High Rising

A Virago Modern Classic

By: Angela Thirkell, Alexander McCall Smith - introduction

Narrated by: Jilly Bond

Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Successful lady novelist Laura Morland and her boisterous young son, Tony, set off to spend Christmas at her country home in the sleepy surrounds of High Rising. But Laura's wealthy friend and neighbour, George Knox, has taken on a scheming secretary whose designs on marriage to her employer threaten the delicate social fabric of the village.

Can clever, practical Laura rescue George from Miss Grey's clutches and, what's more, help his daughter, Miss Sibyl Knox, to secure her longed-for engagement?

Utterly charming and very funny, High Rising is irresistible comic entertainment.

©2016 Angela Thirkell (P)2016 Hachette Audio UK

Front row seats ...

I read Thirkell in my teens and decades later am trying the Audible version. It's more delicious than ever, her wit is even sharper when performed. One might as well be at a Broadway play. Am quickly moving on to the next one.

I've discovered a gem!

I found both the story and the narration very entertaining. I enjoyed it from the beginning and hated for it to end. I'm looking forward to more books from this author and narrator. It was a delightful mixture of mystery, family drama, romance and just plain fun.

Stories about people told by a great author.

It is refreshing to read about the relationships of average people in a fictitious but recognizable community in the early twentieth century.

An Absolute Treat From Start To Finish..!!

I finished this truly enjoyable read half an hour ago ,... and I'm STILL smiling.
Jilly Bond as narrator was the perfect choice with all of the varying characters intonations.. she was spot on point the entire time..
What a delight.. thanks Audible for offering this little gem..!!

Deliciously funny

Angela Thirkell has long been a favorite author of mine to read for charming escape from the day's dire circumstances. There is one sour note and that is the infrequent but disturbing casual antisemitism, sadly common in 1933. Thirkell's writing is marvelous and the comments are not relevant to the plot so I still highly recommend her books but reduce the stars by one.
Jilly Bond is the perfect reader.

Perfection

Every written word and every spoken word is sheer perfection. Like a five-year-old, I have listened to this book so often that I can recite it almost verbatim. It is an absolute joy!

Entertaining enough and with twists

What did you love best about High Rising?

I love the characters, the main ones being independent, self-sufficient women. The comedic thoughts of Laura about her boy was particularly engaging - it's how a parent can remain sane during different phases a child goes through.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No one in particular stood out.

What three words best describe Jilly Bond’s performance?

Way too fast.At times in an effort to express certain characters, she raced through conversations. I had to back up and re-listen to understand some things she was saying. I would have enjoyed a slower pace in several parts much more.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I especially appreciated the care taken to treat others well - Ann Todd caring for her mother, for example, and the fact that others showed respect for her because of it.

Any additional comments?

The author's choices for motivations of characters were interesting and sometimes totally spot-on - like engaged couples being in a world of their own - better to marry quickly than have a long engagement. I would like to see some character flaws in Laura who was almost too perfect.

Amazing Narrator Elevates this Story

I listened to this on audio and found the reading of it absolutely delightful. It’s rare for me to enjoy an audio book more than a written one, but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a better voice actor. Jilly Bond took a rather lightweight story and imbued it with so much charm I listened in almost one sitting making Saturday a very cozy day. I loved the main character and especially her relationship with her little son. Not unexpectedly for a book written in 1933, there were some of the usual comments that wouldn’t pass today (stereotypical comment said about Jews, natives, etc) but these, if jarring, were rare.

This narrator and book are the perfect match

I’ve listened to this at least 4 times over the last several years - just perfect :-).

Angela Thirkell - an amusing Jane Austin

Any additional comments?

In the mid 90s I ran across this book in a friend's attic and after reading it, bought all that I could find. I was delighted to see this one featured with an introduction by Alexander McCall Smith and 20 years later, I'm hooked again. (Although I haven't been able to figure out where Smith's introduction is on the Audible file - probably some technical issue I don't understand.)

Angela Thirkell sets her books in fictional small English villages, most in the first half of the 20th century. They are light and amusing - British self-deprecating humor at its best. Jilly Bond does a great job with the characters' and voices. The main character in this book is Mrs. Moreland, a widow and author who makes fun of her own books, acknowledging that she's a hack who writes silly novels for the money. After raising 4 sons, with her youngest still at home, she's an uncomplicated and unsentimental mother who adores her son but , wants to kill him at times. The characters who take themselves too seriously provide comic relief and the villains are delicious.

Overall, just a great set of books that are well-written amusing - much like an early 20th century Alexander McCall Smith.