The Good Comrade

Despite the connotations of its title, The Good Comrade is not a book about communism, instead it is an excellent work about self-worth, personal honor, and social class with a healthy touch of romance. The Polkington's live life constantly on the edge of insolvency: the mother and two of her daughters want to live as they are accustomed and the father is a retired officer prone to drinking and gambling, which leaves only the middle daughter to hold things together. All she wants is to live a decent honorable life, but her family's refusal to be realistic about their situation makes it impossible. Especially once her father gambles off this quarter's check. An argument with one of his creditors leaves Julia desperate to prove her show more family's worth by coming up with £30 (roughly £2800 in today's money). So she decides to steal a rare daffodil bulb and joins the grower's family in the Netherlands as a companion. Naturally, she cannot bring herself to follow through with it, and a renewed acquaintance with her family's creditor leaves her feeling more awkward than ever while also offering her a way to prove her worth.

Not just a romance, but a serious look at the foibles of the middle-class values of the day (the part about the younger sister's marriage's "breaking-in" period is positively chilling). The love story is remarkably realistic and compelling, while not overwhelming Julia's overall search for self-respect and happiness. I'm surprised Persephone Books never picked this one up, as it's very much in their line. Highly recommended. show less

Published in 1907, about a renegade principled young lady who rejects her family's social strivings but takes on a family debt of honour. This comes from such a different time that it is occasionally hard to follow the protagonist's reasoning. However, her penetrating rejection of the social mores of the day and her courage and spirit in following the difficult path she believes to be correct are riveting.