Love Among the Ruins

Barsetshire #17

by Angela Thirkell

A cast of characters quickly gathers around the Winters, including many faces familiar from Thirkell's earlier Barsetshire chronicles. Among the young and unattached are Charles Belton, newly-hired school master at the Priory School, and his elder brother, Captain Freddy Belton of the Royal Navy; Susan Dean, the Red Cross Depot Librarian and her sister, Jessica, an actress in thrall to the theatre; Lucy Marling, and her brother Oliver.

Genres: Fiction, British Literature, Romance, Humor, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Classics

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Antoinette · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reason I picked up this book was that it was part of a gifted book subscription that I received. I did question the fact that it was number 17 in a series, but I was reassured it could be read as a standalone. I was excited as it was a Virago modern classic and usually their books are quite reliable. Well, I have to disagree with that assessment after plodding through. There were so many characters, it became downright confusing. All these characters had been introduced in previous books, so I do think that if I had read those, I would have known their backstory and been more invested. As well, the blurb hints at romantic liaisons which were somewhere in this ramshackle rambling of a book.

I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I had already been faithfully reading this series. I did find it engaging at times and definitely was interested in a few of the multitude of characters but then the author would diverge onto a different path and my interest would wane. So overall, a very uneven book that I would only recommend to a lover of this series.


Published: 1948

[QNPoohBear · Rating 2 out of 5]

The war has been unmercifully over for a few years now and while sun is beginning to shine, the inhabitants of Barsetshire can not be so cheery as long as THEY (the government) keep beating them down. They've taken away food and will probably soon do away with petrol. The village and estate workers need to be paid more for less work and who can afford that these days with taxes and everything? Only Sam Adams and his "works" seem to have any money and Clarissa Graham is determined to find a way in. Charles Belton takes a job at the Priory School run by Philip and Leslie Winter while his mother frets that he is still unmarried. Mrs. Belton worries more about her elder son Freddy and his long buried secret. Will he ever unlock his heart enough to marry? Also unmarried are Colin Keith, Oliver Marling and his sister Lucy, Emmy and Clarissa Graham, and the Dean girls. Susan, the Red Cross Depot Librarian is content in her carry but is also burdened with the care of her family. Little Jessica is still a smash on the London stage and in absolutely no hurry to marry any man. The Conservatives are trying to rally and the pig breeders are planning a judged show but with estates being requisitioned, sold, turned into council houses or schools, where to meet? Lucy Marling feels the heavy weight of her family heritage weighing heavily on her shoulders. She alone loves the land more than anything but when her father dies, what's left will pass to her elder brother who doesn't have any interest in the land. The Leslies are worried about Lady Emily but wonderfully, not Rushwater which is in capable hands.

This book is not one of Thirkell's best. There's way too much going on and it's all disjointed. Almost every single character from the previous books appears here. If you want to know what happens to everyone, slog through this book without a plot. There is a slight romantic plot, but not much of one. I found myself skimming a lot of the parts where Thirkell and her characters go into too much detail, especially about pigs and farming. I wanted to feel sorry for the characters for losing their way of life and their patrimony, yet it's hard to be sympathetic when most people never had that in the first place. The Belton sons are the only ones with any sense. They at least have jobs that can earn them some money. They would find my sympathies lying more with the Labour government and label me Communist but my life as a modern American is so far removed from the 19th-century Barsetshire world the older characters grew up in.

I didn't care much for Charles Belton. I did admire him for getting a job and liking it well enough. He's still a bit immature and rude. He shows his mother and motherly figures his softer side but his comments about Heather are uncalled for an inappropriate for a man his age. I didn't care for his infatuation with Agnes. Freddy is a much better man. He's kind and sympathetic, practical and wise to the way of the world, but still masculine. Unlike Denis Stonor, who is portrayed as somewhat effeminate and Richard Tebben who is a colossal jerk, Freddy is a realistic man. I wanted his heart to heal and find an intelligent woman to marry, if he HAS to marry someone. Mrs. Belton has softened a bit. She's a littles less snobby and though they all say she has helped Heather, I think Mrs. Belton has benefitted from knowing Heather and her Dad as well. Mr. Belton is rather anonymous.

