Village Story By Celia Buckmaster

Mrs. Ethelburger, who sat down when she wanted to think, had been classed as very intelligent when a girl, but seeing her in this ramshackle house, surrounded by her noisy family (as though there were not enough children about, there were photos of them all over the mantelpiece), people had wondered: hadn't she rather thrown herself away?

Celia Buckmaster's sharply funny, brilliantly characterized first novel revolves around two discontented wives. Mrs. Noyce, at the manor, is a painter whose husband cherishes her art and refuses to allow her to be domestic, but now finds herself yearning for motherhood. Mrs. Ethelburger, on the other hand, has four children, but has been escaping domestic drudgery by carrying on a half-hearted affair with a businessman. In and out of these plot strands are woven the stories of their neighbours-the Noyces' gardener, whose wife trains her cats to do tricks in remembrance of her time in a circus; the Rector and his wife, who having married beneath her is taking revenge on the world by becoming a Communist; Mr. Browning, the object of Mrs. Ethelburger's casual affections, and his mother, who frets because she can't stop dropping her aitches; and Linda, the spoiled village girl who imagines Mr. Noyce is making advances.

Village Story is a deceptively simple tale, with subtle revelations of human nature and tragedy concealed beneath its witty surface. Village Story

characters Village Story

This is certainly not the cosy village story I was expecting but much deeper, with a lot to say about human nature. The author she most reminded me of was Elizabeth Taylorin the way that the story is very simple, but with complex characters. It focuses mainly on two dissatisfied wives, one an artist, the other a farmers wife. Mrs Noyce and her husband have moved into the Manor house so she can concentrate on her art, but she starts to feel she would like to start a family. Mrs Elthelburger has several children, but longs to be free of her household work and is having a half-hearted affair with one of her neighbours. There are several characters on the periphery to add to the entertainment. Village Story Village Story is a satirical tale of typical English village life. It's pace is fast, so you need to keep up and it's quite the scream.

The usual cluster of country folk, an artist, the rector, his wife, the bored housewife with husband, dogs & 4 children, the family from town who's moved in but can't quite fit, the silly girl with airs & graces...

Yes, this can seem par for the course and typical run of the mill village story which you mayn't bother reading because you think that you've heard it all before; but this one was a little different. It incorporates some handy philosophies of life if you read between the quips and Buckmaster writes well. Her first sentence, the most important, I felt was exceptional. She does insert herself as the narrator in parts and usually I would say this took me out of the story and yada, but this time it didn't worry me so. But you've got to keep up with her and it can be difficult to keep track of all the characters. But if you just keep reading and let the story unwrap, I think you'll like it.

Anyway, be sure to catch up with this one. It's quite the hoot. Village Story