In the midst of World War Two, the Beltons of Harefield Park find themselves "living on overdrafts to an extent that even they found alarming." It seems they may have to sell the family estate- for which, during wartime, there is little demand.Their prayers are answered, however, in the unlikely form of Miss Sparling, the dauntless headmistress of the recently evacuated Hoisers' Girls' Foundation School, who just happens to be looking for a country mansion to let. THE HEADMISTRESS, first published in 1945 and long unavailable, is typical Thirkell: charming, witty, and refreshingly urbane.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Angela Thirkell's gentle wit and her keen eye for the foibles, apparel, and surroundings of the English bourgeoisie is never more apparent than in this blithe story of the plucky heroine of the title. Miss Sparling is handsome, efficient, and immensely competent, and while Thirkell was hardly a latent feminist, the men in this book are mostly dependent husbands, worthless fops, or ironic and detached observers. Thirkell's work feeds our nostalgia for an idealized English countryside that is no more and, perhaps, never was.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
From Library Journal
These novels were published in 1944 and 1945, respectively. Both are set in Thirkell's fictional English county of Barsetshire and relate the characters' emotional responses to the war.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The funniest of Ms. Thirkell's many funny books.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Headmistress (Paperback)
THE HEADMISTRESS...When Miss Sparling, a headmistress from
a recently evacuated girl's school, moves into the village,
she encounters all the problems of village life in
wartime Britain. The upper crust Beltons, themselves newly
dislocated from the family stately home, must accomodate not
only Miss Sparling but the serious problems of the 1940s.
Although perhaps the funniest of Thirkell's many funny books,
World War II dominates this novel, giving it a greater depth
perhaps, than some of Ms Thirkell's other delightful books.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I coundn't put it down!,
By Amanda (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Headmistress (Paperback)
Angela Thirkell's books are about famalies living in England during World War 2.She uses fictional characters, set in a fictional country named Barsetshire, to give a realistic account of the conditions people were living under in England during the war. The Headmistress tells about refugees, rationing and shortages, the banner use of uncover bright lights after dark and work parties to make clothing and other necessities for the soldiers and refugees. The main characters are mainly wealthy and/or titled citizens. Although all class are represented through the book. The Headmistress focuses on an old family who, while trying to retain their land and upper class status, have become relaively common financially. This state is referred to as "reduced circumstances." They have rented their estate to a girls' school and moved to the village. This book is like a mild soap opera with a happy ending. It is filled with philosophy and almost entirely composed of conversation about etiquette. It is very British, so if you like that kind of stuff, you will be in heaven.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a thumping good read,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Headmistress (Paperback)
I say, Ms Thirkell is sound on logarithms(page 185
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