So Disdained

by Nevil Shute

No. 71142. First American Printing.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Adventure, Aviation, Classics, British Literature, Espionage

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1928

About the author

Nevil Shute Norway was a popular British novelist and a successful aeronautical engineer.

He used Nevil Shute as his pen name, and his full name in his engineering career, in order to protect his engineering career from any potential negative publicity in connection with his novels.

He lived in Australia for the ten years before his death.

Reviews

[Jaline · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the preface: ”And then none shall be unto them so odious and disdained as the traitours … who have solde their countrie to a straunger and forsaken their faith and obedience contrarie to nature or religion; and contrarie to that humane and general honour not onely of Christians but of heathen and irreligious nations, who have always sustained what labour soever and embraced even death itself for their countrie, prince, and commonwealth.” – Sir Walter Raleigh

I’m not sure what it is, but when I read one of Nevil Shute’s novels I find them so engaging. Like chocolates, once started it is hard to stop until the box is empty; until the novel ends.

This was his second published novel and was written in 1928. In a sense, it is a Good Samaritan story and the narrator, Peter Moran, comes upon a pilot who crash-landed, is ill with malaria, and so he takes him in.

Peter Moran is the agent for a Lord’s estate in Sussex and his home is a small house on the estate. He isn’t even sure himself why he feels compelled to help Maurice Lenden aside from the fact that they were both pilots during WWI.

It is fascinating to me that this novel predicts a “break with Russia” that didn’t come to fruition until decades later. It is prescient in depicting political and social incidents and attitudes that end up being all too real in future decades.

This book has a couple of fascinating flying sequences. It also has a tough and scenic description of a hike through mountainous terrain in Italy. I also enjoyed the characterization of Sheila, and of Molly (Mary), who is Maurice Lenden’s wife. Considering the story is placed early in the 20th Century, these women are strong, capable, and independent.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and once again look forward to reading more of Nevil Shute’s gripping novels in the months ahead.

[Baba · Rating 2 out of 5]

This post Great war epsionage thriller set in the world of private aviation falls short of the very high standard set by other Shute works I've read. 4 out of 12

[Chrissie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by Shute that falls flat for me. This story is farfetched. I’ve had a very hard time believing in what the characters do. Not just once, twice or three times did I have trouble convincing myself that a person might do what they do in this story. Too many times I had to lecture myself that the choices made by the characters could possibly happen. Nope, I don’t find what happens in this story to be believable. This is reason enough to give the book only two stars. The story is OK, but not good.

There are two love threads in this tale. Both are flimsy. One feels genuine, but it is not adequately developed. It starts and then it ends. The second has no depth. Here I don’t feel the attraction whatsoever. These two love threads are woven around the two central male characters of the tale.

The story revolves around two British men who were in the same squadron during the First World War. Both were aviators. A little less than ten years have elapsed. One man works as the manager of an estate in western Sussex. The other has flitted from job to job—working at a garage, as a surveyor in Honduras, giving aeronautical stunt shows as a joy-rider and is now flying for the Russians in missions of espionage. Flying is the love of his life, and he is good at it, but he is not a good business manager. The two meet up again. One helps the other, but that which unfolds is in my view unbelievable. Read the story and see what you think!

Stephen Thorne narrates the audiobook. Most of the words are clear. The French words in the text are not spoken by one fluent in the language. Thorne’s pronunciation is therefore adequate. The narration is good, so three stars it gets.

