Coronation

by Paul Gallico

A heartwarming and tender story of a family's winding journey to witness Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronationCoronation Day, 2 June 1953The Claggs, a humble, working class family from Sheffield, are offered tickets to a once-in-a-lifetime-event – the Queen's coronation. Forsaking their annual seaside holiday for the promise of a prime viewing spot of the procession route and luxurious champagne, the Clagg family take the plunge and buy tickets for the momentous day.But in true Gallico fashion, not everything goes smoothly. Will their tickets be everything they hoped and dreamed? Will granny stop grumbling that it's all a waste of money? Most importantly, will they ever get to see their beloved Queen? Rife with nostalgia and charm, Paul Gallico brings to life the joy and fervour that swept the nation during the last royal coronation-and provides a delightful historical perspective on the upcoming coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, London, Classics, British Literature, Historical, Novella

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Paul William Gallico was born in New York City, on 26th July, 1897. His father was an Italian, and his mother came from Austria; they emigrated to New York in 1895.

He went to school in the public schools of New York, and in 1916 went to Columbia University. He graduated in 1921 with a Bachelor of Science degree, having lost a year and a half due to World War I. He then worked for the National Board of Motion Picture Review, and after six months took a job as the motion picture critic for the New York Daily News. He was removed from this job as his "reviews were too Smart Alecky" (according to Confessions of a Story Teller), and took refuge in the sports department.

During his stint there, he was sent to cover the training camp of Jack Dempsey, and decided to ask Dempsey if he could spar with him, to get an idea of what it was like to be hit by the world heavyweight champion. The results were spectacular; Gallico was knocked out within two minutes. But he had his story, and from there his sports-writing career never looked back.

He became Sports Editor of the Daily News in 1923, and was given a daily sports column. He also invented and organised the Golden Gloves amateur boxing competition. During this part of his life, he was one of the most well-known sporting writers in America, and a minor celebrity. But he had always wanted to be a fiction writer, and was writing short stories and sports articles for magazines like Vanity Fair and the Saturday Evening Post. In 1936, he sold a short story to the movies for $5000, which gave him a stake. So he retired from sports writing, and went to live in Europe, to devote himself to writing. His first major book was Farewell to Sport, which as the title indicates, was his farewell to sports writing.

Though his name was well-known in the United States, he was an unknown in the rest of the world. In 1941, the Snow Goose changed all that, and he became, if not a best-selling author by today's standards, a writer who was always in demand. Apart from a short spell as a war correspondent between 1943 and 1946, he was a full-time freelance writer for the rest of his life. He has lived all over the place, including England, Mexico, Lichtenstein and Monaco, and he lived in Antibes for the last years of his life.

He was a first-class fencer, and a keen deep-sea fisherman. He was married four times, and had several children.

He died in Antibes on 15th July, 1976, just short of his 79th birthday.

Reviews

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book I've read by Paul Gallico, but it won't be the last. It's a heart-warming tale of a family who sacrifice their summer holiday to go to London to watch the Queens coronation.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75*

A very sweet story that shows what love and sacrifice means to make each other happy. Gallico's work is among my favorites.

[Jennifer Kloester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely book and very much of its time. I love Paul Gallico's novels and "Flowers for Mrs Harris" has been a lifelong favourite. This is a heart-warming and moving story about a family's trip to London to see Queen ELizabeth II's coronation in 1953. As always, with Gallico, his story offers up the unexpected and his insights into the human heart are always perceptive. This is a fairy-tale of sorts with both light and dark moments to carry the reader along. It's a small book but very worthwhile.

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟 What a joy to read! I loved Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, but I never thought I would like this book as much as I did. The Clagg Family is such a delight! I love how the author so clearly defines each person in the family—with all of their hopes, dreams, strengths and weaknesses. Even the crochet-y, skinflint old grandmother is somewhat likeable and amusing.

From the very first page, I was completely hooked and wished I had read this before King Charles III's coronation. Wonderful and engaging read. I would absolutely read it again. Now, I'm even more excited to read more of Paul Gallico's books! Highly recommended.

[Stephanie Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Gallico's book, "Coronation" conveys the great excitement that ordinary people felt at the time of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Clagg family decides to give up their two weeks at the seaside in order to come to London to see the queen crowned. Mr. Clagg believes he has actual seats but when he and his family arrive in London they find that no such seats exist. Mr. Clagg wants to do something special for his family, his wife wants to taste champagne for the first time, his son wants to see all the soldiers in uniform and his daughter wants a glimpse of the queen. Though the family spends the entire Coronation procession behind a tall fence that the local police refuse to open, their Coronation dreams are all realized, not, however in the way they imagined. Highly recommended!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delight of a novella! It has a slow start like any day that has been eagerly anticipated. The Claggs, a working-class father, mother, granny, son, and daughter, are on the train to London for the Queen’s coronation! They have given up their annual two-week holiday at the sea in exchange for seats along the procession route with breakfast, lunch, and champagne. What will happen when they get to London?

Paul Gallico is such a good writer. He captures human emotion so honestly and kindly. Interwoven into the story of the Claggs’ eventful and bewildering day in London are many acts of kindness by strangers. It’s so heartwarming and the day becomes something more than it could have been. I think my favorite interaction is between Johnny and the Tufted Eyebrow Man.

Highly recommend!

[Ali Molenaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming book about the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Clagg family goes to London to see the queen, but due to the fact that they have counterfeit tickets, they don't see anything. But still the day isn't a total disappointment.

[Anna Ciddor · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favourite books and authors. Read multiple times. A very sensitive, touching story with minimal plot but fabulous character portrayals.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this to read this over the Jubilee bank holiday week and the timing felt perfect. I first started to read Gallico in my early teens and have since amassed a small collection of his adult novels. Most famous for 'The Snow Goose', my personal favourites are 'Love of Seven Dolls' and 'Flowers for Mrs Harris'. Although perhaps rather dated now, I've always been attracted to Gallico's whimsical style of storytelling. American by birth, he somehow seemed to get the British mindset and way of life of the period he was writing in, mostly 1950s/60s . The characters in his novels often originate from humble, working class origins and he writes with unabashed sentiment. This book was no except and for me had overtures of Fortnight in September by RC Sheriff. The Clagg family travel by train from their home town in the North of England to London for the day, to watch the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth the second. Having sacrificed their annual week's holiday to the seaside in order to fund their day trip, each individual member of the party of five is accompanied by an unfulfilled dream. Will and Violet, their two children Johnny and Gwenny, along with Violet's cantankerous mother 'Granny', arrive in the capital clutching their VIP tickets, filled with expectation. Within a very short space of time they are rudely disappointed, and we follow their journey throughout this momentous day with hearts in our mouth, hoping for a miracle which will change the course of their day and allow each to realise their unspoken ambition. And somehow, against all odds, this is exactly what happens, although not in the way either they or we the reader imagined. This book is unashamedly nostalgic, but also recaptures with historical accuracy, the mood of hope and patriotism that pervaded that wet June day nearly seventy years ago. I absolutely loved it.

[Cathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, heartwarming story.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful story. Very short, but I would love to read-read this to the fam on one of our long road trips. Well done all around.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Gallico è l'autore della fortunata (e bellissima) serie dedicata alla signora Harris (in Italia tradotto solo il primo, credo) di cui ho letto i primi due capitoli (La signora Harris e Mrs. Harris Goes to New York). Laddove la signora Harris, nel primo romanzo, sognava ardentemente un vestito di Dior e riusciva, alla fine, ad acquistarlo, qui le cose vanno un po' diversamente ma non si perde l'adorabile miscuglio di ordinaria quotidianità, gloriosi sogni ed estrema positività. Come per La signora Harris, anche qui ribadisco che il romanzo in oggetto è un romanzo fatto di piccole cose, più una novella lunga che un romanzo vero e proprio, buonista e positivo all'estremo, anche se non melenso, e adatto a chi si crogiola nella bellezza e nel tepore delle piccole cose. Forse il difetto di questo romanzo è che, raccontando in modo asciutto gli avvenimenti di una singola giornata, non si dilunga sulla quotidianità della famiglia Clagg, che sono sicura avrei adorato.

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[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet little book, not much more than a short story, about a family going to London for the Queen's coronation. All the characters are absolute stereotypes - presumably intentionally so - and show just how much attitudes and society have changed in the past 70 years. No prizes for guessing why I have just re-read it now.

[Paula Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a strong recommendation from a friend who came into the secondhand book shed where I volunteered for a while. She pulled this one off the shelf and told me it's brilliant. Well, serendipitous recommendations are too few and far between for me to miss a single one. I agree it was a highly enjoyable story and I decided to time this review with the queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which begin this week. Now, I'm sure I wasn't the only one who got a bit confused by dates, since the queen was crowned in 1952 but her coronation didn't take place until 1953. A quick bit of research reveals her coronation was delayed for a year, as a mark of respect for her father, King George VI, who had passed away so recently.

Anyway, that big day in London is what this book is all about. It's June 2nd, 1953, and the Clagg family are off to the city to join the celebrations as the new young queen is crowned. Will Clagg, the dad, is a blue-collar steel worker who is delighted to have secured five tickets for a prime viewing spot along the procession route, that includes wonderful refreshments. Their day out will have to take the place of their annual fortnight holiday to the sea, but it's a big sacrifice they all agree on.

Young Johnny is an imaginative boy who loves to mentally cast himself in a hero's role. He most looks forward to seeing all the fancy royal soldiers and cavalry. His little sister Gwendoline is obsessed with young Queen Elizabeth II because she seems like a fairy tale character in flesh and blood. And Prince Philip is so gallant and handsome. (I remember having similar feelings about Diana is the early eighties when I was quite young.) Granny Bonner, the critical, snappish mother-in-law, can't resist the thought of being present for a significant historical moment. And Violet, the careworn young wife, is just hanging out to try a sip of champagne.

Well, it turns out crooks and frauds were as busy in 1953 as they've always been. The Claggs' tickets turn out to be absolutely worthless. But what strikes them as a disaster turns out to bring brilliant consolation for each family member as the day unfolds. I can't improve on how the dust jacket blurb puts it. 'Each learned how to relinquish his or her own ends and desires. Yet one and all returned home laden with gifts and riches far beyond their expectations which would remain with them for the rest of their lives.' In short, it turns out not to be a complete waste of a day.

This story is a convicting example of how poor people may possess a short cut to happiness and contentment which rich people forfeit, because their standards of what should tick our boxes are set incredibly high. The Claggs may be no-names, but without saying so outright, Paul Gallico gives the impression that in the long run, they may well clock up many more moments of contentment and satisfaction throughout their lives than VIPs who are regarded as far more important. Especially if they keep on with the same resilient attitudes.

It's one of those novels that takes place within one single day. Whoa, the overwhelming noise and bustle of that big day in London comes through the pages loud and clear. Through the medium of TV beginning in 1981, I've watched four royal weddings and Prince Philip's funeral. And now, through the medium of this little novel, I feel I've also been at the queen's coronation, although I didn't really catch a glimpse of Liz or Phil in person. And when the Claggs finally get home, I felt my ears were ringing with the sudden silence. I think this might be a nostalgic read for anyone who really was around at the time.

I'm glad the Claggs were satisfied with how things played out, although I'm not convinced I would have been in their place. Maybe I still have a bit to be desired in the art of letting things roll.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec Coronation ?
"Paul Gallico est l'auteur de Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, qui a été adapté récemment, et je souhaitais découvrir sa plume. Alors quand Miranda Mills a présenté ce roman dans une de ses vidéos, en le comparant à The Fortnight in September, je l'ai commandé dans l'heure."

Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Tout la famille Clagg, décide de renoncer à ses quinze jours de vacances annuelles, un sacrifice pour ces gens modestes, afin de se rendre à Londres et d'assister au couronnement de la Reine. Une épopée qui va s'avérer bien différente de ce à quoi ils s'attendaient..."

Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"Cette pauvre famille Clagg... Elle m'a effectivement rappelée la famille Baldwin à bien des égards. Ça aurait pu être eux, quelques années avant, alors que les enfants étaient encore petits et j'ai aimé retrouver le même genre de récit. Mais ici, les catastrophes se multiplient et c'est l'espoir que les choses finissent enfin par s'arranger qui nous poussera à tourner les pages. Est-ce que les Clagg vont réussir à voir la Reine ? Et nous ? Rien n'est moins sûr. Mais les péripéties de cette famille ne pourront pas vous laisser indifférent, ni la façon dont l'ambiance change progressivement, pour vous ramener vers la joie, l'espoir et la satisfaction."

Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"Ce n'est pas un coup de coeur comme ce le fut pour The Fortnight in September mais c'est vraiment un chouette petit roman, comme je les aime. Et si en plus, vous êtes passionné par l'Angleterre ou par la famille royale, alors il vous le faut."


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[Helen_t_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coronation Day, 2 June 1953: a once-in-a-lifetime, truly momentous occasion, and the Claggs, an ordinary family from Sheffield, have decided to travel to London to see it.

Foregoing the expenditure on their usual annual 2 week holiday in Morecambe, Mr Clagg, purchases 5 tickets for seats in a prime viewing spot on the procession route, with a luxurious champagne lunch included, as well as seats on the Coronation Special from Sheffield to St Pancras.

Will their day be everything they hoped and dreamed? Will granny stop grumbling that it's all a waste of money? Most importantly, will they get to see their beloved Queen?

Set 70 years ago when the public’s loyalty to the monarchy was steadfast, Brits had a stiff upper lip, well-defined standards of behaviour, and a sense of respect, this is such a delightful novella, and a real ‘period piece’.

In its 150 pages we follow this little family’s adventures, with Gallico evoking the national fervour and the pomp and ceremony of the 1953 Coronation procession, through their eyes, ears and experiences.

The characterisation is flawless, and with great skill and economy, Gallico offers us the fully rounded and totally believable father, William, a foreman at the Pudney steel mill; his hard-working wife Violet; 11 year old Johnny; 7 year old Gwendoline and the redoubtable Granny Bonner.

There is one teeny instance of wince-inducing misogyny, that I was prepared to overlook as a representation of the views of the day, in what is otherwise a story brimming with charm, nostalgia and gentle humour.

A thoroughly lovely read for the week leading up to another Coronation!

[Sandra Mistretta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Mrs arris goes to Paris and I wanted to read the others in the series, but they are scarce. It surprised me to learn that the author was a New Yorker who lived in Devon for a few years. He seemed to have learned a lot about England while he was there.

In this story, a working class family who lived North of London made a sacrifice of their usual two week vacation at the beach to attend the once in a lifetime queens coronation in London. An uncle managed to get them tickets to view the celebration in a house where they had set up benches in the windows. The expensive tickets included champagne and two meals.

When they arrived at the house, it was an empty bombed out space. The family was devastated and humiliated that they had been duped. They made their way along the crowded streets to watch in the cold rain instead. To their dismay, a seven foot high gate was suddenly closed with them on the wrong side.

The unfortunate crowd ended up listening to the commentary on a strangers radio, which they could have done at home. As the discouraging day continued, each family member experienced their own special memory of the event.

In the end, even though it appeared that they sacrificed their treasured seaside holiday for nothing, each person ended up with something of value.

[Ange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up until the last chapter, I found Coronation really engaging. The story of a poor family who buy tickets to see the Queen's coronation in 1952, but are sadly scammed out of both tickets and money, it certainly tugs at the heart strings. It's a slowly paced book, but is still a very quick read. Will Clagg is keen to see the Coronation as are his son and daughter, and his wife, who looks forward to being served Champagne as she watches the Coronation procession. Only Granny doesn't care too much for the idea, particularly as buying the tickets means that the annual family seaside holiday has to be sacrificed. Once they arrive in London it quickly becomes apparent that the tickets they have bought at great expense are for non-existent seating. No-one can help, and the Claggs end up being swept along in the gathering crowds to wait in the hope that they can find a spot to see the parade. This does not happen but there are some small compensations for the children and their mother, which lift their spirits. However it's still a sad novel, with an overwhelming sense of disappointment. The last chapter becomes a bit preachy and it was annoying to get almost to the end and have to read the patronising thoughts of Will Clagg that women are like children. A book very much of its time.

