What do you think?
Rate this book
Barsetshire
Christmas at High Rising
Originally published in the 1930s and 1940s and never before collected, these stories by the inimitable Angela Thirkell relate merry scenes of a trip to the pantomime, escapades on ice, a Christmas Day of gifts gone wrong, and an electrifying afternoon for Laura Morland and friends at Low Rising, not to mention the chatter of the arty set at a London private view. Charming, irreverent and full of mischievous humour, they offer the utmost entertainment in any season of the year.
Pantomime --
Christmas at Mulberry Lodge --
St Valentine's holiday --
High voltage at Low Rising --
The private view --
Shakespeare did not dine out --
The great art of riding --
A nice day in town
Pantomime --
Christmas at Mulberry Lodge --
St Valentine's holiday --
High voltage at Low Rising --
The private view --
Shakespeare did not dine out --
The great art of riding --
A nice day in town
146 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2013
75 people are currently reading
671 people want to read
About the author
Angela Thirkell
58 books258 followers Angela Margaret Mackail was born on January 30, 1890 at 27 Young Street, Kensington Square, London. Her grandfather was Sir Edward Burne-Jones the pre-Raphaelite painter and partner in the design firm of Morris and Company for whom he designed many stained glass windows - seven of which are in St Margaret's Church in Rottingdean, West Sussex. Her grandmother was Georgiana Macdonald, one of a precocious family which included among others, Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister, and Rudyard Kipling. Angela's brother, Denis Mackail, was also a prolific and successful novelist. Angela's mother, Margaret Burne-Jones, married John Mackail - an administrator at the Ministry of Education and Professor of Poetry at Oxford University.
Angela married James Campbell McInnes in 1911. James was a professional Baritone and performed at concert halls throughout the UK. In 1912 their first son Graham was born and in 1914 a second son, Colin. A daughter was born in 1917 at the same time her marriage was breaking up. In November 1917 a divorce was granted and Angela and the children went to live with her parents in Pembroke Gardens in London. The child, Mary, died the next year.
Angela then met and married George Lancelot Thirkell in 1918 and in 1920 they traveled on a troop ship to George's hometown in Australia. Their adventures on the "Friedricksruh" are recounted in her Trooper to the Southern Cross published in 1934. In 1921, in Melbourne Australia, her youngest son Lancelot George was born. Angela left Australia in 1929 with 8 year old Lance and never returned. Although living with her parents in London she badly needed to earn a living so she set forth on the difficult road of the professional writer. Her first book, Three Houses, a memoir of her happy childhood was published in 1931 and was an immediate success. The first of her novels set in Trollope's mythical county of Barsetshire was Demon in the House, followed by 28 others, one each year.
Angela also wrote a book of children's stories entitled The Grateful Sparrow using Ludwig Richter's illustrations; a biography of Harriette Wilson, The Fortunes of Harriette; an historical novel, Coronation Summer, an account of the events in London during Queen Victoria's Coronation in 1838; and three semi-autobiographical novels, Ankle Deep and Oh, These Men, These Men and Trooper to the Southern Cross. When Angela died on the 29th of January 1961 she left unfinished the last of her books, Three Score and Ten which was completed by her friend, Caroline LeJeune. Angela is buried in Rottingdean alongside her daughter Mary and her Burne-Jones grandparents.
Angela married James Campbell McInnes in 1911. James was a professional Baritone and performed at concert halls throughout the UK. In 1912 their first son Graham was born and in 1914 a second son, Colin. A daughter was born in 1917 at the same time her marriage was breaking up. In November 1917 a divorce was granted and Angela and the children went to live with her parents in Pembroke Gardens in London. The child, Mary, died the next year.
Angela then met and married George Lancelot Thirkell in 1918 and in 1920 they traveled on a troop ship to George's hometown in Australia. Their adventures on the "Friedricksruh" are recounted in her Trooper to the Southern Cross published in 1934. In 1921, in Melbourne Australia, her youngest son Lancelot George was born. Angela left Australia in 1929 with 8 year old Lance and never returned. Although living with her parents in London she badly needed to earn a living so she set forth on the difficult road of the professional writer. Her first book, Three Houses, a memoir of her happy childhood was published in 1931 and was an immediate success. The first of her novels set in Trollope's mythical county of Barsetshire was Demon in the House, followed by 28 others, one each year.
Angela also wrote a book of children's stories entitled The Grateful Sparrow using Ludwig Richter's illustrations; a biography of Harriette Wilson, The Fortunes of Harriette; an historical novel, Coronation Summer, an account of the events in London during Queen Victoria's Coronation in 1838; and three semi-autobiographical novels, Ankle Deep and Oh, These Men, These Men and Trooper to the Southern Cross. When Angela died on the 29th of January 1961 she left unfinished the last of her books, Three Score and Ten which was completed by her friend, Caroline LeJeune. Angela is buried in Rottingdean alongside her daughter Mary and her Burne-Jones grandparents.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
December 23, 2016
I loved these short stories.
Just right for the holiday season and so very funny.
they had me laughing out loud!
I just wish the book was longer as it ended all too soon.
It's just made me want to read more of her wonderful books!
Just right for the holiday season and so very funny.
they had me laughing out loud!
I just wish the book was longer as it ended all too soon.
It's just made me want to read more of her wonderful books!
December 15, 2021
3.5 Stars.
This book is a collection of 8 short stories. Sadly, there is only one Christmas story. The stories that included Laura Morland and her son Tony were laugh out loud funny. There were 2 stories that were just Ok. I have never read any of Angela Thirkell’s novels, but I think it would have been good to know the background of the people in these stories. I think the stories would have meant more to me then.
Published: as a collection 2013. Written from 1928-1942
This book is a collection of 8 short stories. Sadly, there is only one Christmas story. The stories that included Laura Morland and her son Tony were laugh out loud funny. There were 2 stories that were just Ok. I have never read any of Angela Thirkell’s novels, but I think it would have been good to know the background of the people in these stories. I think the stories would have meant more to me then.
Published: as a collection 2013. Written from 1928-1942
December 19, 2015
Having (ultimately) thoroughly enjoyed High Rising, and after assiduous research, I discovered that Christmas at High Rising contains seven short stories, two with a Christmas theme, and an essay about dinner parties in Shakespeare’s plays.
