Happy Return

Barsetshire #21

by Angela Thirkell

From Sir Cecil Waring's plans to create a home for boys of naval men killed in the war, to Charles Belton's hesitant courtship and headlong marriage to the spoiled Clarissa Graham, to librarian and local historian Grace Grantely's betrothal to Lord Lufton -- with much discussion in between of gardens, dogs, and pressing issues of economic and political import -- Angela Thirkell's Happy Returns reveals (to quote her own praise of Lady Lufton), "all her excellent qualities to the best advantage."

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

184 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

Angela Margaret Mackail was born on January 30, 1890 at 27 Young Street, Kensington Square, London. Her grandfather was Sir Edward Burne-Jones the pre-Raphaelite painter and partner in the design firm of Morris and Company for whom he designed many stained glass windows - seven of which are in St Margaret's Church in Rottingdean, West Sussex. Her grandmother was Georgiana Macdonald, one of a precocious family which included among others, Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister, and Rudyard Kipling. Angela's brother, Denis Mackail, was also a prolific and successful novelist. Angela's mother, Margaret Burne-Jones, married John Mackail - an administrator at the Ministry of Education and Professor of Poetry at Oxford University.

Angela married James Campbell McInnes in 1911. James was a professional Baritone and performed at concert halls throughout the UK. In 1912 their first son Graham was born and in 1914 a second son, Colin. A daughter was born in 1917 at the same time her marriage was breaking up. In November 1917 a divorce was granted and Angela and the children went to live with her parents in Pembroke Gardens in London. The child, Mary, died the next year.

Angela then met and married George Lancelot Thirkell in 1918 and in 1920 they traveled on a troop ship to George's hometown in Australia. Their adventures on the "Friedricksruh" are recounted in her Trooper to the Southern Cross published in 1934. In 1921, in Melbourne Australia, her youngest son Lancelot George was born. Angela left Australia in 1929 with 8 year old Lance and never returned. Although living with her parents in London she badly needed to earn a living so she set forth on the difficult road of the professional writer. Her first book, Three Houses, a memoir of her happy childhood was published in 1931 and was an immediate success. The first of her novels set in Trollope's mythical county of Barsetshire was Demon in the House, followed by 28 others, one each year.

Angela also wrote a book of children's stories entitled The Grateful Sparrow using Ludwig Richter's illustrations; a biography of Harriette Wilson, The Fortunes of Harriette; an historical novel, Coronation Summer, an account of the events in London during Queen Victoria's Coronation in 1838; and three semi-autobiographical novels, Ankle Deep and Oh, These Men, These Men and Trooper to the Southern Cross. When Angela died on the 29th of January 1961 she left unfinished the last of her books, Three Score and Ten which was completed by her friend, Caroline LeJeune. Angela is buried in Rottingdean alongside her daughter Mary and her Burne-Jones grandparents.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I enjoyed this one more than the several preceding novels. There are so many characters in the series, and I definitely prefer reading about some characters more than others. This one also had lots of references to the original Trollope characters, which is so fun. And now I’ve read Trollope’s Palliser series too, so I’m picking up on those references as well.

This also had some parallels to Emma, I thought. Now is that because it really does or is it because I just finished re-reading Emma? 😆 There is a delightful dance in Harefield (like Hartfield?) in the middle of the book. Francis Brandon seems like a Frank Churchill character to me. Lady Lufton feels a bit like Mr Wodehouse until she perks up at the end.

The book starts with a dinner party with the Crawleys and the Jorams and that set of people and ends with them too. It was an especially fitting and funny ending. Fortunately, it moved away from them after a chapter or two, so we get the Beltons, the Grantlys, the Luftons, and Eric Swan for most of the plot and they’re all characters I particularly enjoy. I didn’t expect Eric Swan to make an appearance. He has been a smaller character until now (known more as Tony Morland’s friend), but I enjoyed him a lot. We get a lot of the story through his eyes. In some ways, I can see him being a kind of Mr Knightley, always ready to help others and concealing his own emotional attachment. His story remains unfinished at the end of the novel, and I’m quite eager to see if we get any more of him. That’s the thing about having so many characters. It’s never guaranteed that those who showed up in one novel will show up in the next.

