The Nutmeg Tree

Here we have Julia Packett, a woman who is "no better than she ought to be", but is very good at getting along without resources other than her wits and wiles. She is also, it turns out, both lucky and likeable, which is good since she's a bit overextended, and approaching an age when generous men are a bit harder to attract. When she is contacted by Susan, the adult daughter she had basically abandoned to the in-laws as an infant, things might get tricky, and there's a possibility Julia may have met her match in the gold-digger who wants to marry Susan. "I believe he's the same sort as I am!" she thought. "Now what the hell am I to do?" I had fun finding out.

Julia is a mischievous, fun-loving sort who likes the theater and the company of men a bit too much to have ever settled down into being "good" and "a lady." When her daughter, Susan--who Julia left with her husband's respectable parents after her husband died--writes asking her mother to come out and convince Grandmother that Susan ought to be allowed to marry now if she likes, Julia decides she must play at being a lady after all, at least for the duration of the visit. Several prospective suitors for Julia ensue, and Julia must find a way to be herself while still snaring what she wants for herself and for her daughter. Delightful, ridiculous fun. The attitudes toward gender relations are a bit dated, but somehow they are never show more jarring--perhaps because Julia knows so well how to manipulate them and seems so happy to do so. A good deal fluffier than Angela Thirkell, but still in that sort of a vein. Recommended. show less

A middle-aged heroine with curves lies in her bath singing the Marseillaise in a 'fine robust contralto'. Outside the bathroom door two men are trying to seize her goods. This is the funny opening scene of Margery Sharp's rumbustious comedy written in 1937. Julia Packett, who has lived with a Mr Macdermott was a chorus girl who married unexpectedly into the Packett family in the First World War and had one daughter, Susan. To help her only child troubled by a love affair, Julia must travel to France and become the impeccable, ladylike Mrs Packett again. All her life she's been warm-hearted, slightly irregular and too generous with her favours and always keen on a jolly good time.

Like a comic classical heroine she has to negotiate show more torments and temptations on her journey. There is the sexy trapeze artist Fred Genocchio who 'offered his hand, his heart, his money in the Bank, and his villa at Maida Vale.' There is the constant pressure on Julia's meagre funds and that she forgets she's supposed to be a real lady most of the time. There's Susan's tangle with the charming Bryan and Julia's mother-in-law old Mrs Packett, 'an absolute darling', who insists that Julia should really open a teashop in Kensington. Another guest is invited too, Susan's guardian Sir William Waring a great friend of her grandfather's. 'That made him seventy at least, thought Julia gloomily. Men of seventy had no interest for her: they were always in her experience, either doddering or spry; and the spry were the worst.'

The blurb on my old copy says this is 'a rich, amusing and lovable book.' It's now the twenty-first century but the copywriter was absolutely correct. Hurray for Julia Packett, hurray for The Nutmeg Tree and Happy Birthday Margery Sharp.

The review is part of Margery Sharp Day 2015 celebrating the 110th anniversary of her birth organised by Fleur in her World. show less

It was quite different in tone and flavor from what I remember of past samplings. Julia, the main character, is a bit jarring at first. But one grows to love her; and Julia grows to be lovable. Very satisfying.

Years ago, during my Greer Garson phase, I watched a little film called Julia Misbehaves. It is based, loosely, on this book and is amusing in its own way(though definitely cleaned up for the censors and stars). This was a fun read, almost a Cinderella tale for the mid-40s, not willow-thin, world weary woman.. Not as relevant to today's world, unfortunately. But still a nice break from life. And a bit more observant than the film. Though the film, being post WWII, eliminates the anti-semitic joke... which bugs. The more I thought about it the more it bugged. Reducing my rating.

Julia is a woman who loves life but has to work hard to be good when she ends up in France at the request of her estranged daughter. This novel is funny and lighthearted while also moving (the ending is fantastic!), and I'm shocked that it's not in print. It seems like the perfect candidate for a Virago Modern Classic or a Persephone.

A 1920's-1930's "romance", for lack of a better word. The setting is France and the protagonist is Julia, a free-spirited Great War widow who has left her daughter in the care of her paternal grandparents since she was 18 months old. The daughter is now 17 and wants to get married and her grandparents object. The daughter writes to her mother to come to her aid. Julia is off to see her daughter who she has not seen for 16 years. Julia learns a lot about herself. I never did find out why the title! (did I miss it?) Most of the book is Julia and her conversations with her daughter, son-in-law to be, her daughter's legal guardian, and her in-laws---yawn.