For anyone who hasn't read it, this book (actually 4 books in one as this edition also contains The Provincial Lady Goes Further; The Provincial Lady in America and The Provincial Lady in Wartime) is written in the form of diary entries from the end of 1929 to late 1940.
The eponymous Provincial Lady lives in Devon, in Cullompton, a market town in the Culm Valley. She chronicles the minutiae of life in pre-war England for the middle classes living in the provinces. The book's blurb tells us that she has a nice house, a nice husband (usually asleep behind The Times) and nice children..... She never raises her voice ........ only occasionally allows herself to become vexed by the ongoing servant problem, and would be truly appalled by the confessional mode of the late twentieth century. The Provincial Lady is, after all, part of what made Britain great. If you haven't read it, I promise, you may well find this to be the funniest book ever. I still do after decades of re-reading my battered old copy.
If you would like a chance to win the new copy, pictured above, just leave a 'yes please' on this or any other post in the next few days. Baby Amelia will make the draw before she returns to London on Monday. I know that is only a few days but I'll make up for it by having a second draw towards the end of the month. We have two Bank Holidays in May, so why not two book draws? Anyway, Amelia insists!
Amelia's insistence on two draws is rather marvellous! Clever girl...and would you believe I have never read this book despite countless recommendations from friends. Which means a resounding "yes, please!" from me.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, logophile. I'm sure Amelia would like a fellow London-dweller to win but I mustn't let her show any preferences!
ReplyDeleteuuuuuuuuu!!!!! I'd love to be in the hat for this one! It looks great.Thanks for this giveaway!!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes please, count me in for the draw of Provincial Lady! I love the look of the latest edition of this book!
ReplyDeleteBethany and Galant, I'm entering your names. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThose who have enjoyed - or are about to enjoy - Diary of a Provincial Lady, might also like Henrietta's War - News from the Home Front 1939-1942. This was written by Joyce Dennys who was married to a doctor and lived in the seaside town of Budleigh Salterton, just along the coast in East Devon. She was also a talented painter and inside my copy of Henrietta's War I have placed a little card showing a painting by Joyce (born in 1893 and died in 1991) of a building in Budleigh Salterton called The Octagon. The book, published by Andre Deutsch, is delightfully illustrated by Joyce.
ReplyDeletePlease include me in the draw...(even though I couldn't live further away).
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read this book (and do enjoy your blog...and photos of Amelia!)
I'll certainly enter you in the draw, Sue. The April book went to Canada, so who knows where this will go?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words about the blog and, of course, my lovely Amelia.
Don't put me in the draw, M - I'm loyal to my battered original Virago edition. Just wanted to say that I hadn't registered the Cullompton connection (or had forgotten). Almost local in fact!
ReplyDeleteYes please! Thank you so very much for being my first sponsor in the Race for Life - I have never done anything like this before but have recently started training and to find out that someone has sponsored me really spurs me on! When I start to complain that my legs are aching, I think of people who have been through so much more and realise it's really not so bad. My Mum has had cancer for a long time but seems to be losing to it now, it's so sad.
ReplyDeleteWell, on a more positive note I am glad I tracked down your blog; it's fascinating! I'm an avid reader and have, in the past year or so, begun writing too. I must admit I've never read Diary of a Provincial Lady but it sounds right up my street - if I'm not lucky enough to win it I will have to go and buy it!
Hello too to Amelia; I used to bathe in the washing up bowl (very hard to believe now!) but never had such a smart play mat :)
Have a lovely weekend,
Katie
Welcome, Katie. I'm delighted to sponsor you - I'm one of the lucky ones but I have lost several close friends to breast cancer. I can't join in the race but I sponsor as many people as possible.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog by way of Rob Hopcott's blog roll. I live in the place you are promoting, so I'll be back to read more of your posts as soon as life calms down a bit here!
D, I hadn't realised until looking at the book again for this post. I didn't live in Devon when I first read it, perhaps that explains it. I expect it's the same for you. (Shh, don't tell everyone we are a couple of incomers!)
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, Cullompton is just up the road from me. And as I've never read the book it would be lovely if you could include me in the draw please.
ReplyDeleteDelighted, Cath. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI've heard about the book, but not read it - here's my chance!
ReplyDeletePlease put me in the draw(s)
Like the blog, thanks.
Lizzie
Thanks for liking the blog, Lizzie. I would have put your name into the draw anyway, but I do like nice comments!!
ReplyDeleteHope I'm not too late. Yes please to the Provincial Lady.
ReplyDeleteNot too late, Crinny. Is this coming from Russia or have you arrived home?
ReplyDelete