Angela Thirkell’s class consciousness and Tory sensibilities showed up intensely in this novel. I think it’s always been present, but I have learned more so I understand the context for her views more. In this novel, Churchill becomes Prime Minister again and all the gentry and nobility are so relieved to have a good, old fashioned Tory in power again. (Not Them who want to move socialist and erase class distinctions that were bread and butter to those used to having servants and to being Upper Class.) It’s poignant in a way. WWI was the death blow to this way of life but WWII seems to have been the real death. I can understand why Thirkell is mourning for a lost way even while the class distinctions to me are history. Thirkell’s snobbishness doesn’t bother me because I love the world she has built on from Trollope so much.

I think this is why Mr. Adams is possibly the most fascinating character in the whole series. He’s the nouveau riche who has worked his way up from nothing. When he first appears on the scene, everyone is suspicious of him and frankly condescending to his unattractive teenage daughter. This is where his friendship with Mrs. Belton comes in. She perceives the real character and worth of Mr. Adams despite his vulgarity, and she is kind to Heather. I think she is really kind too, not condescendingly kind. It’s quite fascinating. Anyway, I’ve rambled on enough for now. 🤣

[Mela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Referring to my review of "The Duke's Daughter", the previous part of the series, this time there was too much buzz. I was confused, even a bit bored (probably the first time with Thirkell's novel) many times. Not all the time, but still.

Of course, there were precious moments, e.g. when Swan was appearing. Nonetheless, I wasn't able to read with full attention many discussions (because of confusing the characters) and many of the literary references (because I don't know British classics so well).

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Angela Thirkell....classic comfort read.

[Susan in NC · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, because even though I was overwhelmed by literary references, run-on sentences and the ever-increasing cast of characters I struggle to keep straight, there are plenty of witty, fun and touching passages with favorite characters to make this entry in the long series interesting.

Thirkell continues to pair off another generation of county residents as Churchill returns to office, routing the much-despised Them (Labour government), and the recently married young couples (married off in the last book) prepare to give birth to the next generation of Barsetshire. Much discussion of babies, nurses, and moving house (and a prep school) ensue at holiday gatherings.

I will continue with this series, but will enjoy a few other books before I continue with the next (Jutland Cottage). Sometimes I find if I read one after another I lose patience; I did enjoy the occasional references to Anthony Trollope’s Barsetshire characters, though.

[Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable outing in post-war Barsetshire, complete with both requited and unrequited love, rejoicing at the re-election of Mr Churchill as Prime Minister of a Tory government (the Barsetshire cast are all Conservative voters), and the usual parties and other gatherings.

One very gentle character, Peggy Brandon, finally speaks to the tyrannical family children's nurse, in a passage which amused me:

Francis went away and did not hear his wife say very quietly that if Nurse spoke like that at the Priory Sir Cecil Waring certainly would not tolerate it and it must be understood that Mr Brandon was master in his own nursery; most of which was special pleading or half-truth but frightened Nurse, for a dove that suddenly flies at your face and pecks you is much more alarming than a bird of prey who probably wouldn't pay any attention to you.

[Caro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles and Clarissa finally wed, to everyone's great relief, Grace Grantly finds love, and Swan's heart is broken, poor man. Swan has been a favorite ever since we met him at school, some books ago, and I can't remember how his life turns out, but surely it is a happy ending eventually. Some anti-Labour attacks but she's not too ranty yet.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace Grantly falls with perfect rightness into the arms of her destined husband. Charles and Clarissa finally resolve their engagement, all but kicking and screaming along the way. On the sidelines an especially nice young man is left to pick up his life where he left off when other hopes began to grow.

It was such a pleasure to get to know Eric Swan the adult. When we met him he was a student at Southbridge School, making subtle mischief. Knowing Thirkell, she will give him the story he deserves.

I've reached the point in the series where I can't remember which story goes with which title. It's time to move on to something else.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

ETA: Enjoyed this more upon rereading, partly because I caught so many of the literary references this time around. However, I also enjoyed the subtle jokes about all the pregnant women ("Lady Cora looks like she is boiling over!") and realized this is the baby boom happening! Anyway: I'll bump it up to 3 stars because it's growing on me.


Not her best. Way too many skimmable/skippable passages (even pages!), and way too little happening. Still: I read it, and that says something--either about me or about Thirkell. Your choice.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a central theme to this one. Charles Belton's courtship (or not) or Clarissa the brat, Lord Lufton's engagement to the right girl and his mother's coming-out of her doldrums, and a bit about all our other old friends.

I need to get a new copy of this book - the binding is broken and the pages towards the end are starting to fall out. Too bad - the rest is in great shape, but it was a used book (ex-library, I think.)

