High Rising

4.5/5 stars ( )

Truly delightful fun. Written in the 1930s, this is a wonderfully charming romp Featuring the indefatigable Laura Morland, mother to the equally indefatigable young Tony Morland, and writer of popular novels for women.

There's not a lot of plot, but what there is revolves around Laura and her friends outwitting an upstart secretary who is attempting to take over the life of fellow writer, Mr Knox. It's all a bit upper class (Miss Grey must mind her station in life!) and no one in real life talks like these characters do. But I secretly wish they did, and I wish I was friends with them all.

This may not be everyone's cup of tea (served in tea pots with crumpets on the side), but it suited me completely, and I hoovered this one up so quickly that I was disappointed when I got to the end too soon and had to leave this delicious life behind.

A note that there are a couple of comments that are very much politically incorrect in these modern times, so be warned if that makes you uncomfortable. (Personally, I just took them as a "product of its times" moment, although I do rather wish they weren't there.) ( )

This is Angela Thirkell's first book in the Barsetshire series. Quite enjoyable, but not as humorous as [b:Northbridge Rectory|835444|Northbridge Rectory|Angela Thirkell|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178768577s/835444.jpg|821058]. ( )

Quite frothy and not as good as Barbara Pym (as the introduction claims) but still a good read on a cold winter's day ( )

Delightful and amusing. When one has a day to devote to snugging up with a cup of tea and fuzzy pet of choice to read while weather weathers out the window, this is precisely the sort of book one ought have at the ready. Nothing too dire, but a healthy dose of real life and practicalities in a charming setting with the sorts of characters one has known or anyway would like to meet. Makes me glad I have a stack more Thirkells waiting on my shelves, but slightly cross that the next one in order is not among them. Recommended for when you want pleasant without the slightest hint of saccharine. ( )