I thought I’d read The Priory by Dorothy Whipple quite recently, but apparently it was more than four years ago – so I wasn’t exactly rushing onto my next Whipple when I read Because of the Lockwoods (1949). I’ve had it for goodness knows how long. Certainly I read my first Whipple back in about 2004, so I’m spacing out her novels. And I’m glad I finally picked this one up, because it’s up there among my favourites of her output.
At the heart of the novel are two families: the Lockwoods and the Hunters. They are amiable neighbours living in neighbouring grand houses in the north of England – the Lockwoods’ is a little grander than the Hunters’, but they are in the same echelon of society. It is natural that their offspring should be friends with each other. That’s Martin, Molly, and Thea for the Hunters, and Clare, Muriel, and Bee for the Lockwoods (Muriel and Bee are twins, and Whipple doesn’t care much to distinguish between them.)
Towards the beginning of the novel, all this equilibrium changes when Richard Hunter dies. It is discovered that he has not left his grieving family with much in the way of money. They must sell their house and most of their possessions; they must move to a humble street and move in less heightened circles. It’s the sort of street that would represent the height of some people’s ambitions, and indeed one character does consider it a vast achievement to be there, but it is a fall from grace.
While the Hunters’ social circle changes instantly, the Lockwoods do maintain their friendship. Though it is a friendship warped out of all recognition. They are no longer equals, and so the Lockwoods find every possible method of patronising and belittling the Hunters. Mrs Hunter is a kind, naive woman who sees only attempts at kindness. Martin is too besotted with Clare to put up much of a fight. Thea is really the heroine of the novel, and she sees the Lockwoods for what they are: unkind to the point of cruelty, thriving on their sense of superiority.
What Thea doesn’t know, but the reader learns early on, is that Mr Lockwood has defrauded the widowed Mrs Hunter out of a fairly sizeable amount of money. Not a life-changing amount, but enough that it would have helped prevent the indignities of their fall. It might have helped improve the prospects of the Hunter children, each of whom feels obliged to leave school as soon as possible, to earn money.
And they feel obliged because Mr Lockwood insists. He is not content to commit fraud – he is abrupt, rude, and callous to the Hunters at all time. He continually bemoans that he has to spend time helping the Hunters with financial advice, but he never really goes out of his way to do anything. Whipple has drawn a believably despicably tyrant – though a tyrant only to outsiders. The portrait is sophisticated enough to show that Mr Lockwood is loving to his own children.
The interweaving of the families is the main plot of Because of the Lockwoods, but I have to mention Oliver – a lower-class man that the Hunters initially avoid friendship with, but who helps them more than anybody else. Not least in accepting who they now are, and the position in society they hold.
I really loved reading Because of the Lockwoods. I know Whipple is well-loved in the blogosphere, and often singled out as a stand-out in Persephone’s catalogue – at her best, I think she is brilliant, though some of her novels are rather workmanlike in my opinion (though always enjoyable). This is definitely up there among her best. I only noted down one passage to quote, but it shows some really fine and evocative writing:
The train gathered speed. The town passed before Thea, strung out by streets and squares, embosomed in trees, pierced by spires, spanned by bridges, dominated by the cathedral towers. Then receding, the town drew together, closer, tighter, until it grew so small she could see it no longer.
If you’re a Whipple newbie, I think this would be a brilliant place to start. If you love her but haven’t got to this one yet, don’t wait.
Others who got Stuck into this Book:
“It is a wide and dramatic canvas that provides a stark warning to those who value status and material things over all else.” – Rachel, Book Snob
“Although primarily domestic, Dorothy Whipple explores the different sides of human nature.” – HeavenAli
“Once again, Whipple’s characters are brilliantly drawn. I loved Thea and hated the Lockwoods” – Karen’s Books and Chocolate
We did this for our Persephone book group a few years ago. A Saturday afternoon of quietly browsing customers was rudely interrupted by a passing Persephone lady throwing open the shop door, exclaiming “That Mr Lockwood!!”, slamming the door behind her and continuing on her way …
Haha! Oh that’s brilliant, Gill.
I confess I’ve always been a bit resistant to Whipple but you almost convince me…. ;D
Oo anything put you off, or just not happened yet?
I’ve only read one Whipple but I do mean to read more by her. This sounds a great read, I really like your edition too!
I have no recollection of buying it, but it is lovely!
Couldn’t help thinking of some small resemblance in plot to the Osborne and Sedley families in Vanity Fair.
Oh interesting, yes
Astounded to learn that here is a Whipple that you haven’t read!!
Oh there are a few left!
I just checked and I have this on my shelves. Maybe I should pull it off and read it since it has been there for years! I have enjoyed the Whipple novels I have read but I haven’t been blown away by one yet. Maybe this is it?
Excellent! I think this and Someone at a Distance are a cut above the others I’ve read, though it might just be that I was in the perfect mood for one.
There’s a scarcity of Whipples on my shelves, but I’ve loved the couple I’ve read (including her diary, which I copied out in large chunks because I enjoyed it so much)!
yes, I really enjoyed that too :)
I read this recently and agree it is superb, the snobbery of Mrs Hunter is very well done.
Definitely one of my fave Whipples
This is an excellent Whipple, she creates characters like Mr Lockwood who we loathe but are compelled to read about, so well and realistically. I keep thinking I want to reread my Whipples, but it will probably be over a really long period of time, assuming I even get round to starting.
Yes, so realistic and so loathsome!
I really loved this, can’t believe I read it seven years ago! I liked, predictably, the details of business and life, and the relationships between the two families. My review: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2015/10/12/book-review-because-of-the-lockwoods-persephone/
Simon, I just finished this one after being compelled to check it out of my library based on your review. Oh, how I hated Mr. Lockwood. And Mrs. Lockwood. And those horrid twins.
I really loved this book, and Oliver Reade is now one of my favorite characters of all time, but my unremittingly blood thirsty nature really wanted to SEE the Lockwoods experience their fall from grace and the humbling impact of poverty. I wanted the twins to have to feel their shame and be comforted by the Hunters who would have, I am quite sure, been much nicer about it than they were. I wanted Mrs. Lockwood and her aristocratic feet to be shod in the uncomfortable and ill-fitting footwear of debt.
How the heck does Whipple make books about almost nothing at all so tense and gripping? I feel like I should reread it now that I could enjoy it without the suspense of waiting for the reveal of Mr. Lockwood’s theft.