The contents of Christmas at High Rising were originally published in magazines between 1928 and 1942. As the title suggests - and most significantly for me - some of the stories feature characters from High Rising including that loquacious and splendid young fellow Tony Morland, garrulous George Knox, no nonsense Dr Ford, and the wonderful Laura Morland. After hankering for more of the cast of High Rising, I was hoping Christmas at High Rising would satisfy my hankering for more Morland magic.
The book’s title is a little misleading. There is no unifying theme to the book - not all of the stories are connected with High Rising or indeed Christmas. The book, a mere 146 pages, contains seven short stories and an essay about dinner parties in Shakespeare’s plays.
If High Rising was the main feature then Christmas at High Rising are the DVD extras, and if, like me, you enjoyed High Rising, then Christmas at High Rising is worth reading for the bonus stories. If not, then move along, nothing to see here.
Click here to read my review of “High Rising”
3/5
The contents of Christmas at High Rising were originally published in magazines between 1928 and 1942. As the title suggests - and most significantly for me - some of the stories feature characters from High Rising including that loquacious and splendid young fellow Tony Morland, garrulous George Knox, no nonsense Dr Ford, and the wonderful Laura Morland. After hankering for more of the cast of High Rising, I was hoping Christmas at High Rising would satisfy my hankering for more Morland magic.
The book’s title is a little misleading. There is no unifying theme to the book - not all of the stories are connected with High Rising or indeed Christmas. The book, a mere 146 pages, contains seven short stories and an essay about dinner parties in Shakespeare’s plays.
If High Rising was the main feature then Christmas at High Rising are the DVD extras, and if, like me, you enjoyed High Rising, then Christmas at High Rising is worth reading for the bonus stories. If not, then move along, nothing to see here.
Click here to read my review of “High Rising”
3/5
December 16, 2019
I was mildly disappointed that it wasn't a book of Christmas stories, but only very mildly. Lots of Laura and Tony, which I find hilarious and poignant. The last story has Laura going to London to shop during wartime. I think I mentioned elsewhere that I didn't like Thirkell so much during wartime: she depresses the hell out of me. So Laura is going to London, and the train is cold and other people smoke in the non-smoking car, and there's this enormous list of things they need and the department store where she has long been a customer doesn't have any of those things...and it was depressing as hell, but I was nearly done with the book, so I finished it. And now I am charmed because most prosaic Christmas miracle ever (it's not specifically set at Christmas, but I am highly susceptible to titles apparently).
I may have to reconsider the earlier decision to avoid the wartime books.
We'll see.
And an aside, how beautiful is that cover?
Personal copy.
I may have to reconsider the earlier decision to avoid the wartime books.
We'll see.
And an aside, how beautiful is that cover?
Personal copy.
December 18, 2019
Four stars mostly on the strength of the final, wartime story that was so freaking good.
December 29, 2013
This was a perfect little read for just before Christmas. Seven short stories – two having a Christmas theme, and an amusing essay about dinner parties in Shakespeare’s plays make up this lovely collection newly issued by Virago. All the pieces in this book were originally published in various journals and magazines between 1928 and 1942. The title – I imagine comes from the fact that five of these stories feature characters from the delicious novel High Rising – the first novel in Angela Thirkell’s series of chronicles set in Trollope’s fictional Barsetshire. I suppose the title could be seen as misleading in a way – but the fact that only two of the stories are Christmassy – and only one of those set in High Rising didn’t in any way spoil my enjoyment of this collection.
These five stories – especially the four featuring the hilarious young Tony Morland – one of the funniest and endearing child characters in fiction – are particularly delightful. However the other characters fans of the novel will recognise are just as good in my opinion, George Knox – the biographer – who is hilariously garrulous, the no nonsense Dr Ford, and dear Laura Morland – who I always see as a kind of befuddled Celia Johnson character. In these stories we see George Knox treating the Morlands to a Christmas pantomime, Tony Morland coming home from school to make valentine cards, attempting to show off his (own imagined)proficiency at horse riding and desperately keen to show his knowledge of electricity and radio waves to his elders also.
“Don’t do that, Tony’ said his mother, eyeing her son’s complacent face with some irritation.
‘But, Mother, that shows. What you need sir,’ he continued, addressing George Knox, ‘is a super het. It wouldn’t cost an awful lot, and it would cut out all that sort of thing. It’s all to do with electricity and you wouldn’t understand it, especially if I explained it, but a super het gets the wavelengths and makes them so that…’
‘Turn that thing off at once,’ said Dr Ford, who had entered unnoticed in the middle of Tony’s exposition and the continued Brocken performance of the wireless.
‘But sir I was just telling Mr Knox..’
‘Shut up’ said Dr Ford
I have to say I absolutely adore these characters and their relationships with one another, Tony’s ridiculous enthusiasm for just about anything that has just entered his head, Laura’s long suffering anxious adoration of him, and her friendship with George Knox and the wife he acquired as a result of events in High Rising and Dr Ford –are all beautifully and humorously observed. I just wish there were more books with these characters in – I have been told that at least one of Angela Thirkell’s books features the character of Tony Morland – and that is one that I shall certainly have to look out for. Angela Thirkell’s world is world that certainly no longer exists – that is if it ever did – but it is one that is quite delicious to immerse oneself in.
These five stories – especially the four featuring the hilarious young Tony Morland – one of the funniest and endearing child characters in fiction – are particularly delightful. However the other characters fans of the novel will recognise are just as good in my opinion, George Knox – the biographer – who is hilariously garrulous, the no nonsense Dr Ford, and dear Laura Morland – who I always see as a kind of befuddled Celia Johnson character. In these stories we see George Knox treating the Morlands to a Christmas pantomime, Tony Morland coming home from school to make valentine cards, attempting to show off his (own imagined)proficiency at horse riding and desperately keen to show his knowledge of electricity and radio waves to his elders also.
“Don’t do that, Tony’ said his mother, eyeing her son’s complacent face with some irritation.
‘But, Mother, that shows. What you need sir,’ he continued, addressing George Knox, ‘is a super het. It wouldn’t cost an awful lot, and it would cut out all that sort of thing. It’s all to do with electricity and you wouldn’t understand it, especially if I explained it, but a super het gets the wavelengths and makes them so that…’
‘Turn that thing off at once,’ said Dr Ford, who had entered unnoticed in the middle of Tony’s exposition and the continued Brocken performance of the wireless.
‘But sir I was just telling Mr Knox..’
‘Shut up’ said Dr Ford
I have to say I absolutely adore these characters and their relationships with one another, Tony’s ridiculous enthusiasm for just about anything that has just entered his head, Laura’s long suffering anxious adoration of him, and her friendship with George Knox and the wife he acquired as a result of events in High Rising and Dr Ford –are all beautifully and humorously observed. I just wish there were more books with these characters in – I have been told that at least one of Angela Thirkell’s books features the character of Tony Morland – and that is one that I shall certainly have to look out for. Angela Thirkell’s world is world that certainly no longer exists – that is if it ever did – but it is one that is quite delicious to immerse oneself in.
January 1, 2023
I didn't particularly enjoy these stories. They were rather random. My favorite, by far, was the last story, titled 'A Nice Day in Town'. It had some interesting tidbits about rationing during World War 2 in London and a nice ending.
2022 re-read: Bumping this up to 3.5 stars on a re-read. I have read So Many More British books in the seven years since I originally read this and that helps immensely in grasping both Thirkell’s humor and the types of characters she has in her stories. My favorite three stories are Pantomime, St. Valentine’s Holiday, and A Nice Day in Town.
2022 re-read: Bumping this up to 3.5 stars on a re-read. I have read So Many More British books in the seven years since I originally read this and that helps immensely in grasping both Thirkell’s humor and the types of characters she has in her stories. My favorite three stories are Pantomime, St. Valentine’s Holiday, and A Nice Day in Town.
December 24, 2025
"Pantomime" - wit and understanding of a child's perspective (classic Thirkell) - 4 stars
"Christmas at Mulberry Lodge" - a charming story; a world that (unfortunately) no longer exists - 5 stars
"St. Valentine's Holiday" - about Tony's first love - 4 stars
"High Voltage at Low Rising" - another Tony's story, witty - 3.5 stars
"The Private View" - I was less captivated by this story, but Thirkell's style was evident - 3 stars
"Shakespeare Did Not Dine Out" - a treat for Shakespeare connoisseurs - 2 stars
"The Great Art of Riding" - Tony again; and if you adore him, as I do, it's pure pleasure - 4 stars
"A Nice Day in Town" - a story in the style of "war through the eyes of a small town," i.e., shortages, prohibitions, and everyday challenges (without the front lines, etc.) - 3 stars
"Christmas at Mulberry Lodge" - a charming story; a world that (unfortunately) no longer exists - 5 stars
"St. Valentine's Holiday" - about Tony's first love - 4 stars
"High Voltage at Low Rising" - another Tony's story, witty - 3.5 stars
"The Private View" - I was less captivated by this story, but Thirkell's style was evident - 3 stars
"Shakespeare Did Not Dine Out" - a treat for Shakespeare connoisseurs - 2 stars
"The Great Art of Riding" - Tony again; and if you adore him, as I do, it's pure pleasure - 4 stars
"A Nice Day in Town" - a story in the style of "war through the eyes of a small town," i.e., shortages, prohibitions, and everyday challenges (without the front lines, etc.) - 3 stars
did-not-finish
November 30, 2020Well I tried this one twice but barely made it past the first story.
November 27, 2023
Increased to four stars - I first read this short story collection last year and was ticked off that only two stories were Christmas-themed, and a couple had nothing at all to do with the dear familiar characters of Thirkell’s Barsetshire series.
I wanted to revisit the book, and was pleased (again) with the hilarious exploits of Tony Morland, “demon child” of famous author and single mother Laura Morland, two of my favorite characters, along with her friend and fellow author, the pretentious old windbag, George Knox.
The first story is set at Christmas and involves George dragging Laura and Tony and the rest of their small party to a pantomime; I chuckled several times at Thirkell’s usual snarky dry humor as she portrays the adults openly NOT wanting to be at the pantomime and Tony’s typically obnoxious behavior.
In several of the stories, I loved Dr. Ford telling Tony to “shut up” and Stoker, Laura’s longtime devoted maid, being the only adult besides the doctor who takes Tony in stride - his mother adores her youngest son, but he is an annoying handful and I love the unsentimental handling he receives from these two supporting characters. Very refreshing! And Thirkell has George Knox thinking of himself as Author taking Country Walk, and Author surrounded by Children - hilarious!
So, since I treasure visits to Barsetshire and since only one story was a stinker (the one set at a private art showing), and several were either set at Christmas or at least in winter (Valentine’s Day to be exact, a sweet and funny story about an ice-skating party and Tony’s first heartbreak), I bumped up my rating to four stars. Recommended to Thirkell fans or those who want to give her writing a try.
I wanted to revisit the book, and was pleased (again) with the hilarious exploits of Tony Morland, “demon child” of famous author and single mother Laura Morland, two of my favorite characters, along with her friend and fellow author, the pretentious old windbag, George Knox.
The first story is set at Christmas and involves George dragging Laura and Tony and the rest of their small party to a pantomime; I chuckled several times at Thirkell’s usual snarky dry humor as she portrays the adults openly NOT wanting to be at the pantomime and Tony’s typically obnoxious behavior.
In several of the stories, I loved Dr. Ford telling Tony to “shut up” and Stoker, Laura’s longtime devoted maid, being the only adult besides the doctor who takes Tony in stride - his mother adores her youngest son, but he is an annoying handful and I love the unsentimental handling he receives from these two supporting characters. Very refreshing! And Thirkell has George Knox thinking of himself as Author taking Country Walk, and Author surrounded by Children - hilarious!
So, since I treasure visits to Barsetshire and since only one story was a stinker (the one set at a private art showing), and several were either set at Christmas or at least in winter (Valentine’s Day to be exact, a sweet and funny story about an ice-skating party and Tony’s first heartbreak), I bumped up my rating to four stars. Recommended to Thirkell fans or those who want to give her writing a try.
December 29, 2021
Perhaps this was a poor choice to pick up this book when I had only read High Rising out of the Barsetshire Chronicles. However, I did recognize several characters from that book peppered throughout this collection. The first short story in this collection took place during the Christmas season and others took place during winter. However, some of the stories didn't seem to fit. There was a story about Shakespeare and I ended up skipping the entire chapter, as I know little about Shakespeare and the continued references to his characters were going over my head.
Thirkell's trademark wit sparkled throughout these stories. Despite writing these stories from a span of the 1920s-1940s, her writing style speaks to me and makes me continue to want to read more from her.
My trigger warning for one of the stories is racist descriptions of South Americans that I did not appreciate and did not benefit the story in any way.
Thirkell's trademark wit sparkled throughout these stories. Despite writing these stories from a span of the 1920s-1940s, her writing style speaks to me and makes me continue to want to read more from her.
My trigger warning for one of the stories is racist descriptions of South Americans that I did not appreciate and did not benefit the story in any way.
December 9, 2019
I love Angela Thirkell's writing style and humor and these short stories did not disappoint. I was a little surprised though... I had settled down next to the Christmas tree, had a fire going and a peppermint mocha and was looking forward to enjoying Christmas at High Rising when to my disappointment only two stories were about Christmas!
December 29, 2020
There's always a danger when you think you know what a book is about. In this case I thought it was novel about Christmas in a village and all the various going ons. However, it turned out to be a set of stories, some about Christmas some not. Some where cute and others had nothing to do with Christmas at all, or even the characters that the writer wrote about in several novels and short stories. So my preconceptions were some what met but I was a bit disappointed in the other writings.
January 4, 2016
There is a Christmas story in this collection, but it has nothing to do with High Rising. In "Christmas at Mulberry Lodge" children Mary and William get unsuitable Christmas presents which don't last the day. William gets a clock, which he breaks, while Mary gets a wild animal, a hibernating dormouse, which dies when she wakes it up and lets it escape. The clock is later mended and they have a lovely funeral for the dormouse.
Five stories are about High Rising and three of them are set in the winter: In "Pantomime" George decides to treat his neighbours' children, but Rose is ill, Dora subdued and Tony more interested in showing off to a school-friend and eating mince pies. In "St Valentine's Day Holiday" Tony thinks he can skate and tries to show off to a French girl, but crashes into her. In "High Voltage at Low Rising" Tony proves incapable of plugging in a radio without blowing the fuses and plunging the house into darkness, three times. I wondered why Laura still had any friends when she keeps inflicting her son on them. I then decided my feelings were not in tune with the Christmas spirit and to leave the rest of the book until the next day.
It started well, with "The Private View", an amusing story about the difficulties of having a private conversation at a social event (although if I had been there I would have pointed out that Argentinians are neither 'dagos' or 'wops'). Then followed a discussion of dinner parties in Shakespeare's plays, which I found quite funny. When the penultimate story, "The Great Art of Riding", returned to High Rising I was smiling and looking forward to Tony being kicked in the head; unfortunately, he isn't.
The final story, "A Nice Day in Town", was written for "London Calling" and is the best of the High Rising ones, although I shudder to think of Tony as a leader of men.
Five stories are about High Rising and three of them are set in the winter: In "Pantomime" George decides to treat his neighbours' children, but Rose is ill, Dora subdued and Tony more interested in showing off to a school-friend and eating mince pies. In "St Valentine's Day Holiday" Tony thinks he can skate and tries to show off to a French girl, but crashes into her. In "High Voltage at Low Rising" Tony proves incapable of plugging in a radio without blowing the fuses and plunging the house into darkness, three times. I wondered why Laura still had any friends when she keeps inflicting her son on them. I then decided my feelings were not in tune with the Christmas spirit and to leave the rest of the book until the next day.
It started well, with "The Private View", an amusing story about the difficulties of having a private conversation at a social event (although if I had been there I would have pointed out that Argentinians are neither 'dagos' or 'wops'). Then followed a discussion of dinner parties in Shakespeare's plays, which I found quite funny. When the penultimate story, "The Great Art of Riding", returned to High Rising I was smiling and looking forward to Tony being kicked in the head; unfortunately, he isn't.
The final story, "A Nice Day in Town", was written for "London Calling" and is the best of the High Rising ones, although I shudder to think of Tony as a leader of men.
December 31, 2014
I've been enjoying Thirkell's books, as newly reprinted and with the gorgeous cover art by Mick Wiggins, and I decided to save this one for Christmas. I was therefore a bit disappointed to find, despite the title, cover and what I thought was strongly implied by the blurb, that there was only one Christmas-related story in this slim volume (unless you assume that pantomimes are only for Christmas, in which case there's two). A glance at the contents page will warn you that it's a possibility, with only two clearly Christmas-related stories, and one St Valentine's Day title, but the other five stories titles could be anything. Of course you don't necessarily take that glance if you're buying online, though I generally would in a bookshop.
Ah well, hey-ho! I enjoyed most of the stories well enough, though probably not well enough to go back for a re-read. They were a bit short for me to build up to the qualities that I like about Thirkell's novels, and there was one where I didn't really have enough of a background in Shakespeare/academic literature to understand it let alone enjoy it, so I gave up after a couple of pages, but that's about me, not the story. I'm also less keen on short stories in general - again, about me not the book!
I'll keep it for the cover art, though - there's something about Wiggins' way with figures that brings whole atmospheres to life, for me!
Ah well, hey-ho! I enjoyed most of the stories well enough, though probably not well enough to go back for a re-read. They were a bit short for me to build up to the qualities that I like about Thirkell's novels, and there was one where I didn't really have enough of a background in Shakespeare/academic literature to understand it let alone enjoy it, so I gave up after a couple of pages, but that's about me, not the story. I'm also less keen on short stories in general - again, about me not the book!
I'll keep it for the cover art, though - there's something about Wiggins' way with figures that brings whole atmospheres to life, for me!
December 7, 2013
Seven short stories and an essay about dinner parties in Shakespeare’s plays make up this amusing selection of Angela Thirkell’s writing. Both my mother and grandmother loved reading this author and I have read some of her work many years ago. It is good to see that her work is starting to be available again in e-book format and may thus reach new audiences.
These stories feature Tony Morland at various ages as well as his mother, Laura – a novelist, and the irascible biographer, George Knox. Love him or hate him, Tony Morland, the archetypal know it all school boy provides several amusing incidents in this lively collection of stories originally published in the nineteen thirties and forties.
