Color me intrigued. I must get to know this family! I don't have sisters, so I rely on novels like these to help me understand those relationships. The characters' names alone make me want to pick up this book!
Yes! I just loved their sister dynamics. I read it at the same time as one of my sisters and regarding a particular scene I told her, "This is us. I am Teresa! You are Morgan!" haha!
The names are a really fun bit. Gregory's response to them made me laugh. "Gregory looked extremely embarrassed. I could see that he was trying to think of some gallant reply, but in the end he only managed: 'You're certainly an unusual family, with most unusual names.'"
Coming back to your article after I’ve just finished the book, and I love your thoughts. The parallels to P&P are so fascinating, including when it’s the opposite, like the father giving into the mother’s nerves instead of poking fun at them. I agree that even though the ending is rather stressful with the mother, the feel of the novel is the strength of the sister relationships. Though they’ve been isolated from their peers and brought up rather strangely, they’re still quite observant and functional in their own unique ways.
Yes, I like what Melody wrote in her goodreads review. The girls are "sheltered but not foolish." It's interesting how that turns out because I've known overly-sheltered individuals who grew up to have issues and others who have turned out completely functional. I wonder if the sub-culture among the siblings is a factor in how that'll play out.
The father in the story calls his daughter a word that is pretty shocking (he's speaking in jest) but from what I've read, it didn't have quite the same connotation in the 50s that it does now. And a brother-in-law smacks his SIL on the rear with a book, but the context is not sexual at all. Those are two moments I can think that might give a more sensitive reader pause, but it's been a few months.
Ah I'm sorry I'm just responding! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this if you read it! It's one to read when you want a cozy but not treacly novel haha
I'd like to reread it with the P&P idea in mind from the beginning! And I think you'd really enjoy it. There's a very funny Sunday School scene that still makes me laugh when I think of it.
I learned something new today! I’ve not become acquainted with Tutton. I have four daughters of my own, who, by many measures are seen in a similar fashion. Although I would like to think my nerves are quite under control comparatively to their mother! Yet there is something about having a sorority of daughters around that has a way of making the home life rather colorful. I do agree that parents are challenged with managing their own visions for their children. At times it seemed so frustrating especially if the child has a divergent temperament from yours. Letting go has been the best solution. And by the way the most fruitful for our girls. What a great essay! Thank you such good words to ponder!
What a lovely comment. Thank you! I think 'colorful' is how my own mother would probably have described home life with several daughters haha. Diverging temperaments is a real challenge--one I struggled with as an adolescent and one I'm still learning to manage now as a parent.
It's a treasure! I don't know if you've seen it but the British Library Women Writers series has republished another one Tutton's novels, 'Mamma'. I'm interested in reading that one too. It seems to feature another dysfunctional mother/daughter relationship. Makes me curious about Tutton's personal life.
That's a perfect birthday present! I'm generally pretty restrained in my book buying, but this was one I couldn't help but buy as a present to myself :)
Looking forward to reading this!
I'd love to hear your impressions of it!
Color me intrigued. I must get to know this family! I don't have sisters, so I rely on novels like these to help me understand those relationships. The characters' names alone make me want to pick up this book!
Yes! I just loved their sister dynamics. I read it at the same time as one of my sisters and regarding a particular scene I told her, "This is us. I am Teresa! You are Morgan!" haha!
The names are a really fun bit. Gregory's response to them made me laugh. "Gregory looked extremely embarrassed. I could see that he was trying to think of some gallant reply, but in the end he only managed: 'You're certainly an unusual family, with most unusual names.'"
LOL! I think I'd have wondered if I'd crossed some magical boundary and ended up in the world of myth, meeting Cressida and Morgan all at once.
Ha indeed!!
Coming back to your article after I’ve just finished the book, and I love your thoughts. The parallels to P&P are so fascinating, including when it’s the opposite, like the father giving into the mother’s nerves instead of poking fun at them. I agree that even though the ending is rather stressful with the mother, the feel of the novel is the strength of the sister relationships. Though they’ve been isolated from their peers and brought up rather strangely, they’re still quite observant and functional in their own unique ways.
Yes, I like what Melody wrote in her goodreads review. The girls are "sheltered but not foolish." It's interesting how that turns out because I've known overly-sheltered individuals who grew up to have issues and others who have turned out completely functional. I wonder if the sub-culture among the siblings is a factor in how that'll play out.
I like that! I bet you’re right.
Ooo color me interested! Anything questionable/content warnings to be aware of?
The father in the story calls his daughter a word that is pretty shocking (he's speaking in jest) but from what I've read, it didn't have quite the same connotation in the 50s that it does now. And a brother-in-law smacks his SIL on the rear with a book, but the context is not sexual at all. Those are two moments I can think that might give a more sensitive reader pause, but it's been a few months.
Oh, I'm exactly the sort of reader you described but I haven't read this - I can't wait!
I remember that you love I Capture the Castle! I think this might be a perfect novel for you!
I will read pretty much anything you recommend!
Ah I'm sorry I'm just responding! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this if you read it! It's one to read when you want a cozy but not treacly novel haha
Okay, you just bumped this way up on my Birthday Book List! The connection to P&P is so intriguing.
I'd like to reread it with the P&P idea in mind from the beginning! And I think you'd really enjoy it. There's a very funny Sunday School scene that still makes me laugh when I think of it.
I learned something new today! I’ve not become acquainted with Tutton. I have four daughters of my own, who, by many measures are seen in a similar fashion. Although I would like to think my nerves are quite under control comparatively to their mother! Yet there is something about having a sorority of daughters around that has a way of making the home life rather colorful. I do agree that parents are challenged with managing their own visions for their children. At times it seemed so frustrating especially if the child has a divergent temperament from yours. Letting go has been the best solution. And by the way the most fruitful for our girls. What a great essay! Thank you such good words to ponder!
What a lovely comment. Thank you! I think 'colorful' is how my own mother would probably have described home life with several daughters haha. Diverging temperaments is a real challenge--one I struggled with as an adolescent and one I'm still learning to manage now as a parent.
I read this book decades ago as a teenager and have never forgotten it. I’m delighted that it has resurfaced and that it’s finding new readers.
It's a treasure! I don't know if you've seen it but the British Library Women Writers series has republished another one Tutton's novels, 'Mamma'. I'm interested in reading that one too. It seems to feature another dysfunctional mother/daughter relationship. Makes me curious about Tutton's personal life.
Adding this to my to read list— it sounds delightful.
I just totally adored it. And I'd love to see a film adaptation...preferably by Greta Gerwig haha
I really need to read this book.
Yes, an overlooked gem for sure!
I love this book and love reading your insights!
Loved reading it alongside you :)
I’m planning to ask for a Persephone book subscription for my birthday in May. I’ll put this one on the list!
I sent you a DM yesterday. :)
That's a perfect birthday present! I'm generally pretty restrained in my book buying, but this was one I couldn't help but buy as a present to myself :)
Ah! I just saw it. Will respond posthaste!