Bramton Wick
by Elizabeth Fair
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Description
She wondered how Lady Masters got her old parlour maid to carry the coffee right across the lawn. But, of course, Lady Masters got things simply by always having had them and by taking it for granted that she always would have them. In Bramton Wick, the setting of Elizabeth Fair's cheerful debut novel, tensions and resentments-not to mention romance-roil beneath the polite interactions of its charming and eccentric residents. There's upper crust Lady Masters, taking the good things for show more granted but thoroughly cowed by her gardener. There's Gillian Cole, a war widow, and her sister Laura, for whom romance may (or may not) be in the offing. There's Miss Selbourne and "Tiger" Garrett, who met driving ambulances during the war (the first one, though Miss Garrett does get them confused). There's Major Worthy, who is quite energetic for an invalid. And there's the three Misses Cleeve, who are "all remarkably like toads" and who have a casual relationship with the truth. Furrowed Middlebrow is delighted to make available, for the first time in over half a century, all six of Elizabeth Fair's irresistible comedies of domestic life. These new editions all feature an introduction by Elizabeth Crawford. "Miss Fair's understanding is deeper than Mrs. Thirkell's and her humour is untouched by snobbishness; she is much nearer to Trollope, grand master in these matters."--Stevie Smith "Miss Fair's first novel is not one of promise but of accomplishment. Good luck to her!"--John Betjeman "Deliciously malicious humour abounds."--Vanity Fair. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Originally published in 1952, Bramton Wick by Elizabeth Fair is the author’s debut novel and is part of the Furrowed Middlebrow series of re-issued books from the 1950s. Set in the English countryside, this is a character study as the author leads us through the lanes and cottages of Bramton Wick and introduces us to a variety of inhabitants.
Rationing is still very much in evidence and fuel and luxury items are scarce. There is plenty of interaction between the inhabitants of the village, from the most affluent to those that struggling to make ends meet, everyone knows each other’s business or, at least, thinks that they do. There are resentments, jealousies, gossip, controlling matrons and husbands, broken friendships and even show more romance. Life revolves around the many tea parties and village events.
The author writing is light and witty, and although not written fully as humor, there are many funny moments throughout the story. I fully enjoyed Bramton Wick and look forward to more gentle, slightly comic reads from this author. show less
Rationing is still very much in evidence and fuel and luxury items are scarce. There is plenty of interaction between the inhabitants of the village, from the most affluent to those that struggling to make ends meet, everyone knows each other’s business or, at least, thinks that they do. There are resentments, jealousies, gossip, controlling matrons and husbands, broken friendships and even show more romance. Life revolves around the many tea parties and village events.
The author writing is light and witty, and although not written fully as humor, there are many funny moments throughout the story. I fully enjoyed Bramton Wick and look forward to more gentle, slightly comic reads from this author. show less
Set in mid-century England mid-20th century, the novel recounts the village of Bramton Wick's inhabitants and their lives. People are still suffering war effects and the economic issues resulting from it. Readers also see all the drama of everyday life. A certain amount of humor is present in the story, but it did not find it as charming as other stories written in this genre and period. Published as part of the publisher's "Furrowed Middlebrow" series, the story focuses on ordinary people rather than the upper class.
A lovely, cozy read of the usual sort from Elizabeth Fair...a village, several families, an assortment of marriageable young people, some of whom are right for each other, and some of whom are wrong. Elizabeth Fair writes so well about nice people with quirks, and ordinary lives consisting of the little things that matter so much from day to day.
Post-war country village life, and a mother of two daughters who would give Austen's Mrs Bennet a run for her money. It's a charming story.
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4,360 works; 110 members
Author Information
7 Works 509 Members
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Furrowed Middlebrow (14)
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Bramton Wick
- Original publication date
- 1952
- People/Characters
- Lady Masters; Toby Masters; Gillian Cole; Laura Cole; Bunty Selbourne; Tiger Garrett (show all 16); Curtis Worthy (Major, ret.); Gwennie Worthy; Jocelyn Worthy; Miles Corton; Mrs. Trimmer; Mrs. Cole; Thomas Greenley; Mathilda Cleeves, "Pussy" or "Mattie"; Sarah Cleeves, Miss Cleeves; Myrtle Cleeves
- Important places
- Bramton Wick, England, UK (Imaginary place)
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 110
- Popularity
- 294,346
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.79)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 2
- ASINs
- 3
