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| The Camomile Lawn | |
| Author | Mary Wesley |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | Macmillan |
| Publication date | 29 March 1984 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 304 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0333368924 (first edition, hardback) |
The Camomile Lawn (1984) is a novel by Mary Wesley about the lives of Richard and Helena Cuthbertson and their five nieces and nephews; Calypso, Walter, Polly, Oliver and Sophy. The title refers to a fragrant camomile lawn stretching down to the Cornish cliffs in the garden of the main characters' aunt's house. Here, in August 1939, they have gathered for their annual holiday. For most of them it is the last summer of their youth before World War II breaks out. The war acts as a catalyst for their sexual and emotional liberation. Their uninhibited behaviour is recalled when the family are reunited for a funeral in the 1980s.
Contents |
Story plot
In August 1939, Oliver, Calypso, Polly and Walter are visiting their Aunt Helena and Uncle Richard Cuthbertson, and their 10-year-old cousin Sophy who has been taken in by Helena and Uncle Richard. They are often visited by the twin sons of the local rector and Max and Monika, a Jewish refugee couple from Austria who have been taken in by the rector. Their only son, Paulie, is in a concentration camp.
Young Sophy is delighted with the arrival of her cousins, especially Oliver. She is determined to run 'The Terror Run', a cliff path that the cousins race along at full moon, along with the grown ups. However, during a practice run during daylight she is flashed by the resident coast-guard.
Returning from fighting in the Spanish Civil War, a depressed and disenchanted Oliver has a changed outlook on life although he still retains his crush on Calypso. Calypso, knowing that she isn't what Oliver is truly seeking, is determined to make the most of her beauty and marry a rich man.
Sensible, intelligent, practical Polly is observant and eventually joins the war office. It is implied that she is working on War Intelligence. Her brother Walter joins the Navy.
TV adaptation
Channel 4's 1992 adaptation had a notable cast of actors. Felicity Kendal played the scatty, snobbish, but endearing Aunt Helena Cuthbertson, with Paul Eddington as her husband Richard. Jennifer Ehle played the 'mercenary' young Calypso, with her real-life mother, Rosemary Harris, playing Calypso in old age. Tara Fitzgerald played the part of young Polly and Rebecca Hall was cast as young Sophy.
Film locations were at Broom Parc House, Veryan, Cornwall, and Portloe, Cornwall, UK.
The haunting theme tune for the movie adaptation is based on Ravel's String Quartet in F major.
See also
External links
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- This page was last modified on 2 September 2008, at 05:45.
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