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Angela Thirkell
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August Folly Hardcover – January 1, 1998

by Angela Thirkell (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 16 ratings
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A favorite summer pastime is the amateur theatrical. Here it serves as the stage for the farce that society can become when played in deadly earnest. Angela Thirkell is the modern Jane Austen for some, and in this book, there are allusions to Mr. Frank Churchill and Mrs. Norris of Pride and Prejudice . It is understood the readers know their origins. August Folly chronicles the lives and loves of modern Barsetshire with Thirkell's wit and sophistication. The gentlemen and gentlewomen display some less than cultivated manners but seem to pull back into character with an apology or a gallant act to save their esteem. The comedy is held together with word and deed - especially word.
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  1. Print length
    340 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Magna Large Print Books
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1998
  5. ISBN-10
    0750505001
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0750505000
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Magna Large Print Books (January 1, 1998)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 340 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0750505001
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0750505000
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.74 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 16 ratings

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Angela Thirkell

Angela Thirkell

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
16 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Barbara Stoner
5.0 out of 5 stars Not Always PC
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2012
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The usual somewhat squirrelly delights of English country life in the early 20th century, cultural gaffes and all. Misunderstandings and happy endings all around.
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James Gorton
4.0 out of 5 stars An Affectionate Send Up Of English Country Life In The '30's
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 1999
August Folly, one of Angela Thirkell's early titles in her Barsetshire series, is an engaging and affectionately satiric look at English "County" life in the 1930's. Thirkell's strength lies in her acutely observed characters, and amusing plotting. The fictitious locale of the novel is taken from the series of novels by Anthony Trollope known as the Barsetshire novels or chronicles, starting with The Warden and Barchester Towers, two classics of English literature of the 19th century. Although Thirkell's writing and depth of characterization don't compare with Trollope's, her novels are witty and amusing in their own right, a sort of minor 20th century Jane Austen. This is the countryside of P.G. Wodehouse and of Agatha Christie from a different perspective. One of the great pleasures of reading Thirkell's novels, however, lies not just in the work at hand, but in encountering characters one met in prior novels and following their changing lives, in seeing a character with whom one became acquainted in a novel from a different perspective, and in seeing the characters of her novels face the real challenges of life in England as it went through World War II, and in the years following. To some degree, the Thirkell novels about Barsetshire life in the 20th century are addictive, and one is always on the look out for further titles in the series, which are currently being published in the U.S. by a small New England press, Moyer Bell. I highly recommend this novel, and the entire series.
36 people found this helpful
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Jennyg
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2014
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Great.
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K. B. Burgin
3.0 out of 5 stars Early Thirkell--prelude of things to come
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2018
Verified Purchase
One of Thirkell's earlier novels--does not measure up to he later ones that portray life during and after the war. She has yet to hit her stride.
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F. Oakley
5.0 out of 5 stars Typical Thirkell
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2006
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A great example of her enduring stories. Loveable and a cheerful read. Got me through whooping cough!
7 people found this helpful
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NC Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, "Austen Light" Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2010
This was my first Angela Thirkell novel and I really enjoyed it and look forward to digging out more of her books at my local used book store. As I am currently (and slowly!) working my way through Anthony Trollope's Barsetshire novels, I love the idea that Thirkell is picking up the same mythical Barsetshire places, families and even the gentle humor and social satire of Trollope. I agree with other reviewers that although she's in the category of Austen or Trollope for social comedy she's not at their level, but her writing reminds me more of Wodehouse (but not quite as farcical) or E.F. Benson's Lucia novels (but not quite as brilliantly snarky). I really enjoyed her light style and fond recreation of life between the wars in the English countryside, complete with summer theatricals, first loves, and other minor village intrigues. If you enjoy the authors mentioned above, you'll probably read this with a smile on your face, as I did!
3 people found this helpful
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Mae
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of a Delightful Series
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2005
It was through this delightful book that I discovered Angela Thirkell. Since then, I have gone through several Barsetshire periods, during which I read nothing else. Thirkell's Barsetshire books are addictive both because of their delightful humor and because the reader meets the same characters again and again.

Much as I enjoy Thirkell's work, however, few of her other novels measure up to the standard set by August Folly. (The Brandons is my other favorite, and Wild Strawberries and Before Lunch come close.) I have found that August Folly is excellent for reading aloud as well, with no overly long passages to obscure the wit and light-hearted plot.
15 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Timotea
1.0 out of 5 stars Great book..shame about publisher Moyer Bell as book is full of typos.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2013
Verified Purchase
Amazon should vet their publishers more thoroughly. Bought this for my husband who is a Thirkell fan. The book is littered with typos and clearly has not been proofed at at all which spoils it for the reader. Moyer Bell need to get their act together or else Angela Thirkell's estate needs to get on the case and find a new publisher.
One person found this helpful
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