The Age of Illusion: England in the Twenties and Thirties, 1919–1940

by Ronald Blythe

Between the two world wars, England abounded with astonishing, colorful personalities.and this critical period comes enjoyably alive as forgotten scandals, sensational crimes, and almost unbelievable capers come to light once again. Among the figures discussed are Joynson-Hicks (who tried to clean up London's morals even as he defended the massacre of hundreds of Indians at Amritsar), T. E. Lawrence, Amy Johnson, and others.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, British Literature

330 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Ronald Blythe CBE was one of the UK's greatest living writers. His work, which won countless awards, includes Akenfield (a Penguin 20th-Century Classic and a feature film), Private Words, Field Work, Outsiders: A Book of Garden Friends and numerous other titles. He was a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded their prestigious Benson Medal in 2006. In 2017, he was appointed CBE for services to literature

Reviews

[Nigeyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ronald Blythe's idiosyncratic social history of England in the 1920s and 1930s is wonderfully interesting and informative. With no introduction, it is difficult to tell how Ronald Blythe decided what to write about. All the events described happened between 1919 and 1940, and throughout each chapter Blythe captures the mood and detail of the two decades following the carnage, confusion, grief and senselessness of the First World War.

The book concludes with Winston Churchill's appointment as Prime Minister of a war time coalition Government that was preceded by one of the most famous parliamentary debates of all time, and which resulted in Neville Chamberlain's dismissal. As Ronald Blythe observes, "there are a few sights more quelling - a cannibal banquet, perhaps - than one Tory slaying a fellow Tory for the good of the country. Against such fury the rage of the Opposition is the cooing of doves."

Ronald Blythe begins the book with the burial in Westminster Abbey of the Unknown Soldier. This was nearly two years after the last shot had been fired in the First World War, and the near-delirium of 1919 was giving way to the uneasy realisation that the world was still unfit for heroes.

The extent to which you will enjoy the various chapters in this book will probably depend upon your interest in the various topics Blythe chose to cover. For example, I am not especially interested in cricket so found the chapter on the body-line bowling scandal less interesting than those on the Left Book Club, the Brighton trunk murders, and - of course - the Rector of Stiffkey. That said, it really is all varying degrees of excellence - and for anyone interested in the era, chock full of insight and interest.

I really enjoyed the chapter on Sir William Joynson-Hicks, alias Jix, who as Home Secretary waged war on the progressive spirit of the 1920s. Likewise the chapter on Amy Johnson is marvellous and inspires me to find out more about this remarkable woman. And of course, TE Lawrence, the enigma, forever vacillating between post-fame anonymity and wanting something more. I was very interested to read more about Victor Gollancz, who founded the Left Book Club in 1936. I've come across his name a few times and am now intrigued to read more about him.

The chapter on Harold Davidson, aka the Rector of Stiffkey, aka the "Prostitutes' Padre" is very interesting. He's a character who would have garnered headlines in any era. As the "Prostitutes' Padre" he approached and befriended hundreds of girls, and although there was little direct evidence of improper behaviour, Davidson was frequently found in compromising situations. He neglected his parish to such an extent that he was in London six days a week, sometimes not even bothering to come back on Sundays and getting someone else to deputise. After a formal complaint, the Bishop of Norwich instituted disciplinary proceedings. Davidson's defence was severely compromised by his own eccentric conduct and was damaged beyond repair when the prosecution produced a photograph of Davidson with a near-naked teenage girl. Harold was ultimately killed by a lion at Skegness Amusement Park - truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

The chapter on Edward and Wallis Simpson is absolutely gripping - and it makes some great points that I had not considered before. For example, the Church of England in 1936 was in the doldrums because of the way its teachings had managed to accommodate the blood-lust of the militarists during the First World War. Though I suspect that anyone who had witnessed the horror first-hand would also have their faith sorely tested. Archbishop Lang's subsequent behaviour, with its apparent lack of ordinary charity and barely suppressed fury, can be attributed to the fact that he saw Wallis Simpson wrecking the best opportunity the Church was likely to have in his lifetime for rehabilitating itself in the affections of ordinary people. This because Edward was adored by the public, for whom he was seen as a figure of vitality, modernity and hope. This chapter really effectively evokes the sense of crisis and confusion, as the possibility of Wallis Simpson becoming Queen became an ever more likely possibility.

