English Climate: Wartime Stories by Sylvia Townsend Warner  

This book contains a tremendous collection of twenty two stories that sum up a lot of the British attitudes to the Second World War. Written in the moment, these stories were submitted to the New Yorker and other publications and have been collected by Persephone in this fascinating book. Though some have not been seen since their original wartime publication, all stand up to being read again in the twenty first century, despite their brevity in some cases. Their accurate representation of life in the English countryside is witty, full of atmosphere and conveys a lot of the sense of the people’s reaction to the shortages, rationing, evacuees and so many other elements. These stories, though excellent and successful, were often unpublished since the original publication; indeed, as Lydia Fellgett writes in her excellent Preface, Townsend Warner was uncertain herself as to whether some of the stories had actually appeared in the New Yorker, given the complicated wartime situation. Fellgett goes on to write that the stories “perfectly balance the domestic and the political. And they bring such joy with their quick humour and their lively detail.” This book features stories of implication, suggestions and dialogue which speak of people beset by war, coming to terms with a new way of life. It is a collection to be savoured.

The stories are wide ranging, beginning with a well travelled shirt, and going on to discuss the almost mundane everyday story of a time bomb. The latter story makes much of the London landscape and what someone would save. “Noah’s Ark” reflects the difficulties people living in the countryside had with the expectations of evacuees, displaced children without parents shipped out into new environments. A mother of evacuees appears in a later story, together with some humour about a donated coat, and exasperation with her demands for help. This book mainly features women, coping, or trying to, with shortages and rations, learning new skills with weaponry, depending on men or striking a blow for independence. There are managing women, who insist on their war effort being up to standard, despairing of those who had not built up a store. There are people in difficult situations, as a funeral may mark more than one death. A story from December 1942 deals with a woman who has designed and surveyed her own remarkable house, as she tries to take over the whole war effort in the area, earning herself the title “Austerity Jane”. A strange tale sends a mixed message about the generosity of others regarding much loved possessions. 

Most of these stories are fairly short, some almost impressions, others introducing more nuanced characters, reacting to new experiences and challenges. The writing is generally light, but none the less successful in conveying so much. Townsend Warner is known for her novels, but also produced several collections of short stories, and on the evidence of this book I would love to track them down. Persephone have produced several collections of stories, diaries and novels actually written during the Second World War, and for its immediacy, its ability to convey an impression of how people felt, and sheer audacity of its style, this is an incredible example of a Persephone reprint. 

The Chocolate Lovers’ Christmas by Carole Matthews

A book about the joy and comfort of chocolate – and some women who eat it! This book is centred around a group of women who share a friendship which means a lot to each one of them, especially when expressed through chocolate treats. This is a funny book which deals with the lead up to Christmas on one level, but is really about the complicated relationships the women find themselves in. Although each character has appeared in previous books by Carole Matthews, this book stands up very well as a book on its own. Partly narrated by Lucy, who has a very funny tendency to get herself into all sorts of trouble and her relationship with “Crush” or Aiden, this book also looks at more serious issues of complex family arrangements. Nadia has faced a terrible situation in the past, but now needs to cope with a changed life with a small son, Lewis, and so needs help from the other members of the group. Autumn helps with Lewis, but  her fiance is perhaps less than supportive. Chantal has the confidence of a super model, but is finding looking after her daughter more than exhausting. While chocolate is the answer for most situations in the short term, it may well take more to deal with them long term. Fortunately Lucy is bound to come up with a scheme – that involves roping in other members of The Chocolate Lovers’ Club in this enjoyable and endearing read. 

The book opens with Lucy expounding a few of her theories about chocolate, a subject she loves – “I, Lucy Lombard, manager of Chocolate Heaven and self – confessed chocolate addict”. It is her ideal job, running a small chocolate shop and cafe in London. Her friends gather there to recover from their challenges, and she loves selling chocolate products to locals drawn in by her displays. She has many ideas for increasing trade, but her long hours in the shop is affecting her relationship with Crush, despite their love for each other. Various incidents, including a very funny encounter with chocolate body paint, lighten the mood of this book on a regular basis. Indeed, despite the real challenges faced by the women, Lucy’s talent for disaster always makes this contemporary read a well balanced and often funny book. Autumn’s family situation is difficult, despite money not being a problem, and Matthews’ ability to sensitively deal with the pressure of distant parents is well illustrated. Chantel’s situation of exhaustion is a common problem, but her relationship with her partner is made more complex by an unusual link to another woman. Nadia has employment problems which put more pressure on a single mother, but her friends are there to help.

This is an enjoyable book which does not need to be kept for Christmas time, though it may influence the reader to look for chocolate while reading. Despite some of the themes explored, this is generally an uplifting book, if only because of Lucy’s antics. It is a sensitively written, with vivid and lively dialogue which suggests the characters immediately. The setting, in a small shop cafe, is well drawn, which is also the case when the focus is further afield. The ongoing issue of Lucy’s ex – boyfriend is well handled, as are some issues which the book tackles. This is an enjoyable read not limited to Christmas, celebrating people, friendship and of course, chocolate.   

The Cornish Cream Tea Christmas by Cressida McLaughlin

Hannah Swan loves Christmas. She also loves food, so when she hears that she is to go to Cornwall for a few days just before Christmas she is less concerned with the scenery than the possibility of discovering the famous bus that serves Cream teas. This charming romance is filled with lovely descriptions of a modern hotel built in the shadow of an old building, the people associated with it, and the reality of a new colleague who seems reluctant to be with her. This book is concerned with the preparations for Christmas in the small Cornish community, and is seen largely from the point of view of a young woman who is excited by what she experiences in so many ways. There is an element of mystery, and more than a hint of ghostly happenings, as well as detailed descriptions of seasonal foods. This is a lively and well plotted story, with an amusing ear for dialogue. The hotel is described so well that it is easy to visualize, and the area is successfully brought to life in this vivid and very readable book. I was pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this lovely book.  

The book begins with eco -consultant Hannah travelling from her home in Edinburgh. Although a food fan who once worked in a restaurant, she is not greatly excited about Christmas itself, which she usually spends with her mother and brother, she is more keen on her “friends meal” that she cooks before the big day for her close friends. She does love the colours and decorations associated with Christmas, and is disappointed at the boring train decor. Being an environmental consultant she is doing her first out of office site visit, assessing a hotel for more elements that would improve its green credentials. She is picked up from the station by Noah, a local environmental expert who will work with her on Crystal Waters hotel. He seems subdued and constrained, though he begins to thaw in the beautiful hotel, especially when the owner, Daniel, shows them how much he has achieved already. Hannah is enthusiastic about the hotel, especially its menu, and is impressed by its setting in the small village. She finds the Cream tea bus, and Charlie, its generous owner and Daniel’s girlfriend. A huge storm means that she soon gains a real insight into the people who live in the community, and she begins to wonder if she has visited Porthgolow as a child. She also meets a woman who has come to investigate a particular element of the hotel’s history, which may have left an echo. Can she do justice to the food and people, especially when she is so far from home?

This is a lively book which I found very vivid and convincing. The romance is unusual, and the people generally attractive in their characterisation. The Cornish setting is well described, as is the hotel. There is a certain element of comedy in some of the dialogue, and there is a lovely Christmas atmosphere in this gentle book. I recommend it as a good festive read, as a most enjoyable book.