Seaview House

by Elizabeth Fair

Published in the U.S. as A View of the Sea

"I wonder what Mr. Heritage thought of his godson," she said quickly.

"Rather clumsy, but quite good manners," Edith remarked. "And a well-shaped skull."

These were her own views, but she took it for granted that sensible people would agree with her.

Sisters Edith and Rose have rather come down in the world by keeping their hotel, Seaview House. So Mr Heritage believes, and he's not pleased when Rose's daughter Lucy--grown a bit too attractive for his comfort--becomes friendly with his godson Edward. Would-be paramour Nevil isn't thrilled either, and to complicate matters further, Edward is behind a scheme to build new terraced housing, depriving village residents of their coveted sea view.

Dilemmas and dramas unfold--including a fire, a cook's prophecy, and a disaster of a luncheon--but the loose ends get tied up in Elizabeth Fair's cheerful, inimitable style.

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

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Elizabeth Mary Fair was born in 1908 in Haigh, Lancashire, a small village not far from Wigan.] Her father was the land agent for the 10th Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, whose family seat, Haigh Hall, was nearby. Elizabeth and her sister were educated by a governess. Her father died in 1934 and the family moved to Hampshire, where they had a small house and a large garden in New Forest.

During World War II Fair served for five years as an ambulance driver in the Civil Defence Corps in Southampton. In 1944 she joined the Red Cross and spent eighteen months in Ceylon, India, and Belgium.[3]

After returning to England in 1947, she moved to Boldre in Hampshire.

Fair wrote six novels of English village life that humorously and gently dissected the "polite social politics" of village denizens while managing to incorporate a romance or two. Reviewers typically compare her work to that of Margery Sharp or Angela Thirkell, with Stevie Smith and other reviewers noting that her work has affinities with Trollope. Of her novel All One Summer, the author wrote that it was meant for people like herself who "prefer not to take life too seriously". Writer Compton Mackenzie said of this novel that it was "in the best tradition of English humour".

Fair's third novel, The Native Heath (1954) was published with a jacket design by Shirley Hughes.

Fair published her last novel in 1960 and died in 1997 (Taken from Author Bio in her books, added in other information from online resources)

Reviews

[Christine PNW · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've long been an intermittent follower of The Furrowed Middlebrow (link to blog here), a blog that concentrates on books by lesser known, and in some cases long-forgotten, British women published between 1910 and 1960. When he collaborated with the Dean Street Press to bring some of these books back into print, I was curious.

Seaview House reminded me a lot of Angela Thirkell's long running and loosely connected Barsetshire series. Well written, it is a light and subtly comedic tale of manners focused around Rose and Edith, the proprietors of the titular Seaview House, a small seaside hotel. Rose and Edith have come down in the world from their roots as the daughters of Canon Newby, the beloved (by them at least) and revered (by them at least) former prelate of their village and its environs.

The book really revolves around the romantic travails of Rose's daughter, Lucy, who has grown into quite a lovely young woman with two potential suitors: local boy Nevil and Edward, an architect who comes to town to oversee a building project. I thought from the description that there would be controversy over the building, but that sputtered into essentially nothing. There are misunderstandings a plenty, and a fair amount of tension between various characters is created by the love triangle.

There are no great questions answered by Elizabeth Fair in Seaview House. This is a slice of life story, set on the post-war Britain seaside. Nonetheless, the stuff of life is in the details, and Seaview House is often charming, while training a gimlet eye on the foibles of the inhabitants of its villages. With no sinister happenings, no mysteries to solve, and no zombies climbing out of their graves, Seaview House is a dryly delightful interlude.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another charming village drama.

Elizabeth Fair's novels are perfect escapism for
these uncertain times. Just the right amount of wit and drama to satisfy.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read May, 2021:
Just as enjoyable the second time through for the clever writing! But I was more annoyed by the machinations of the control-freak godfather, who is determined to put ALL the obstacles in the way of a good romance. I appreciated the secondary characters quite a bit, and definitely liked Edward Wray, the handsome architect who knows his way around the plot of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. 😍


Original review follows:
—————————————————
I laughed a good deal over this one, and was sufficiently sympathetic to the young couple obviously in love.

A few of the goodies:

He was only a few inches shorter than Edward, but at that moment he felt like a dwarf; an enraged and ill-treated dwarf.
.....................
He gave her a reproachful look, which unfortunately missed its mark and frightened an innocent bystander;
.....................
“The children simply love it,” Mrs. Pedder would say to some cowering parent. “I can’t help laughing at them—they actually look forward to windy nights, when they can pretend they’re aboard a ship. Of course we give them extra blankets when it’s cold.” Lately she had contemplated altering the ship to “a space ship.” But such information as came her way suggested that outer space was still and quiet and not in the least like windy nights in the front dormitories. She liked to be up to date, but one didn’t want to sound a fool.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read by Elizabeth Fair, but I'll definitely read more, as I enjoyed this one from the 1950s. It's charming, funny and sometimes poignant, with a gentle humour that is reminiscent of Angela Thirkell.
The book is set on the East Anglian coast, my part of the world - I don't think it is said whether it is in Norfolk or Suffolk, but there is a flavour of the area. Two middle-aged sisters, Rose and Edith, run a small hotel, helped by Rose's daughter, Lucy, who is growing up fast and faces a romantic dilemma.
There are two hilariously annoying characters who had me laughing every time they turn up, the pompous Mr Heritage (great surname) and bossy but scatterbrained young teacher Nevil. Great fun and very readable.

[Abigail Bok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Fair really hit her stride with this cleverly constructed web of self-deceptions. The tangle she created leads to some scenes that left me laughing aloud.

Middle-aged sisters Edith and Rose run a small seaside hotel. They have come down in the world: the daughters of a canon, they grew up in ladylike comfort that was lost when their father and Rose’s disappointing husband died, and World War II took so much from all of Britain. They keep the memory of their past alive as a way of both dismissing and surviving the drudgeries of their present. Rose has a daughter, Lucy, just finishing her schooling to become an office assistant; Lucy is an agreeable but somewhat unformed girl.

They have a sort-of friend, Mr. Heritage, a classic bitchy bachelor who believes he’s doing everyone a favor whom he deigns to notice. He has just reconnected with a godson he abandoned years before, a rising architect. Lucy’s childhood friend Nevil, a callow young schoolmaster, rounds out the cast save for some minor players who serve mostly to move the plot along.

The architect, Edward, is a thoroughly likable young man and soon he is smitten by Lucy, to the consternation of many. Nevil is sullen (and jealous because he assumed Lucy was only for him), Mr. Heritage is outraged (and jealous because he assumed Edward is placed on the earth to entertain him), and Edith takes against Edward for no good reason at all, just as an expression of her ill-humor. Lucy feels guilty about not caring for Nevil as much as she thinks she should. Everyone’s need to maintain good relations makes everything worse. So they all get into a terrible tangle.

It is up to the gentle Rose, who hates to face anything unpleasant head-on, to find a spine in defense of her daughter’s happiness. The story could easily have become melodrama or drawing-room farce, and it is a testament to the author’s skill that it steers a middle course. Elizabeth Fair’s great skill is to be a keen observer of character without undue censoriousness, and here she masterfully manages the different personalities and their flaws to render up a satisfying resolution.

[Elinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This particular style of book, gentle and old-fashioned and filled with dry British witticisms, is one that I find appealing. Nothing much happens here except a misunderstanding and a quiet little romance, but reading it is very soothing to one’s spirit. I would compare it to novels by Angela Thirkell or Barbara Pym.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book of Fair’s I have read and sadly she only wrote six. Her writing has been described as a lovely combination of Anthony Trollope, Angela Thirkell, and a wee bit of Jane Austen...whatever the combination, they are always a delight to read 💕

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Seaview House we are in fairly similar territory. A village setting, its inhabitants, a few humorous incidents and some romantic misunderstandings. If nothing else it is lovely, feel good escapism, and there are plenty of times when we all need a bit of that.

The village in question is Caweston a seaside village on the East Anglian coast. The inhabitants of this small coastal community have always enjoyed their uninterrupted view of the sea. Two of the village’s most prominent residents are sisters Rose Barlow and Edith Newby – they have come down in the world – so thinks their friend Mr Heritage – as they have been forced to run a small hotel. Widowed Rose, and her elder sister Edith are the daughters of Canon Newby – who had enjoyed a certain standing in Caweston, as did his daughters. Now with the occasional help of Rose’s daughter Lucy – who is taking a secretarial course at college – they must minister to the vagaries of summer visitors. During the summer season, Rose, Lucy and Edith must live in the small attic rooms they can’t let out to guests – where they are surrounded by the memories of their past in the old furnishings that surround them up there. Mr Heritage is a confirmed old bachelor who has all his needs catered for by a cook and butler. He is a terrible snob, set in his ways, and oddly suspicious of Lucy, Rose’s daughter. As the novel opens Mr Heritage is taking tea with Edith and Rose – and is – he believes the bearer of interesting news.

Full review: https://heavenali.wordpress.com/2017/...

[Squeak2017 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A disappointing ending, almost as if Fair had lost patience with her story. Although the right people finally found each other, I would have liked to see the reactions (angry, disappointed, puzzled?) of those whose scheming ultimately failed.

The characterisation is excellent, as usual, but the individual characters, while true to life, are not especially likeable - the malign, manipulative and supercilious Mr. Heritage is the least appealing, with the callow, cunning and often sulky Nevil a close second. Lucy is essentially passive, constrained by her narrow upbringing and condemning herself without really thinking to a lifetime of dreary bickering with the unreliable Nevil, and Edward, the only bearable character, is absent far too often and saddled with a scheming and selfish godfather. Of the supporting characters, the aunts are weak and vapid, Philippa is the epitome of a frenemy, to use the modern parlance, and everyone seems to meet solely for tea! The character sketch of Dr. Fowler demonstrates how Fair understands people and how they tick; she shows the doctor's thought processes as he amends his responses to a conversation according to what he feels is expected until he finally works out what is obliquely being asked of him. The doctor humours the patient while the patient manipulates the doctor.

People deceive themselves, whether through lack of self-confidence, lack of knowledge or active deceit by others, but in the world Fair created, the right ending was never really in any doubt.

[Rebekah Giese Witherspoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

She looked across at the portrait of her grandfather and saw him, not as a tutelary deity, but as a tyrant overshadowing her life, and in a rush of confused feelings she consigned him, in the far-away future, to the attic or the coal cellar.

Such a delightful, comforting, witty tale of village life by the English seashore.

It was the place where, long ago when he first settled in the district, he had offered himself as a candidate for the town council; and it had rejected him. Therefore it deserved its slow obliteration from the map of England.

Recommended for fans of lovely comfort reads, especially Miss Read’s Thrush Green series.

No one had ever claimed that the hotel garden was worth looking at, or that its scarred lawn and sun-bleached deck chairs were worth sitting on; and Mr. Priddy was entitled to high marks for saying at this exciting moment that he for one would welcome a little siesta in the sun, and for immediately appointing himself Edith’s sheepdog and beginning to herd the other guests towards the door.

This ebook is available through Kindle Unlimited, along with 5 other novels by Elizabeth Fair (I can’t wait to read all of them!).

[Gilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightfully astute observation of manners and misunderstandings, set in a seaside English village. I loved Fair's first novel, Brampton Wick, and here her deft and witty handling of character and conversation is even better.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant read. Although I enjoyed Elizabeth Fair's style, setting and time period, her characters and plot do not impress themselves on my memory in the way that Angela Thirkell's do. I did like Seaview House better than Brampton Wick, although I can barely remember that story line now, or the characters.

[Beka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could not get done with this fast enough. At first it was interesting, but the indecision and how long it took for Lucy to figure out how she felt was too infuriating. I kept hoping that it would get better, but it didn't.

[Karen (Living Unabridged) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful post-WW2 fiction with good characters (Lucy and her mother and aunt are all loveable, Mr. Heritage is dreadful but not in an evil way, Edward is charming but not over-sweet) making their way in the changed world. Things do happen, but then again, not much happens, really. Elizabeth Fair belongs right up there with D.E. Stevenson and Molly Clavering.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A peaceful setting, a small family hotel, romance and an obnoxious character – all contribute to a super read full of the rather delicious characters which are standard for Elizabeth Fair’s novels. This book, originally published in 1955, has recently been republished by Furrowed Middlebrow and Dean Street Press, as part of their complete reissue of all of Fair’s novels. It sets a fascinating scene of middle class life, where one family must work hard, in contrast with the sole occupant of another house who is cossetted and permitted to attempt to meddle in other people’s lives. This picture of sedate country lives is a superb comfort read, and I was glad to receive a review copy.
The novel opens with a description of Caweston, a seaside resort where Edith and her sister Rose own and run a large house as a hotel. It is packed with the paintings and furniture belonging to their late father, Canon Newby, and his memory has become sacred within the sisters’ need to earn a living. The scene is set for an unexpected visit by Mr Heritage, a self satisfied single man for whom women are destined to be listeners and admirers. Mr Heritage has views on widows such as Rose, “They were bold, they were cunning, and they would probably aspire to marry him.” He also dislikes her daughter, Lucy, for no better reason than “Rose would insist on talking about Lucy when he wished to talk about himself”. The reader soon discovers that Lucy, a young woman who attends a secretarial college, is one of the more sensible people around, though she has grown up believing she will marry Nevil, a rather self regarding young school teacher. It is when Edward, who proves to be Mr Heritage’s godson, turns up as one of the architects working on a new group of houses, that the picture gets confused. Set pieces such as a picnic at a supposed castle, a difficult tea party and an amazing lunch party are funny and so realistic. The portrait of people is so lifelike, and in many ways Mr Heritage is a great comic creation as he connives to get Edward onside and show him off to everyone. An incident in which a minor character, Mrs Turnbull, gets locked inside a caravan is truly funny, and it is a tribute to Fair’s writing that even minor characters doing fairly mundane things are beautifully described. Even the weather contributes to the tale’s atmosphere, as walks on the beach and explosive emotions seem to fit the temperature. Small boys get covered in oil as the action ventures into the little private school where Nevil teaches, and generally the effect of the humourous touches makes this a novel to savour.
This is a classically enjoyable novel, full of brilliant characters, detailed settings and little gems of characterisation that make it come alive. Though very much of its day, this book has much to say about women who have to scrape a living and are criticised for doing so, young women who see a suitable marriage as their only option, and men who believe that their way is the only way to live. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a largely restful book of small incidents which add up to a refreshing novel of lives in a small town.

