Darling Ma: Letters to Her Mother, 1932-44

by Joyce Grenfell

Book by Grenfell, Joyce

Genres: Nonfiction

360 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1989

About the author

Joyce Irene Grenfell, OBE (née Phipps; 10 February 1910 – 30 November 1979) was an English actress, comedienne and singer-songwriter.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when it was first published and have reread it recently to find out more about her experience working with ENSA, as one of the characters in my forthcoming novel joins ENSA at the beginning of World War 2.

I found the book interesting and I enjoyed Joyce's idiosyncratic style of writing, but Joyce did not have to endure the hardships of ordinary performers for she could always afford to stay in comfortable hotels at her own expense, or else she was invited to stay with influential and titled friends. Because of the special privileges she was granted, the book did not really serve the purpose of giving me insight into the experiences of an ordinary ENSA performer.

I admired Joyce Grenfell's work, but I'm afraid this book exposed her as extremely snobbish with strong prejudice against Jewish people (except for the pianist, Myra Hess, whose musical gifts she admired), Roman Catholics and variety artistes like the Two Leslies who went on an ENSA tour with her. To be fair, perhaps she was a product of her upper class upbringing at that particular time.

As someone else has mentioned, she would have written more frankly to her mother than she did in her autobiography. The book was published nearly twenty years after her death so she would not have expected her private letters to have been published for public consumption.

[Estara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not having read the collection of letters about her war work yet, this is probably the nearest book that describes English life as experienced by Grenfell during the war years. It also is more direct than the others, because she is more honest and exasperated about her family, whether it's Ma or her brother Tommy and especially Aunt Nora Astor. The tragedy of Tommy's disintegrating first marriage and what that means to his oldest son can be felt from Joyce's viewpoint, who obviously often took care of the boy.

Most of the letters cover the years from 1936 to 1944 - but the letter she sent from her ENSA days aren't in here. Occasional reproductions of her drawings from the letters are included and again some pictures from her own collection in the middle.

Although we know how many letter she wrote, I'm amazed how easy her handwriting is to read still. This is another great nightcap read, because the letters lend themselves to starting and stopping.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author was, of course accomplished in many ways, most specifically in writing. Her memories of the 1930's up through the mid-40's are intriguing and riveting. The early 1930's part is kind of boring with the references to long-dead wealthy landowners and their hobbies and name-dropping.

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent. Joyce is a delight. Such beautifully written letters. I feel like I really got to know her.

[Dark-Draco · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to put my hand on my heart here and be perfectly honest - I just couldn't get into this at all. I did give it a couple of goes, but after reading three or four letters, I had to give up again. I'm not sure why I didn't like it, I'll usually read anything, but I think it was because I really didn't know any of the characters in it. The letters also seemed disjointed and without an interest in who was being written about, I soon lost what they were trying to say.

[Bookguide · Rating 5 out of 5]

An utterly fascinating glimpse into the life of a much-loved entertainer in wartime London. At least that’s the part I remember most, having read it many years ago. I was astounded at just how much people really did try to ‘kept calm and carry on’, with dinner parties, concerts and all the pre-war socialising. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the period.

[Gemma Ferst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating witty glimpse of her life and how she became well known for her songs and monologues, as well as the context of the very eminent social circle in which she moved.