Persephone Books discussion

Greengates FINISHING Thoughts/discussion questions

I read this one a couple of years ago, I think it was with this group. My review (leaving out the story summary, which you don't need ;) )

This is a lovely 1930s novel. R.C. Sherriff has a knack for taking humdrum characters and events that seem to contain no romance or drama, and turning them into a wonderful, involving story.

Only the final chapter jars a bit as an outside narrator enters to tell us about Mr - now Tom and Edith - Baldwin, 10 years on. Purpose, Progress, Action have entered the lives of Tom and Edith since their move to Greenbanks and the sunny uplands of Stanmore. Their lives have changed to full, sunny, warm, busy affairs since dull, fruitless retirement and damp, dingy Grasmere was seen off.
Sheriff is a quiet master of turning the dull and ordinary into a triumph of the common man / woman. Afterall, Tom couldn't have done it without Edith, her debentures and her flask of sherry. There is a dignity and an authority in his characters that make them so real that there is no need for some big drama or all singing and dancing show stopping WOW moment, 'you' as a reader so believe in them, are so involved with them that whatever happens to them is enough, 'you' live it with them. It takes a writer of such quality to make that happen. Sheriff is just such a writer. Brilliantly understated.

Finished 'Greengates' yesterday and I absolutely loved it !
I think I love it more than ' The Fortnight in September'
The characters of Tom and Edith Baldwin are so adorable and funny.
Now i'm wondering did Tom remind the builders to sort out the problem of the lavatory flushing when they shut the front door !!!
Now a new Persephone favourite of mine

I read this a year or two ago, mainly because my grandparents on both sides moved from inner London to new 1930s homes in the outer suburbs, so I was interested to read a novel about that period and the expectations of people moving out to the new estates.

I loved the first two thirds, especially the bits about Mr Baldwin's working life, the awful presentation of the leaving present, the and the difficulties of adjusting to retirement. But I found the ending disappointing, mainly the petty snobbery about the club, which made me end up disliking Mr Baldwin.

Catherine wrote: "I read this a year or two ago, mainly because my grandparents on both sides moved from inner London to new 1930s homes in the outer suburbs, so I was interested to read a novel about that period an..."
Hi Catherine, I agree, Mr Baldwin let himself down a bit there.
I felt sorry for their old maid Ada too

I just finished, and I agree the snobbery at the end about the club and the neighbor Mr Van Doon showed another, less pleasant side of Mr Baldwin and ends the story on a lower note. But I enjoyed the earlier portion of the book about his retirement and building a new house. And I’m glad Edith got her nap back! The details — Mr Baldwin’s insomnia, the food for the big meeting with the sad fate of the “purple shape” — are so precise and often funny. But I prefer A Fortnight in September which is almost like taking a family vacation yourself, and I’d like to read The Hopkins Manuscript sometime.

Karen wrote: "Catherine wrote: "I read this a year or two ago, mainly because my grandparents on both sides moved from inner London to new 1930s homes in the outer suburbs, so I was interested to read a novel ab..."

I felt sorry for their elderly maid Ada, too, but I thought her point of view was better represented — in the early episode of the broom, the author showed Ada’s side. And it turned out that she had her own views about moving—although they shouldn’t have forgotten to tell her!

Susan wrote: "I just finished, and I agree the snobbery at the end about the club and the neighbor Mr Van Doon showed another, less pleasant side of Mr Baldwin and ends the story on a lower note. But I enjoyed t..."
Hi Susan, the scene with Mr Baldwin and their maid Ada is very funny ! I would love to read 'The Hopkins Manuscript' too one day.
Such a brilliant writer

I read this one this month as I will be unable to get hold of A Lady and Her Husband. I really enjoyed it, but agree that Mr Baldwins snobbery lets him down here. I also thought, like Toast, that the last chapter was jarring and completely unnecessary.
They should have told Ada they were moving much sooner, but I think she was right to stay in London and go to her sister, perhaps she will now enjoy a lovely retirement, no longer having to worry about people sneaking off with her broom.
I think I preferred 'Fortnight' to this, but my absolute favourite is The Hopkins Manuscript.

Tania wrote: "I read this one this month as I will be unable to get hold of A Lady and Her Husband. I really enjoyed it, but agree that Mr Baldwins snobbery lets him down here. I also thought, lik..." Hi Tania, so happy you enjoyed this one too. Such a great writer with lots of humour in all his books !