I almost didn’t manage to read the only holiday book I own over the holidays. I woke up Boxing Day morning with the horrible realisation that after months of anticipation, I hadn’t yet picked up Christmas at High Rising by Angela Thirkell. I immediately cast aside the book I had been reading (Maeve’s Times, a really delightful collection of Maeve Binchy’s writings for the Irish Times) because, as you should know by now, nothing will stand in the way of me reading a Barsetshire-set book (except my shoddy memory).
Just published by Virago in November of this year, Christmas at High Rising is a collection of short stories written by Thirkell in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. It is a very slim book with only eight pieces, five of which focus on the residents of High Rising. The remaining three – a story of a Victorian Christmas, a rather un-Thirkell-like piece about an art show, and an enjoyable essay entitled “Shakespeare Did Not Dine Out” – are well enough but it was the Barsetshire-set stories that delighted me most.
Tony Morland is perceived with varying levels of joy by Thirkell’s readers. I know some readers would like nothing more than to see his mother’s fears realised, with Tony thrown off his bicycle or horse and his neck broken so that they may be spared his condescending speeches and general interference. I, on the other hand, adore him. There is no such thing as too much Tony and my only major quibble with Thirkell is that she hid adult Tony so effectively from her readers in her later books. Yes, she reports that he is grown into a responsible, even conventional man but how cheated I feel for not being able to witness that myself! But that is an argument best saved for another review. Here, there is more than enough Tony to delight, as he struts through High Rising with the “devil-may-care attitude of a man of the world”, sparing every so often a “glance of passionless scorn” for the imbecilic adults in his life.
And some of the adults are imbecilic. George Knox has never been a great favourite with me and, though there is comic value in his winding, long-winded speeches, they are too winding and long-winded for me. I am also deeply offended by his referring to the divine Donk as Tony’s “friend with the un-Christian name, that sphinx in whom silence probably conceals total vacuity.” How dare you, sir (even though that is a neat turn of phrase).
Tony’s mother Laura is present – or as present as her habitually abstracted state allows – and, as usual, terrified of the trouble that Tony might get himself into. I remember reading The Demon of the House (a collection of Tony-focused stories) a couple of years ago and sympathizing so much with Laura in that book’s first episode, when she frets that Tony will manage to get himself run over by a car while bicycling. In this volume, she has the added worry of horseback-riding lessons, though the groom comforts her by saying that though Tony is an awful rider he is the sort of person who will “never learn to ride, not if he was to ride all his life, but he’ll stick to the horse somehow.” That seems as good a description as any of the enthusiastic and tenacious young Tony, though his mother will (as mothers do) continue to fret even after such assurances.
There was a sad lack of Dr. Ford, whose encounters with Tony are some of the most pleasing exchanges Thirkell ever wrote (even when the dialogue is limited to “shut up” – such blissful words when directed at Tony). Yes, he appears but never frequently enough for my tastes.
After a near miss, this really did make for the perfect holiday reading. I am so please that Virago published these stories and I can only hope they find more to print in years to come (a reissue of The Demon in the House might be a nice place to start).
I’m in the pro Tony camp. There’s something to be said for meeting people in books who would drive you mad in real life. My library has The Demon in the House in reserve stock, so I’ll be ordering it in next year.
Yay, we can keep each other company in the pro-Tony camp! For all his obnoxious ways, I adore his enthusiasm for life. I find it impossible not to warm to anyone who is so engaged with the world. If you love Tony, you’ll adore The Demon in the House.
I’ve just bought my first Thirkell, ‘High Rising’, in an attempt to find out why so many of my blogging friends rhapsodise about her. It seemed the right place to begin so that if I too come under her spell I can then work my way chronologically through the series.
I love how many people are discovering Thirkell thanks to the new Virago editions! I’m not totally sure that High Rising is the best book to start with (I favour Wild Strawberries or Pomfret Towers) but it is still great. Enjoy!
I am in the “less is more” camp regarding Tony, but I found George Knox even more overpowering in these stories, and less amusing. I think he’s in every one of the High Rising stories, isn’t he? I was impressed with the variety of places these were originally published – and I agree, I hope there are more to come. With this run selling out so quickly, VMC should recognize they’re on to a good thing.
Any amount of George Knox is too much for me, I have to say. And yes, let’s hope VMC is paying attention and feeling encouraged to continue with their Thirkell reissues!
I love Tony Morland – though I would want to slap him if he were any where near me I’m sure 🙂
Yes, he’s delightful as a fictional child but perhaps not as a real one!
Ha ha no very irritating.
Happy New Year, Claire! I too didn’t get to my Thirkell Christmas present until well after the day – but, said she coming over all smug, I did this deliberately as I postponed it until after I’d finished Joanna Trollope’s Sense and Sensibility. What a cheek, re-writing Jane Austen: I don’t even like sequels! Have to admit I was captivated by the up-to-date mobile-and-Facebook version which added some weighty psychological muscle. Previously Marianne had mainly irritated me. Then, instead of having Christmas at High Rising to cheer me up in case the first title failed, I had a second treat. You’re right about The Demon in the House – I hope Rowan at Virago is listening…
Intrigued to hear your thoughts on Trollope’s S&S, Hilary. I’ve got a library hold on it but have been preparing myself to be underwhelmed after reading so many negative reviews. I look forward to seeing what I think of it!
I’m with Alex – I bought High Rising and Wild Strawberries to read in 2014 so that I can know what all my fellow bloggers are talking about! I did also order a copy of Christmas at High Rising, but they sold out before my order could be fulfilled. I’m looking forward to finding out if I like Tony or not.
Yay! As a Thirkell fan, I am so delighted that these VMC reissues are exciting more readers and more attention in the blogosphere. And, frustrating as it must be for you, I’m thrilled that they sold out of copies of Christmas at High Rising. So encouraging!
So glad you wrote this review. I loved “Wild Strawberries,” but am having trouble getting into “High Rising.” Now I will go back it and give it another shot and also order “Christmas at High Rising.” I love finding good books to read at Christmas time.
I don’t like High Rising as much as I do Wild Strawberries, Sunday, but I do love the characters it introduces. Do try Pomfret Towers, though. I think you’d really enjoy it!
I read High Rising several years ago and really enjoyed it. I am meant to be reading the books in order but have not picked one up in a while–hopefully in 2014! But I did order this in anticipation of the holidays–sadly it has not yet arrived in the mail….so maybe will save it for next year. I love the new Virago editions by the way!
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that 2014 is the year you read more Thirkell, Danielle!
Like Alex and Annboleyn I have not read any Thirkell but am curious why so many bloggers seem to love her. But I can’t indulge since I am on a book buying ban for the next six months at least.
We love her because she is delightful! Once you’re off your book buying ban, I hope you have a chance to try her for yourself. (Or maybe you can check with your library during the next six months?)
I managed to resist going into the library yesterday. am trying really hard but it’s only three days into the new year so have a long way to go yet
I’m actually going to break my first new year’s resolution and buy this for my new Kindle … because I’m powerless to resist.
What a lovely treat for yourself, Audrey! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
I pre-ordered this book from Amazon so that it would be a sort of holiday reading. Amazon disappointed me by not shipping it. I ordered one through Book Depository and am still waiting for this book. This would be my first Thirkell book.
I’ve heard from a lot of people who went through the same experience. Sounds like Virago underestimated the demand for Thirkell!
Well, I think you should feel proud of the part you’ve played in that, Claire! When the new readers of Thirkell come across references to a “nice book ” from the “libery” they will be able to give a wry smile!