Review: Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield
A wife and mother attempts to avoid disaster—and a haughty neighbor—in her upper-middle-class life.
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Vintage Fiction | Humor | Women’s Fiction
Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield
Description
An upper-middle-class wife and mother attempts to avoid disaster and prevent chaos from descending upon her household. But with a husband reluctant to do anything but doze behind The Times, mischievous children, and trying servants, it’s a challenge keeping up appearances on an inadequate income—particularly in front of the infuriating and haughty Lady Boxe.
My Thoughts
I’d never heard of this English author before I stumbled upon this work of autobiographical fiction from 1930, originally published serially. While I could tell soon enough that this “diary” is indeed one of humor, it took a little while for me to get into the style and rhythm of the Provincial Lady’s vignettes about her everyday life.
Amusing Here, Touching There
Once I got used to the style, the reading became funnier and funnier to me.
Even through my amusement, though, I would feel for the Lady during her awkward and discouraging moments. Her monetary troubles. Her worries about her looks and health and fashion. Her doubts about her motherhood and household capabilities.
I’d also feel touched at times when one experience or another of pleasure or kindness would make the Lady jot in her diary “Am touched.” I found her brief accounts of actively playing with her two young children to be pretty adorable (even if it would once result in her hair and clothing being mussed in the sudden presence of unexpected guests).
Relatable Here, Ominous There
So many of her sentiments jibed with me.
Like her figuring she’ll think up a great answer/comeback to deliver on a subject—at some time after the conversation has long been over. It’d be inappropriate by then for her to go spouting off her answer, while she’s sitting in church or something. Also, she wonders how much she sacrifices the truth, not expressing what she really feels and thinks, for the sake of not rocking the social boat.
Now, one particular moment portends a war that she doesn’t know is coming: when the Lady meets a lady who makes an offhand mention that something bad must be imminent concerning the Jewish people.
Continuing the Series?
On the whole, this was an enjoyable old-fashioned read for me. I’m curious enough to go further into the series.
Content Note
There’s one appearance of the outdated term for the Romani people. And a light reference to “Jamaica children” got an eye-roll from me, despite any non-malicious intent that may have been behind it.
There’s also a lightly handled event that isn’t too detailed but that could still be cringey for animal lovers. Like the thought of what eventually happens to strays at certain animal pounds.
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