One of the delights of our reading clubs is the chance to pick up a book you might have been meaning to read for a while, or perhaps to revisit a favourite author. Apart from Agatha Christie, one writer I’m always happy to get back to is Beverley Nichols. Bev has featured on the Ramblings on many occasions, mostly because of his wonderful and entertaining gardening/house trilogies; although I’ve enjoyed his fiction and his autobiographies, and even made a guest appearance once on Simon’s podcast, where we had a lovely chat about Beverley and his books!
Anyway, to my great delight, 1936 is a year which featured one of his works, and as I had a copy there was no excuse for not picking it up! The book in question is called “No Place Like Home” and I believe it’s the first time I’ve read Beverley writing specifically about travel…
1936 was, of course, a year when the world was in a bit of a mess. Slap bang in the middle of the difficult thirties decade, there were tensions all over the place. Nichols, however, chooses this time to make a journey over Europe, heading south and east to the Holy Land (forgive me if my geography is sometimes a little vague – it was always my weakest subject!)
It was a very grand hotel indeed. The carpets were so thick that they almost dislocated one’s knees when one waded over them.
Anyway. Beverley sets off and travels first across Europe, through Austria, Hungary, Rumania (sic), Turkey and Greece, finally fetching up in Egypt to have a gander at the pyramids. Needless to say, this being Beverley, much of the journey is full of humour, From his initial overnight stay at a place which turns out to be a TB sanitorium, through art in Vienna, the Orient Express, the horrors of guides, the further horror of organised tourism – well, you can see that travel in 1936 gave Beverley much to be drily and often gloomily funny about. He loves to go off the beaten track, eschews many of the regular tourist sights and would rather appreciate something small and unusual than the more commonplace attractions.
Those who are familiar with the work of Thomas Mann will agree that Christmas Eve is not an occasion on which one desires to live in the pages of The Magic Mountain. Yet that is what I was compelled to do. And as I pulled myself into my ski-ing trousers, and laced up my heavy boots, a number of curious details about the night-life of this hotel, which had obtruded themselves through my dreams, began to be clear to me. Perhaps the most gruesome was the sound which I had taken for a vacuum cleaner… I realized then that it was not a vacuum cleaner that I had heard. It was an oxygen machine. And it was being used in the room next to mine, which was separated by a very thin partition.
Of course, much of your enjoyment of reading Nichols will depend on how you take to his style which, if I’m honest, is quite individual and a bit mannered. Fortunately for me, I love it… An extra element of humour is provided by Nichols’ companion on the journey – well, that is, an imagined one, in the form of an ‘irate reader’ with whom Beverley often has discussions and arguments, having to break off his narration of his travels to deal with his reader’s complaints. The IR is there to “make us Get On With The Story” and Bev does put him to good use! I found this great fun (although I suspect some might not!) However, all is not humour, and I found myself touched and in agreement with Nichols when he was moved to anger by animal cruelty; in fact, it is this which finally caused him to flee one country. However, this doesn’t quite square with the fact that Nichols goes on a duck hunt at one point, despite despising shooting – truly he was a man of great inconsistency!
The Dead Sea appeals to that morbid strain in one’s nature which responds to the stories of Edgar Allen Poe, the drawings of Doré, and certain fragments of the music of Chopin.
Anyway, the further east Beverley gets, the less he seems to like it, and he’s obviously not the greatest traveller in the world; in fact, when faced with glorious gardens in hot climes, he finds himself pining for the simple English landscape and his own plants and garden! Egypt is definitely not for him – harrassed by the various guides, unimpressed by the pyramids and the Sphinx and not at all happy about all the heat and sand, it’s only his pilgrimage which keeps him going.
The second part of the book gets to the nub of things and reveals why Beverley is actually travelling. As a devout Christian, he is making his way to the Holy Land, and visits Palestine, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron and all manner of sites. Here, unfortunately, he’s again often left disappointed – the Wailing Wall leaves him cold, and he’s horrified by the commercialisation of many of the holy sites. Fortunately, there *are* places which move him – but it’s not been a trouble free journey, and it’s clear he’s a man very rooted to his home.
As well as the religious sites themselves, the second part of the book tackles a very complex situation, and one which I don’t feel at all qualified to discuss. The situation in Israel in 1936 was very volatile and the conflicts between the Jewish and Arab populations were bubbling up. I’m afraid I’m very unclear about the issues in the Middle East – my only wish is that people wouldn’t fight and would learn to live together peacefully – though Nichols does try to explore the situation. I expect his terminology sometimes leaves things to be desired, and it may be that events have moved on so much since then that his comments are completely dated. He does address what he considers to be the downtrodden state of women under some religions, which is perhaps a little unexpected. However, as I’ve said, the whole political situation in the Middle East is remarkably complex and so I’ll move on from that aspect.
So “No Place Like Home” ended up being a very unusual read; a mixture of travel, Nichols’ humour, his in-jokes and unpleasant travel experiences, and a long meditation on the Holy Land and what should be done with it. Certainly, Nichols’ views on Empire are definitely outdated, though I felt that underneath it all he just wanted people to live happy lives. But the book showed me aspects of Beverley I hadn’t come across before and was quite fascinating – and I’m very glad I read it for 1936! 😀
Tredynas Days
Apr 13, 2021 @ 07:12:38
I don’t think this is for me – especially as I just finished Sybille Bedford’s novel Jigsaw, set mostly in the troubled 30s.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 13, 2021 @ 07:36:31
No it wouldn’t be for everyone, especially if you don’t like Nichols’ style. I do, which kept me reading even if the subject matter wasn’t my usual thing!
madamebibilophile
Apr 13, 2021 @ 09:02:32
You do make Beverley sound so tempting Kaggsy! As you say, probably not for everyone but I like the sound of his style. I have Thatched Roof in the the TBR…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 13, 2021 @ 11:15:40
Lovely to hear from you, Madame B! He’s a very entertaining writer as far as I’m concerned, and Thatched Roof should be wonderful as it’s one of his house/gardening books – they’re always such an escapist joy!
Lisa Hill
Apr 13, 2021 @ 09:39:17
I find it quite interesting to read old travel books: I really like reading HV Morton, and recently read his In the Steps of St Paul. It was of course very dated, especially in regard to Middle East politics (about which I feel much as you do) but I really enjoyed reading it all the same.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 13, 2021 @ 11:13:58
I like them too – I read a Graham Greene one not long ago, and they’re a wonderful window into the past. Yes, they do date but they reflect what the world was like then and what people thought and believed. I’m not great on politics when it gets complicated, but I really wish people could learn to live together (must be the latent hippie in me!!)
Lisa Hill
Apr 13, 2021 @ 13:31:41
I couldn’t agree more, because at the end of the day, that’s the only solution there is. When life is a nightmare for both sides, some kind of negotiated settlement is preferable to endless violence.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 13, 2021 @ 15:03:42
Exactly. I can’t imagine the horror of living life as it is in some countries – I just I knew where to try and help.
Lisa Hill
Apr 14, 2021 @ 00:53:57
My solution to that is to be a regular monthly donor to the Red Cross (and some other charities… but medical research isn’t relevant to this issue). The Red Cross is always there when there is a need to pick up the pieces, and when you are a regular donor, they can count on your money, and you feel/know that you are doing something practical to help. (I can look beggars in the eye too because I know that the Red Cross is doing Foodbanks & shelter with my money.)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 14, 2021 @ 13:53:11
Yeah, that’s a good one. I may have to move in that direction as I do feel the need to do something practical.
Lisa Hill
Apr 15, 2021 @ 11:17:49
The idea comes from Peter Singer, you can read about it in my review of The Life You Can Save:
https://anzlitlovers.com/2011/01/06/the-life-you-can-save-by-peter-singer/
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 15, 2021 @ 11:53:16
Thanks! 😀
A Life in Books
Apr 13, 2021 @ 11:35:23
I’m not sure how I’d get on with his style although that first quote is very funny. That said, this does sound like an interesting piece of travel writing. Very much of its time.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 13, 2021 @ 15:05:20
He’s a very witty writer, and I personally love his style. This was quite a fascinating read in the end, because it captured the world in the middle of a very difficult decade. Really intriguing.
heavenali
Apr 13, 2021 @ 12:34:35
I think this sounds really charming, and though perhaps not everyone will get on with Nichols mannered humour I really liked the two of his books I have read so far. I think a travel book from this period is particularly interesting given the political climate.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 13, 2021 @ 15:04:37
It had many wonderful moments – Nichols *does* write so well, and I love reading him. And he certainly caught the world in the middle of a very complicated era – quite fascinating!
Simon T
Apr 13, 2021 @ 16:39:49
I’ve just finished this one and am trying to decide what to write… I didn’t love it as much as you, much as you know I love Bev. Partly that’s because I struggle with travel writing (I didn’t know that’s what it was when I picked it up!), and partly the Irate Reader perhaps crossed the line into too whimsical even for me. But I did find his comments about different cultures and countries very difficult – I suspect he was quite advanced in some ways for 1936, but obviously not for today. Will try to formulate some thoughts, or might just leave him covered with your review for this week!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 13, 2021 @ 20:03:13
Ah, if travel writing is not your thing, I can certainly see a problem here. I did quite like the IR as a contrast to the attempts at seriousness. As you say, his thoughts on cultures and countries are potentially problematic – his thoughts on empire in particular – although he does often strongly eschew cruelty. It was the mix in this one that I think made it harder for me to write about!
#1936Club – links round-up – Stuck in a Book
Apr 13, 2021 @ 16:41:48
Reese
Apr 13, 2021 @ 18:54:16
Interesting. Beverley Nichols is just a name to me, but I was OK with the style in the quotes you gave, and even laughed at the first one, and chuckled at the Thomas Mann reference. Hmmm! Sounds like an excellent choice for the year at least & somebody I’ll need to check out.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 13, 2021 @ 20:01:16
Nichols’ style is usually very witty – his house and garden books are a scream – but there’s often a melancholy undercurrent. If you get a chance to try him do – it would be worth you giving him a go, I think!
WordsAndPeace
Apr 13, 2021 @ 20:58:35
Thanks so much, I need now to check this author!
JosieHolford
Apr 14, 2021 @ 02:20:45
He sounds insufferable. I always had him down as a rather harmless cat fancier with an unfortunate interest in spiritualism who wrote about homes and gardens in respectable places.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 14, 2021 @ 13:56:25
LOL! He can be very opinionated, and wrote about a wider range of things than you might expect. He is, for example, quite passionately against the death penalty and writes eloquently about the hanging of Edith Thompson and the effect on all around her. So although he appears flippant, he isn’t always.
Claire (The Captive Reader)
Apr 14, 2021 @ 05:39:24
I really, really love old travel writing but, equally, I find Nichols really, really annoying when at home so can’t imagine I’d be more enamored of him abroad. And yet the temptation remains…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 14, 2021 @ 14:31:46
It’s not your typical travel book, but is very interesting. As for Bev, if you don’t like his home books, I do suspect you might struggle with this one…
JacquiWine
Apr 14, 2021 @ 11:35:42
I love your enthusiasm for this author, which really shines through! This strikes me as being a very apt choice for the current times, a spot of vicarious sightseeing while physical travel remains very restricted.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 14, 2021 @ 14:34:02
Yes, I confess I love Beverley’s writing, even when the subject matter is not my usual thing. And although this one was not without its problems, it was lovely to read and, as you say, escape vicariously for a little while! 😀
Liz Dexter
Apr 14, 2021 @ 20:48:27
I like his writing and I love travel books but I think I might struggle with this one. An interesting one to unearth however!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 15, 2021 @ 08:51:42
It’s an unusual combination, really – almost two books in one, where the humourous travel morphs into something more about religion and the Middle East. Bev is always interesting, though!
Calmgrove
Apr 15, 2021 @ 09:42:35
Another author I’ve yet to try, but your review of this memoir-cum-travelogue has done its job of whetting my appetite, thanks!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 15, 2021 @ 09:43:54
I’m a huge Beverley fan, although this is possibly not the best place to begin! However, his house/garden trilogies are a joy and there are crime novels, autobiographies, fiction… He was very prolific!!
Molly's Book Nook
Apr 15, 2021 @ 13:18:01
I’ve yet to read any Agatha Christie books >.< I need to get on that. Also, I just discovered this 1936 club event and I'm sad I'm late! I'll have to join in next time. It sounds like fun 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 15, 2021 @ 13:51:43
Ah well – if you’re a quick reader, the club does run until Sunday! And Agatha Christie is definitely worth exploring – her three novels from 1936 are excellent!
Two final #1936Club titles – Stuck in a Book
Apr 18, 2021 @ 07:04:40
buriedinprint
Apr 20, 2021 @ 21:08:04
I enjoyed the glimpse of the TOC from your vintage volume; it’s funny how even the margins and type arrangement (I’m sure these are not quite the correct terms) add flavour to a read. For me, at least, reading something from an earlier era is best experienced on the page; whereas, on the screen, it’s easy to forget when the book was published and how the writer’s experience of the world would have differed from the reader’s. Also, I loved the comments on this post…”harmless cat fancier” LOL Well, there’s that.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 21, 2021 @ 11:39:08
Yes, a vintage edition of a vintage book is extra special, isn’t it? And you’re right – it does remind the reader we’re going back to a very different world… As for Beveley as a harmless cat fancier – I’m not sure he was ever completely harmless!!
Denise
Apr 24, 2021 @ 08:32:30
The Tree that Stood still etc passed me by as a child, so I thought I should go back and revisit it. I found the self assured style fascinating – it was verging on patronising, but I could imagine being swept away by the reassurance of it as a child. It was quite dry and amusing in places too. And it makes even more sense finding out here about Beverley’s religious beliefs – the ideas of good and evil give the book a very strong drive.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 24, 2021 @ 11:47:20
Oh, that’s so interesting! I do have some of Nichols’ children’s books but haven’t read them yet – I wonderef how I would feel about them. I think you’re right about the reassurance we often need as a child when reading, and I think that as an adult we’re often looking for something different!