Chedsy Place

by Richmal Crompton

Bringing together a memorable cast of characters, Chedsy Place is a warm and witty novel, filled with the humour, piercing observation and remarkable characterization that makes Richmal Crompton one of the world's best-loved writers.When Richard Beaton inherits Chedsy Place, he feels nostalgic as he returns to his beloved family home. For him it is locked in the past – a place of warm childhood memories – and he cannot afford to keep it. But for his wife, Celia, walking round the grand house sparks the kernel of an to restore it to its former glory by opening its doors once more for Christmas – only this time, to paying guests.Horrified by the idea, Robert watches as the guests arrive from far and the domineering Judith Kimball with her shy secretary Sidney Lattimer, and the chauffeur, who takes a shine to Sidney; the Paynter family with their excitable twin daughters, Cicely and Angela; Miss Nettleton, who travels indomitably about the British Isles seeing the sights; Mrs Stephenson-Pollitt, who retires 'into the silence' each afternoon to seek communion with the spirits, and her nephew, Brian, who is destined for the clergy but must battle with his conscience when he meets Angela. As the guests settle in for Christmas, Robert knows that Chedsy Place will never be the same again . . .

Genres: Fiction

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1936

About the author

Richmal Crompton Lamburn was initially trained as a schoolmistress but later became a popular English writer, best known for her Just William series of books, humorous short stories, and to a lesser extent adult fiction books.

Crompton's fiction centres around family and social life, dwelling on the constraints that they place on individuals while also nurturing them. This is best seen in her depiction of children as puzzled onlookers of society's ways. Nevertheless, the children, particularly William and his Outlaws, almost always emerge triumphant.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story, an energetic woman decides to turn her husband's recently inherited ancestral home, which is too large for them to actually live in, into an upscale holiday boarding house. Were the book not first published in 1934, I could readily imagine her advertisements promising a Downton Abbey experience, which is in fact what many of her first guests, who have come for the weekend leading up to Christmas, seem to be hoping for.

This is very typical of a certain style of Crompton novel, what I'm starting to think of as her lazy mode. She assembles an enormous cast of characters, watches them interact a bit, and then they go their separate ways. Some lives are changed but most aren't. This particular book is rather like a country house mystery without any murder, which is kind of unfortunate because many of the characters richly deserve to be bumped off. It's surprising that the immensely prolific Crompton didn't try her hand at mysteries, but perhaps she knew that plotting isn't her strength.

My favorites of Richmal Crompton's novels remain Steffan Green, and The Holiday. It's probably not a coincidence that those two are among the first that I read. I think I've read too much of her at once and have got a bit jaded.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Last Place I Would Want to Be

Robert has inherited his beloved family home, Chedsy Place, but he can't afford to keep it. His enterprising wife, Celia decides to reopen the home for Christmas by taking in holiday guests. Crompton's novel revolves around the personalities and actions of the guests throughout their brief stay.

Being an American, I recently discovered Richmal Crompton. Britain, Canada, and Australia are well aware of her children series, "William"; however, she also wrote many novels for adults. I loved "The Marriage of Hermione" and several other of her books, but this one was so disappointing. Crompton is brilliant at characterization: the weaknesses and strengths of individuals draw me to her characters, and before I realize what is happening, I am attached to them. I certainly wouldn't want to be attached to any of the guests in Chedsy Place. They are cruel, stupid, weak, bullying, and even despicable in turn. No change or evolvement occurs, and the ending leaves no respite from their negative behavior. If you are a Richmal Crompton fan as I am, you may want to avoid any stay at Chedsy Place and find happier accommodations at her other properties.

[Ms Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange! This 1936 novel relies on a kaleidoscope of vignettes of a large cast of characters who are staying in a large country house over Christmas.

Firstly, I was almost expecting a murder and secondly, I was expecting more comedy from the writer of the superb Just William stories. However, this story is more of a family drama. Crompton focuses on a few characters from the large number and reveals snatches of their history and views before whirling on to look at someone else.

The individual stories feature serious themes: obsession, romance, religious mania, grief, disability, loveless marriages, affairs, children rejected by parents and a host of other difficulties. Some comedy is provided by the excellent Mrs Stephenson-Porritt. There's a whirlwind romance which is rather nice.

The attitudes are very authentic. The appalling snobbery is very believable and these kinds of attitudes are often absent from modern books set during the period so seeing how upper class kids mock a fat working class woman is a surprise but realistic.

I will definitely read more of Crompton's books for adults.