My particular favourites in this collection are the first story – ‘Pantomime’ and ‘A Nice Day in Town’. In ‘Pantomime’ George Knox is full of the Christmas spirit and decides to take a party of children to the pantomime with predictable results. ‘A Nice Day in Town’ sees Laura Morland battling with rationing and a series of errands on a trip to London. This collection is an entertaining and relaxing read showing ways of life which have virtually disappeared in the twenty first century.
These stories feature Tony Morland at various ages as well as his mother, Laura – a novelist, and the irascible biographer, George Knox. Love him or hate him, Tony Morland, the archetypal know it all school boy provides several amusing incidents in this lively collection of stories originally published in the nineteen thirties and forties.
My particular favourites in this collection are the first story – ‘Pantomime’ and ‘A Nice Day in Town’. In ‘Pantomime’ George Knox is full of the Christmas spirit and decides to take a party of children to the pantomime with predictable results. ‘A Nice Day in Town’ sees Laura Morland battling with rationing and a series of errands on a trip to London. This collection is an entertaining and relaxing read showing ways of life which have virtually disappeared in the twenty first century.
December 4, 2017
I enjoyed the stories in this collection. This is the first book by Angela Thirkell and I will definitely read more of her books. I love her writing style and I love the characters in these stories. I admit, I was expecting more Christmas/Winter type stories, but the stories in here are all good. I didn't think that two of the stories featured in this collection fit, none of the characters from High Rising or Low Rising were in either of the two stories and one of them was about Shakespeare. Even though I didn't think the one about Shakespeare or the other one fit in this collection, I still enjoyed both of them.
December 24, 2016
While it was a very nice clean wholesome collection of short stories I was slightly disappointed because I wrongly assumed, by the cover, that every short story would be Christmas related. You know what they say about assuming…
With that being said it was still a good book and I would recommend it. There were two short stories within that I did not enjoy at all however. That is usually the case though with a book of short stories.
3.75 stars....
With that being said it was still a good book and I would recommend it. There were two short stories within that I did not enjoy at all however. That is usually the case though with a book of short stories.
3.75 stars....
January 10, 2022
I have read through all the available new editions of Ms Thirkell's works; as e-books on Kindle. I saved this one for the holidays. And I was not too disappointed. There seems to be a dividing line in Thirkell fandom between those who like Tony Morland and those who shudder at his name. I usually come down on the side of those who enjoy him, although it is refreshing whenever Dr Ford makes an appearance as he makes no qualms about his feelings and what he expects of the lad; also George Knox can also give as good as he gets: "I can do the talking. I have a kind of gift for talking.’ [said Tony] ‘To tell me that fact,’ said George Knox, ‘is a work of supererogation, my boy." (p. 7)
Other "stories" are of less interest – to me. Christmas at Mulberry Lodge tells how two children celebrated Christmas in London in the Victorian era. This provides a good description of how the wealthy lived and some of their curious customs. Published in 1940 when nostalgia was probably gold; mentioning the war with not a word.
The Private View is a story of art dealers and dealings in London, mostly memorable for the racist slurs: ‘He’s back from Buenos Aires with a very repulsive Dago in tow.’ ‘Dago?’ said Sir Dighton, staring coldly at his grandson. ‘Yes, sir. One of those monkey-faced Wops they keep out there...
"...the Dago, a charming Argentine of simian appearance called García...", (p. 85)
Shakespeare Did Not Dine Out is a review of the feasts portrayed in the bard's plays. Ms Thirkell provides good evidence that Mr Shakespeare did not understand the duties of a host, at least. This combines some research with considerable humour.
Laura Morland, the novelist, and her incorrigible son appear in four of the stories in this book. In Pantomime they are whisked off to London to the theatre as guests of George Knox, together with Dora from the vicarage – Rose being over-excited and ill – and poor Adrian Coates, who is "sacrificed" to fill the car.
I suspect there are those who do not suffer Mr Knox gladly, either, although he is no fool. Garrulous, prone to wander way off subject in his conversation – which often turns into monologues – self-centred but erudite. "George Knox, the celebrated biographer, who was incapable of doing things by halves, and indeed capable only of overdoing them..." (p. 3)
"George Knox dressed himself in a large hat and muffler as Famous Author Takes Country Walk..." (p. 4)
"‘Of course,’ said one of the unseen powers in a voice remarkably like Tony’s, ‘if we can’t have the hat it’s all absolutely no good. People don’t seem to understand that one must have proper hats to do acting properly.’ ‘But, my dear Laura,’ said George Knox, ‘why this curmudgeonly attitude towards property which, after all, is not yours and for which, therefore, you need feel no responsibility? If at this festive season a hat more or less, be it mine, be it whose you will – or would it perhaps be more correct, if less euphonious, to say whose you will’s, but a truce to these idle questions – if, I say, a hat can give pleasure to man, bird, or beast, why should this pleasure be denied?" (p. 5)
Why indeed?
Mr Knox vanishes from the pages of later works in the Barchester series. I suspect this is not only due to the fact that he is, after all, pretty one-dimensional, but also to the effort of producing this kind of speech, even for an author as well-read and in such command of the language as Ms Thirkell.
The story St Valentine's Holiday begins by avowing the curious English overclass aversion to its children: "Tony Morland’s school had an arrangement, agreeable to masters and boys, devastating to parents, by which the boarders could go home for the weekend three times in the term..." (p. 43)
Tony shows his lack of skating prowess and falls in love... well, possibly not.
"'You ought to keep your muscles well exercised, sir. If you did muscle exercises —’ ‘Shut up,’ said Dr Ford..." (p. 53)
In High Voltage at Low Rising George Knox, is giving a talk on Milton for the BBC. At the same time Tony is interesting himself in electricity and radio, blackouts ensue.
"...my pipe, with that devilish liveliness peculiar to inanimate and senseless objects, chose to leap from me and caused me to grovel in a way unbecoming to my age, besides making all the blood fly to my head..." (p. 63)
"‘But sir,’ said Tony reproachfully, ‘I was just telling Mr Knox —’ ‘Shut up,’ said Dr Ford." (p. 68).
