Peace Breaks Out

The endearing thing about Angela Thirkell's Barsetshire is that it fundamentally never changes. The surface problems in shortages and transportation created by the war still continue, of course, but Barsetshire society has taken these in its stride and remained solidly, serenely its old unique charming self. The Biship and the Vicar still take tea with the gentry, tennis parties are squeezed into the land-farming routine, and by ingenious jitney arrangements there are even house parties as of old. For now the young men are returning from the service to their families, a little restless and let down in the sudden quiet of war's aftermath, but on the other hand eager to discuss their plans, and quick to make interesting discoveries among childhood playmates suddenly grown up. There's the deceased Miss Bunting's "favorite pupil," the sophisticated, irresistible charming older son of the adorable and wacky Lady Emily of "Holdings". Two pretty innocents fall under his spell and make things mildly unhappy for their swains until a dashing creature appears from Paris.

(from book jacket)