The Aunts

by Robert Liddell

Set on the eve of the 1938 Munich Agreement, this is a skillfully-drawn portrait of the upper-middle-classes in England before the War, with two unforgettable leading characters, Aunt Jane and Aunt Eliza, based on Liddell’s own relatives. Robert Liddell is one of the most underrated novelists of the post-War era and this is one of his finest works.

200 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1987

About the author

English literary critic, biographer, novelist, travel writer and poet.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liddell rarely disappoints, and this book is far from a disappointment. Based at least in part on the aunts with which Robert Liddell and his brother grew up, the two ladies are important components of the main character, Philip’s, life. In fact, they are touchstones for him; part conscience, part family arbiters, and part critics, everything he does is thrown into the arena of his relationship with them.
In addition, Philip lives with an Episcopal rector. It is a very interesting relationship, loving without being sexual. They are dear to each other, really indispensable. And they are incredibly droll. It is a relationship and center of the novel in a way that is unique, and unimaginable in a modern novel, particularly an American on. All of the dialogue features what I consider a rather acerbic style between characters in English novels of the period. It is clever, direct, critical, and loving.
Liddell helped Barbara Pym, both writing her biography and promoting her work. Their styles are very similar. Both authors deserve to be read and reread.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting at all. From the book description, I got the idea of the complicated family relationships that would be the theme of the book, but the characters themselves were quite different from what I expected. Won't read again, but I enjoyed it pretty much.