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‘There!’ Pop said. ‘There’s the house. There’s Gore Court for you. What about that, eh? How’s that strike you? Better than St Paul’s, ain’t it, better than St Paul’s?’ And so Pop Larkin – junk-dealer, family man and Dragon’s Blood connoisseur – manages to sell the nearby crumbling, tumbling country home to city dwellers Mr and Mrs Jerebohm for a pretty bundle of notes. Now he can build his daughter Mariette the pool she’s long been nagging him for. But the Larkin’s new neighbours aren’t quite so accepting of country ways – especially Pop’s little eccentricities. In fact, it’s not long before a wobbly boat, a misplaced pair of hands and Mrs Jerebohm’s behind have Pop up before a magistrate …
Pop Larkin’s latest business venture triggers a series of escalating social frictions when he sells a dilapidated estate to unsuspecting city dwellers. As the patriarch of a boisterous, unconventional family, Pop aims to secure funds for a new swimming pool, but his disregard for social norms and property boundaries places him in direct conflict with his uptight new neighbors, the Jerebohms. The narrative follows the ensuing clash between rural eccentricity and urban rigidity, culminating in a legal confrontation that tests the limits of the Larkins' carefree lifestyle. The story is presented through a lighthearted, observational lens that emphasizes the absurdity of the situation.
Readers frequently highlight the infectious optimism and warmth that define the Larkin family dynamic throughout the narrative. Discussion often centers on the author's ability to balance gentle satire with a genuine affection for the eccentricities of rural life. Critics note that the pacing remains brisk, favoring character-driven comedy over complex plot mechanics. Many appreciate the lighthearted tone, which serves as a consistent hallmark of the series. The work is widely regarded as a quintessential example of mid-century British humor that prioritizes charm and character voice.
Page Count:
160
Publication Date:
2006-10-31
Publisher:
Penguin UK
ISBN-10:
0140019758
ISBN-13:
9780140019759
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