"I'm awfully sorry, sir,' said Tony, 'but I was only explaining the electricity to Mr Knox and somehow the plugs got in the wrong holes. I can easily put a fuse in if you tell me where the main-' ‘Sit still and shut up,’ said Dr Ford, while Laura confounded herself in excuses for her son... (p. 68)
‘Dear Laura,’ said George Knox, ‘you will forgive a worn-out and ageing man if he does not rise. That I see you again is indeed ichor, elixir, but take the will for the deed when I tell you that I am almost under orders not to exert myself, am I not, Ford?’ ‘Not in the least,’ said Dr Ford. ‘Well, be that as it may,’ said George Knox with some annoyance, ‘I am glad to see you, Laura, yes, faith, heartily glad. Why should I talk like that?’ he added, glaring suspiciously round. ‘You can’t help it, George,’ said Laura, (p. 69)
"...my dear wife had so exquisitely, so skilfully, typed it for me with this hand, which I humbly salute,’ said George Knox, kissing his wife’s hand, ‘why it should harrow up my soul and freeze my middle-aged blood, is beyond my power to tell.’ ‘Tony,’ said Dr Ford, seeing that his young friend was preparing to correct this quotation, ‘just go and see if my lights are on.’ (p.70)
George on the tribulations of speaking on the B.B.C.: Hamlet Act 1, v. Ghost: "I could a tale unfold whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood..."
The Great Art of Riding
Tony has built a toy battleship: "'I’ve got some black enamel paint. Or should I get some grey and paint her grey? She would look splendid in grey and —’ ‘Shut up,’ said Dr Ford. ‘I want to talk to your mother.’..." (p. 115)
The gentry are charitable – to a degree: "'There’s a very decent little chap I know, used to be a groom at Rising Castle, who has had a rough spin. His wife is ill and there are two children and they are in difficulties. Lord Stoke has lent him a horse, and Knox has lent him the money to buy a pony and he wants to give lessons to children..." said Dr Ford. (p. 115)
Rose and Dora, from the vicarage, are quite good at riding, Tony is a rank beginner. George Knox finds fitting literary allusions to his prowess:
"‘Mr Knox,’ shouted Tony as soon as he was within hearing, ‘did you see me?’ ‘Good God, boy,’ said George Knox, ‘who in possession of the sense of sight could help seeing you? Who that has seen you could forget? Mazeppa on the Margate sands. I trust I make myself clear,’ he said courteously to Jenkins. ‘Yes, sir,’ said the groom, who was accustomed to gentlemen and therefore unmoved by George Knox’s comparison. ‘Or Leech’s Mr Briggs,’ continued George Knox, ‘which perhaps makes my meaning more patent...’" (p.122)
"...‘Forewarned is forearmed,’ said George Knox in a loud voice as Tony approached with flapping elbows and a joyful pink face, ‘and I will in no wise consent to listen to what you are infallibly going to say, my boy, and indeed I propose to forestall you. I did see you approach the jump; I did see you rise like the phoenix from the saddle, perhaps an unjustifiable metaphor, for between a saddle and a funeral pyre the relationship is obscure, yet let it pass; I did see you, Gilpin-wise clinging to neck and mane till equilibrium resumed her sway; I do at this very moment see you returned, and will not admit, though hell itself should gape – and why, by the way, Anne, do our tragedians pronounce that word when occurring in the immortal tragedy of Hamlet as Garp? Do we see some analogy with the custom by which the clergy allude when in the sacred edifice, though never, so far as my recollection and experience serve me, outside it, to the common ancestor of the Jewish race as Arbraham? – I will not, I say, admit that you showed any spark of horsemanship, of the manège, of the haute école...’" (p. 124)
"Mazeppa" is a poem by Byron about a Ukrainian hetman who is strapped naked onto the back of a wild horse. Margate is a seaside town and resort in Kent. No affiliation, I think.
John Leech 1817-1864 was an English illustrator. Mr Biggs featured in a series of cartoons for Punch on "The Pleasures of Horsekeeping".
John Gilpin was featured as the subject of a well-known comic ballad by William Cowper. Gilpin loses control of his horse and is carried far beyond his destination.
"...I do at this very moment see you returned, and will not admit, though hell itself should gape – and why, by the way, Anne, do our tragedians pronounce that word when occurring in the immortal tragedy of Hamlet as Garp? Do we see some analogy with the custom by which the clergy allude when in the sacred edifice, though never, so far as my recollection and experience serve me, outside it, to the common ancestor of the Jewish race as Arbraham?" (p. 124)
George Knox, in an aside.
A Nice Day in Town details the hardships faced by ordinary householders... well, Laura Morland, who is not so ordinary, being quite wealthy and in very poor physical condition. Sh travels by train to London, takes a bus to her usual department store, does some shopping, takes a taxi to a friends house, borrows a book, takes a taxi back to the station where, completely worn, she immediately falls asleep. The hardships are the scarcity of even common household goods. First published in "London Calling: A Salute to America" 1942.
George Knox always makes me smile, as does Tony, usually. Both are so egotistical and unaware they enjoy the humour of innocence. Laura does not lose as many hat-pins as later in the series, nor is her hair as unruly. Dr Ford is more gruff than I remember him being in later books. Dora and Rose are relatively quiet although even here we see Dora while not exactly challenging Tony's leadership, at least looks at him askance. Other characters are very pale in comparison.
Not really the Christmas book I was hoping for, but pretty good fun and easily read in odd moments. Middle-brow is, I think, the term used for the literary degree of Ms Thirkell's writing. This is not in any sense a difficulty book to read – the quotations can be obscure for a modern reader (me) - but it is light-hearted and often very funny.
Other "stories" are of less interest – to me. Christmas at Mulberry Lodge tells how two children celebrated Christmas in London in the Victorian era. This provides a good description of how the wealthy lived and some of their curious customs. Published in 1940 when nostalgia was probably gold; mentioning the war with not a word.
The Private View is a story of art dealers and dealings in London, mostly memorable for the racist slurs: ‘He’s back from Buenos Aires with a very repulsive Dago in tow.’ ‘Dago?’ said Sir Dighton, staring coldly at his grandson. ‘Yes, sir. One of those monkey-faced Wops they keep out there...
