The Demon in the House by Angela Thirkell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I usually rate short stories individually in collections, but these stories following the adventures in a year in the life of the enterprising Tony Morland are linked – both by characters & the seasons. So I’m just giving an overall rating.
I would recommend spreading the reads out as much as possible – especially if character development is important to you, as except in the (outstanding)Paradise Pool & the final story Farewell, Morland, Tony changes very little. He remains the same infuriating know-it-all who can’t/won’t take responsibility for his own actions. His mother, Laura, is exasperated & exhausted by Tony – but loves him just the same.
The Nurserymaids is the other story with a lot of depth & charm.
Other readers have found Tony very young for his age – I’m afraid 21st century children are now very old for their ages. Reading older collections like this makes this reader realise how much magic & innocence has been lost – & for me that is very sad.
Carol - She's So Novel! 