Mr. Marling, Mr. Tebben, Mr. Middleton are all rather confused in my mind. None of them have likable personalities. Mr. Tebben and Mr. Middleton are pompous bores. I felt sorry for Mrs. Middleton and her long-cherished dream. She's a sympathetic character. I also felt bad for Mrs. Tebben. Thirkell seems to be making fun of "over" educated women here. The joke is Mrs. Tebben is nearly as pompous as her husband and can't cook well, presumably because she's too busy writing to learn how. I found her likable enough but both the Tebbens are too soft on Richard. Richard is horrid. I loved his relationship plot.

Oliver Marling has softened some and become a little nicer. He cares deeply about the estate but his hands are tied being the younger son. He loves his sister Lucy and they have a special bond with each other and the land. Oliver is more comfortable in London while Lucy is portrayed as "mannish." She is really high strung, stretched to the breaking point in this book and talks too much about fertilizer. OF COURSE she's still unmarried because in Thirkell's society, men don't appreciate capable, intelligent women. Emmy Graham is also masculine but she's a little lighter because her family has the money to allow her to mess around with cows. The world her mother knew is gone. I like Emmy's cheerfulness and her drive though like Lucy, her conversation leaves a lot to be desired for a city slicker like me. Her sister Clarissa, however, is a spoiled brat. She behaves very badly in this novel and when she's called on it, she acts like a toddler. Emmy is a much better person.

Lady Emily is still scatterbrained but such a dear. She does have mild dementia and she seems a bit young by modern standards to be that way. I was surprised she wasn't older! I pictured a woman in her 80s at least. Miss Merriman takes good care of Lady Emily's needs in her quiet, efficient way. Here the door to her heart is cracked a bit open so we can learn more about what makes her tick.

The Deans are a lively, fun family. My favorite is Susan, because she's a librarian. She's intelligent and capable. Jessica doesn't appeal to me. I hated her coquettish ways and her changing her personality to suit older men as a character study. Her friend Aubrey is even worse but he isn't in the story much. Mrs. Dean, like Mrs. Brandon, is very vague. I didn't care for her much. Unlike Mrs. Brandon, she isn't very intelligent and takes for granted her affect on men.

Heather and Dad make some brief appearances here. We learn more about Sam's family and background and even get to see his house. Heather has matured to a certain point but she serves as a deus ex machina plot mover and I didn't like that.

I'm going to read some reviews to see if I want to continue the series.

[Mela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's start with complaints.

I felt that Mrs Thirkell got stuck in the thought ...the horrors of war were succeeded by the tyrannies of peace... The theme was explored in two previous books of the series, and it was enough. In the next one, it almost sounded like an obsession of the author.

I was also distracted a few times by too many characters, too fast appearing and disappearing. It looked like Angela Thirkell didn't have a clear idea for the novel.

Besides these points, it was witty, with a few wise observations, warm, nostalgic, and comforting.

Mamma always said that even if there wasn't any happiness one must try to be happy without it.

So, reading it, I had moments of fun, of thoughtfulness, of nostalgia - there were good parts of the story. But there were also moments of boredom and confusion.

[2.5-3 stars]

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The youngish Barsetshire men think there are no girls left in the county to marry, and the youngish Barsetshire women think they will spend unfulfilled lives continuing the jobs they held in wartime because there are no men left to marry. This gives us several interesting plot strands to follow, especially that of Susan Dean, the pleasant and competent Red Cross librarian who could win a place for her wealthy family in county society -- as changed as society is by the upheaval caused by the War. Thirkell, I may repeat, lived through these times and takes the opportunity to express her strong feelings about them.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opened the book and someone had scribbled on the title page: NO PLOT - TOO MANY CHARACTERS. I laughed and told John about it. He asked me if I were still going to read it and I said of course, this guy obviously didn't know a good book when he read one, he probably didn't appreciate character development nor relationship building nor the structure of a good sentence. I figured I would like it.

Her writing is ticklish! She hits me like Wodehouse does.

I haven't read the previous books, so I didn't know anyone. Perhaps that scribbling was right. I skimmed and tracked the stories of the two romances, ha! All other names I just zoomed right over. I like her writing, made me laugh out loud. I'm going to have to BUY the first book. =/

Favorite bits:

1. "For though Mr. Needham was as modest and earnest and hard-working a Christian pastor as anyone would wish to see, it could not be denied, and he even admitted it at times to himself, that he had one besetting sin. And that sin, as he had recognized when doing spiritual gymnastics in his own mind every day for ten minutes before the breakfast bell rang, was spiritual pride in having left one arm upon the shores of North Africa. Indeed, such was his simple modesty that in a way he valued his useless stump more than his good right arm, because the left arm had, as it were, laid down its life in the service of its country."

