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Barsetshire #26
A Double Affair
A “charming troupe” of Barsetshire inhabitants celebrate a spate of marriages—while one young woman bemoans her prospects—in this novel of 1950s English life (The New York Times).
The locals are all talking about the upcoming wedding of the vicar of Hatch End to the much-loved Miss Merriman—in fact, the couple’s friends and neighbors seem even more excited than the bride- and groom-to-be. But that’s to be expected when a couple of a certain age tie the knot, because it reminds everyone that it’s never too late for love. And though Edith Graham is increasingly gloomy about landing a husband, the romantic spirit of the event just might be contagious . . .
“Where Trollope would have been content to arouse a chuckle, [Thirkell] is constantly provoking us to hilarious laughter. . . . To read her is to get the feeling of knowing Barsetshire folk as well as if one had been born and bred in the county.” —Kirkus Reviews
“[Thirkell’s] talent for easy, light characterization does not seem to be flagging.” —The Times Literary Supplement
The locals are all talking about the upcoming wedding of the vicar of Hatch End to the much-loved Miss Merriman—in fact, the couple’s friends and neighbors seem even more excited than the bride- and groom-to-be. But that’s to be expected when a couple of a certain age tie the knot, because it reminds everyone that it’s never too late for love. And though Edith Graham is increasingly gloomy about landing a husband, the romantic spirit of the event just might be contagious . . .
“Where Trollope would have been content to arouse a chuckle, [Thirkell] is constantly provoking us to hilarious laughter. . . . To read her is to get the feeling of knowing Barsetshire folk as well as if one had been born and bred in the county.” —Kirkus Reviews
“[Thirkell’s] talent for easy, light characterization does not seem to be flagging.” —The Times Literary Supplement
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1957
29 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Angela Thirkell
59 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.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 9, 2024
This is a novel of two parts, though it both opens with an extended wedding scene and closes with a more briefly described wedding. Lots of weddings! I did enjoy how several good people get their HEA, especially George Halliday. Thirkell’s repetition got to me here a bit more than in the previous book but that’s probably because I read two in a row. I’ll take a break before the next one in the series though it would be nice to finish out the full series before the end of the year.
January 4, 2025
Thirkell's characters get married rather quickly after first setting eyes on their future intendeds, and I write this as someone who got engaged less than a week after meeting Esteemed Spouse.
Anyway, there are a few decent moments, but this undemanding journey through the social wilds of Barsetshire has little of the sharp wit of Thirkell's earlier outings. I don't regret either spending my $2 on a used copy, or the time it took, but I doubt I will read it again.
Anyway, there are a few decent moments, but this undemanding journey through the social wilds of Barsetshire has little of the sharp wit of Thirkell's earlier outings. I don't regret either spending my $2 on a used copy, or the time it took, but I doubt I will read it again.
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March 3, 2016Thirkell kind of outdid herself with the double affair referenced in the title. "Hey, new ladies, want to have dinner with my friend and me? Awesome. Hey, dinner was great, wasn't itLET'SGETMARRIED LET'SGETMARRIEDRIGHTNOW." Sometimes I wonder what Thirkell thought marriage IS, exactly.
Obviously one does not come to Barsetshire for realism, especially in marriage, but I was hoping for something more substantial for these men, both of whom I'd gotten quite fond of. Oh well, at least they're happy with their ridiculously perfect wives. (Perfect because one of them is hot and super into pigs and one of them is hot and...blond? Okay.)
Obviously one does not come to Barsetshire for realism, especially in marriage, but I was hoping for something more substantial for these men, both of whom I'd gotten quite fond of. Oh well, at least they're happy with their ridiculously perfect wives. (Perfect because one of them is hot and super into pigs and one of them is hot and...blond? Okay.)
July 28, 2014
As I mentioned in my Never Too Late review, I read this after NTL, and I think I'd over-dosed on the less-energetic Thirkell genre by then: this one felt overwritten and repetitive as a whole, although it does have some nice parts and is, after all, escapist Anglophilic Thirkell, regardless! It "forwards the story" but it's not her best.
July 17, 2023
By book #26, the denizens of Barsetshire are like old acquaintances — with Thirkell’s writing style just as familiar. This was a cozy installment, picking up almost exactly where the previous book ended. The author also kept me guessing about the unmarried central character’s beaux, and just when I thought I’d figured it out, I had to think again. Kudos on that, since marriage plot novels don’t often contain many surprises.
There did seem to be some repetition from an earlier book: a “difficult” daughter whom everyone agrees needs a strong male hand to keep her in line. In this case it’s Edith Graham, but she’s described in almost exactly the same way as her older sister was in a previous book. (Also, the phrase/sentiment “She needs a husband who beats her” has not aged well, even in jest.)
Overall, an enjoyable read as we near the end of the Barsetshire series.
There did seem to be some repetition from an earlier book: a “difficult” daughter whom everyone agrees needs a strong male hand to keep her in line. In this case it’s Edith Graham, but she’s described in almost exactly the same way as her older sister was in a previous book. (Also, the phrase/sentiment “She needs a husband who beats her” has not aged well, even in jest.)