[Tuesdayschild · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars.

I really appreciated this shortish read about the Clagg family sacrificing their coveted two weeks of summer time holidaying to travel to London to see, and be part of, Queen Elizabeth's II coronation in 1953. In true Gallico fashion things do not go as hoped for, dreamed of, and planned and the wonderfully developed characters are the central theme to the story. The telling also has a full range of emotions happening and I got to appreciate them all as I read along. I think the marker Mrs. Clagg put on her coronation keepsake epitomises the underlying message to this satisfying story.
Granny is a good heads up of what I don't want to be should I ever be so blessed to get to be a granny😄
The story brought home how much I feel has been lost with the passing of our lovely Queen Elizabeth II.

Extra: Traditional working class family of 1953. Gallico's take on the Claggs marital relationship is of a couple stuck in a rut.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 1 out of 5]

At first I thought I was going to find the historical content vaguely interesting but this was very romanticised and patriotic about love for the queen and sacrifice and Galico lost me with the extreme misogyny I have to say, which crystallised at the "women were like children" comment but was actually implicitly there all along.

I just didn't really relate to any of the book though I have to (with a huge cringe) admit that as a child I probably would have love the fact that they found Meaning in their Sacrifice for the wonderful queen (vomit).

I remember reading the Snow Goose as a child and being instructed to love it and mainly being able to love that and the Small Miracle but having a quiet "yes but..." in the back of my brain which I quashed and do not remember the details of.

This was kind of like that but without any good bits.

[Girish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

As With all of the Paul Gallico books, they are well written. Excellent story development and delightful characters. They are the kind of characters we all see everyday in our lives, and unless you take the time to “meet and greet them”, never know how simply honest and lovely they truly are. May we all appreciate the simple people in our lives (and the “simplicity” in our own life) that make ours a life worth living. May we all be in a book like this one day! Cheers!

[Jacqui Heywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful novella.
Exquisitely written story about the Clagg family from Sheffield, who forgo their annual summer holiday to Morecambe, somewhere I used to go on summer holidays, to spend the day in London watching the new Queen's coronation, after buying tickets to a 'breakfast/buffet lunch/Champagne and great views' kind of experience. But... things don't go as planned.
I loved each of the characters and I really felt that I had been transported back to the streets of London in 1953.
If you loved 'Mrs Harris goes to Paris' I'm sure you will enjoy this novella.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story of a family in June of 1953 heading off to see Queen Elizabeth's coronation. A quick read. I love the description when the got off the bus to the moving crowds - " a weltering of hurrying humanity." or "he tried to break out of the cocoon of inertia." It describes the crowds and the mishaps along the way and then finally home for the family.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forty years ago I would have rated this higher but now, even though I know it’s of its time, I didn’t find it so enjoyable now. By today’s standards, the family are very naive, the mother is very put upon, and the husband is very misogynistic. A very unrelatable set of characters all round

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now the second Gallico I’ve read, I see he has a definite style. This story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Things go not as you hope but exactly the way you expect, and yet, somehow everything turns out for the best. Everyone gets what they want without knowing that was what they wanted.

[Wendy Lawrance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming! Wondered whether it might be a light and fluffy children’s book but Gallico did not disappoint - the family’s adventure brought out the thoughts and aspirations of each of member, with a history lesson in the background.

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another delightful story from Gallico. He treats the characters in this story with such dignity and understanding and shows how seemingly little gestures towards others are often more significant than big events.

[Tamar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, eloquent account of one family's experience during the Queen's coronation.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

So lovely and such a clever way to recount the day. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[Alison Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nostalgic look at momentous 1950's event. See http://thebooksmithblog.wordpress.com for more.