2. "Richard Tebben, though graceless in many ways, was well set-up and not ill-looking and enjoyed looking down at most of the women he met. But Miss Krogsbrog, as we have already observed, was cast in a heroic mold, and if she had suddenly grown a helmet and a kind of tin brassiere and outsung a full-sized orchestra no one would have been surprised, so that when she appeared beside Richard any woman present was apt to think that at the wedding it would be advisable for the bride to wear flat shoes and the bridegroom the cothurnus neatly disguised, or even a small pair of stilts."

3. "'...Come on, Petrea.' At these words, words which were so like Richard that none of his friends would have paid much attention to them, Miss Krogsbrog got up and stood towering over the company, apparently ready to let loose the Valkyrie's war cry. But instead of Heia-ho, which Richard would have infinitely preferred, she said in a commanding voice: 'Richard! Not!'"

[Gypsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this seventeenth novel of Bartsetshire, the reader follows the lives and romances of six young adults during the summer of 1947: siblings Lucy and Oliver Marling, brothers Freddy and Charles Belton, and sisters Susan and Jessica Dean. Now in their mid-to-late-twenties, with most of their youth given up to the excitement of war time, these six come in and out of each others lives as they, and all of Barsetshire, still attempt to adjust to peace.

The "ruins" referenced by the title are not physical ruins, but rather the state of life after WWII, when Britain was suffering greatly with inadequate food and supplies and "a state of dull resentful apathy with no hope of relief". Thirkell writes movingly of the struggles faced by post-WWII Britain, but balances it with her usual (sometimes snarky) humor, and with well-developed characters and plot. I highly recommend this series, but it must be read in order, as the characters of the county remain the same, and have aged in real time.

[Alisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only to be attempted after gaining familiarity with all Thirkell's previous works. Pretty much ALL of her characters are present, and it is no mean feat to unravel them.
Her post-World-War-II books have much more of a wistfulness and dissatisfaction than her earlier books, and this one seems rather elitist as well. Writing in a world that was fast losing its traditions and rigid class barriers, it's easy to tell that her characters (and probably she herself) felt rather lost, and just plain tired. Not that its tone is all that depressing, it's still a comedy of manners with an engagement at the end. But it certainly has a different feel than, for instance, Wild Strawberries.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I alternate between re-reading all the Trollope novels and re-reading their "modern" sequels: the novels of Angela Thirkell, set in Trollope's imagined world of Barchester (next train stop: Winter Overcotes!) and peopled in part by descendants of favorite Trollope characters.
They are silly, witty, intelligent and inspiring as good men and women struggle to make the most of a world that was once idyllic and privileged and is now burdened by war-era rationing, crippling taxes and the end of the old way of life.
And of course there is always a wedding somewhere in every one of her stories!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings together a lot of the characters from previous books - Marlings, Beltons, Deans, Adamses, Leslies, and Pomfrets; even Mrs. Morland and Mrs. Tebbens appear briefly. Everyone is suffering from the "horrors of peace", but there is not a real plot - just the usual series of vignettes as the groups swirl, coalesce, and part. Mr. Adams and Heather are beginning to take a larger part.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me Thirkell's books improve on a second or third reading. This books characters were very diverse which kept things interesting. The importance of dynastic pig breeding is treated seriously but at the same time the breeders and their speech and antics keep me laughing.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Angela Thirkell, but it surely won't be my last! A big "thank you" to my sister Sue, for introducing me to this excellent writer!

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing my love for Thirkell. The only ruin for me is that the audio series has skipped so many titles. Also, it would have been better had I not waited so long between the last book and this (but, alas, the Audible credits do not come fast enough). It's hard enough to keep track of the cast of thousands when more than a decade has past since the events of the last one I read.

[Classic reverie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angela Thirkell’s #17 of the Barestshire series, “Love Among the Ruins” has many familiar characters and the continuing family growth with the changes since WW 2. One thing that is sad to see in this series is the political and society changes that were actually happening though the characters. The land changing hands and the government interference into many aspects of life. The people are given less than what the government gives abroad and the feeling of spirit a bit broken. I then see how England has so changed since then and the mention of work days decreased and socialism starting to creep in more and more.
Still the same formula of a younger man idolizing an older woman but that does not last too long. I loved the mischievous young boys looking to cause trouble by their non malevolence actions.

