CLUNY BROWN

by Margery Sharp ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 25, 1944

She's always fun to read, is Margery Sharp. She knows both ends of the social ladder, and her maids and mistresses are equally convincing. She hints at ""social significance"" with delicate innuendo, and a humor closer to general comprehension than her compatriot, Angela Thirkell, who seems a trifle out of this world today. This is an entertaining story of England just before the war -- of a plumber's pee in London who baffled her staid relatives by being ""above her statical and who was sent -- for discipline -- into service at a Devon manor house, Friare Carmel. The family are perfect types --and yet not too studied -- Lady Carmel, absorbed in her garden planned three years ahead, of course"" her husband, ""Old English himself""; Andrew, loving Friare Carmel and a bit apologetic about it to his London crowd -- uncomfortably of a changing world, and a challenge to his own defences. Into this country-rural setting he introduces the mysterious Polish writer-professor, giving him a taste of English hospitality and a refuge. But he almost disrupts the plot by flirting madly with Betty, who has been dabbling in love (but who ultimately confesses to wanting seven children with Andrew as their father). Clumy Brown is coibly as the outskirts of all this -- learning her job --escaping to ramp with a chemist be a flattering proposal of marriage -- and with Finally into a situation with the Professor which leaves everyone and demanding ""Who does she think she is?"" -- Top drawer reading. .

Pub Date: Aug. 25, 1944

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1944

Categories: FICTION