*******************

*The Chequer Board 4 stars
*No Highway 4 stars
*The Far Country 4 stars
*Landfall 4 stars
*Beyond The Black Stump 4 stars
*Pied Piper 3 stars
*Ruined City 3 stars
*Trustee from the Toolroom 3 stars
*The Rainbow and the Rose 3 stars
*Requiem for a Wren 2 stars
*So Distained 2 stars
*Pastoral 1 star
*Most Secret TBR
*Slide Rule: The Autobiography of an Engineer TBR
*On the Beach not available to me
*A Town Like Alice not available to meAlice|107301] not available to me

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Nevil Shute's earlier works, written in 1928, and even with his early writings, you can see his unique story - telling style. The story is set during this time frame, between the wars and there were many interesting bits of history (assuming he was using a true perspective) that I really wasn't all the knowledgeable about. For one is the tension between England and Soviet Russia; the story involves Russian spying on English military facilities. As well, at one point, the main character, Peter Moran, must enlist the assistance of Italians to help a friend from the Communists and he asks for the help of the Fascists; interesting that they might be considered an ally, considering the events of WWII. The story is typical Nevil Shute, telling the story of a man, relatively mild and even-keeled, who is put in a situation that forces him to make decisions that become heroic, even though he doesn't feel them to be heroic. I love the way Shute lays out his stories, introduces his characters, introduces concepts of patriotism or heroism without preaching but at the same time making you think about what they are and what they mean. He is a story - teller, one of the best and it was enjoyable to read one of his early ones and see how his style developed as he came to write my favourites of his later works.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so good as expected...

5* A Town Like Alice
2* On the Beach
4* Pied Piper
4* Landfall
4.5* Most secret
4* Marazan
3* Requiem for a Wren
4* No Highway
4* The Chequer Board
4* Beyond the Black Stump
4* The Far Country
4* Lonely Road
3* Trustee from the Toolroom
3* An old captivity
3.5* Ordeal
4* Round the bend
3* The Rainbow and the Rose
TR Pastoral
2* So disdained
TR Ruined City

[David Dennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was an ardent Nevil Shute fan as a teenager. Still am. I plan to read all his books again. So Disdained is Nevil Shute’s second book, written in 1927 whilst he was working on the gigantic R100 Airship at Howden, Yorkshire. He was the airship’s mathematician/chief calculator, working during the day with the great engineer, Barnes Wallis. For relaxation, Shute started writing novels during the evenings. It paid off, with him later becoming the most popular author in the world for a time. It is interesting to observe his writing craft develop.

Reading this book reminds me of watching a very English 1940’s black and white film, and it seems structured that way. The characters are a bit thin and there is a series of improbable coincidences. But I suppose we should remind ourselves that coincidences are perfectly acceptable in art. Shute tends to depict the Fascisti as the good guys in Italy as they were fighting the Communists. Communism was stirring in Britain at the time and some mistakenly thought Fascism was the antidote, not realizing it was just another head of the same socialist, two-headed, rabid dog.

Shute portrays the overall decency of the English gentlemen of the 1920’s era with their sense of fair play. An enjoyable, easy read.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

One of Shute's early books. His smooth writing and storytelling style was with him from the beginning. I hope I am around long enough to read all of Shutes's books.

[Jim Puskas · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of Shute's earliest books, written before he had really settled in to his style. It has the fussiness that one expects from him, without the saving grace of a rattling good story. He fails to bring out the relationships between his characters in a clear manner -- e.g. his relationship with Shiela doesn't seem real and it's never made clear why he decided not to blow the whistle on Lenden at the start. Several incidents test the reader's willingness to suspend disbelief, showing Shute's lack of experience: the ease with which he is able to hide the airplane; the convenient presence, on a country estate, of a skilled airplane mechanic just when he needs one; the sudden unexplained appearance of Stenning to save the situation at the end; the willingness of the Fascisti to help him when it was not in their economic interest to do so.
All in all, a book that would appleal only to dedicated fans of Nevil Shute.
Note: Like several of Shute's books, this one was published elsewhere under a different title "The Mysterious Aviator"

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A funny little story really about one man who ambles into espionage for lack of other options and another who sees him for who he is and tries to help him rather than turn him in. They were both likeable, despite flaws. But who wouldn't like a character whose hobby is composing musical scores?
Also enjoyable: the entire Sussex area is apparently happy to conceal a foreign plane and engage in secretly flying after Russian spys because Peter asked them to. Maybe they really like his musicals?

& I enjoyed this quote about patriotism:
"I've got this place, and my job in this part of the world, and my friends. And you've got your shop, and your home, and Winchester. Little things - but what else would you call patriotism? Just being fond of the little things you've got at home and that you don't want to see changed. A home with a bit of a garden that you can grow things in, and a dog or two, and all the little inconveniences and annoyances that you couldn't really get along without. That's your patriotism, and that's all there's in it. And that's what Lended hadn't got." (p.162)

[Elinor · Rating 3 out of 5]

It pains me to give any novel by Nevil Shute fewer than five stars, but he hadn't quite hit his stride yet in this, his second of 26 gripping novels. Usually I feel a real emotional bond with the characters but I didn't quite connect to the main character Peter Moran and the love interest, Sheila. However, this novel still features the Shute trademark -- ordinary people going about their everyday business who are suddenly thrust into a situation that demands heroic qualities. The best part of the book is when Peter sets off on his dangerous mission after a lingering farewell with Sheila -- and then, not content to remain behind wringing her hands, she charters a plane and shows up to save the day!

[weaverannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jaren geleden las ik vol enthousiasme boeken van Nevil Shute. Vooral A Town like Alice was een van mijn favorieten. Toen vond ik De Paria van hem tussen de afgeschreven boeken in de bibliotheek. Meegenomen. Thuis bleef het weer erg lang op de plank liggen, maar eindelijk las ik het.
De luchtvaartachtergrond van de schrijver is hier duidelijk aanwezig. Wat een verschillen met de tegenwoordige tijd: lange vluchten in eenpersoons open toestellen (het verhaal speelt tussen beide wereldoorlogen). Communicatiemiddelen zoals wij die kennen leken toen ondenkbaar. Boeiend om te lezen, maar soms wat moeilijk begrijpbaar.
De hoofdpersoon is nu rentmeester op een groot landgoed in Sussex. Alweer: zijn werkzaamheden kan je je tegenwoordig nauwelijks voorstellen.
Dan raakt hij betrokken bij een oud collega-vlieger, die een spionagevlucht voor de Russen heeft gemaakt boven de haven van Portsmouth. Daarbij is hij neergestort.
Moran neemt hem mee naar zijn rentmeesters woning, luistert naar zijn verhaal.
Het verhaal is spannend, maar de beschrijving van de dagelijkse gang van zaken vond ik toch het meest interessante deel van het boek. Je blijft vergelijkingen maken met de tegenwoordige tijd en de eenvoud waarmee we via internet en de sociale media contact met elkaar kunnen hebben en op de hoogte zijn van iedere nieuwe ontwikkeling.

[Steven Batty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as some of his other novels but a nice read nonetheless.

[Kadin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cracking good English thriller. One of the best Nevil Shute novels I've read.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Setting: Sussex, England; 1920's-1930's.

Between the wars, former aviator Peter Moran is now agent for Lord Arner at his stately home in Sussex. One rainy night, he comes across a man walking on an isolated country lane and offers him a lift. It transpires that Moran knows the man from the war - Captain Maurice Lenden - although he is pretending to be someone else. Lenden later admits that he has just crash-landed his plane having been flying a reconnaissance mission over Portsmouth harbour for the Russians, taking aerial photographs. Moran allows Lenden to stay with him after he is affected with a recurrence of malaria but, as relations between Britain and Russia sour, the authorities are searching for the pilot and plane that flew over Portsmouth - and Moran finds himself covering for Lenden, getting himself deeply involved in the affair....
Written in 1928 and set in that era, this story was very much of its time. A quite far-fetched story in many respects but typical of the adventure stories of the time. It reminded me a bit of the Biggles books but, to be honest, I used to enjoy these for the pure escapism - which is probably what I enjoyed about this book with its rather flat, report-style narrative. An entertaining read - 7/10.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Moran is driving home one evening in the rain when he comes upon a man walking along the road. He offers him a ride and recognizes him immediately as a fellow pilot from his regiment during WWI. He asks if he's Maurice Landen and the man denies it, giving another name. Peter pushes it because he's sure and finally Maurice acknowledges it is indeed him. Peter takes him home with him that night and Maurice begins to share what's he's been doing since the war. The final bit of the tale is that he's been living and working in Russia and is currently in England because he was flying a night mission for the Russians taking photos of something going on in Portsmouth. Maurice wants to return to Russia to deliver the plates of photos. Peter is divided in his loyalties: protect his country or protect his friend.
I'd read a number of Nevil Shute books over the years but had never read this one. They're getting very hard to find and I found this one in a second hand store. I really enjoyed it. The story line moves along quickly and draws you in. There are several side stories which all fit together and add to the drama and suspense. Reading this makes me want to try to locate some of his other books and find out what I've been missing out on all these years.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant idea and superb execution...