[Amy Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another adorable book by Elizabeth Fair. Written with charm and subtle-scathing wit, she reveals some lovable and innocent, spiteful and calculated, and more aspects of human nature as observed through a wry storyline based on daily slice-of-life manners and manipulations. Capturing the sneering and malice driving the egocentric, pretentious, haughty protagonist, aptly named Mr. Heritage, the author allows us to understand the gambit driving his ill-intentioned-but-miscarried actions. It doesn't matter that the ending is as I always expected--it's how I arrived there that amuses and delights me.

[Pgchuis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characterization in this novel is excellent and I can understand to an extent the comparisons some have drawn between this author and Anthony Trollope. I loved it for the first half, but then became a bit impatient. It's not that nothing happens exactly, but it was pretty clear where the plot was going, and the tone was all on one note. Among the many things I love about Trollope is the way he intersperses different strands of the story to vary the tone and pace - that was lacking here. The ending was sweet, although Lucy was very young...

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and fun

If gentle post-war middle-class British women's fiction is your cup of tea, and it is mine, you will enjoy this greatly. The satire is gentle, the characters are pleasant, and it was lovely to spend a rainy day with these people. I think if you want great literature, sharp wit and biting satire, or the angst of kitchen sink drama this is not for you, but I enjoyed this one every bit as much as the first two.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough, but I got somewhat tired of reading about nice characters being manipulated by not-nice characters and doing nothing to stand up for themselves. It had the right ending (of course) but getting there was not as scenic a journey as it seemed at first.

[Kate Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully quaint and intimate story.

[Ness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seaview House is a private hotel run by middle-aged sisters Edith and Rose, and is the main setting of this gently funny slice-of-life romance novel. Edith and Rose are the daughters of the deceased and once renowned Canon Newby. Unfortunately, they have rather come down in life, and after Rose's failed marriage and Edith's failed career, they now run the hotel together to make ends meet. Rose's daughter Lucy helps out when she can spare time from her studies, and she is the female half of the main romance in this story.

Lucy, who used to be a homely child, has grown up into a beautiful girl. She has always assumed that she would one day grow up to marry her childhood friend, Nevil. But, the arrival in town of the young architect, Edward, shakes things up. Edward is the godson of Mr. Heritage, a wealthy snob who lives near Seaview House. Although Mr. Heritage is friends with Edith and Rose, he is nonetheless aware of their difference in means, and believes his godson is too good to be married to Lucy.

The book is aptly named, as Seaview House is as important to the novel as the characters themselves are. The descriptions of the daily lives of Rose and Edith when running their hotel really paints a picture of two women who once grew up in wealth, and now have to work hard to fend for themselves. It helps to contrast them with others like Mr. Heritage and Nevil, who never seem to work as hard, but expect things to be handed to them without effort.

This is one of those rare books where a mother is right when it comes to who her daughter should marry. Rose wants what's best for Lucy, and she is quite sure that it isn't a future with Nevil. I couldn't really understand why she was so set on Edward, as they didn't interact that often, but I guess it could just have been that there weren't many options around them in any case.

I really liked the male lead. Edward was the best character in the story. I liked how observant and clever he was, and how he is able to easily discern other people's thoughts. "I must have been dreadful" he thinks, when his godfather compliments him on growing up creditably. Mr. Heritage, like his godson, is clever, but is also proud and difficult. In short, he is type of man who would stop sending Christmas and birthday presents to his godson because he disapproved of him. But, now that Edward is an up-and-coming architect, he is happy to become acquainted with him again, and jealously guards him against others who might sway his attention.

