Reprinted by Persephone Books, a small publisher which reprints "forgotten twentieth century novels" by women, and thank God for that because this novella originally published in 1932 by Virginia Woolf is very good. Taking place over just a few hours in the disorganized household of the widowed Mrs. Thatcham, who is marrying off her daughter Dolly to some anonymous successful diplomat, it is catty, humorous, witty, and perfectly dreadful. ( )

It's a brisk spring day in 1930s England, Dolly Thatcham is about to get married to a man who's all wrong for her, and none of the family who've gathered together for her wedding day seems to notice—or even care.

Cheerful Weather for the Wedding is a slight novella that has two major things going for it. One is Julia Strachey's darkly acid humour. This isn't a "laugh out loud" book; it's the kind of book where you say "oof" to yourself even as the joke lands. The other is her ability to use a kind of negative space characterisation. All the action takes place on a single afternoon within a couple of rooms, and we're given very little backstory, but through what is (un)said and how the Thatchams et al say it, I felt like I was told everything I needed to know about them. ( )

A charming, sweet little book. ( )

Terrible. Thank goodness it was short. ONE star rating but tricky amending atm. ( )

This book, originally published in 1932, gives a glimpse into the life of an upper-class family on the eldest daughter's wedding day. As often happens at large gatherings such as weddings, estranged and distant family members get together and chaos ensues. At the heart of the story is that the bride and her ex-boyfriend may still have feelings for each other. It is the characters, as well as the author's descriptions and insights, that makes this book so enjoyable. ( )