Reading The Age of Illusion: England in the Twenties and Thirties, 1919-1940 is akin to being in a pub with a very well informed raconteur, who throws out a stream of interesting facts and stimulating anecdotes, that bring the 1920s and 1930s to life. This is a wonderful companion piece to The Long Week-end: A Social History of Great Britain, 1918-39 by Robert Graves. As with all interesting social histories, I had to keep pausing to make notes about references that I want to follow up.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ronald Blythe writes well, but he is not really a social historian, more a social anecdotist. His view of the inter-war years is personal, partisan and selective. He writes about certain personalities in great detail as well as covering major events of the time in an intelligent and lucid way. The result is a slightly odd mixture of tabloid journalism and erudition. It is also very enjoyable to read.

[C. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As others have noted, this book is wonderfully unique. The second chapter (about William Joynson-Hicks's risible repressiveness and prurience) establishes the book's distinctively acerbic tone: 'He had no humility and too much to say' (p. 54). I laughed out loud at many points! I'll remember his comment that Ramsay MacDonald, as his career went on, 'got better and better looking, and vaguer and vaguer' (p. 284).

Aside from the political chapters, there are a few about big newspaper stories of the time, such as Amy Johnson's flights and the scandal surrounding the Rector of Stiffkey. It was one of these chapters (the tenth) which I found to be the most masterful. The way Blythe weaves together the many bloody stories of 1934 here — such as the Night of the Long Knives, fascist thuggery in England, and the grissly Brighton trunk murders — is a wonderful testament to popular, journalistic history.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not so much a work of non-fiction as it was a reference book.

Each chapter is a person or a specific event of importance during the inter-war period of 1919 to 1940 in England. Each anecdote portrayed, while usually amusing, only gave a brief introduction to the subject, and sometimes required previous knowledge for me to understand why it may have been significant in the grand scheme of the book. Although there is no method as to why the author chose the subjects that he did. There is no unifying thread, only a rough chronological string through England and the time period.

The novel succeeds in leaving the reader with a bit of an understanding for the feeling and attitudes of the time period, but does not necessarily enhance the working knowledge of said reader. It mostly steered me in the direction of more people that I should look into reading more on.

*Update* Upon further reflection, perhaps I have solved my mystery of how the chapters fit together. It's all in the title "illusion". Illusion of the old guard to the changing social rules and attitudes, illusion to the war brewing again, illusion to the advances technology was making in influencing and ultimately changing society.

For example: Jix against youth and societal norms;
Reith of the BBC and what the public wanted;
TE Lawrence: admiration and illusion of the old heroes;
Amy Johnson: technology's impact and women's increasing worldliness;
The Spanish war: facism's spread and WWII inevitability;
Cricket: the revolt of British colonies to imperial rule and interference in their affairs, leading to the splintering of an empire post WWII;
The Dove and Chamberlain: a changing attitude of politicians toward the old guard as they realize they must prepare of an inevitable war.

[Bill38silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

It might be thought that an account of England in the inter-World War years would set out events either in chronological order or by separate chapters covering specific themes eg politics, economics, education, crime etc. No, here Ronald Blythe stitches together 15 chapters focussed mainly on people, some likely to be known by name if nothing else and others obscure or long forgotten. Who knows much or anything about the Rector of Stiffkey, Sir William Joynson-Hicks (alias Jix), the Brighton Trunk Murders, or George Lansbury? Some of the subject matter of several chapters is less interesting but key to the times such as body line bowling (in cricket), the rapid progress of aviation, the Jarrow march, or Mrs Wallis Simpson. Not necessarily in that order.

Blythe delights in the caustic and quirky turn of phrase and sprinkles anecdotes aplenty which permeate the text. This is a hugely enjoyable read.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining dip into some of the characters and events of the 1920s and 1930s in England (or should that be the UK). It apes in style and form the Lytton Strachey model in "Eminent Victorians" of witty and provocative pen portraits. The florid language is a bit too much at times but it is diverting and well worth reading, even if it does not break new ground in the stories that are told.

[Ian Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastically chatty and gossipy history of Britain in the inter-war years. A great mix of the laugh-out-loud and the solemn, but while the voice is consistent the tone of it sometimes varies too much even within individual chapters. Very informative and often opinionated. Good fun.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book talking about the economics, politics and life in England in the 20's and 30's. The author looks at specific events, some known and some not so well known, the show the reader what life was like between the wars and the problems facing the various classes. Because of the author's writing style, this is not a quick read book.

[Adrian Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surely one of the best books about the 1930s. I love Blythe's style.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Lots of allusions, pithy language, and interesting anecdotes.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some chapters are great but some are dated. Each chapter is a biography about a different person. All are written to be read by English people, not Americans.