[John Reis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator, named Moran, is driving on a country road in the rain and runs across somebody who is walking in the rain. He offered that person a ride and discovers it’s an old acquaintance of his named Maurice Lenden. He realizes that Lenden had landed a plane in the storm. He asked if he had tied the plane down and received a reply “no”. So he insists that they go back and tie the plane down, which they do. Then he takes Lenden to his house and feed him and get him warmed up. Lenden tells him about his failed marriage and his years of underemployment, first is a barnstormer and then in general aviation. Lenden hears that the Soviet Union is hiring people and he applies and gets the job.
Then Lenden is offered 1000 pounds to do a night flight over Portsmouth England taking photographs. He takes the job and that’s where the story starts.

It was to be a two day journey. His specially outfitted plane would make it to Hamburg the first night. The second night he would fly to Portsmouth take his photographs and head back. He let out of flare and took 10 photographs of something that lay in the harbor.

When he returned to Kiev they discovered that the camera had jammed and all the photographs had been taken on the first plate. So he had to go back and do it all over again two days later.

While Lenden lies sick in Moran‘s house the Russians send over another pilot to take photographs. They are again ready and shoot him down killing him.

Moran learns that Lenden’s old friend Robertson is in London and decides to go see him. Robertson recalls London and would be willing to give him a job. He also tells Moran about receiving a note from Lenden’s wife. Moran goes to see her next.

When he gets back to the Manor he learns that the photographic plates have been stolen and the Butler has been shot. He also learns that Lenden is gone after them with the intention of destroying the photographic plates.

Moran decides that he must go after Lenden in the plane that they have hidden next to a barn a couple of miles away. He tells Sheila Darle of his plans and that he loves her.

He makes it to Italy in the Breguet plane and crash lands breaking several fingers and dislocating his shoulder. He marches to the train stop that he has calculated that Lenden will arrive at but misses him.

The last 20 pages are rather chaotic.

The story has an unbelievable edge to it at the end and for that reason I cannot rate it as highly as I have others. Also, I am uncomfortable that he is helping someone who engaged in espionage for the Soviets. But it is enjoyable to read a novel consisting mostly of decent people.

[Hornthesecond · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I like most about Shute's novels is that he (always) makes me care about his characters. In this case the story feels plausible or possible, even if really rather unlikely (see the author's note below). It being one of his earliest novels, set in about 1926, i.e. almost 100 years ago now, the social setting, manners, and period detail is also very interesting for me. I enjoyed the story, which kept me interested to the end, and there's also a lovely little two page digression in there about how worried a war-pilot who learned to fly in 1916 might have been about unwittingly causing a fatal spin by poor execution of a turn.

BTW, I read the Pan 1966 edition, although the cover is different to the one shown here, it has the ISBN number and cover image (in which you can clearly see the Pan emblem in the top left) of the edition marked as Macmillan 1969 in Goodreads. I wouldn't normally care, but this particular edition has quite a good author's note at the front (dated 1951), which I've reproduced below, as it says something interesting of what Shute's own later opinion of this book was:

"This was the second of my books to be published, twenty-three years ago. It took me nearly three years to write, because I was working as an engineer on the construction of an airship and I wrote only in the evenings in the intervals of more important technical work. It was written through from start to finish twice, and some of it three times.
Clearly, I was still obsessed with standard subjects as a source of drama - spying, detection, and murder, so seldom encountered by real people in real life. Perhaps I was beginning to break loose from these constraints: the reader must judge that for himself.
In revising the book for re-issue I have altered half a dozen outmoded pieces of slang, but I have made no other changes. The book achieved publication in the United States under the somewhat uninspiring title 'The Mysterious Aviator'."

