
Tenth May, 1934. At this moment I look up and see the Man Who Lives Next Door standing on his doorstep watching my antics, and disapproving (I feel sure) of my flowered silk dressing gown. Probably his own wife wears one of red flannel, and most certainly has never been seen leaning out of the window in it - The Awful Carrying On of Those Army People - he is thinking.Vivacious, young Hester Christie tries to run her home like clockwork, as would befit the wife of British Army officer, Tim Christie. However hard Mrs Tim strives for seamless living amidst the other army wives, she is always moving flat-out to remember groceries, rule lively children, side-step village gossip and placate her husband with bacon, eggs, toast and marmalade. Left alone for months at a time whilst her husband is with his regiment, Mrs Tim resolves to keep a diary of events large and small in her family life. Once pen is set to paper no affairs of the head or heart are overlooked.When a move to a new regiment in Scotland uproots the Christie family, Mrs Tim is hurled into a whole new drama of dilemmas; from settling in with a new set whilst her husband is away, to disentangling a dear friend from an unsuitable match. Against the wild landscape of surging rivers, sheer rocks and rolling mists, who should stride into Mrs Tim's life one day but the dashing Major Morley, hellbent on pursuit of our charming heroine. And Hester will soon find that life holds unexpected crossroads…Mrs Tim of the Regiment is part of The Bloomsbury Group, a new library of books from the early twentieth-century chosen by readers for readers.
Hester Christie attempts to maintain domestic order and social standing as an army wife while navigating the frequent absences of her husband and the complexities of military community life. Living in a series of postings, Hester manages the daily demands of child-rearing, household logistics, and the scrutiny of neighbors. Her narrative is presented through a personal diary, which captures both the mundane details of breakfast preparations and the significant emotional shifts caused by her husband's career. When the family relocates to Scotland, she faces new social pressures and the arrival of a persistent suitor, forcing her to evaluate her commitments and personal desires. The story operates within the constraints of early twentieth-century social etiquette and the rigid expectations placed upon military spouses.
Readers frequently highlight the charm and wit found in Hester Christie's candid observations of her daily life. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the diary format in creating an intimate connection between the protagonist and the reader. Critics note that the pacing remains steady, reflecting the rhythm of a busy household rather than high-stakes action. Many appreciate the balance between the humorous domestic mishaps and the more serious undertones of life as an officer's wife. The atmospheric descriptions of the Scottish landscape are often cited as a significant contributor to the book's enduring appeal.
Page Count:
378
Publication Date:
1973-01-01
Publisher:
Holt Rinehart Winston
ISBN-10:
0030014360
ISBN-13:
9780030014369
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