"...the Dago, a charming Argentine of simian appearance called García...", (p. 85)
Shakespeare Did Not Dine Out is a review of the feasts portrayed in the bard's plays. Ms Thirkell provides good evidence that Mr Shakespeare did not understand the duties of a host, at least. This combines some research with considerable humour.
Laura Morland, the novelist, and her incorrigible son appear in four of the stories in this book. In Pantomime they are whisked off to London to the theatre as guests of George Knox, together with Dora from the vicarage – Rose being over-excited and ill – and poor Adrian Coates, who is "sacrificed" to fill the car.
I suspect there are those who do not suffer Mr Knox gladly, either, although he is no fool. Garrulous, prone to wander way off subject in his conversation – which often turns into monologues – self-centred but erudite. "George Knox, the celebrated biographer, who was incapable of doing things by halves, and indeed capable only of overdoing them..." (p. 3)
"George Knox dressed himself in a large hat and muffler as Famous Author Takes Country Walk..." (p. 4)
"‘Of course,’ said one of the unseen powers in a voice remarkably like Tony’s, ‘if we can’t have the hat it’s all absolutely no good. People don’t seem to understand that one must have proper hats to do acting properly.’ ‘But, my dear Laura,’ said George Knox, ‘why this curmudgeonly attitude towards property which, after all, is not yours and for which, therefore, you need feel no responsibility? If at this festive season a hat more or less, be it mine, be it whose you will – or would it perhaps be more correct, if less euphonious, to say whose you will’s, but a truce to these idle questions – if, I say, a hat can give pleasure to man, bird, or beast, why should this pleasure be denied?" (p. 5)
Why indeed?
Mr Knox vanishes from the pages of later works in the Barchester series. I suspect this is not only due to the fact that he is, after all, pretty one-dimensional, but also to the effort of producing this kind of speech, even for an author as well-read and in such command of the language as Ms Thirkell.
The story St Valentine's Holiday begins by avowing the curious English overclass aversion to its children: "Tony Morland’s school had an arrangement, agreeable to masters and boys, devastating to parents, by which the boarders could go home for the weekend three times in the term..." (p. 43)
Tony shows his lack of skating prowess and falls in love... well, possibly not.
"'You ought to keep your muscles well exercised, sir. If you did muscle exercises —’ ‘Shut up,’ said Dr Ford..." (p. 53)
In High Voltage at Low Rising George Knox, is giving a talk on Milton for the BBC. At the same time Tony is interesting himself in electricity and radio, blackouts ensue.
"...my pipe, with that devilish liveliness peculiar to inanimate and senseless objects, chose to leap from me and caused me to grovel in a way unbecoming to my age, besides making all the blood fly to my head..." (p. 63)
"‘But sir,’ said Tony reproachfully, ‘I was just telling Mr Knox —’ ‘Shut up,’ said Dr Ford." (p. 68).
"I'm awfully sorry, sir,' said Tony, 'but I was only explaining the electricity to Mr Knox and somehow the plugs got in the wrong holes. I can easily put a fuse in if you tell me where the main-' ‘Sit still and shut up,’ said Dr Ford, while Laura confounded herself in excuses for her son... (p. 68)
‘Dear Laura,’ said George Knox, ‘you will forgive a worn-out and ageing man if he does not rise. That I see you again is indeed ichor, elixir, but take the will for the deed when I tell you that I am almost under orders not to exert myself, am I not, Ford?’ ‘Not in the least,’ said Dr Ford. ‘Well, be that as it may,’ said George Knox with some annoyance, ‘I am glad to see you, Laura, yes, faith, heartily glad. Why should I talk like that?’ he added, glaring suspiciously round. ‘You can’t help it, George,’ said Laura, (p. 69)
"...my dear wife had so exquisitely, so skilfully, typed it for me with this hand, which I humbly salute,’ said George Knox, kissing his wife’s hand, ‘why it should harrow up my soul and freeze my middle-aged blood, is beyond my power to tell.’ ‘Tony,’ said Dr Ford, seeing that his young friend was preparing to correct this quotation, ‘just go and see if my lights are on.’ (p.70)
George on the tribulations of speaking on the B.B.C.: Hamlet Act 1, v. Ghost: "I could a tale unfold whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood..."
The Great Art of Riding
Tony has built a toy battleship: "'I’ve got some black enamel paint. Or should I get some grey and paint her grey? She would look splendid in grey and —’ ‘Shut up,’ said Dr Ford. ‘I want to talk to your mother.’..." (p. 115)
The gentry are charitable – to a degree: "'There’s a very decent little chap I know, used to be a groom at Rising Castle, who has had a rough spin. His wife is ill and there are two children and they are in difficulties. Lord Stoke has lent him a horse, and Knox has lent him the money to buy a pony and he wants to give lessons to children..." said Dr Ford. (p. 115)
Rose and Dora, from the vicarage, are quite good at riding, Tony is a rank beginner. George Knox finds fitting literary allusions to his prowess:
"‘Mr Knox,’ shouted Tony as soon as he was within hearing, ‘did you see me?’ ‘Good God, boy,’ said George Knox, ‘who in possession of the sense of sight could help seeing you? Who that has seen you could forget? Mazeppa on the Margate sands. I trust I make myself clear,’ he said courteously to Jenkins. ‘Yes, sir,’ said the groom, who was accustomed to gentlemen and therefore unmoved by George Knox’s comparison. ‘Or Leech’s Mr Briggs,’ continued George Knox, ‘which perhaps makes my meaning more patent...’" (p.122)
"...‘Forewarned is forearmed,’ said George Knox in a loud voice as Tony approached with flapping elbows and a joyful pink face, ‘and I will in no wise consent to listen to what you are infallibly going to say, my boy, and indeed I propose to forestall you. I did see you approach the jump; I did see you rise like the phoenix from the saddle, perhaps an unjustifiable metaphor, for between a saddle and a funeral pyre the relationship is obscure, yet let it pass; I did see you, Gilpin-wise clinging to neck and mane till equilibrium resumed her sway; I do at this very moment see you returned, and will not admit, though hell itself should gape – and why, by the way, Anne, do our tragedians pronounce that word when occurring in the immortal tragedy of Hamlet as Garp? Do we see some analogy with the custom by which the clergy allude when in the sacred edifice, though never, so far as my recollection and experience serve me, outside it, to the common ancestor of the Jewish race as Arbraham? – I will not, I say, admit that you showed any spark of horsemanship, of the manège, of the haute école...’" (p. 124)
"Mazeppa" is a poem by Byron about a Ukrainian hetman who is strapped naked onto the back of a wild horse. Margate is a seaside town and resort in Kent. No affiliation, I think.
