I picked this up because I thought it would make a nice cosy bedtime read. Well it does, a bit. At first it reminded me strongly of Frank Capra's BW film, "You Can't Take It With You". The Larkins live what appears at first to be a hand-to-mouth existence on a ramshackle farm, though Pop Larkin is never seen to do any actual farmwork like feeding the animals, milking or mucking out. But then he does have five kids, all of whom are expected to pull their weight. In spite of having an extensive property to care for, the Larkins spend most of their time harvesting other people's fruit.In another sense, their life is very much "hand to mouth": they are always gorging! The book starts with icecreams and crisps all round, then they drive home for tea, then dinner--and Pop and Ma Larkin seem to swill alcohol nonstop without ever being a whit the worse. No wonder Ma is hugely obese--the wonder is, no one else is!Unfortunately, the metaphorical magic of the Capra film is missing from this book. I grew up around people rather like the Larkins (without the nonstop eating and drinking): generous, warmhearted and welcoming, but (like the Larkins and unlike the Capra family) rather judgemental of people who don't share their lifestyle and values. "Charlie", the taxman who is adopted by the Larkins (very much as in the aforementioned film, which may have served as inspiration for this book, as it came out in 1938 and was hugely popular) comes in for a lot of criticism behind his back for "lack of technique" and "not using his loaf", at least not in the way the Larkin menage thinks intelligence should manifest. I also got the growing feeling that Charlie was being entrapped by all the adult Larkins as husband fodder for Mariette.The only thing that really grated on me was Pop going around kissing all the women on the mouth with unwarranted "velvety passion"--and this would appear to include his adult daughter. That made me cringe; it was badly out of place.A frothy read that took only 3 hrs or so. But would I read it again? I doubt it. I really wanted to enjoy it more, and the ending was just--odd. It felt chopped short.
I watched the BBC TV series of 'The Darling Buds Of May', long before I read the book, but I was captivated by the characters and the Actors & Actresses who brought them to life, and now having read the book I can truly say the casting was right on target. As the story unfolded I was able to picture the Actors particularly David Jason as Pop Larkin, as he gave a 'perfick' performance as a man who life to the full, and his consumption of the good things in life knew no boundaries. Then of course there was his wife Ma Larkin, who it seemed was always at the stove cooking mountains of food, nothing was too much trouble. H.E. (Herbert) Bates had a way that I found similar to Enid Blyton's of describing in rich detail the food and drink that was consumed, and the after affects. Ma and Pop Larkin's eldest daughter Mariette, is a naughty temptress, who already pregnant by persons unknown is trying to lure young Charlton 'Charlie' down the path to fleshly wickedness, and he seems unable to resist. All this wickedness is only hinted at but never seen, which under the circumstances is just as well. All things considered this is a book that is a perfick experience.
What do You think about Darling Buds Of May (1961)?
1. Penguin Readers Stage32. 5/17 40min, 5/20 80min3. office, tax, strawberries, kiss, cocktail,marry, gymkhana4, Pop was thinking about the new baby. Ma was thinking about his surprising suggestion of getting married.I can imagine that they are very happy to spend time together. Baby is precious things for couple, so I hope they will live a full life.5, This book was little difficult for me. I couldn't understand all stories. There are some difficult relations. I hope their new life bring them happiness.
—Fuka Hatayama
The Pop Larkin Chronicles are the quintessential feel good, detached country-bound romp. Well known by the popular tv series starring David Jason and introducing a young Catherine Zeta Jones to the world, this series of novellas set in rural Kent depict a time of post-war relief and joy and with the Larkin family, a sense of openness, lassez-faire and an eagerness to get on with life, enjoy nature and all it brings, not to mention the ability to eat heartily, drink and be merry. As a whole, the series delights but can be rather disjointed and sporadic between volumes. They are a joy though and have you yearning for a spot at their table being force fed and watered. This is the first in the series and sees the arrival of one of the main recurring characters moving forward, as he is kidnapped by the family in the most politest of fashions and ends up moving in with the family and becoming very much part of the furniture and a city fish out of the water.
—Mark Farley
I don't remember why I put this book on hold and was a little confused when I picked it up from the library. Sometimes I read a book description and think I will take a chance with a book outside my typical Mormon or Christian romance genre. I am always hopeful that I have found a clean, fun book but unfortunately those are hard to find. This book falls into that category. I enjoyed parts and there were some hilarious situations but overall the language and intimate descriptions left me wishing I had passed on this book.
—Heather
