Did indeed read a good chunk of the first Diaries volume. Found myself thinking and talking in first-person declarative sentences without pronouns and had to step back to regain my usual sense of grammar 😊
A great post, thank you. I love Delafield's 'Provincial Lady' books and her novels - especially 'Thank Heaven Fasting'. Her home in Devon is not too far from me and I've visited her grave at Kentisbeare. If I could add a photo to comments then I would add a pic of it!
This is lovely, Emma, and puts Delafield's book into its American context as well as highlighting her courage and humour. I see that Persephone has an edition, which I'm tempted to get, as I always enjoy Nicola Beaumann's introductions - and India Knight is also a fan of EMD.
I’m so looking forward to reading these, as I haven’t encountered them before! As an American expat married to a Brit and now living here in the UK, the American introduction struck me as quite accurate in directing US readers towards the need to read between the lines and be aware of understatement… something that doesn’t usually come naturally to us!
My very anecdotal observations are that these economical tendencies are still present along cultural lines… most Brits I know seem very inclined to “make do and mend” in general, or put up with inconvenience in a way most Americans (excepting those of us with Yankee blood) tend not to. It’s an outrageously broad brush to paint with, of course, but I think these cultural habits seem to carry on through the generations somehow.
That's very interesting, thank you. I guess one explanation might be that Britain is more of a "class-based" society and so being too materialistic (or seen as that) or "showing off" can be avoided for class reasons. So that also makes people oddly proud of shabbiness, second hand stuff, making do etc. Mind you, I always think the US is more class-based than is sometimes claimed.
Oh, that’s interesting! It seems true- that those who are very well-off here are likely to wear very worn out things, even if those things are well-made, like a 30 year old Barbour with holes worn through- and the idea of not showing off makes sense in a class system. (and I agree that there is more “class” divide in the US than is often accounted for- but it’s difficult to describe in simplified terms, I think in part because we are a new country by comparison and so even “old” money is often fairly new, and often not inherited through aristocratic lines.)
Of course lots of English aristocrats weren't averse to marrying Americans to get their hand on some of that despised wealth! (e.g. churchill's parents and many more). It is really complicated for sure.
I'm glad!
Did indeed read a good chunk of the first Diaries volume. Found myself thinking and talking in first-person declarative sentences without pronouns and had to step back to regain my usual sense of grammar 😊
That is an issue for sure!
Such an enjoyable read! Had been thinking of read ing the “Diary” books, and now I will, thank you!
Also, nice to see a familiar spot in the photo — enjoy the visit, and say hello to the turkeys for me.
Thank you, hope you enjoy the diaries! I did very much enjoy the turkeys (and Cambridge).
A great post, thank you. I love Delafield's 'Provincial Lady' books and her novels - especially 'Thank Heaven Fasting'. Her home in Devon is not too far from me and I've visited her grave at Kentisbeare. If I could add a photo to comments then I would add a pic of it!
Oh, would have liked to see that! I've tried a couple of the novels but not felt the same love, will make note of Thank Heaven Fasting.
This is lovely, Emma, and puts Delafield's book into its American context as well as highlighting her courage and humour. I see that Persephone has an edition, which I'm tempted to get, as I always enjoy Nicola Beaumann's introductions - and India Knight is also a fan of EMD.
https://persephonebooks.co.uk/products/diary-of-a-provincial-lady
Thank you, Ann. The Persephone edition seems to have the bonus of the original Arthur Watts illustrations too.
I’m so looking forward to reading these, as I haven’t encountered them before! As an American expat married to a Brit and now living here in the UK, the American introduction struck me as quite accurate in directing US readers towards the need to read between the lines and be aware of understatement… something that doesn’t usually come naturally to us!
My very anecdotal observations are that these economical tendencies are still present along cultural lines… most Brits I know seem very inclined to “make do and mend” in general, or put up with inconvenience in a way most Americans (excepting those of us with Yankee blood) tend not to. It’s an outrageously broad brush to paint with, of course, but I think these cultural habits seem to carry on through the generations somehow.
That's very interesting, thank you. I guess one explanation might be that Britain is more of a "class-based" society and so being too materialistic (or seen as that) or "showing off" can be avoided for class reasons. So that also makes people oddly proud of shabbiness, second hand stuff, making do etc. Mind you, I always think the US is more class-based than is sometimes claimed.
Oh, that’s interesting! It seems true- that those who are very well-off here are likely to wear very worn out things, even if those things are well-made, like a 30 year old Barbour with holes worn through- and the idea of not showing off makes sense in a class system. (and I agree that there is more “class” divide in the US than is often accounted for- but it’s difficult to describe in simplified terms, I think in part because we are a new country by comparison and so even “old” money is often fairly new, and often not inherited through aristocratic lines.)
Of course lots of English aristocrats weren't averse to marrying Americans to get their hand on some of that despised wealth! (e.g. churchill's parents and many more). It is really complicated for sure.