La Segunda Vida De Viola Wither (1938) - Plot & Excerpts
Absolutely charming between-war romantic novel. Unlike the rest of the novels I've read set in the period between the wars in Britain, this one was actually written then. It was fascinating to see what contemporaries thought of that time period, and of the shifting social classes before the final transition of WWII. It was a well-crafted novel that didn't brook any important trends or impolite society rules. Lovely and sweet. I read this because I'm crazy about Gibbons's more famous novel: Cold Comfort Farm. Seriously, I'm in love with that book. This one I liked quite a bit, but it wasn't nearly as outright satirical and laugh-out-loud-in-public funny as Cold Comfort Farm. Nightgale Wood is entertaining, well written, a bit cliche, but Gibbons took the stereotypical novel and gave it a bit of self-awareness. The story knows it follow the standard storyline, and the voice points out its own silliness. Very entertaining. Didn't love it quite as much as CCF, but still enjoyed it.
What do You think about La Segunda Vida De Viola Wither (1938)?
This novel is enjoyable, but it lacks the appealing quirkiness of Cold Comfort Farm.
—Beara
Okay, so Stella Gibbons is basically Jane Austen, only she says "bitch."
—rvohra
A charming Cinderella tale for the Bright Young Things set.
—LeenLee