Story in short- Another saga if the Deans, Beltons and the Leslies catching up and living life.



❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert

The usual characters and the main engagement in this was Freddy Belton and Susan Dean, he sees her for the first time at the Red Cross library and falls for her but a misunderstanding about his past love is cleared up. Richard Tebben comes for a visit and his Swedish girlfriend comes later, they are engaged. Oliver Marling is in love with Jessica Dean who is in love with the theater. Lucy Marling looks for saving her family estate with Adams’ help with regard to their farm land. Anne Fielding marries Robin Dale. The boys’ school, the family party at Martin Leslie’ farm for Lady Emily who has aged and forgetting times of past and present but more there than not. The Barchester rally and pig contest with Beltons winning first prize. The mentioning of past novels’ events makes things easier to recall.

-Sir Harry and Harriet Waring - Beliers Priory- niece Leslie Waring married Philip and set up a boys’ school at their property which their Navy nephew agreed to let his inheritance be used this way. The Warings warmed up to this idea and were happy to have Selina cook for the school and her husband, Hopskin to work as the farmer and landscaping.
-Philip and Leslie Winters- (Leslie Waring) baby Noel Winters, the school finally settled and working well.
-Lieutenant Cecil Waring-in the Navy and agreed with the boys’ school on Beliers Priory.
-Jasper- old gamekeeper, thinks his dead mother is a witch that changed into a hare, mentioned in prior book.
-Lord Stokes-hard of hearing and entered his pig into the contest but did not win blames his pig keeper.
-Sam Adams-in Parliament and business with his daughter, very persuasive and still a friend to Beltons and other family but has a special affection for the Beltons who helped his daughter when she was staying at the girls’ school near them. He has an arrangement with Lucy Marlings’ plan for her parents’ estate that lacks money to farm property.
-Heather Adams-to marry Ted Pilward, she has come to her own with a business like attitude with friendliness. She sees that Clarissa Graham wants to work with her father after college but sees her as marrying kind. Heather is friends with Lucy Marling regarding the farming plan. Heather is to be married soon. She tells Susan about Captain Belton’s lost love who died and tells him near the end of the book about this.
-Selina Hopkins- Nannie’s daughter who married Hopkins in past book and now cooks for Philip’s boys’ school and her husband works for the Warings and the school.
-Hopkins- green grocer, Sir Harry hires him when the big business of grocery taking over the small businessesman, to help at the farm with his wife Selina.
-Octavia Needham- many children and helpful for her vicar husband who lost and arm in the war.
-Nannie Allen- still helping the Leslie family.
-Marigold- village problem girl who used to help Nannie Allen but is at the the Winters’ school to help out at the school.
-Nurse Gale-taking care of master Noel Winters.
-The Birketts- retired at Dower House
-Mr. and Mrs. Belton- living at Arcot House, lease to girls school at Harefield, Mrs. Belton looks for her sons to marry but does not actively interfere.
-Charles Belton- after the war service, he is hired by Philip Winters to be a teacher at the boys school. He first is in love with Lady Graham but then starts to take a liking and is supportive to her daughter Clarissa.
-Captain Freddy Belton-navy man, older and has a lost love years ago. Clarissa Graham and Lucy Marling consider him for marriage but once he met Susan Dean he found his love. He propsed and was not given and answer but later a misunderstanding that was cleared up later finally brought about the engagement. He regrets not having children when he sees others but that will soon change.
-Elsa Hornby- (Belton) married Chris Hornby with a girl and a boy. Mrs. Belton still thinks her daughter is too independent minded which Hornby helps center. They live in Scotland at his estate.
-Chris Hornby- admiral. Elsa’s husband
