiding them and ensuring all their needs are met. It takes about ten seconds seemingly for Serena and Eve to utterly adore Moussa and cast him in the role of a sort of paragon. Moussa we are soon told absolutely adores them too, especially ‘Miss Eve’ for whom we suspect he would happily prance across hot coals. He is constantly delighted by them, beams his approval, wags his head in wry amusement etc. I find this all rather uncomfortable – it is a typical colonial trope which crops up in novels of this period – but I can’t say I enjoy it.
Secondly, are the detailed historical and geographical details that Jesse has woven into the narrative, often in long conversations between characters – as they set about learning about the history of where they are travelling. I found this rather tedious – and there were a few places where I had to skip a little just so I didn’t get bogged down. Other people might love these details, but for me there were too many and it became dull.
So, a bit disappointing but good enough to persevere with.
Water Weed – Alice Campbell (1929)
Kindly provided by Dean Street Press
One of the Golden Age mysteries that Dean Street press reissue – this was an excellent kindle read. A bit longer than I had expected but not the worse for that. I really liked Campbell’s sparky heroine and her fully fleshed characters and a mystery that took time to build.
Young American Virgina (Ginny) Carew is spending several months in London. Here she and her father run into fellow American and family friend Glenn Hillier. Ginny is particularly shocked by what she sees as an obvious change in Glenn. Thinner, distracted and nervous, Ginny finds it hard to engage him in conversation and he is soon rushing off.
As her father returns to the States, Ginny starts to learn a little about where Glenn’s problems might lie. It seems he has become involved with the family of an older woman, Mrs Fenmore known as Cuckoo. Cuckoo, a beautiful, apparently fragile woman, legally separated from her second husband lives in a large country house with her son Henry and daughter Pam. However, it is clearly with Cuckoo herself that Glenn is infatuated – there has already been a little bit of gossip about the pair. Glenn has spent several months staying with the family and is talking about ditching his plans to return to the states where his father will help him gain good employment.
Soon, Ginny finds herself invited to stay with the Fenmore family, as a friend of Glenn’s and reluctantly she accepts. Immediately, Ginny senses that she might not be quite as welcome as the invitation might suggest – there is much about her hostess that she simply can’t work out. Glenn seems to be utterly devoted – but absolutely worn down and worried to bits at the same time. The whole atmosphere of the house is strange, even the servants seem peculiar. While Glenn repeats odd stories about Cuckoo’s fears, Ginny hears unexplained footsteps in the corridor outside her room late at night and sees Cuckoo steaming open letters to Glenn from his father in the States.
“It was the faint but unmistakable noise of a cautious footfall pursuing its way along the passage outside her room. She held her breath and listened alertly. Yes, there was no doubt about it, someone was creeping along, very slowly, a step at a time, with the subdued tread of slippered feet. Who could it be? And why did the person not turn on the light?”
Ginny is at a loss as to what precisely is going on, and what if anything she can do to help Glenn, toward whom her feelings have begun to change from mere friendship.
Eventually – at least halfway through this book, a murder occurs – and it’s pretty easy to guess who the victim is going to be. As the murder is discovered, Glenn disappears and is instantly assumed to have been responsible. Only Ginny it seems believes he couldn’t have done it, but she will have an uphill struggle finding out the truth and convincing anyone else.
A thoroughly engaging read, with a satisfyingly dramatic ending. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I haven’t read either of these authors and they both sound worth a whirl, the Alice Campbell first!
Alice Campbell has been a great discovery, thanks to DSP.
The portrayal of Moussa sounds excruciating. I’d not heard of Alice Campbell until this week and yours is the second positive review I’ve read of a novel by her.
Yes, the Moussa portrayal annoyed me. I hadn’t heard of Alice Campbell at all until DSP sent me two of her ebooks.
An interesting pairing, Ali! I’ve read both of these too, and did enjoy them very much! I take your point about Eve, but I did find the old fashioned travelogue aspect quite appealing!!
Yes two quite different books. I had expected to enjoy Eve in Egypt more than I did, so I was disappointed. I just there was an information overload in places.
Thanks for adding these to the club – and adding more incentive to explore Alice Campbell, who sounds like a real find. I found the same as you with Eve in Egypt – loved aspects of it, but found the dumping of travel info a bit tedious.
Yes so glad to have discovered Alice Campbell, kudos to DSP as ever. Eve in Egypt was frustrating because aspects were very enjoyable.
I’ve not heard of Alice Campbell until this week, but can see based on what you and Kaggsy think of her work, that she will be an interesting writer to explore.
Yes, I only discovered Alice Campbell when DSP sent me two of her ebooks. She is definitely someone I will read again.
Great reviews! I had not heard of either authors, but I have a feeling I will like Alice Campbell though I may skip Stella Tennyson Jesse.
Thank you, I hate putting people off writers, but I think you might prefer Alice Campbell to Stella Tennyson Jesse.
A lovely pair of reviews, Ali, and I’m glad you were able to write them up! Like others here, I’m new to Alice Campbell, who sounds like a really interesting find. What a lovely benefit of the Club, the discovery of a new-to-you writer with a wealth of work to explore. (I just looked her up on Fantastic Fiction, and she wrote 20 or so books between the late ‘20s and 1950 – Water Weed was one of her first.)
I hadn’t realised how prolific Alice Campbell was, that’s good to know. I suspect she wasn’t so well known over here because she was American.
Both of these sound interesting and aren’t ones I was familiar with before. Thanks for highlighting them.
Glad to have introduced you to them Janet.
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I really enjoyed the Alice Campbell, too, so glad they reissued it and then pointed out the year!
Yes it seems to have been a popular title this year, and I am glad to have discovered the author.
The Alice Campbell sounds very tempting – I’ve not read many American GA mysteries. Lovely reviews Ali.
Alice Campbell was a great discovery. I don’t think I have read many American golden age mystery writers.