Lucy was hard to read. I couldn't for most of the novel understand what her feelings were and why she felt such loyalty to Nevil just because they were childhood friends. Nevil was selfish and forever thinking of his own comfort, and was constantly lecturing her and putting down her family. I really couldn't understand how Lucy didn't get fed up with all his whinging.

The ending was somewhat surprising but happy. It was funny how the usually peaceable Rose's "wrathful goddess" emerged during the dinner party when she discovered Mr. Heritage's true sentiments about her daughter. This being a slice-of-life novel, there was surprisingly little drama, and most of the characters did behave fairly sensibly (at least in public), maybe out of a sense of propriety. Despite all the build-up, everything was settled very quickly, and though it seemed like a perfect ending, I wish we were able to see Nevil's and Mr. Heritage's reaction to Lucy's final decision.

[Truehobbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful and amusing little romance from the mid-20th century. A light comedy of manners and a depiction of characters with a gentle irony that is a little reminiscent of Jane Austen.

Plot summary (SPOILERS!)

The year is somewhere between 1950 and 1955. Lucy, somewhere around 18-20 year old, lives with her widowed mother and unmarried aunt in an English coastal town, in the former rectory, where the latter's father was a highly respected Canon (meaning that in the past, the family would have been somewhat genteel). Now, however, the women have to run the place as a hotel and live in much reduced circumstances. Because of that, their neighbour and friend Mr Heritage, an old bachelor and last of the local gentry, has begun to feel very uncertain about the propriety of the connection.
Lucy is together with Nevil, a careless and rather selfish chap - they've been friends since childhood, so it seems obvious to everyone they are going to marry.
Along comes Edward, aspiring architect who is working on a housing project in the village and by coincidence godson and prospective heir of Mr Heritage. Edward is also well-mannered and intelligent - and falls for Lucy, when they meet, in ten seconds flat.
While Lucy's mother, who sees Nevil for the disrespectful, lackadaisical and self-centred character that he is, is beginning to hope for a better option for her daughter, Mr Heritage fears an unsuitable match and does what he can to thwart it. Lucy herself has long begun to be disenchanted with Nevil but, typical nice girl of the time that she is, is extremely reluctant to contradict or hurt anyone's feelings - plus, after a lifetime of considering yourself 'together' with one person, it's not easy to recognise and act on your feelings for another...

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edith and Rose are sisters who have come down in the world. Their father used to be the Canon of the diocese, but since his death they have had to open their home as a hotel for summer and holiday guest. Rose's daughter Lucy is nearly finished with her studies at a local technical school, where she is learning typing and bookkeeping. Their world changes when Mr. Heritage's godson, Edward Wray comes to town. He is an architect whose firm is building some new houses along the coast. Mr. Heritage is the self-proclaimed leader of town society, and though he regularly interacts with Edith, Rose, and Lucy, he becomes concerned with Lucy and Edward appear to like each other a bit too much.

This is basically a comedy of manners, and a story of quiet domestic life turned upside down. The writing is excellent and the characters are well-drawn. Some of the story is laugh-out-loud funny, as only these types of stories can be. I really enjoyed this book.

[Alan Swift · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this was a gentle but rewarding read. Elizabeth Fair writes really well and has a sharp focus on the characters, behaviour and motivations of what is a limited but interesting cast. At the heart of the novel is Lucy and her romance. Read today it highlights just how different life was in the 1950's, in particular attitudes to "courting" and marriage. This is the second Fair book I have read and I have noticed that in both, but particularly this one, the pace is slow for 90% of the story and then rushes along in the last few pages. Its a bit like those cyclists at the velodrome who circle round in a meandering way for 10 laps but then dash for the finish line!! It doesn't altogether work hence 3 stars!!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love love love this book! Why have I never heard about Elizabeth Fair? Her characters are so vivid and fun. Lovable or properly annoying. It’s a cute English country piece of life story but somehow I was on the edge of my seat once I got to know the main players. I was unusually invested in what would become of them. Very satisfying read!

[Cbx · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gentle romance with well-drawn characters, and some fun comedic scenes. While some of Elizabeth Fair's books feel a bit uneven, or place the focus rather oddly, this one is consistent all the way through. A lovely story with wit and even, dare I say, some insights about life and love.

[Sini H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent description of a certain kind of dysfunctional relationship. Seriously, one of the characters was just like my ex. And why not throw a sociopath to the bargain. Still, a warm-hearted read, though I wouldn't really call it light. There are several serious issues under the surface.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the writing style!
The first half was a little slow for me but the second half was exciting. I'm not fond of the ending she chose but I think I'm of an uncommon opinion
Will be looking into more of her books!

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love a gentle, amusing English village novel about social class and generational change.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read at a house with a sea view. Very appropriate! This was quite delightful.