John Leech 1817-1864 was an English illustrator. Mr Biggs featured in a series of cartoons for Punch on "The Pleasures of Horsekeeping".
John Gilpin was featured as the subject of a well-known comic ballad by William Cowper. Gilpin loses control of his horse and is carried far beyond his destination.
"...I do at this very moment see you returned, and will not admit, though hell itself should gape – and why, by the way, Anne, do our tragedians pronounce that word when occurring in the immortal tragedy of Hamlet as Garp? Do we see some analogy with the custom by which the clergy allude when in the sacred edifice, though never, so far as my recollection and experience serve me, outside it, to the common ancestor of the Jewish race as Arbraham?" (p. 124)
George Knox, in an aside.
A Nice Day in Town details the hardships faced by ordinary householders... well, Laura Morland, who is not so ordinary, being quite wealthy and in very poor physical condition. Sh travels by train to London, takes a bus to her usual department store, does some shopping, takes a taxi to a friends house, borrows a book, takes a taxi back to the station where, completely worn, she immediately falls asleep. The hardships are the scarcity of even common household goods. First published in "London Calling: A Salute to America" 1942.
George Knox always makes me smile, as does Tony, usually. Both are so egotistical and unaware they enjoy the humour of innocence. Laura does not lose as many hat-pins as later in the series, nor is her hair as unruly. Dr Ford is more gruff than I remember him being in later books. Dora and Rose are relatively quiet although even here we see Dora while not exactly challenging Tony's leadership, at least looks at him askance. Other characters are very pale in comparison.
Not really the Christmas book I was hoping for, but pretty good fun and easily read in odd moments. Middle-brow is, I think, the term used for the literary degree of Ms Thirkell's writing. This is not in any sense a difficulty book to read – the quotations can be obscure for a modern reader (me) - but it is light-hearted and often very funny.
July 24, 2014
A mostly wonderful selection of short stories - I enjoyed all except for one about Shakespeare which really didn't fit with the rest at all. Tony Morland is clearly Thirkell's best creation - his scenes and lines are incredibly hilarious and the stories about him and his mother Luara were my favourites. It's a shame Virago isn't reprinting the book that's apparently all about him (The Demon in the House). I thought the last story, about the trials of rationing - which I hadn't realised extended beyond just food, but also kitchen appliances, plastic, etc - was very moving behind all its humour. I really want to read more Barsetshire books now!
December 13, 2013
I love Angela Thirkell and this collection is absolutely hysterical. Any story that involves the character Tony is bound to be hilarious. Only two of the stories are Christmas stories-- perfect for the holidays, short and very, very funny.
March 22, 2016
A nice collection of little stories, some with, some without Mrs Morland and her Barsetshire friends. The last one, set and written in wartime Britain (1942), was my favourite. As usual, not much happens, but Angela Thirkell's apt observations and dry wit are so worth it.
July 5, 2014
Short stories, some with a few characters that are familiar from Thirkell's series. Those ones are particularly funny.
March 26, 2015
Laugh out loud funny
December 18, 2016
Favorite Short Stories:
Christmas at Mulberry Lodge
Christmas at Mulberry Lodge
December 27, 2018
A pleasant collection of short stories, but there is nothing ground-breaking. I prefer her novels.
January 5, 2024
An engaging short collection of Angela Thirkell stories (1930s and ’40s) from various magazines. The title is a bit misleading. The book has Christmas and it has High Rising — but not in the same story. The pieces are split between Laura Morland stories and stories not about Barsetshire. The former includes an especially engaging story about a day trip to London during the war. It contains Thirkell’s usual unhappiness with non-deferential shop assistants, but is worth it for the highly detailed descriptions of attempting to shop during rationing, with a real “You Are There” feel to the descriptions of a large department store during war time. Ditto for a short section describing George Knox’s city house, which had only partially avoided the Blitz.
If you have run out of new Thirkell to read or are especially interested in Laura and Tony Morland along with the George Knoxes, this might be for you.
P.S. - The collection’s only holiday story is “Christmas at Mulberry Lodge,” which does not include Barsetshire characters. So not really a Christmas book.
If you have run out of new Thirkell to read or are especially interested in Laura and Tony Morland along with the George Knoxes, this might be for you.
P.S. - The collection’s only holiday story is “Christmas at Mulberry Lodge,” which does not include Barsetshire characters. So not really a Christmas book.
January 15, 2021
Back in March, when Covid news was dominating every airway and program, I turned to Angela Thirkell’s High Rising for some light relief and old-fashioned comfort.
Christmas at High Rising is a collection of eight short stories written between 1928 and 1942, but only brought together into a Virago Modern Classic in 2013. Most are set in High Rising with our much loved characters, but a couple are stand alone pieces. Most are set over the Christmas period but not all....
This very English stoicism, and their ability to be comforted by a strong cup of tea and to count one’s blessings, is rather heartening and inspirational during our own trying times.
Full response here: https://bronasbooks.com/2020/12/30/ch...
Christmas at High Rising is a collection of eight short stories written between 1928 and 1942, but only brought together into a Virago Modern Classic in 2013. Most are set in High Rising with our much loved characters, but a couple are stand alone pieces. Most are set over the Christmas period but not all....
This very English stoicism, and their ability to be comforted by a strong cup of tea and to count one’s blessings, is rather heartening and inspirational during our own trying times.
Full response here: https://bronasbooks.com/2020/12/30/ch...
November 26, 2020
I chose this book from a list of Christmas reads here on Goodreads. The title is entirely misleading. This is a collection of eight short stories that were originally published in periodicals some time ago. There is only one tale about Christmas and it is sad. The tales center on self centered adults and horribly behaved children from somewhere in England during one of the World Wars.
June 27, 2018
One thing Angela Thirkell does perfectly is describing the everyday life of people living in the countryside during WWII. It's both a delight and a lesson of history.
The other short stories were funny and touching, I enjoy almost all of them.
The other short stories were funny and touching, I enjoy almost all of them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews