Ronald Blythe (1922–2023)

This is a pen-portrait of a Suffolk village in the late 1960s. As well as an introduction to the village, its population and working life, the author includes descriptions of many of the people who live in the village, from farm-workers to teachers, blacksmiths to retired army captains, thatchers and shepherds to farmers and members of the Women's Institute, plus other important characters like the district nurse, the vet, the magistrate and the gravedigger.
Blythe's descriptions of the characters of village life are often two-tone, which is to say that he provides a narrative about how the person fits in to village life and what sort of person they are, and that is followed by a passage, reportage-style, in their own words, of that person's thoughts and views on their lives and their place in society.
Taken together, these two styles of narrative make interesting reading, as this collection of rural voices make themselves heard via an introductory piece by the author about their position and status in the village.
This is a lovely portrayal of rural life in East Anglia midway through the last century.… (more)

Wonderful book. So many insights to Suffolk village life between the wars. The remnants of the feudal system; deference of the working class, arrogance of the landed class. At times brutal and unsympathetic. Suffolk folk were tradionally reluctant to express true feelings but these characters so insightful and articulate. Reminded me of Dad's suspicion of middle-class professional newcomers to the village! Destroys the illusion of a golden age of village life. But so many memorable characters and stories.… (more)