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Title: Diary of a Provincial Lady (Provincial Lady) by E.M. Delafield, E. M. Delafield ISBN: 0-89733-053-6 Publisher: Academy Chicago Publishers Pub. Date: 01 March, 1991 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.33 (9 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Terribly, awfully, wonderful book of life between the wars
Comment: This charming book was written in the period between the wars, and tells of the daily trials and tribulations of the Provincial Lady - dealing with the servants, nosy neighbours, the horribly snobbish local 'upper class', the husband who hides behind the paper. Always told with style and wit, we observe life for the lady in question as she tries to balance the accounts (never a success - where does it all go?), help out at the local Women's Institute, keep her wardrobe up to date and deal with such important issues as modern parenting, keeping one's brain active when living outside of London, and the delicate balance of letting the husband know not too much or too little.
The stand-out thing about this book is the character descriptions and her take on everyday life. If anyone ever tells you people were much nicer/politer in the good old days, just refer them to this book, which shows that there was just as many selfish, impolite, venal, self-centred and downright rude people in the 'good old days' as there are today. We just need to hope that we can deal with them with as much style and aplomb as the Provincial Lady would.
Rating: 4
Summary: British Wit. Same women world as we know it...
Comment: Am determined to write impressions from this book in the style of "the Provincial Lady" herself. Am doubtful however as to the outcomes of this effort as my highest labors would not reach the dry frank witticism she displays.
Provincial Lady does her best to satisfy the wishes of silent husband (... "Robert, this morning, complains of insufficient breakfast. Cannot feel that porridge, scrambled eggs, toast, marmalade, scones, brown bread and coffee give adequate grounds for this, but admit that porridge is slightly burnt...."), intimidating cook, beloved children (... "Robin - whom I refer to in a detached way as "the boy" so that she shan't think I am foolish about him..., "Vicky,.... Enquires abruptly whether, if she died, I should cry?"), Mademoiselle (the nanny), Gardner and all kinds of friends and neighbors including the tiring Lady Birkenshop, "our vicar's wife" and the hated Mrs. B. ("query: Is not a common hate one of the strongest links in human nature?... answer, most regrettably, in the affirmative.")
This is the same women world. Husband is as usual quiet and does not give any consolation and the Lady struggles to please everyone and not forget herself and her own wishes (and health) on the way. How very sad to discover it was the same (woman) world even 70 years ago ... Book is so very candid and manages to capture the ever lasting nuances of human behavior ("Mem: Candid and intelligent self examination as to motive, etc., often leads to very distressing revelations...."), little lies, social pretenses and the day to day struggles. Funny and entertaining yet can be tiring at times - since the day to day life is indeed tiring . Very very British and thus charming.
Rating: 4
Summary: Witty stay at home mum's life, dated and timeless too
Comment: I reread this every year or two, and love it each time. Admittedly,a product of its time and place, capturing life among the genteely-poor gentry in an English village between the wars(WW's I & II). The diary format makes the provincial lady's narration of and commentary on the events around her doubly funny, as she struggles to run her household and not be driven crazy by nice but dull husband, snobbish wife of husband's boss,disputes among servants,quandaries about children, etc.--and to find time to keep a sense of herself as a professional writer. Not deep, but funny and often touching.
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Title: Provincial Lady in London (Provincial Lady) by E. M. Delafield, Arthur Watts ISBN: 0897330854 Publisher: Academy Chicago Publishers Pub. Date: 01 September, 1983 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: One Pair of Hands by Monica Dickens ISBN: 0897333047 Publisher: Academy Chicago Publishers Pub. Date: 01 March, 1988 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith ISBN: 0312201656 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: May, 1999 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons ISBN: 014018869X Publisher: Penguin Books Pub. Date: 01 December, 1995 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: The Provincial Lady in Wartime (Cassandra Editions) by Em Delafield ISBN: 0897332105 Publisher: Academy Chicago Publishers Pub. Date: 01 September, 1986 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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