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

These old Nevile Shute books, this is about the second one published, quite appeal to me as they are couched in a stern, rather formal English, of a bye gone time. This one is set in 1927 and the base is the south downs are in West Sussex that is a dozen miles from my house and an area that is well known to me. That time was so different, the farms and village communities were very parochial and great estates had the interests of there tenants at heart and were not driven solely by money and owned by money rather than people. This is reflected in the characters, many that had generations in one area. They go "up to town" and they are not in and out of each others beds. The main parts are played here by ex RAF/RFC men from WW1 and more recent mechanics from the garage. The theme is flying, the author was in aviation, and lived locally at the time. The between war years was a time of mistrust of the Bolsheviks and here they are trying to spy on Portsmouth.

I liked the characters as they seem to so well portray the times and I like the writing style. A good 3 stars.

[Jwt Jan50 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 actually. My 9th Shute (which includes his autobiography/memoir and a biography). Plan to eventually read all of his novels. Thinking of moving through them chronologically.

A number of excellent reviews here. Spoilers ahead.

I think it's probably easier to understand this one if taken in context. John Buchan of 'The Thirty Nine Steps' fame is cranking out similar novels once per year during the 1920's which were quite popular and on similar themes.

It's also important to remember how little was known about aerodynamics during WW1 and how many more fledgling aviators died from training/operational accidents than were actually shot down. As a prior primary instructor at Saufley in the last days of the T34B - some of these 'skewing' of the nose episodes with the rudder pedals are still quite hard to read/imagine. And downright scary.

While I would agree that this one is not quite as good as the later work, it's worth reading not just for itself, but also to see where he began.

[Karin Lindberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I reached page 40 of this book, I was kind of surprised. The main theme seemed to be mostly sorted out, and I wondered if the rest of the book would be extremely boring. Spoiler alert: it wasn't. I really like how the story evolved throughout, and it was quite exciting without going too far concerning the importance of possible consequences (e.g the world was not in danger, but they still had motives for what they were doing). One certain character honestly did not appeal very much to me at all and was annoying with their constant indecision, even as more things were at stake. However, the other characters were believable and easy to sympathise with, especially the main character, Peter Moran. There were scenes which felt unnecessary, for example Mr. Moran meeting the young pilot at the train station. Overall, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it since I didn't know anything about the author or the plot as I picked it up, and I would say that it was worth the read.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the author's early books - written in 1928. Mr. Moran, a steward on an English estate is making a comfortable post-war living. He picks up a stranger on the road who, by coincidence, is Lenden, an old war acquaintance. The traveler is quite ill, so spends a couple of weeks recovering at Moran's home.
It becomes known to Moran that Lenden is committing espionage for Russia. Soon he is a hunted man and Moran is his accomplice through the simple act of kindness, and subsequent decision to NOT turn Lenden in to the authorities.
I didn't find the characters very well developed. As well, there are many incidents throughout this story where the reader must suspend belief. The plot is a bit thin, though I enjoy Nevil Shute's books for the simple story and easy read. I have read several of Shute's books and find them all suspenseful and entertaining. This book is no exception. For its suspense and historical context, I find 3 stars.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

While on my Nevil Shute adventure, one of the important parts for reading this author is to read the novel in context to the year written (this one between WW1 and WW2), the date of the published book you’re reading (NS has taken out some of the outmoded pieces of slang here, though he missed one = “it upset the whole apple-cart . .”), and the author’s note - explains so much on his thoughts and reasons, and his history.
This novel is an average one for him, an early one in his career as a writer but already I see similarities in his writing; the brief standalone paragraph one line sentence (ie/“His voice died away into silence.”, “I was silent.”, “I suppose I looked doubtful.” - many describing the character’s feelings and moment of expression), patriotism vs friendship vs work ethics, and hints of what’s to come (“I wish to God I had”).
A good 3 stars

