konniesbb's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Final installment in the Provincial Lady series. Sad to have finished the series as I absolutely adored it and will be definitely going back and re-listening to all four of the books for years to come. Enjoyed The Provincial Lady in Wartime greatly - was fascinating for me to learn about the start of WW2 in Britain and the 'Phoney War'. Some fabulous new characters to either love or hate, as always. Was quite surprised by abrupt ending but read that E.M.Delafield was in fact called up to work for the Ministry of Information, which is a shame for fans of the series as I'd have loved to hear more about the Provincial Lady's experiences throughout the war and beyond. Nonetheless, funny, witty and entertaining as always, even set on the backdrop of war.
bookpossum's review against another edition
3.0
The Provincial Lady in this book takes us with her to the first few months of the Second World War, when nothing much was happening, and she and many others were trying to get themselves roles in which they could feel they were helping their country's cause. In the course of this she meets various people and describes them with her usual sharp wit. After a lunch with Lady Blowfield and a man who claimed to have all sorts of insider knowledge, she finds herself in sympathy with a couple for whom she had not previously cared much:
"... I feel more drawn towards them than I should ever have believed possible. Am sorry to note that abuse and condemnation of a common acquaintance often constitutes very strong bond of union between otherwise uncongenial spirits." (page 174)
Earlier in the book, she hears from her aunt about Our Vicar's Wife who has been to tea and "... has declared that she is getting on splendidly and the evacuees are settling down, and a nephew of a friend of hers, in the Militia, has told his mother, who has written it to his aunt, who has passed it on to Our Vicar's Wife, that all Berlin is seething with discontent, and a revolution in Germany is scheduled for the first Monday in November. Is this, asks Aunt Blanche rhetorically, what the Press calls Wishful Thinking?" (page 121)
Interesting to read to get a feel for that strange period after war was declared and before the battle really started as far as the English could see.
"... I feel more drawn towards them than I should ever have believed possible. Am sorry to note that abuse and condemnation of a common acquaintance often constitutes very strong bond of union between otherwise uncongenial spirits." (page 174)
Earlier in the book, she hears from her aunt about Our Vicar's Wife who has been to tea and "... has declared that she is getting on splendidly and the evacuees are settling down, and a nephew of a friend of hers, in the Militia, has told his mother, who has written it to his aunt, who has passed it on to Our Vicar's Wife, that all Berlin is seething with discontent, and a revolution in Germany is scheduled for the first Monday in November. Is this, asks Aunt Blanche rhetorically, what the Press calls Wishful Thinking?" (page 121)
Interesting to read to get a feel for that strange period after war was declared and before the battle really started as far as the English could see.
emerion's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
I definitely found this to be the weakest of the Provincial Lady books, although I concede that it's partially on me, and I probably ought to have spaced out my reading of the series. But, I was reading both as a paperback and as an ebook and my paperback is a collected volume, so it made sense to do them all, one right after the other.
In many ways, it's such an inert volume - although arguably that should be said for the entire series, except maybe "in America." But, war is declared and everyone wants to do their bit, but it's the Phoney War - or the Bore war, as Wikipedia tells me was initially callled - with nothing really to do except read the news and talk badly about Hitler. Our Lady goes to London, in hopes of finding some way of being of service, but finds that there are others similarly (un)occupied and as of yet not a lot of contribution for her to make. In some ways, it really seems like she would've been a better help just staying at home and helping with the evacuees and knitting for the Red Cross, although my penchant for homefront stories is probably showing there.
In any case, eventually she's at least able to volunteer at a canteen, that mostly seems to serve ambulance drivers, a few of whom she befriends. But even this is somewhat unsatisfying, as her portrait of characters like Granny Bo-Peep strikes me as a wee bit cruel and Serena, who we're more inclined to sympathize with, grated a bit. In any case, I'm not sorry I read it and it was a bit different from the WWII stories I'm used to, but still not the best note to end the series on. But, also not so meh that it's put me off reading some of Delafield's other books.
In many ways, it's such an inert volume - although arguably that should be said for the entire series, except maybe "in America." But, war is declared and everyone wants to do their bit, but it's the Phoney War - or the Bore war, as Wikipedia tells me was initially callled - with nothing really to do except read the news and talk badly about Hitler. Our Lady goes to London, in hopes of finding some way of being of service, but finds that there are others similarly (un)occupied and as of yet not a lot of contribution for her to make. In some ways, it really seems like she would've been a better help just staying at home and helping with the evacuees and knitting for the Red Cross, although my penchant for homefront stories is probably showing there.
In any case, eventually she's at least able to volunteer at a canteen, that mostly seems to serve ambulance drivers, a few of whom she befriends. But even this is somewhat unsatisfying, as her portrait of characters like Granny Bo-Peep strikes me as a wee bit cruel and Serena, who we're more inclined to sympathize with, grated a bit. In any case, I'm not sorry I read it and it was a bit different from the WWII stories I'm used to, but still not the best note to end the series on. But, also not so meh that it's put me off reading some of Delafield's other books.
garbo2garbo's review
3.0
These books are always a joy, with their light wit and scathing social commentary. I wish EM Delafield had lived long enough to continue this series, as it would have been great to read about the Provincial Lady throughout the war. Instead, this book covers the initial outbreak of war, which whilst not historical fact, gave an interesting insight into the British climate at the beginning of the war.
This book also includes the short stories set in Russia, which were originally published in magazines. They serve as a small insight into Russia in the late 1930s, which pairs well with the Wartime novel. Again, I would have loved to read more of these.
So... now the Provincial Lady series is complete. What should I read now?!
This book also includes the short stories set in Russia, which were originally published in magazines. They serve as a small insight into Russia in the late 1930s, which pairs well with the Wartime novel. Again, I would have loved to read more of these.
So... now the Provincial Lady series is complete. What should I read now?!
wealhtheow's review against another edition
2.0
Published in the first year of WWII, this is a cute, superficial look at the zeitgeist of England. It's not nearly as funny as the first few Provincial Lady novels--I'd recommend fans of those to stop at [b: The Provincial Lady in America|860193|The Provincial Lady in America|E.M. Delafield|http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348341571s/860193.jpg|845633]. When war is declared, the Lady tries to get war-work--only to realize that every other person in England is trying to Do Their Part as well. After weeks of asking Ministry officials for something to do, she finally gets volunteer work at a canteen. Everyone waits around and absolutely nothing happens. If this tale was told about any other war I'd have found it rather more amusing.
ergative's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a very interesting text, not least because it simultaneously is accurate and contemporary--the comments about the fashion of gas-mask carrying cases, the perpetual attempts to get war work but the oversupply of volunteers because the war has not really started yet, the perpetual conversations about what people think is going to happen--and also, because it was written right at the start of the war, is genuinely innocent and ignorant of how deadful things were going to get. The Provincial Lady is no fool, and it's wonderful to see how she can observe how clueless everyone is in light of what she knows can't be anything good coming, and yet she still makes friends and delights in human folly and entertainment and finds joy in life. I think, in a way, that I'm glad that this last provincial lady book ends before WWII really got going. Her son would definitely have been called up, given that he's already 18 in 1939, and I have trouble imagining her retaining her joie de vivre when things got really dark.
margied's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0