Village Christmas and Other Notes on the English Year
Author: Laurie Lee
Published by: Penguin Modern Classics
Pages: 152
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★
Author: Laurie Lee
Published by: Penguin Modern Classics
Pages: 152
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★
Village Christmas is a moving, lyrical portrait of England through the changing years and seasons.
Laurie Lee left his childhood home in the Cotswolds when he was nineteen, but it remained with him throughout his life until, many years later, he returned for good. This collection brings to life the sights, sounds, landscapes and traditions of his home - from centuries-old May Day rituals to his own patch of garden, from carol singing in crunching snow to pub conversations and songs.
Here too he writes about the mysteries of love, living in wartime Chelsea, Winston Churchill's wintry funeral and his battle, in old age, to save his beloved Slad Valley from developers.
Laurie Lee left his childhood home in the Cotswolds when he was nineteen, but it remained with him throughout his life until, many years later, he returned for good. This collection brings to life the sights, sounds, landscapes and traditions of his home - from centuries-old May Day rituals to his own patch of garden, from carol singing in crunching snow to pub conversations and songs.
Here too he writes about the mysteries of love, living in wartime Chelsea, Winston Churchill's wintry funeral and his battle, in old age, to save his beloved Slad Valley from developers.
My thoughts:
Laurie Lee’s Village Christmas and Other Notes on the English Year is a heartfelt celebration of English life and landscapes, written with warmth and poetic flair. Told through an anthology of thirty-one short pieces, the book sines in capturing the lives and events of both rural and urban England during the periods before and after the Second World War.
The collection of essays and observations transports readers to an England of yesteryear. The collection’s structure makes it easy to dip in and out of, with each essay offering a self-contained narrative or reflection. From the festive spirit of a traditional village Christmas to the quiet rhythm of seasonal change, Lee invites readers into a world brimming with charm, nostalgia, and fascinating social observation.
While it may not satisfy those seeking a gripping narrative, it more than compensates with its rich descriptions and heartfelt vignettes. The variety of topics —ranging from local traditions and eccentric characters to broader musings on nature and society—ensures there is something to interest and entertain every kind of reader. I’d describe this as a particularly interesting read for fans of reflective, atmospheric writing. For those who enjoy a slower pace of reading, where every sentence is an opportunity to savour the beauty of language, Village Christmas really is a true gem.
Overall reaction:
Laurie Lee’s Village Christmas and Other Notes on the English Year is a heartfelt celebration of English life and landscapes, written with warmth and poetic flair. Told through an anthology of thirty-one short pieces, the book sines in capturing the lives and events of both rural and urban England during the periods before and after the Second World War.
The collection of essays and observations transports readers to an England of yesteryear. The collection’s structure makes it easy to dip in and out of, with each essay offering a self-contained narrative or reflection. From the festive spirit of a traditional village Christmas to the quiet rhythm of seasonal change, Lee invites readers into a world brimming with charm, nostalgia, and fascinating social observation.
While it may not satisfy those seeking a gripping narrative, it more than compensates with its rich descriptions and heartfelt vignettes. The variety of topics —ranging from local traditions and eccentric characters to broader musings on nature and society—ensures there is something to interest and entertain every kind of reader. I’d describe this as a particularly interesting read for fans of reflective, atmospheric writing. For those who enjoy a slower pace of reading, where every sentence is an opportunity to savour the beauty of language, Village Christmas really is a true gem.
Overall reaction:
