Entering the world of blogging was for me much like pushing through the wardrobe to Narnia or discovering the Borrowers living under the floorboards. It has opened up all sorts of new experiences and introduction to books by readers the world over; bookish bloggers whose reviews and recommendations are as good as, if not better than, those I find published in magazines and newspapers. I have discovered so many books I might not otherwise have heard of, or given a second glance.
Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struthers is one of those books.
I’ve known Mrs. Miniver for a very long time through the movie of the same name. Much like “It’s a Wonderful Life”, I’m not sure when I first saw “Mrs. Miniver”. It is as if I’ve always known it. I still enjoy the varied characters in the village, feel frightened as the Nazis nightly bombard the town and Mrs. Miniver hurries the children into the shelter. I still smile at the scene where the Miniver Rose is given the trophy (and thought of this scene when a similar one played out in Downton Abbey last season). I still cry at the loss of Carol as she and Mrs. Miniver travel by car in the darkest of night and I still feel a sigh of relief when Vin flies overhead to let his mother know he is okay.
All these years, of which I have many, I did not know of Mrs. Miniver the book until recently. How did that happen? How could I have missed such a rare treasure trove of stories so simple and rich?
However this book has gone unnoticed, I’m glad it found me. To read it is both a surprise and a comfort that I had my nose buried in all weekend.
The book is really a series of vignettes set around Mrs. Miniver. They are simple stories in short chapters that were published in the London Times between 1937-39. The essays are fiction, though said to be based upon the life of the author, and take us through the everyday, common moments of life. With no major plot, mystery or adventure, they are exquisitely written and I found myself always wanting more.
The chapters are delightful as we enjoy the first day of August, search for a new charwoman, visit the zoo, have strawberries and tea among the strawberry plants with Aunt Hetty. We observe Mrs. Miniver and her husband, Clem, discussing who to invite to a dinner party (it seems most couples have one member who is a good dinner guest, the other not). We go with Mrs. Miniver, her three children, and the household staff to get their gas masks. We watch Vin, Judy, and Toby emptying their Christmas stockings, with each child approaching it in a different way. It made me recall how such small events always reflected the characters of my own children.
In one absolutely delightful chapter, Mrs. Miniver is off to buy a new engagement calendar. It is mid-January. She ruminates over which calendar is best – and why – and the importance of keeping her calendars from year to year. The history they tell of a life.
Rather timely, at least here in the States, there is one chapter entitled “Left and Right”, in which Mrs. Miniver finds herself at a dinner party where two women of very opposite political views are seated near one another. Read along along with me, won’t you? It is the last few sentences of the chapter.
Oh, Lord, thought Mrs. Miniver, we’re off again; and anyway, I’m sick and tired of being offered nothing but that same old choice. Left wing . . . Right wing . . . it’s so limited; why doesn’t it ever occur to any of them that what one is really longing for is the wishbone?
Indeed!
While the book and the movie are different, I truly could not say which one was better. I think they both stand up on their own merits. I will watch “Mrs. Miniver” again and again, of that I am sure, and I will read Mrs. Miniver over and over as well. One makes me long for the old silver screen, the other for a time when well-written essays and stories were published in magazines each month. I urge you to visit both versions of an interesting woman of the 1930’s. I promise you that, at least with the book, you will never encounter a revolving door in the same way again.
(For those of you familiar with the movie, you might want to check out this post by Julia of Hooked on Houses. Julia often takes her readers “inside” movie and television homes. This one is all about Mrs. Miniver.)
hookedonhouses.net/2011/06/27/mrs-minivers-house-in-world-war-ii-england/
To the library I went (on-line) and put both movie and book on hold. Suspect I will like the book best and might just have to own a copy. I’ll see. Thanks for writing about Mrs Miniver!
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I think you will like the book, Joyce, and will want your own copy. The stories are so wonderful and so quick to read, though they stay with me still. I know I’ll be back to them in all seasons. You’re welcome. Let me know what you think.
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Thank you for another book suggestion Penny. I have in my pile here at the bach, Truman Capote, ‘ A Christmas Memory’, and Elizabeth von Arnim, ‘Elizabeth and her German Garden’, – both recommended by you.
I like the sound of the title ‘Mrs Miniver’, and could imagine Mira giggling with delight every time I say it, if she were here.
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You are welcome, Juliet. I hope you are able to find it and will enjoy Struther’s essays.
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It makes sense that there was a book, but I had never heard of it either, although I too have watched the movie many times. I will look for the book and then check out the movie from the Library. You are doing a great job of lengthening my TBR list (and I appreciate it!)
