MISS BAGSHOT GOES TO MOSCOW

A first novel from England takes a chance on an eccentric spinster whose addiction to travel-- in her own way -- makes her the focus of what could become an international incident when her trip to Russia lands her, involuntarily, in the news. For Miss Lavinia Bagshot inadvertently becomes part of the Anti-Fascist League for Peace delegation, and, with her age, determination and ability to speak out, dominates their meetings with their Russian hosts, circumvents the original plans, and creates news in her recommendations for Russian women. She gets a chance to hide out with a young secretary in the British Embassy, extends her stay, and forces a young grandnephew to come to rescue her. But Miss Bagshot, in spite of the proof that it is not possible to have the ordinary Russians as friends, is able to keep her theories about people when her plans for the young secretary and her grandnephew come true. A touch of farce, an angle of satire, an eye for pompousness and a feeling for people- this is deft, light and, if inconsequential, pleasant.