The Way Things Are by E.M. Delafield was first published in 1927, but my copy of the book is a Virago Modern Classic which was printed in 1988. It has an introduction by Nicola Beauman.
Prior to reading this book I had read the author’s ‘Provincial Lady’ books and really enjoyed them, this one is along the same lines really although I couldn’t help being reminded of the film Brief Encounter.
Laura is a 37 year old wife and mother, lucky enough to be living in a lovely large house (with garden of course.) I suppose she could be described as being upper middle class, and she is also a successful author. On the face of it she has it all, two healthy sons and an unobjectionable if reserved husband Alfred, but like most women of her class she is beset by that perennial problem – servants. Living deep in the countryside it isn’t the perfect location for servants so they tend not to last long there, or maybe it’s the two young boys Edward and Johnnie that people get fed up with. Laura favours her youngest son outrageously, apparently because he has curly hair and is the naughty one!!
Laura is constantly shattered if she has to deal with her own children even for a short time and dreads the inevitable exit of their Nurse. To be fair she does realise that the ‘women in the village’ have to deal with their children on their own and do all their own housework, instead of just having a life of tennis parties and visiting neighbours as she does.
When Laura’s younger sister Christine arrives to stay she has a young man in tow. Laura thinks it must be serious but it soon appears that Marmaduke Aylford is more interested in Laura and of course as a supposedly neglected wife she’s very flattered.
Having been married for seven years Laura thinks she has never really been in love, although she’s very fond of Alfred. She wants some romance in her life. Silly woman!
Anyway, this is funny in parts but not to the same extent as Delafield’s ‘Provincial Lady’ books.
As an acquaintance of mine once said, “Romance goes out the window as soon as you start washing their socks and pants.” Which was a bit shocking really as she had persuaded a man to leave his wife and three sons for her! Stick to fictional romance – it’s safer.
I didn’t find the Provincial Lady nearly as funny as D.E. Stevenson. This woman clearly needs Mary Poppins!
Constance,
I was wondering how those women would have coped if like women nowadays they had to work outside the home, then often support grandchildren and elderly parents as well. I’m fairly sure that the life expectency of some women is going down as they are run ragged! A Mary Poppins would be a boon. I must say I don’t remember a lot of comical bits in D.E. Stevenson’s books, maybe I’ve read the wrong ones!
One thing I find interesting about E.M. Delafield is that she writes in so many different styles. I love the Provincial Lady books and so I assumed I would love anything she wrote. Then I read Consequences. It was…not funny. I really liked Thank Heaven Fasting but it is also Not Funny.
Jennifer,
You have obviously read a lot more of her books than I have! I’ll look out for Thank Heaven Fasting despite it being Not Funny.
I am just finishing The Provincial Lady Goes Further, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the Provincial Lady books. I’ve heard from other people that some of Delafield’s books have a darker mood, so I haven’t been sure about trying them. Your review has me thinking that I would like The Way Things Are when I can find a copy. Thanks!
Paula,
I suppose it’s unfair of us to always expect her to be amusing, but sometimes that’s just what we need to read – especially at the moment! I hope you enjoy this one, if you manage to find a copy.