-Mr. Carton- serious writer and married Miss Sparling
-Mrs. Carton- (Miss Sparling) she was the headmistress at the Hoiser girl school but then she retires to marry Carton.
-Susan Dean-Red Cross, was thought to marry Francis Brandon and was a love interest of Colin Keith but nothing came, she has never been in love until Freddy Belton with misunderstanding until it became clear at the end and they are engaged. She thought through Heather Adams that he would never love again after his fiancé died years ago.
-Laurence Dean and wife, (Margaret Tebben), they have a son that goes to Philip’s school and want a pig class with a pig from his grandfather’s farm.
-Mr. and Mrs. Tebben-Gilbert and Winifred- from Worsted, Richard still is not respectful to his parents, and his father calls him out on this.
-Richard Tebben- works for the Deans and later Adams abroad and became engaged to Petrea who he met at Stockholm were he works.
-Petrea Krogsbrog- Richard’s fiance and very outspoken about what she expects of him especially the treatment of his parents.
-Jessica Dean- actress and refuses proposal of many, including Oliver and states that if she ever married it would be Aubrey because he is all theater.
-Miss Grantly- the parson’s daughter
-Aubrey Clover-writer of plays and a friend to Jessica who writes parts for her.
-The Updikes- lawyer and family, talkative wife and four children, wife accident prone
-Colin Keith- not mentioned much but at the end finds out that Susan Dean is to marry.
-Oliver Marling- works in London, he is in love with Jessica Dean but she refused his proposal and wants things the same which he accepts in the end.
-Lucy Marling- worries about her family estate and thought that Freddy Belton wanted to marry her but was more interested in having Adams’ help in her plan to help her farm which he offers and then she and Heather becomes friends.
-Lady Graham- Charles Belton falls in love with her but keeps it to himself. Lady Agnes Graham the same but she is smarter than she seems.
-Clarissa Graham- in school for engineering and wants to work for Adams but finds things are not as she had wanted them, comforted by Charles Belton.
-Edith Graham- children of Sir Robert and Lady Graham
-John Graham-at Eton
-James Graham-at Eton
-Robert Graham-loves the new baby cousin, Eleanor.
-Emmy Graham- cattle breeding at Rushwater
-Doctor Perry- his sons all doctors and married.
-Lord and Lady Bond-go to the pig contest and enter contest.
-Martin Leslie- and his wife, Slyvia owns Rushwater, one year old daughter, Eleanor, they give a birthday party for Mrs. Leslie and family.
-Emmy Graham- Martin Leslie’s cousin works at his farm.
-John and Mary Leslie- their three sons go to Philip’s school, Leslie Major, Minor and Miminus causing trouble. Captain Belton saved Mimmus from harm after climbing after his brother on a dangerous tower on the property of Martin Leslie. These sons were supposed to be sedate like their “boring” parents.
-Miss Holly- new headmistress at Hoisers’ Girls at Harefield,
-Mr. Oriel - the vicar
-Sarah Wheeler- cook
-Lady and Lord Fielding- Daughter marries Robin Dale.
-Doris - married Bert Margett
-Bert Margett- head porter at Worsted
-Mr. Palmer- Mrs. Dean much older brother
-The Deans -at Winter Overvotes, Rachel and Frank, Dean works in London but entered his pig which did not win first place.
-Miss Merriman- Merry, once secretary to the old Lady Pomfret, now a friend to Lady Emily Leslie, she once had eyes on Mr. Foster, the new Lord Pomfret but he married. When she is no longer needed she will go to the Pomfrets
-Conque- Lady Emily’s French maid
-Lady and Lord Pomfret- Sally (Wilcott) and Giles (Foster), children and Sally works hard to protect her husband who works too but needs to be careful of his health.
-Mr. Goble- the bailiff
-Pucken- Marling’s pig man
-David and Rose Leslie- (Rose Bingham) married with two children
-Anne Fielding and Robin Dale- to marry soon and do with a church wedding.
-Ed and Millie Pollett- a carpenter with his wife both not too bright but helpful with many children.
-Tony Morland- has been married a year and Laura Morland likes his wife a lot.

