This is part of an ongoing series where I write about a different author for each letter of the alphabet. You can see them all here.
For some reason it took me a while to think who I could write about for N. I love E Nesbit but don’t have that many books by her; I have a few by Irene Nemirovsky, but don’t feel enormously enthused by her. And then it struck me – of course! Beverley Nichols! Sorry Bev that you didn’t come to mind immediately – but, fear not, I will do you justice because I have lots of books by you. It’s not all the books in this photo, but it is quite a lot of them – as well as one on my paperback shelf, one on biographies, and one with the Folio editions.
How many books do I have by Beverley Nichols?
Great question, I’m so glad you asked. And the answer is – a lot. He is one of those authors who was very prolific and also widely printed, so it’s not difficult to stumble across his books. I have 26 books by Nichols, and there are still plenty I haven’t read. That covers everything from his famed memoirs about houses, gardens, and village life (I say ‘memoirs’, but they are heavily fictionalised) to books about faith, America, cooking, war, cats, and more. And, of course, some of his novels.
How many of these have I read?
I didn’t realise until I did my count just now, but I’ve read 13 of these books – exactly half way! I’ve only read one of Nichols’ novels, and none of his detective stories, so plenty more to entice me.
How did I start reading Beverley Nichols?
If you’ve been reading Stuck in a Book for a while, then you might remember that Nichols often appeared in blog posts about recent book hauls, and every time I’d say “I haven’t read any Nichols yet, but I’m sure I’ll like him…” I just kept amassing them, filled with faith that he would be to my taste. The first one I ever bought was A Thatched Roof, from a market secondhand book stall in Pershore in 2004. And I finally read something by him in 2017 – Merry Hall, for the 1951 Club. It was my favourite read of 2017. After that, I couldn’t stop myself.
General impressions…
Well, I was right that I’d love him! The Merry Hall trilogy are still my favourite books by Nichols (and much better than the Down The Garden Path trilogy IMO, though I did enjoy those too) – I also really, really loved The Sweet and Twenties, about the 1920s. The only novel I’ve read by him is Crazy Pavements, which was also really fun. Basically, when Nichols is using his witty, insouciant, slightly gossipy tone, I can’t get enough.
My only real disappointment was The Powers That Be, about spiritualism, because he becomes much more earnest and less amusing. Some of his other essays have been good but not brilliant. On balance, though, I trust that I’m going to have a great time when I start reading a book by Nichols, and I’m almost always correct.
I love your ‘living dangerously’ approach to reading, amassing books by an author, convinced you’ll like them even if you’ve never read them… I might have done that a couple of times myself, but usually only after reading one book by that author.
Yes, it has sometimes ended with a lot of books going in the charity shop pile when I finally read one – I got rid of my David Lodges after my first experience!
Oh I need to know more esp as I just reviewed DL’s memoirs (I went off him about three books ago, it’s worth noting!).
I have only read Nice Work, but realised his sense of humour really did nothing for me – always so subjective, of course. And so I decided to call it quits!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who adds several books to the TBR by an author they’ve never read, entirely confident that they’ll love them! I did this with EH Young and thankfully I was right. I’m yet to read Nichols but I have Thatched Roof in the pile, which I picked up remembering your and Kaggsy’s enthusiasm for him.
Oh yes, EHY is great so that was a great choice!
What a lovely Beverley shelf, Simon, and I am of course greatly in favour of this!! I think we share some of these, but there are definitely ones there I don’t have. And do read his detective stories if you can – I wouldn’t say they’re the greatest mysteries in the world, but they’re wonderfully Beverley, if you see what I mean!!!
I think I only have one – THe Moonflower – but will make sure it’s my next Bev!
That was a leap of faith and I’m glad it went well for you!
Thank you for introducing me to Beverley Nichols. I had not heard of him before, but I shall definitely be looking out for his books now. I see the library has quite a few in their stack for old books so I’ve ordered Sweet and Twenties so I can get a flavour.
BTW I have now read and loved Mr Pim Passes by, thanks to you for recommending it and also to Rachel (a previous tea and books discussion in which she encouraged the reading of plays which I was not inclined to do before). I also now have the library copy of My Dog Tulip, a 1966 Bodley Head edition with the green cloth and dustjacket with a lovely line drawing of Tulip!
Only a day after I read your post on Beverley Nichols, I found Merry Hall on the charity book stall in the supermarket! It would have meant nothing before this week. The illustration inside the front page is beautiful and your review means I am not put off by thinking there might be too much about gardening.
Oh that’s brilliant – looking forward to hearing your thoughts!