[LDuchess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title is plural: Happy ReturnS.
My edition is 1952, Hamish Hamilton, London (1st)--includes jacket. It cost 12s. 6d. It is NOT the 1982 edition pictured, and has NO ISBN number.

"Returns" has a political meaning....they all love Mr. Churchill.

LOTS of literary allusions....and lots of interconnected people!

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of Thirkell's best, but still kind of fun. Some of her favorite young characters try to sort out their jobs and relationships against the backdrop of Churchill's re-election in 1951. The biggest smile for me was a reference to the Great War as "The War to Guarantee Future Wars." Or words to that effect.

[Cathy Houston · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was an enjoyable look at Trollope's Barchester as seen by another author. This is part of a series so at first it was like watching a miniseries but starting from the middle. But i came to like the characters and care about what happened to them

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

My copy is first amer ed. 1952, and titled "Happy Return" no 's.'

[Kay Robart · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review here:

https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015...

Here is a second review:

https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2023...

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A later novel in the Barsetshire series, this 1952 novel is full of what makes Angela Thirkell’s books so readable and safe. Lots of characters who have appeared in the series before, maybe being the principal focus of a particular volume such as the Brandons, remerge in this volume. If the previous novel, “The Duke’s Daughter” dealt with several engagements, with one notable exception in this book these engagements have flowered into marriage, and first babies are expected. By this stage in her writing career Thirkell is confident of her style and subject matter; as in this novel there is a story arc around a small number of characters, and this suffices for a plot. She was brave enough to allow that not every single person automatically lives happily ever after, and it is a mark of her confidence that hopes can be frustrated. Overall, however, this is an enjoyable and uplifting novel of love realised and dreams fulfilled, a story conveyed in sharp, realistic dialogue and settings which are completely comfortable.

One of the central focus in this novel is the family of Lady Lufton, mother of Lord Lufton and two daughters. She is a widow, and her son is always convinced that she is displaying every sign of sorrow. However Mr Macfadyen, tenant of the Lufton family in part of their family house is encouraging her to go out socially, apart from her determined managing of the local WI where she is confident and outgoing. Lord Lufton is less than confident despite his position, a young man who is aware that even attending the House of Lords in London is expensive. Another young man who is unsure of his ambition is Eric Swan, an old boy of the local boys school, soldier in the recent War, teaching at Philip Winter’s prep. School. He could obtain a fellowship at a favoured college, but there are attractions to staying in Barsetshire which go beyond the friendliness of some local families.

Others put in smaller but significant appearances. Lady Cora is keen to engage a particular Nurse for her expected child, and in her negotiation she has to confront an issue that has been noted by several Barsetshire residents. There is also a new clergy family in a vicarage known to many, a young family without the private income that was still common among many of the local clergy. Having a young family and being devoted to the work of the church has made them struggle financially, so more than one well wisher seeks to intervene. There is one engagement that featured in the previous novel which has not resulted in marriage yet, and it seems that things are not running smoothly as a result. It takes decisive action on the part of more than one person to resolve the situation.

This is a mature novel with much to offer a keen reader of Barsetshire novels, and is probably self contained enough to be enjoyed out of order. Being a later book in the series, there are a multitude of characters and plot lines to resolve or continue, which means that this book, like many others in the series, consists mainly of dropping in on many events and meetings. It is an absorbing and thoroughly engaging book like many of the other books in this series, and is a recommended read of tales from Barsetshire.

[Mbuye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in little episodes, the novel is largely a series of teas and dinners, where we have a chance to meet old friends, see two happy couples, are broken hearted because a very likeable character (whom we have seen since he was a schoolboy) suffers the pangs of a love without return, and visit the little villages of Barsetshire once again.

Charles Belton finally marries the exasperating Clarissa Graham, who has led him a merry dance with her bad manners in the past two novels. Francis Brandon, such a delightful carefree bachelor is later seen as a man whose wife is afraid of him, and whose own mother saw in a second marriage a chance to get away from an overbearing, querulous and selfish son.

