This is a gentle book and an almost perfect one. I suppose it focuses on the extraordinary goings on of very ordinary people. The main character, Anna, tells her own story of being widowed early and left to bring up 3 small girls. Far too quickly, Charlie (from an earlier life) bursts into their home and with glee and gusto takes over responsibility for their happiness, being full of sometimes slightly outrageous ideas for outings and games. He quickly becomes part of the fabric of their days, so when he disappears with the same suddenness they are all left floundering. Anna is also left pregnant with a baby she gradually realises she badly wants.
Sian James, the author, then offers Anna the opportunity to grab the freedom that is available to her in the middle of the 20th century, albeit maybe only if you came from a fairly bohemian background. Anna refuses to involve Charlie, thinking it would be entrapment of a sort, and determines to manage alone. Maybe alone is not quite the right word as there are many characters around the edge: her father, her mother- in- law, a benevolent aunt and friends of her deceased husband. This is such a pleasing and satisfying story.
The author was wholly Welsh, a passionate advocate of the language and culture of her birthplace. In marriage she spent years in Worcestershire and around Stratford-upon -Avon as her husband, Emrys James, was part of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Her third novel: ‘A small country’ did, so I read, become a celebrated piece of Welsh literature. I would like to read it but have yet to do so, mainly because second hand book sites are labelling it with exorbitant prices. I might have to accept a kindle copy and then read it on train journeys.
I commend this book to you. It is a 20th century delight.