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One of the beauties of the internet and blogging is discovering such things we might not have otherwise known about, Sallie. I’m enjoying it. Glad to keep everyone’s TBR lists as long as mine.
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It has been years since I saw Mrs. Miniver! And I certainly never heard of the book. I am eager now to see the movie again and will find the book another special treat, I’m sure. I love your movie and book reviews! Time to start a new Amazon wish list! Thank you, Penny! Debra
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I just love the movie and hope you get to see it again, soon. I think you would like the book. Do put it on your Amazon list, if for nothing else than to remind you of it. I would not have heard of the book had it not been for some really delightful book blogs that I read.
Thank you so much, Debra. That is sweet of you to say.
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I am an avid reader and have this book on my to read list. I keep a notebook full of them. I have books infront that have to be read first of course but thanks for letting me know what a great reviewer you are. Do you post on Amazon? you should… Outstanding
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Thank you, Jackie, for your kind words and for commenting here. I’ll have to look into reviewing books on Amazon.
My to read list is a mile long, and growing. Let me know when you get to Mrs. Miniver. I’d love to hear what you think of it.
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Ahh, my list keeps growing! 🙂 I actually went to Amazon and read the first few pages of the book, so I am hooked! Hopefully, I can find this one in the local library system, since my pockets aren’t deep enough (nor my gift certs. large enough) to buy everything I see and want!
Thanks for the great review though! Finding your blog was a windfall! Hope you’re staying warm!
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Hi, Karen. I think you would enjoy this and hope your library system has it. If they don’t, you might ask your local library to purchase it. I did that once, half joking, and they bought the book! I was fortunate in that my daughter and son-in-law gave it to me for a Christmas gift.
Thank you so much. You’ve made my day, Karen. I so enjoy “talking” with you here. Yes, staying warm, but, oh it is cold outside. Hope you are warm and cozy.
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This sounds fantastic: how can I have never heard of Mrs MIniver? ANd indeed, her lovely house? I wonder if the real house exists somewhere. I feel a trip out coming on.
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Oh, you must see the movie then, Kate, for the house is wonderful. I think it was mostly a movie set, however, but, one can always hope there is a real house out there. A little tidbit I read about – Jan Struther was encouraged to write the wonderful vignettes by Ian Fleming’s brother.
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This is (not surprisingly) one of my favorite, favorite books. I keep meaning to buy myself a copy. I loved her outlook, the tone, the life. Apparently not so much the author’s real life, but I don’t care. The book is perfect.
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It is now one of my favorites as well, Nan. I don’t know how I could have gone so long not knowing of its existence. I don’t care, either; author’s lives are often quite different from what they write. Do try to get a copy. I’m already pulling it off the shelf for a chapter to reread here and there.
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A wonderful book review that has definitely given me something to put on my “Amazon Wish List”!
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Thanks, Janet. Mrs. Miniver is a lovely little treasure that you might enjoy. The stories are about 300 words or so and delightfully simple, yet, thought provoking. The library there may have it.
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Penny, like you I love the book recommendations which I’ve garnered over these past 10 months of blogging. The film of “Mrs Miniver” was one of my mother’s favourites, as was the book, which is a high recommendation from one who much preferred non-fiction. I saw the film many years ago, but have never read the book, though I issued it often enough back in my library days. Now to see whether the library still has a copy or whether it’s one for the wish-list.
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It’s so wonderful to have these things at our fingertips, isn’t it? How nice to hear that you mother enjoyed both the movie and the book. I hope you can find it at your library. I must say I am glad I received it as I know I will be pulling it out and reading the vignettes often. They are so lovely and simple, yet full of much of what life has to offer and in what really counts. You might try googling it to see if any of it is online. That way you could see if the stories and the style appeal to you. At any rate, Perpetua, Good luck.
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Sadly the library only has a large print copy, Penny, but I’m glad to say my secondhand copy has just arrived from Amazon.co.uk, together with a copy of L M Alcott’s Eight Cousins. 🙂 However the library does have a copy of The real Mrs Miniver : Jan Struther’s story; by Ysenda Maxtone Graham, which i will request once I’ve read the book itself. Thanks again for the recommendations.
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I just noticed your comment here, Perpetua. Sorry. I hope you enjoy both Mrs. Miniver and Eight Cousins, which I just picked up as I was dusting the books today, thinking I should do a re-read. Enjoy.
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I just discovered Mrs. Miniver in my Grandmother’s library. I dusted it off and decided to try to read it. I hope I enjoy it as much as you have. It is my Grandmother’s vintage copy and that is special in itself. I have not seen the movie.
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What a treasure you found in your Grandmother’s library, Karen. A vintage copy is so wonderful to have. I hope you enjoy it. I know I did.
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