Northbridge Rectory: A Barsetshire Novel

I have been working on reading all the Barsetshire novels in order on and off for several years. Whenever I have sufficient leisure time I start again, usually trying to pick up where I left off and always finding I want to start again at the beginning so that I don't miss any of the book to book references.Obviously, I am one of the fans of Thirkell's Barsetshire novels, those somewhat predictable, but always witty and delightful, tales of a fictional England around the time of WWII. But these books are not for everyone. Certainly anyone who thinks Thirkell the equal of Austen is mistaken. Equally certainly, those who deny an element of snobbery are allowing their fondness for the novels to blind them to its presence. Yes, Thirkell mocks the foibles of upper-class characters, but she is far more tolerant of them than of the flaws of the lower-middle classes. While the working classes are treated nearly as well as the upper (mocked but always fondly), the middle classes (whom she often treats as social climbers) are often treated with scorn and distaste for the mildest of faux pas.I love these books and wouldn't want to discourage anyone from reading them, but because some of the positive reviews are misleading, I wanted to give a more balanced view than I think either the attackers or the defenders have given.Of the dozen or so Barsetshire novels I have read so far, Northbridge Rectory is my least favorite. For the reviewer who liked Before Lunch and wanted to know which others were more like that, I recommend Wild Strawberries, The Brandons, and August Folly. Those who object to Thirkell's snobbery should avoid Miss Bunting (this is the title of a book, not a character or author).

Set in fictional Barsetshire, England, this book is simply a delight. Ms. Thirkell is most adept at portraying the interplay of quirky characters, from the scholarly, socially inept Mr. Downing and his brusque yet well-meaning housemate, Miss Pemberton; the social terror that is Mrs. Spender; the Frenchified Hopgoods; and the attractive Mrs. Turner, among others - centered around Mrs. Villars, the Rector's wife. The setting of the novel, a country town amidst the uncertainty and austerity of World War II, is practically a character itself. I loved reading this and look forward to more of Ms. Thirkell's books.

This is one of my favorite Barsetshire books, as it introduces the amusing Mrs. Villars. Further, the appearance of the delightfully cranky Miss Pemberton provides much amusement. Overall, the book not only introduces us to a host of Barsetshire characters who appear in later books, but also paints brilliant character sketches that are somewhat reminiscent of Jane Austen's highly colored depictions of characters like Mr. Woodhouse and Miss Bates in Emma. In response to one reviewer's comment that Mrs. Thirkell's novels change over time - Indeed, they do. But it seems to me that her books change in synch with the British country psyche at the time. Britain underwent fairly significant changes in terms of class and financial structure during and after WWII. This change is reflected in her books, as they are primarily set at the time she is writing them.

I totally concur with the last review. Angela Thirkell makes fun of the foibles and follies of the upper crust and to even suggest that there is "snobbery" in her books is totally ludicrous! Rather, being an avid fan of her writing, I take great pleasure in reading of a time gone by and the eccentricities of small English villages! Her books are full of humor and she manages to portray it without being meanspirited; something which is not easily achieved.