I imagine that most readers of the Ramblings are well aware of the wonderful Backlisted Podcast, hosted by Andy Miller and John Mitchinson. It’s a thing of great joy, a product of the pure love of books and reading; and I’m probably not the only listener whose book stacks have been swelled by recommendations from the chaps and their guests… They have a Patreon offshoot called Locklisted, which is also wonderful fun (and incorporates the excellent input of their producer Nicky Birch); and on one of these recent episodes listeners were treated to Andy reading a story from the recent Persephone Books collection, “English Climate: Wartime Stories” by Sylvia Townsend Warner. It was just fab…
Now, I love a beautiful Persephone book, but I don’t automatically buy every one which comes out; I haven’t got the shelf space, nor the time to read them all, frankly. And although I love STW’s writing, I already have a Virago collection of her short stories; so I imagined I might already have some (or all!) of these and hadn’t intended to urgently get a copy of the new book. However, the story Andy read (“My Shirt is in Mexico”) was just so good that I felt I needed to investigate further; which I did, only to discover that I don’t think I have *any* of these stories already, and also that some have never been reprinted since original magazine publication. Needless to say, I had to send for a copy…
And when it arrived, it occurred to me that it would be ideal to read for “All Virago/All August”, a challenge which we member of the LibraryThing Virago Modern Classics undertake annually. Yes, I know it’s not a Virago…. But we do allow other books of a similar ilk, so can include Persephones, Furrowed Middlebrow and the like books (and presumably the new British Library Women Writers too!) I do often try to include a translated Virago to mop up #WITMonth as well, but alas it was not to be this August. Anyway! On to the book…
… Mrs Campion was standing on her top step, staring vaguely at the sky and shaking a duster without energy. She had pale green eyes, pure as a kitten’s, and they looked so much at variance with her small, anxious, sallow face that one had the impression they must have been given her by some rich admirer with more connoisseurship than discretion.
“English Climate” collects together twenty-two of STW’s stories which were published between 1940 and 1946; they’re presented chronologically, which is an effective method because it allows us to watch the change in behaviours and attitudes as the war progressed. STW and her companion, Valentine Ackland, spent the war years in a cottage in Devon, and so were in prime position to observe many of the foibles of those in the country during the conflict; and indeed many of the stories have that kind of setting.
As with any collection of short stories, I sometimes find it hard to know quite how to write about it; so I’ll do what I usually do and pick out some particular stand-outs. “From Above” (1941) tells of a couple still living in London, and their contrasting feelings about the threat of their house being destroyed by a bomb; Mr and Mrs Campion react very differently, in ways which reveal their real feelings about their relationship and their life together. “Noah’s Ark” (1941) looks at a pair of misfit evacuee children and the effect of the new people they encounter on their coping mechanism. “Setteragic On” (1941) is a very clever story which takes as its subject the effect of specific privations and shortages on the general populace.
Then there’s “Scorched Earth Policy” (1942) which explores the burden of possession and the increasing fear of invasion which took over the British people as the War progressed. “England, Home and Beauty” (1942) is a short, sharp tale demonstrating the difference of the sexes and revealing that British women were quite prepared to take part in meeting any invasion attempts. And the title story, from 1943, was quite devastating for me (though not in any way you might expect); although I imagine what happens is meant to be symbolic of the destruction of culture by conflict.
In spring it is the duty of every village schoolmistress to foster a love of nature and kindness to animals. While encouraging the children to gather wild flowers for the Easter church decorations, she must remind them not to uproot primroses and violets, or tear up bluebells, or break off boughs from fruit trees, or trespass into the Manor woods after daffodils. In Spring too she must avail herself of young lambs and birds’ nests as the ideal means of approach to a reverent understanding of biological processes, and also prevent the children from stealing birds’ eggs, cutting the wings off fledglings, and throwing stones at valuable pedigree calves. For years Mrs Pitcher had hated spring.
Well, I could go on. There isn’t a dud story among them, and what was particularly fascinating was the different angles STW took. Some of the stories are less directly war-related, simply exploring the psychology of people in extreme and unusual situations (so, of course, somewhat relevant to how 2020 has been for many of us…) She’s an acute observer of the subtleties of the relationships between men and women; and her commentary on the foibles of everyday life is sharp and often very funny.
So “English Climate” turned out to be the perfect read for All Virago/All August and thank goodness Backlisted nudged me into picking up this collection. Sylvia Townsend Warner was such a marvellous writer, and these stories capture so well the changing emotions and times of the War period. I can’t recommend the collection highly enough; and it makes me very happy to realise that I have plenty STW books on the shelves unread… ;D
janetemson
Aug 28, 2020 @ 10:18:57
Another Persephone to add to my wish list!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 28, 2020 @ 10:35:39
🤣🤣 ‘fraid so! It’s a good one!
louloureads
Aug 28, 2020 @ 10:36:32
I’ve not read any Sylvia Townsend Warner yet, though I’ve been aware of her for a while and wanting to start exploring her work. This sounds like a great place to start!
fictionreview
Aug 28, 2020 @ 14:10:34
It is! And if these work on you, I’d likewise recommend THE CORNER THAT HELD THEM — a as a nice introduction to her longer fiction. Although set in a convent six hundred years before, it’s still identifiably, wonderfully STW.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 28, 2020 @ 15:12:38
I’ve only read one of her novels so far – “Mr. Fortune’s Maggot”, which I loved. But I do have several tucked away unread and which I really must get to!
louloureads
Aug 28, 2020 @ 15:47:41
Thanks for the recommendation!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 28, 2020 @ 15:53:31
Ditto! 😁
kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 28, 2020 @ 15:15:19
I think it would be, because she’s so good at short stories anyway, and this is a lovely themed collection. Plus it’s a pretty Persephone, so it’s a win-win situation!
TravellinPenguin
Aug 28, 2020 @ 11:48:10
I’ve not read STW either but enjoy the reviews I read about her books. I have only started catching up on Backlisted posts and I love it. Though I do wish the one who dominates the conversations (forget which is whom) would be a better listener. But their laughs are contagious and very much fun.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 28, 2020 @ 15:14:29
This would certainly be a good way to get to know her! And yes, Backlisted is a joy! You probably mean Andy, who is a most enthusiatic talker – and I think it’s their enthusiasm that I love the most!
Ellen Moody
Aug 28, 2020 @ 12:48:39
I shall be reading your blog every day now. I have only recently become aware of how Warner writes realistic good fiction too – I had only come across her as a poetry and writer of fantasy. Thank you for this August and this blog.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 28, 2020 @ 15:13:31
Thank you and most welcome! These short stories were certainly excellent, and she nails her characters and their human foibles most wonderfully. Such a good author.
JacquiWine
Aug 28, 2020 @ 15:18:09
I’m going to have to get this at some point, I suspect. It sounds marvellous, and very much in line with that big fat Virago anthology of short stories I read recently – the one that includes Poor Mary, which may well feature here also?
For a wartime collection, it seems quite diverse. All those different angles and observations you’ve referred to…truly wonderful stuff!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 28, 2020 @ 15:31:50
It really is a great collection – and yes, it does include Poor Mary.
You’re right about the variety, too – she doesn’t just stick to one aspect of life during wartime, and one story is even set in France!
madamebibilophile
Aug 28, 2020 @ 15:19:28
This does sound an absolute joy Kaggsy. That first quote is such brilliant writing, it’s just astonishing. You’ve sent me scuttling to my TBR and like you I’m gratified to find several STWs lurking – time to dust them off!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 28, 2020 @ 15:31:05
It really is – I absolutely loved her writing and on the strength of this and one novel I can highly recommend her! 😀
heavenali
Aug 28, 2020 @ 15:46:27
I don’t have this one yet, but I shall have to get it. I love STW, and I have read several of her novels and lots of her short stories. I believe though, that most of this collection have never appeared in other collections, so I think I can more than justify acquiring it at some point. She is such a good short story writer.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 28, 2020 @ 15:53:14
I’ve got the virago collection but I don’t think these appear in it – so you can definitely justify getting a copy! 🤣🤣
Liz Dexter
Aug 29, 2020 @ 18:22:59
Oh this sounds a brilliant one – it must be one of the very new ones. 22 stories sounds good. I suspect Ali and I will be buying it for each other for Christmas!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 29, 2020 @ 18:49:46
It is indeed briliant and I think quite a recent release – but I think an essential read for you and Ali! 😀
helen
Aug 31, 2020 @ 15:12:28
Great review – I am so tempted! But can I justify it so soon after my Fitzcarraldo sale splurge?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 31, 2020 @ 16:06:19
Oh yes! You must! Such a good collection!!
buriedinprint
Sep 01, 2020 @ 18:26:09
How wonderful that these stories are all new-to-you and possibly new-to-many, even STW fans. I’ve been meaning to get to her stories for some time (i think both Ali and Simon have raved in the past as well?) but haven’t as of yet. What you’ve said about the change in perspectives here particularly interests me. (Also, I just never get tired of the matching bookmark phenomenon. Such a luxurious touch!)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 01, 2020 @ 19:26:01
It is, and she gets a lot of love from bloggers generally (and on the LT Virago Group of course!). I’ve found her short stories to be excellent and their were so many different aspects to them. And yes – such a lovely touch to have the bookmark!