Overall, an enjoyable read as we near the end of the Barsetshire series.
December 19, 2022
Oh, no! There are three eligible bachelors in Barsetshire but only one young unmarried woman. Angela Thirkell will have to hurry up and invent two suitable young women. Hence the double affair. That still leaves us with one unattached young man and one still-unmarried woman. What to do? Marry them off? Or complicate the situation with another young man?
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April 19, 2012hardbound,1957....Merry & Mr. Choyce, George, Mr. Crosse--3 weddings, not 2. Edith still alone at end.
June 7, 2010
Still terribly written, still very satisfying.
September 7, 2013
Angela Thirkell will always be one of my favorite authors, I love the mild humor, the lovable characters, and the (mostly) happy endings.
August 9, 2014
3½ stars.
December 28, 2015
I've missed you, Angela. Returning to Barsetshire was like coming home. Not her best, but entirely enjoyable.
June 26, 2017
Two bit of this are very good, one about Edith finding herself after trying and dropping several projects and perhaps finding True Love on the very last page. The other is how Miss Dunsford and her mother, who do everything together, manage to part ways with great affection, her mother to invite her dear friend Mrs. Halliday to come and stay with her, maybe forever, while Miss Dunsford daringly plans to go to "our dear abroad," aka the Pension Ramsden at Mentone with Miss Hopgood and Miss Crowder, where the church is reassuringly English. Otherwise, the weddings are thrown in at the last minute and you do feel that Mrs. Thirkell wasn't giving her characters her full attention.
February 4, 2022
Definitely one of my favorite ones! George Halliday and Jane Crawley were so cute. I feel like they were just as, or more adorable than Susan Dean and Freddie Belton, and then Anne Fielding and Robin Dale.
Also, I gotta say, Mr. Choyce and Miss. Merriman are so sweet, they're one of my favorite older couples. Angela hasn't lost her touch!
Also, I gotta say, Mr. Choyce and Miss. Merriman are so sweet, they're one of my favorite older couples. Angela hasn't lost her touch!
November 3, 2022
Begins and ends with weddings, with not a lot happening in between, but I kept reading to the end. These last books in the series really aren't a patch on the early ones, but are harmless and mildly enjoyable, which was all I needed at the time.
March 9, 2021
Books are starting to become weaker with more repetitive padding than earlier books in the series
August 2, 2024
Amusing visit to Barsetshire and old friends and some new ones. Interesting commentary on mothers and daughters in particular.
September 1, 2025
Have dinner with a stranger and get engaged before the date is over? And it was a double date so both couples got engaged. Really.
July 30, 2023
The very private Miss Merriman gets married to the Rev Mr Choyce at the beginning of the novel, thus bringing to a close the career of the most enigmatic of Thirkell's women.
Edith Graham is back, self-centred and self-pitying as ever, as she dramatises herself in every move. She begins with good intentions to start a course in estate management, but half-way through she is taken away by her Uncle David Leslie to enjoy several months in the States. When she returns, she decides to try her hand at helping her other uncle Martin on his farm. She announces that will train for an accountancy post. Then Martin talks sense to her for the first time. Her suitors in the last book find her self-centred, and display little enthusiasm for her company. Not until her redoubtable father gives her an ultimatum does she mend her ways – a little.
Meanwhile, the Deanery has produced a new crop of Crawley girls, and although we meet them very late in the book, their charm and commonsense have greater drawing power than poor Edith. While on the whole entertaining, all of the action, including two courtships and engagements, take place in the penultimate chapter, while the last is devoted to the growing up of Edith.
One serious idea here explored is that of elderly, widowed (though dearly loved) parents who have become unsociable because they are so needy for company, yet cling to single or married children, who have their own responsibilities with young children, households and work, especially after the war, when neither domestic nor farm labour is available. Relations sadly grow wearisome and even unendurable beyond a point.
Edith Graham is back, self-centred and self-pitying as ever, as she dramatises herself in every move. She begins with good intentions to start a course in estate management, but half-way through she is taken away by her Uncle David Leslie to enjoy several months in the States. When she returns, she decides to try her hand at helping her other uncle Martin on his farm. She announces that will train for an accountancy post. Then Martin talks sense to her for the first time. Her suitors in the last book find her self-centred, and display little enthusiasm for her company. Not until her redoubtable father gives her an ultimatum does she mend her ways – a little.
Meanwhile, the Deanery has produced a new crop of Crawley girls, and although we meet them very late in the book, their charm and commonsense have greater drawing power than poor Edith. While on the whole entertaining, all of the action, including two courtships and engagements, take place in the penultimate chapter, while the last is devoted to the growing up of Edith.
One serious idea here explored is that of elderly, widowed (though dearly loved) parents who have become unsociable because they are so needy for company, yet cling to single or married children, who have their own responsibilities with young children, households and work, especially after the war, when neither domestic nor farm labour is available. Relations sadly grow wearisome and even unendurable beyond a point.
July 31, 2023
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2023...
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2023...
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September 21, 2025A rambly, chatty story that made me want to go back to Tasmania and take up pig farming.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews