South Riding is a sprawling portrait of provincial life in England between the wars. It is impossible to write in a few words what the book is about. This is a book that deviates from the strict structure of a novel and branches out into chapters dealing with the life of different country folks. The character list is huge and I was skeptical about how the novel would hold together. But let me assure you Winifred Holtby has managed the huge cast of characters brilliantly.
The hero of the novel (a bit more mentioned that the other folks) is a hardworking proud farmer Robert Carne – an alderman struck with a crumbling financial situation wedded to a wife from a wealthy family, now admitted in a mental asylum. Carne refuses to be pitied and works to better the living conditions of those who elected him while his counterpart Snaith is a greedy councilor who puts personal benefit over social service. Presiding over these political (and personal) games is the kind hearted Mrs. Beddows who wants the best for the villagers. Added to this are a variety of characters- Lydia Holly (voracious reader who had to drop out of school to take care of her seven siblings after her mother’s death), Huggins (who had a love affair with Bessie and is now subject to blackmail), Madame Hubbard (who teaches girls ballet with ridiculous songs), Sawdon family (with the wife having a big secret), and so many more that it is impossible to note down all here. Last but not the least is Sarah Burton, our fiery heroine (if one may call her so) and the new school headmistress who has many modern ideals in mind for the school and yet falls hopelessly in love with one of her fiercest opponents. There is an undercurrent of the fear of war throughout because all have lost something valuable because of the war and still nurse unhealed wounds.
1. ADJECTIVES :
I fell in love with the beautiful phrases Holtby has written in this one. She has a whole paragraph about ‘greenness of the countryside’. And when there are phrases strewn around such as “slap the kettle on the stove” and “fasten it at throat with a cameo brooch”, I cannot not be enthralled.
2. IDYLLIC PROSE :
The language is slow and idyllic. So I would highly recommend this for a weekend read or before-bed read. The descriptions are original and brimming with beauty.
3. LOCAL GOVERNMENT :
This might be the first book I have read with accurate (yet non boring) descriptions of the local government of English countryside. The descriptions have a realistic flavour perhaps because Holtby’s mother served as an alderman at her village. In the Introduction Shirley Williams says “South Riding is the only novel in British History that deals solely with local government”.
4. TRADITIONALISM VS MODERNISM :
Carne is a strict traditionalist. He is opposed to the new changes that might spring up in their community. He lays out many reasons against the developments put forward by Snaith. And there is Sarah Burton who wants to reform the school and situation of girls in the country, inspiring in nature and unyielding to pressure.
5. LOVE :
Remember the animation Up? It was said Pixar created the best love story in two minutes. This book is like that. The romance is limited to half or a bit more of one chapter, but it really moved my heart. I kept my fingers crossed for Sarah Burton throughout. The developments between Mr. Holly, widower, and a widowed mother whose kids had grown up were too cute to pass.
6. GOOD VS BAD :
Holtby talks of both the villains and the anti-villains. So you read a well rounded explanation of every situation at large – both the good in some villains and the bad in the nice ones . Imperfections lend a realistic tone to this novel.
7.EMOTIONAL OUTBURST :
Holtby has an unmatchable power in touching the reader’s heart with her words.“But questioning does not mean the end of loving, and loving does not mean the abnegation of intelligence”
Skip the book if…
– You dislike slow paced reads.
– You cannot handle novels without a strong and singular plot.
– You are not a fan of life and goings of countryside folks.
– You cannot bear to read original descriptive phrases in a book.
– You cannot imagine your eyes welling up now and then.
Overall, I enjoyed the read A LOT. I was in tears by the end. Winifred sums up brilliantly how life goes on even after a disaster and how our inherent humanity defines the goals in mind. I was so in love with this novel that I read a bit about Winifred Holtby’s life too. I am very eager to read Testament of Friendship, which tells the story of friendship between Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby.
Title : South Riding
Author : Winifred Holtby
Publisher : Virago Modern Classics
Published : 2011 (Originally in 1936)
Language : English
Pages : 502
This sound wonderful! I might pick it up sometime.
It is a beautiful read. I really enjoyed reading through the lives of all the folks in the neighbourhood. It was a good experience.
It sounds wonderful. I have another of Holtby’s novels (The Crowded Street) on my shelves so I’ll start there.
I would wait for your review. Holtby was an unheard name to me until very recently when I picked up this book. And it made me so sad that a wonderful writer as her was not as famous as she should be. I hope the Crowded Street will be a good read.
I love your artwork construction photographs of the books you read, they are witty, beautiful and a subliminal reference on the books. Brilliant!
Thank you so much. That really made me smile. 🙂
I loved this book and I can remember being completely caught up with the characters and their world. Reading your lovely review almost has me thinking that you’re writing about mutual acquaintances.
So glad to know that you loved the read too. Personally I dislike big books with a huge character cast. But I did not in the least regret picking this one up. I know what you mean- it was almost like staying in that neighbourhood and taking part in the joys and sorrows of the follks there.
This sounds really good for a lot of reasons.
I tend to like books that have an unusual structure. The fact that it also covers a lot of different themes is also very appealing.
I love the way that you write reviews Resh, the way that you break them into parts keeps them focused and interesting.
It is a lovely book. There are some chapters were Carne (the hero, not in the strict sense of the word) does not even appear. Yet I didnt feel as if it was a shortcoming. I was able to embrace the story of the whole neighbourhood which I think was Winifred’s intention too when she wrote this.
Thanks Brian. I used to write reviews as paragraphs before. Maybe I will do a few like that in future when I cannot advocate really strong points in support of the book. I thought highlighting the important facts would be very helpful when busy readers drop in and want to decide at a quick glance whether it fits their taste. Glad that you liked it. 🙂
I’m a little on the fence about this book. I do like beautiful writing and this one sounds beautiful. I don’t mind reading about the countryside and beautiful landscapes. I am someone who craves sadness in my books and although I don’t like slow paced modern reads… I have a lot more patience when it comes to classic-esque kind of books. So a maybe for this one. I’ll have to think about it some more.
I totally understand what you mean. If not in the right mood this book can put you down. This was a book I read over a week or so, maybe even more.
Such a cozy picture! 🙂 I haven’t read the book, but I really enjoyed the adaptation! I do love the setting and British mysteries especially are my comfort reads. I also love VMCs, they have published such amazing works by women writers.
So true! Winifred Holtby was an unknown author for me until I got a recommendation for this book. Very thankful to VMC for that. It is so well written and though I haven’t seen the adaptation yet I am sure it is a good one.
I watched the miniseries after I bought the book, and it was a little darker than I expected it to be. The ending was very real, and I did tear up. I’d love to read the book. Hard to imagine when it was written. Great review and dissection.
Thank you very much. I have watched only the trailer of the miniseries. If you are okay with slow prose you should definitely pick this one up.
Another one for the list!
Hope you will enjoy the read. It is a lovely book. 🙂