BookwormBy John Andrews
Bookworm’s recommendations so far have taken us to exotic locations; perhaps even some could be described as escapist fiction, so the time may be right for a ‘return to basics’ and to an environment closer to the tranquil setting of The Lee and surrounding villages, so loved by all of us who live here.
Xandra Bingley’s country memories of wartime Bertie, May & Mrs Fish has been described by Jilly Cooper as “utterly enchanting, and quite unputdownable”.
First published by Harper Collins in 2005, this is Bingley’s first book, having previously worked in Boston, at Harvard Kennedy Institute and then London with Jonathan Cape.
Well illustrated, with nostalgic black and white photos, this is a young girl’s very personal account of life on a Cotswold hill farm bought with her Mother’s Irish money in 1941, the second summer of World War Two.
The book describes beautifully the transformation of Bingley’s mother, May, from young debutante to farmer, while her father Bertie is away at war.
Meanwhile the young Xandra
is the only child among animals, farm workers, land girls and prisoners of
war. The book captures the essence of childhood with a sensual gift for place
in this authentic portrait.Read this gentle book slowly; to many it will bring back nostalgic memories of times long gone. To our younger Newsletter readers, it may come as a timely reminder that life existed before iPods.