The Headmistress was first published in 1944, in fact my copy is a first edition hardback, not that I’m bothered about such things but I do prefer hardbacks to the modern paperbacks.
This one mainly involves the Belton family, they’ve fallen on hard times and are unable to afford to live in their large home. Luckily the Hosiers’ Girls’ Foundation School has rented the property for the duration of the war, however long that may be, and the Beltons have taken up residence in a smaller house which is situated more conveniently in the village.
I did enjoy this one although it didn’t feature much in the way of food rationing information, it was mainly clothes coupons which seemed to be a worry. I really like all the social history side of these books but there’s plenty of humour too.
The character of Heather Adams starts off as ghastly annoying schoolgirl and by the end has begun to transform into an almost likeable young woman. But it’s Miss Sparling, the headmistress of the school who as a newcomer has caught the eye of more than one of the local gentlemen, there always has to be some romance after all.
Friendships are forged when people realise that they have a hatred for the same person, everything else is forgotten about when the Bishop or Miss Pettinger rear their ugly heads. Those characters manage to unite people against them. This seems so realistic to me, I’ve definitely experienced the most unusual combinations of people who have bonded over a mutual dislike.
This storyline must have spoken to so many of the original readers of the book as the younger members of the families are all being sent off overseas and are really not expecting to be coming home again. In reality that was exactly what was happening in every community in the UK and elsewhere of course.
I could be doing without the Mixo-Lydian/Slavo-Lydian nonsense but I suppose that was reflecting the animosity between some of the many Eastern European refugees who were finding there way to the UK during the war. I think that the Mixo-Lydians must have in reality been Romanians as they have ‘escu’ endings to their surnames.
This was another enjoyable visit to Barsetshire, mainly with the Belton family who are the descendants of the Beltons who featured in Anthony Trollope’s book The Belton Estate.
Well, Katrina, I have so much to say about this post. War and Peace, the 1956 movie is entertaining–Henry Fonda and Audrey Hepburn, am I right? But my all-time favorite War and Peace television production was British-made. It had many, many episodes, which starred, believe it or not–you may remember–Anthony Hopkins as Pierre! This was broadcast in the US in 1973. I don’t recall who played the other major roles, but the actors were all marvelous in my opinion. I had read War and Peace in 1970 and felt my opinion was worth something at the time.
Judith,
Yes it is Henry Fonda and Audrey Hepburn a fave of mine. It was the way Moscow was pronounced which got me, like a ‘moo’ cow ending. I’m fairly sure that I haven’t seen that series of War and Peace but I’ve just looked it up, might have to buy it! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069654/ Thanks for the info, I was probably still too busy climbing trees in 1972!!
I got an Angela Thirkell book for Christmas (Wild Strawberries and I already had High Rising) and I am really looking forward to making her acquaintance in 2014. I have two last books I’m trying to finish up before the end of the year then High Rising is up. Very odd about Mixo-Lydian – it sounds like the name of a blood pressure drug đŸ™‚
Anbolyn,
You’re right it does sound like some sort of medication. The Thirkell books are light reading and the style is definitely tongue in cheek, but often written just exactly the way people speak, or spoke anyway. But good social history of what was going on in the country at the time as well as some good and ghastly characters! I hope you enjoy them when you get to them.
I do enjoy this one, particularly the tea party at the start, where Thirkell catches us up with characters from previous books, and also works in some Trollope connections. And with Heather we get her formidable father, who definitely grows on me (and everyone else in the series).
Lisa,
Yes the Trollope connections are more obvious in this one which all adds to the interest if you read Trollope too. Sam Adams starts off with practically nobody liking him, but that was when they didn’t really know him, and it’s just what happens whith some people – they just grow on you.