Greenery Street [Paperback]

Denis Mackail (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Persephone Books (September 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903155258
• ISBN-13: 978-1903155257
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,239,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dated, but still a fun read, November 11, 2004

By 

Megan "Megan" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greenery Street (Paperback)

As a newlywed, I really liked this book. Yes, indeed, some times have changed rather dramatically: I don't have a "staff" to worry about, for example, but anyone who has ever tried to balance a checkbook for the first time will certainly get a laugh out of Felicity's brave attempts.

This book purports to show the average first year of an average middle-class couple. It is very funny and well written, and though some of it might not ring true anymore there is enough in it that is and will always be true about couplehood. This would make a good gift for a young couple just moving in with eachother, or for anyone who wants to remember the happy naivite of young love.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Dissatisfying Read, November 9, 2006

By 

Malo (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greenery Street (Paperback)

"Greenery Street" was hailed by PG Wodehouse as one of the most delightful books he has ever read. In researching into whether this book was worth my time, I have read almost nothing but praises for it.

The story is set in the 1930s (or is it 1920s??) London and tells of a young couple's intense love and admiration for each other and their life as a newly-married couple. The setting of the story is charming, the language light and chirpy. It almost lets you believe that there is indeed a "happy ever after".

Initially amused by the naivete that the young couple had, it however all becomes too tiring after a while, starting when Felicity continues to spend money thoughtlessly in spite of her being unable to balance her accounts. Keeping in mind that this was 1930s(?) London where some women were not financially savvy unlike today and where the term "financial planning" was perhaps not yet coined, I brushed aside my impatience, shook my head, chuckled and soldiered on. However, it is not only her ineptitude at financial planning but also her managing of her servants and her relationship with her petty neighbour who "borrows" step-ladders to salt spoons from her.

One would have expected the head of the house, Ian, to be The Man and "save" Felicity from problems. However, his own weakness of mind gradually shows itself when he does nothing to reclaim his inheritance which had been fraudulently "lost" by his trustee. The couple's inability to run their lives is mind-boggling and beyond comprehension, even for those times. Their actions finally culminate in their servants running away. And to that, I say to the couple, "You deserved it".

Although the writing is good, "Greenery Street" disappoints thoroughly due to the lack of timelessness. The couple is portrayed in too naive a manner to be believable and it smacks of discriminatory ideas, particularly towards young women (in its portrayal of Felicity). This book may have amused and attracted the attentions of PG Wodehouse and Persephone Books (especially for the latter to have re-published the book) but it fails to do the same for me. Instead of being funny with all the couple's follies, the story somehow managed to border on being offensive and insulting to one's intelligence. I would not recommend this book, unless you, like how I was at the start, are very curious to find out why exactly the great PG Wodehouse wrote such a glowing comment about the book. However, after having read the book, I still fail to see why. Unlike Mr Wodehouse, I should not like the story to continue and be tortured with having to read more (or indeed again!) about Mr & Mrs Ian Foster.