Topsy-Turvy

Topsy #3

by A.P. Herbert

Third book in Herbert's "Topsy" series.

First published January 1, 1947

About the author

Sir Alan Patrick Herbert, CH (usually writing as A.P. Herbert or A.P.H.) was an English humorist, novelist, playwright and law reform activist. He was an independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Oxford University for 15 years, five of which he combined with service in the Royal Navy.

Reviews

[Louise Culmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book by A.P Herbert in which Topsy (of the Trials of Topsy and Topsy MP), relates the events of her life through letters to her friend Trix. In this book we learn all about her life in postwar London, difficulties with rationing, with shortages of various kinds, infuriating problems with the plumbing, etc. Plus she has her friend Iodine staying with her, Iodine is attempting to obtain a divorce, for the purposes of which she must be entirely virtuous and not give any grounds for the judge to cancel her divorce.

Through Topsy's letters we learn about A.P. Herbert's views on many subjects, particularly the divorce laws of the time (something he campaigned all his life to reform). We also get a quite vivid picture of life in postwar London, with everyone recovering from the horror of war, and still yearning for more food.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very hard-to-come-by book, the third in the "Topsy" series by A. P. Herbert. I ordered this book from New Zealand, of all places. Now my collection of the inimitable "Topsy" is complete. These novels have one of the most unique voices in humorous fiction. Topsy is a somewhat addlepated flapper, but she's shrewd and adorable at the same time. Her breathless stream-of-conscious letters to her friend Trix are riotous commentaries on events of her time. This is heady stuff for fans of British humor circa 1920-1940's.