Lord Ludovic Lufton, a shy young man and a direct descendant of the Lord Lufton in Trollope's 'Framley Parsonage' gets engaged to Grace Grantly, who by a circuitous route, has the blood of three principal Trollope characters in her veins: Lucy Robarts, the Parson's sister, Mr Josiah Crawley (the permanent curate of Hogglestock), whose daughter Grace was being taught Greek and Hebrew when we first saw her, and Major Grantly, brother of Griselda Grantly, later the Marchioness of Hartletop, and son of Archdeacon Grantly of Plumstead Episcopi. These little excursions are fun for people interested in such details, but they add nothing particular to the book's merits in themselves.

'Happy Return(s)' is more mellow than one or two of her previous books, but still not quite restored to the brilliant humour of the first novels in the series.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Near the end of Happy Return, Angela Thirkell writes: “We will here interrupt the thread of our narrative for a moment (if anything can interrupt it more than we consistently have ourselves) … “ This observation also sums up the first third of the book, in which one feels Thirkell has perhaps too successfully channeled her alter ego Mrs. Morland. Asides upon asides upon tangents fall onto the page as frequently as Mrs. Morland’s hairpins fall to the ground.

It took me a good hundred pages to warm to the book. High points include some new characters as well as the return of a now grown-up Eric Swan. Indeed, Swan carries every scene in which he appears. And while I haven’t been thrilled with the grown-up iterations of many of AT’s female characters, the adult Swan is very nicely realized. (He also [pause for emphasis] looks at someone through his spectacles, in a fun piece of nostalgia that completely discombobulates the recipient.)

Some engaging plot lines involving Peggy Brandon, Lady Cora, and Nurse; but overall the book felt inconsistent – and in some places even phoned in.

Not my favorite of Thirkell’s postwar books, but still worth reading to keep up with the latest installment in several familiar characters’ lives.

n.b. In my 1952 American first edition, the title is Happy Return (singular) instead of the plural “Returns” noted on this Goodreads page.

[Charlotte]

My occasional holiday re-read of one of many Angela T books when I'm visiting my brother's house full of books, where he has them all. This is one of my faves due to a charming scene where young adults have fun trying on young Lord Lufton's and his mother's peer and peeress robes, which would typically be worn for a coronation or the opening of Parliament.

These books are funny and full of completely innocuous incident--many talkative tea parties, lunches, house tours, etc.--and are not for the faint of heart when it comes to political correctness. I agree personally with almost none of the political opinions expressed in these works but I still love the books. Plus it was a very long time ago... Can't help myself. The huge cast of characters that spans the shelf for 20 years... Comically irresistible and all loveable each in their own way, the English Gentry contra mundum

[Avril · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the romance; hate the politics.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

loosely follows the book Framley Court by Anthony Trollope

Angela is pretty snarky in this book about the Labour government!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated characters and writing, but I continue to find this series addictive

[Julianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm continuing to not really enjoy the post war books in this series. I wish more pre-war books came my way but I'm just reading them as I find them.

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many people to keep up with and not all of them are my favorites. But Swan is back and I hope he features in the next few books and gets a happy ending.

[Margaret Conmey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more on re-reading and have upgraded from 3 to 4 stars ( although probably 3.75)
A few different strands to the plot - finally the resolution to the Clarissa Graham / Charles Belton ‘romance’
More emphasis on Lord Ludovic Lufton and his mother , the widowed Lady Lufton , as a slightly different representation of the middle aged female in Angela Thirkell’s work
Also more examples of the lower middle classes being accepted into Barsetshire society- the Parkinson’s at the Vicarage , Mrs Parkinson’s father MrWelk and Mr MacPherson
This book also deals with a husbands emotionally bad behaviour to his wife and brings back Eric Swan as the lovelorn young man

The book could have done with better editing as there are some repetitions even within a couple of pages and the authorial comments ( breaking the fourth wall) are becoming more frequent in this stage of the series , which are often irrelevant or annoying at times , and add nothing to the story

This is not a book to start reading Thirkell as a lot of references to previous books , as well as Trollope’s Barsetshire books

[Wynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend gave me her extra copy. I vaguely remember reading this at least 20 years ago. It's 1951. The king is ill and Churchill returns as PM. The County are all staunchly Conservative and can say nothing polite about "THEM". I have skipped over a few in the series, but this book has a number of references to Trollope's characters. Perhaps it is because the families involved here descend from several Trollope families. Since I read this the first time, I have read the entire Barsetshire series by Trollope. I confess to not remembering every detail, but the descendant issue gave a depth to this novel that it lacked for me 20 years ago.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant entry in the Barsetshire series, but not one of its best. It was fun to see Tony Moreland's friend Swan all grown up!