[Jeff Cliff · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating glimpse into the point of view in britain, before WW2 but after WW1. The kind of book that would could *only* be written in this period of time, and capturing the gallantry and romance of that generation of 1916-trained pilots. Those days of leather flight jacket wearing men controlling deathtrap contraptions flying through the air faster than normal people could travel. When maps were on paper and set once, and kept a long time. When men were men, women could be forced to drink wine to shut them up and you could get away with flaying the skin off of a human being in a town square in the more civilized parts of europe. A vastly alien world compared to today and an interesting one to look back on, if somewhat horrifying in retrospect.

[Rico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Shute novel that I've read and it didn't disappoint. Written and set during the 1920s, this slow burn tale of espionage is both well written and intriguing.

Although most of the 'action' happens in the third act, the insight into politics and society in these years between the wars is first class. Set between England, Italy and Russia it draws you into an interesting if modest tale.

There is quite a bit of exciting air activity, both recounts of action during WW1 and in the present, whilst the central characters, including the likeable traitor Lenden are better realised than a lot of characters in other more thrilling stories from authors such as Bagley and Innes. Well worth picking up!

[Mark Bowden · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was only Shute's second published book and it is not as clever or polished as his more mature works. The story starts well, a slow-burn narrative that builds tension nicely. There are two or three plot holes but Shute was aware of them because the narrator tries, not entirely successfully, to explain them away.
But the end is disappointing, to say the least. It is rushed and several loose ends are left untied. Worse is the narrator's obvious approval of the Italian fascists he has to use as allies. Worse still, the solution is brought about by a deus ex machina, the appalling Captain Stenning, who likes the fascists even more than the narrator does. Philip Stenning , apparently an escapee from a Dornford Yates novel, is violent, arrogant, racist but also omniscient and infinitely multi-talented. He is entirely unbelievable. Most of the main characters in the book are quite well drawn and plausible but there are a couple of other cardboard cut-outs, such as the Yorkshire Trades Unionist (who is eventually beaten up by Stenning).
Thankfully Shute went on to write far better books.

[Sarah Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite Shute book. It’s one of his early ones and obviously he’s writing to sell here. But there are many Shute moments one grows to love.
Sadly some pre-woke language may offend- also typically Shute- using offensive language and ethnocentric view points that were unfortunately all too common at the time. Brings us to question: what do we do with these writers, artists and thinkers who now offend? Do they get canceled or do we put them into time out to be let out when we can better understand perspective or want to know how very widespread such language was used historically. A dilemma with many of our past popular writers.

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story contains some dubious moral responses to issues of patriotism, in conflict with recent “mate-ship”. The recipient of that mate-ship is only a casual acquaintance from the past. Yet, the protagonist commits what is tantamount to treason to protect him. It turns out well, but it could have gone horribly wrong. At that time, rather than a gaol sentence (as suggested in the book), several of the characters would have been subject to the death penalty for their complicity in treason. There are much better novels than this by Shute.

[Marion Granigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only his second novel, but his story-telling genius is already apparent. The plot seems a little far-fetched, but many of his adventure stories read like the grown men's version of The Boy's Book of Ripping Yarns! Definitely reflective of it's time in language and attitude to anyone other than the British gentleman! Interesting that the Italian Fascisti are the good guys here, but then, in 1928 they were fighting the Communists, whom many in England considered the real threat. Anyway, it's an easy, enjoyable read.

[Dallas Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 1928, So Disdained is one of Neville Shute’s earliest novels. For such an early novel the author certainly has command of both his style and his story. The plot of this novel runs at a slow and steady pace, but for me his eye for detail and crisp dialogue are both solid pluses. Once the book gets going it’s a quick read, although one earlier foreshadowing pretty much gave away the ending. Still, a solid read from a reliably interesting writer.