Ysenda is an interesting person. Her articles often appear in a variety of publications, including The Spectator, The Church Times and various newspapers. She has written nine books, all non-fiction until this offering, the most famous being ‘Terms and Conditions.’ This is about life in girls’ boarding schools 1939-1979 and it sold well. I went to hear her being interviewed about her writing at Daunts Bookshop in Hampstead a few years ago. It was quite an experience as I was a complete fish out of water. The reviews of ‘Terms and Conditions’ had said it was hilarious but on reading it I found it both outrageous and sad. At the end of the talk when questions and comments were invited I shared my feelings out loud. The reaction was more hilarity, probably aided by the glass of wine that Daunts hands out at book talks. It became clear that I was surrounded by women who had been packed off to boarding school at a ridiculously young age and now looked back with a weird, fond nostalgia for the awful food, the freezing dormitories, the lack of love and kindness and the homesickness. I was happy at my country grammar school. I would not have survived boarding school.
Also, a piece of literary trivia, (of which I am fond): Ysenda’s grandmother, Joyce Maxtone Graham (pen name Jan Struther) was the real Mrs Miniver, writing about a middle-class life at the start of the war. Her columns in the Times were seen by Churchill as helpful to British morale during the late 1930s. Also, Jan Struther wrote the words to the hymns ‘Lord of all Hopefulness’ and ‘When a Knight won his Spurs.’ OK, end of trivia.
So, the book I am supposed to be telling you about is the author’s first foray into fiction and, goodness me, it rang many bells … church bells of course. Here we are in a comfortable village in south-west London and St Luke’s is in an interregnum. You can understand why the first few pages resonated with me!
The story takes us through one whole year and the narrative is moved forward by a whole variety of characters. The reader does have to concentrate a little to know who is saying what but it is a good story; gentle and showing great insight and understanding of the Church of England. St Luke’s has all sorts, as all churches do, a microcosm of their part of the country. Thus, there is Lucy who is grieving her lost husband and Carol a volunteer who needs to feel worthy. Elizabeth thinks she is an entitled member of the congregation and Latin master Hugh is on the brink of solitary retirement … him and his dog Odo. Chantelle will do anything to get her daughter into the outstanding church primary school and her poor behaviour towards her Bulgarian cleaner has unexpected and quite comedic results. Just an ordinary group of people.
As with all interregnums, St Luke’s is dependent for several months on retired priests and those in the locality who have the time and energy to step up for extra services. Inevitably there are different opinions as to what their new incumbent should offer and the author brings together all the members of this small community before the process is complete. Ysenda writes with affection for the Church of England whilst showing she understands exactly where the failings are.
This is a beautifully produced book with a red, cloth cover. It is published by Slightly Foxed, the lovely literary quarterly review that I have written about before. It would make a handsome Christmas gift for a friend (or yourself) and I can envisage it on a small table beside a comfortable sofa, maybe with a glass of ginger wine and a slice of Christmas cake. It suddenly occurs to me that the red cover is a marketing ploy for Christmas buying but no matter, it is still lovely.
If you wish to buy it then google Slightly Foxed to find a phone number, you will be answered by a real person and the book will be nicely packed and arrive at your door. You don’t even have to brave the crowds.
I wish you a Christmas stocking full of gorgeous books. Happy reading.