[Ruthiella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I think I picked the wrong book to begin with Angela Thirkell. It was hard to keep all the character’s straight, especially since there are so many and some show up only for a page or two, never to return. I didn’t realize that this was part of a series and this book is preceded by 16 others. I just liked the title. “The Ruins” surely references the political and economic situation faced by Britain after WWII. Thirkell often uses the term “the outbreak of peace” to characterize what she saw as the failings of the Labor government and the slow decline of the upper and middle classes post war. I was reminded of the Ayres family in Sarah Waters’ The Little Stranger.

It’s not a doom and gloom story, however, it is more acerbic complaint about how things were better when people knew their place (you have to ask yourself, better for whom?) and there is a love story as well. Interestingly, Thrikell’s books take place in the same universe created by Anthony Trollope in this Barchester Chronicles; many of her characters are “decedents” of those created by Trollope. I think I will finish up Trollope’s series first and then start over with Thirkell at the beginning.

[Susan in NC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad to say these last several books in this loong series have really been work to slog through to the end! I enjoy meeting old friends (I've been reading the series in order as I've been able to find used copies), but the sheer number of recurring characters has become overwhelming with several generations being trotted out with each book.

I've been very busy lately, but I just don't feel driven to get back to reading these last few books since the end of WWII. The characters constantly complain about the ongoing deprivations of the peacetime government, the weather, the changes in English society - the dreariness overwhelmed the humor! I basically gave up around chapter 11 and will probably skim to the end...and will be taking a break from Ms. Thirkell's books for awhile.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this four stars because of the romance between Susan and Freddy, which is delightful. They are two of my favorite characters because they're both competent, kind, attentive to duty and others, and courageous. I wish the romance had taken more of a center stage! I like reading about Jessica Dean, too. She is a kick!

I like the start of the relationship between Lucy Marling and Sam Adams, too. Mr. Adams is growing on me, as is his daughter. (And, indeed, I think that is Angela Thirkell's aim as the books progress.) I loved getting to see Robin Dale and Anne Fielding's wedding. Lots of favorite characters rotating in and out, which is fun!

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite Thirkell. It seemed plotless. A disappointment. Thirkell has a vast cast of Barsetshire characters, and some are definitely more compelling than others. This postwar tale revolves around a not terribly plotworthy round of country affairs and relationships.

Not to be confused with Walker Percy's Love in the Ruins.

[LDuchess · Rating 5 out of 5]

First American edition, Alfred A. Knopf Borzoi Book, 1948. Hardbound

Dinner scene in Chap 3 is WONderful! Beltons, Deans, Marlings, et al. Great descriptions of Lady Emily (Leslie), and "authoress" Mrs. (Laura) Morland.

I LOVED this one...think it's my favorite AT (so far).

Map on front end papers.

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The ruins" is post-war England, with a Labor government and less capital among the landed gentry. "Love" is all the young people whom Thirkell has yet to marry off: Colin Keith; Oliver Marling; Lucy Marling; Susan Dean; Jessica Dean; Richard Tebben; Emmy Graham; Clarissa Graham; Fred Belton; Charles Belton. Guess the lucky couple.

[Lesley]

Oh dear, that was an whingefest about the iron heel of the post-war Labour government: the book would have been considerably shorter without all the plaints about Them and how awful life in Barsetshire is immediately after the War - did they really think life would immediately go back to what it was before?

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this entire series, but put it in the "slightly embarrassing guilty pleasure" department...

[Mbuye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glamora Tudor is an ageless star, every one of whose films finds a mention in every one of Angela Thirkell's Barsetshire novels. We have seen this wonderful bomb from the time Tony Morland was an obstreperous child, but though Tony and his friends have grown up, fought the tough fight, married and have children of their own, Miss Tudor still captivates the hearts of young men who are dazzled by her charms, and younger women, who copy her clothes and her hair and her makeup so that they can dazzle the young men who have eyes only for the radiant star on screen.

If only the world of Barchester remained thus, forever young. There are, of course, some middle-aged and even elderly women whose charm seduces young men and women alike, as well as their grandchildren, to the cynical amusement of their sons and daughters, who look on them with an indulgent eye. Such women draw every eye in the room to themselves, eclipsing their own daughters.

'Love Among the Ruins' is about the still unmarried young men returned from the war and still adjusting to civilian life. The young women they left behind them have married and are happy in their new families. In one tragic case, a Wren engaged to a naval officer was killed while on leave. The man she was engaged to has still not got over her.

As for the single young women, they are all too busy at work to think of marriage. For them too, life is passing by without the prospect of the kind of home and happiness their parents had taken for granted. Being women, and bound by the rigid behaviour expected of women of their class, they watch silently as the men they like drift away, sometimes unaware of the feelings they have roused.

There is, as usual, a vast array of characters, most of whom can trace their descent from the people of the same names in Anthony Trollope's Barchester novels. One of the central ideas is to determine who among them are 'county' - landed, often titled gentry, established since the beginning of the nineteenth century - and who are middle-class gentlefolk. Once this is sorted out, the rest fall into more identifiable working, agricultural or domestic service slots. A few cameos including Sir Winston Churchill also casually walk in and out. LAR is more a series of vignettes than a novel with a plot and theme and all the bells and whistles. Nevertheless, despite the occasional bitterness seen for the first time here, LAR has the full complement of the wry Thirkellian humour, wit and sharp observation.

