What do you think?
Rate this book
Mrs. Thompson
It was early-closing day in the town of Mallingbridge; and the Thompson's, "established 1813," had begun to hide its wares from the sunlight of High Street. Outside its windows the iron shutters were rolling down; inside its doors male and female assistants, eager for the weekly half-holiday, were despatching the last dilatory customers, packing their shelves, spreading their dust-sheets, and generally tidying up with anxious speed. Mrs. Thompson, the sole proprietress, emerging from internal offices and passing through her prosperous realm, cast an attentive eye hither and thither; and, wherever she glanced, saw all things right, and nothing wrong. System, method, practiced control visible in each department. Carpets, Bedding, Curtains, House Furnishings, all as they should be—no disturbing note, no hint of a dangerous element in the well-ordered working scheme of Thompson's.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2012
3 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
W.B. Maxwell
69 books4 followersWilliam Babington Maxwell (1866–1938) was a British novelist. Born on June 4, 1866, he was the third surviving child and second eldest son of novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon.
Though nearly 50 years old at the outbreak of the First World War, he was accepted as a lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers and served in France until 1917.
He wrote The Last Man In, a drama, produced 14 March 1910, at the Royalty Theatre, Glasgow, by the Scottish Repertory Company; and, with George Paston (i. e., Emily Morse Symonds), a farce, The Naked Truth, which was first played at Wyndham's Theatre, London, in April, 1910, and in which Charles Hawtrey played Bernard Darrell.
Though nearly 50 years old at the outbreak of the First World War, he was accepted as a lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers and served in France until 1917.
He wrote The Last Man In, a drama, produced 14 March 1910, at the Royalty Theatre, Glasgow, by the Scottish Repertory Company; and, with George Paston (i. e., Emily Morse Symonds), a farce, The Naked Truth, which was first played at Wyndham's Theatre, London, in April, 1910, and in which Charles Hawtrey played Bernard Darrell.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 7, 2023
This was a delightfully surprising novel! I didn’t know what to expect from a novel by a man which was primarily about a woman, but it was perfect!
It’s hard to write very much without giving the story away, and I don’t much care for using spoilers to hide half the review, because who can resist clicking on them? And then the story is spoilt! So, I will just share the briefest outline which hopefully will entice some to read this delightfully old-fashioned story.
Mrs. Thompson, a widow, is raising her daughter, Enid and running the town’s most successful retail business, Thompsons, which she resurrected from its almost certain demise after her husband’s death. Mrs. Thompson has devoted her life to both concerns, but she did the latter for the sake of the former. Now, Enid has ‘fallen in love’ with someone her mother knows will ruin her daughter’s life, but Enid, petted and indulged all her life sees no reason why she shouldn’t be given her way on this matter as well. What is a mother to do? Meanwhile, the mother’s own life has been set on its ear by a man who has made a bold move to court her as well.
The author, William Babington Maxwell (1866–1938) was a British novelist. Born on June 4, 1866, he was the third surviving child and second eldest son of novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon, best known for Lady Audley's Secret, which I read recently and loved. This book by her son, although not so well known, sounded intriguing and received high ratings. I am not surprised now that I have read it. Like mother, like son!
Mr. Maxwell obviously had great respect for strong, intelligent women. If you do as well, check out this book on kindle for free. Now that I know the outcome, it is one of those books, worth reading a second time to see all the clues missed on the first reading.
It’s hard to write very much without giving the story away, and I don’t much care for using spoilers to hide half the review, because who can resist clicking on them? And then the story is spoilt! So, I will just share the briefest outline which hopefully will entice some to read this delightfully old-fashioned story.
Mrs. Thompson, a widow, is raising her daughter, Enid and running the town’s most successful retail business, Thompsons, which she resurrected from its almost certain demise after her husband’s death. Mrs. Thompson has devoted her life to both concerns, but she did the latter for the sake of the former. Now, Enid has ‘fallen in love’ with someone her mother knows will ruin her daughter’s life, but Enid, petted and indulged all her life sees no reason why she shouldn’t be given her way on this matter as well. What is a mother to do? Meanwhile, the mother’s own life has been set on its ear by a man who has made a bold move to court her as well.
The author, William Babington Maxwell (1866–1938) was a British novelist. Born on June 4, 1866, he was the third surviving child and second eldest son of novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon, best known for Lady Audley's Secret, which I read recently and loved. This book by her son, although not so well known, sounded intriguing and received high ratings. I am not surprised now that I have read it. Like mother, like son!
Mr. Maxwell obviously had great respect for strong, intelligent women. If you do as well, check out this book on kindle for free. Now that I know the outcome, it is one of those books, worth reading a second time to see all the clues missed on the first reading.
Displaying 1 of 1 review