Online Book Club Session 11

Thirteen of us assembled to begin the long school summer holidays alongside the Owlers in All Summer Through, the first book of the Nettleford series. But, oh dear, some felt that the holidays - and the book - got off to an incredibly slow start!

"I probably would have found this very boring as a child." "I don't want to read about the things I do in my own life...". With its episodic structure and longish depictions of (fairly unremarkable?) family life, this story went at a much gentler pace than their beloved LPs. Many missed the fast-paced plots, the baddies, the mystery and adventure, finding this no more than  'a pleasant read.' However, one or two really did love it, relishing its charm, its high points and the familiarity with their own country childhoods. 

The book was reminiscent of Seven White Gates  and Jane's Country Year - the fire, camping at a farm/in a barn, exploring fields and woods...and perhaps aimed at a slightly younger audience than the LPs, 8-11s, we thought. 

The Owlers were a likeable bunch, though Tony's conversion came far too easily. And just how welcome would those puppies be in a London flat and over a bookshop?

The story reflected the carefree freedom of 1950s -70s childhoods - though the casual  unconcern of Mrs Tom and Aunt Mary Wilkins over a 6-year-old wandering off on her own caused us major alarm, especially when a strange man was standing over her.  

Gender roles were firmly delineated - the girls did the camp cooking (and were insulted for their troubles); fishing was for boys only, as was admission to the Caldey Island monastery. (Thankfully the latter had changed by the time of the Society visit). At this point, You Girls Stay Here: gender roles in popular British children's adventure fiction by Elizabeth Poynter was recommended as an illuminating read.    

What drama there was - the fire, a mother taken ill and the cliff-top rescue - was appreciated. The rescue, in particular, was praised: "By far the best bit in the book, so skilfully described in just a few pages."

There was debate as to how closely Nettleford might have resembled late 1940s Harpenden, but certainly Northend Farm was based on West End Farm, where the Saville family had lived (and probably neighbouring Cross Farm, recently visited by the Society on the Harpenden weekend).  Nettleford had its wide, tree-lined High Street, with its variety of shops and handsome houses, but also its less lovely gas works and railway station on the outskirts.  Alas, the Misses Phelps lived beyond the railway station. Maps (for those who had one - there were none in the abridged Armada paperback) were appreciated, but an eagle-eyed member noted that the church and vicarage were surely in the wrong place? (This was clearly not a David Morton map). 

The rabbit shooting was found a bit shocking by the uninitiated.

Vee's descriptions of the goldfinches being like fairies and the vicar being like 'an extra fat robin in a hurry' were enjoyed. We also liked the bookshop.

Now to the vexed question of the Rufus and Bones act. By the time of the 1970 paperback edition, offensive words, the programme and the illustration of the 1951 Hodder & Stoughton original were omitted. See also the Girls Gone By amended edition and its introduction. Malcolm Saville was an author of his times. 

Some typical Saville tropes were noted - the close relationship of father and daughter; adults smoking - including the vicar's wife on the phone with her cigarette holder in hand; the banter between the siblings and other club members; the clue of a dropped cigarette end; girls as stronger characters and men being quirkier, eg Wilfred, the vicar; observational humour such as the random naming of suburban houses like Seaview). The opening chapter, in which Sally wakes up, is very similar to Jenny in LP5, even down to the roses on the wallpaper. 

All in all, we had a most interesting discussion, and looked forward to Christmas at Nettleford which would round off this year’s Book Club meetings 

We reminded ourselves that there will be no meeting in August - see you all again in September. 

All Online Book Club sessions begin at 19:30 and take place on Zoom.

New members are always welcome: please note that, although there is a core of regular attenders, not everyone joins every session - you can pick and choose, according to your own interests and availability! 

To register for the first time for this group please email events@witchend.com