An interesting sidelight is the number of schools, preparatory, junior, middle and high school run or employed as teaching or administrative staff by various persons who otherwise have important, even leading, roles in the story. This was at the time when the Government's (Their) Education Act had barely come into force, providing compulsory free education at state run schools. The number of children who win Oxford or Cambridge scholarships in the Classics, or in mathematics or modern sciences is extraordinary. Women too were educated, articulate and a match for the men they admired.

The other notable aspect of this highly literate author's works is the number of writers and publishers who people her pages, from Mrs Morland, the distinctly low-brow thriller/mystery/romance writer whose popularity has increased with each book she has written to educate her four sons - over a period of at least fifteen years, despite the difficulties of paper during the war years; the sentimental pap produced by Mrs Rivers; the biographies, more or less lurid, by George Knox and Mrs Barton; the more scholarly works of Mr and Mrs Tebben; and the equally distinguished and scholarly books of Mr Carton, Mr Birkett and Philip Winter. Even the love-lorn Colin Keith has completed his revision and updating of the standard work on railway law. Unlike the fickle readership of modern times, Mrs Morland's readership is amazingly loyal, leading to larger royalty cheques, which she divides and puts into a second account so the Income Tax won't know about it!

A marvellous evocation of the post-war years, the romance bittersweet, with very happy endings for all concerned.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a relief to see Angela Thirkell almost back to her pre-war form with Love among the Ruins. I had been wondering if I would have to give her up after I read the previous Barsetshire book, Private Enterprise, which was so full of rants about the government that took over large swaths of the book.

In LATR, she has (somewhat) mellowed and catches us up on characters from previous books. Thirkell casts a wide net with a primary focus on the Deans and the Beltons, significant time on the Leslies, and sub plots involving seemingly every single character she has ever written about. (My newly acquired copy of Angela Thirkell’s World came in very handy!)

From the first pages it was clear that this would be an enjoyable Thirkell, with lots of creative story threads. She’s still ranting about the government, but less often than in the last few books. The ending was a little weak — not in what happens but in the writing and pacing. Surprising, since even in the Thirkell books that I don’t love, the last few chapters are still typically quite enjoyable.

An enjoyable summer visit to Barsetshire, despite the sad state of several of the families’ homes, land, and finances.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read or listened to most of the previous books in this series I was pleased to see two more had been recorded for Audible and two more are in the pipeline. I enjoyed catching up with a lot of the old characters but there are a lot of them and it is quite hard to remember who is who! I found the information on the Angela Thirkell Society website very helpful in reminding myself who was related to who. I thought the narrator did a pretty good job although not quite as good as previous narrators and there were one or two rather odd pronunciations! I like Angela Thirkell’s brand of humour and find her books a fascinating depiction of life in 1930s and 1940s England, especially during the Second World War.

[Libraryassistant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took a while to get through! There so much I love about Thirkell: the humor, the very English feel, some of the wonderful characters…however, these later books are so chock full of characters that it’s hard to keep track, and sometimes it takes way too long to ramble through the going’s on. One party in the middle seemed to take up nearly a quarter of the book!
All was forgiven at the end, though, especially with the final line: “Shakespeare always has the last word.”

[Pastor Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirkell's post war novels, or those up through "Love Among the Ruins" at least, are so beautiful. They capture a sense of loss that is much deeper and wider than post-war Britain. For some twenty years or so I have feel something akin to the same sense of loss here is America. Her humor and her grouchiness always make me feel just a bit better.

[Molly]

This 1948 novel is the 17th of the Angela Thirkell series of 29 novels about the fictional Barsetshire. The novels are soothing because nothing really happens. I have read them at various times of stress, when I wanted to read something that would absolutely not make me think or worry. Ladies and gents wander around their huge country estates, concerned, but not overly so, about nothing much.

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's like meeting old friends, making new ones, and observing, listening and enjoying the interaction, guessing at the movements, entering into the thoughts and ideas of everyone highlighted. A brilliant piece of work, to be read and re-read - as I have done. I even have three of these books, one to carry with me, one to stay at home and one to lend.
Fabulous!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

More "light" vacation reading. I love these well written English novels of life in the countryside and cathedral town. My brother has them all and I've read them all but it's a happy revisit with old friends on a day when the rain is bucketing down on Nantucket.

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad I'm reading these in order or I would have been hopelessly lost with all the characters in this book. Even the dreadful Middletons showed up.