Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson ~ 1934. This edition: Buccaneer Books, 1983. Hardcover. ISBN: 0-89966-168-8. 224 pages.
My rating: 8/10. A slight work, good for, at most, several evenings’ diversion. I would definitely re-read it after a decent interval, when wanting something “fluff”-ish to take my mind off the frequently depressing nastinesses of the our own 21st century world. Good for what it is – a tale as innocuous and amusing as Miss Buncle’s was intended to be, and not at all “clever”, though, as Miss Buncle herself found, those wishing to project their own imaginations into this simple fairytale could have a field day with hidden meanings, unintended by the author(s), I’m quite certain!
So, after seeing so many enthusiastic reviews of this book (and a few noncommittal “it was okay”s) I did at last manage to track down a library copy. I fall somewhere in between the two camps, but am probably most at home in the “in favour” crowd. I thought the story was light and fun, and I’m going to search out the sequels, Miss Buncle Married and The Two Mrs. Abbots, but I’m in no hurry. Miss Buncle’s Book was pleasant enough but did not trigger a “must own it” compulsive visit to Amazon and ABE, though I did browse through both hoping to strike a bargain. Not much luck there; inter-library loan it shall be, though I was attracted enough to add D.E.Stevenson to my look-for list for used bookstore shelf scanning. In particular a series of stories concerning a certain “Mrs. Tim”, a soldier’s wife, who seems a good sort to get to know by all reports.
*****
Dowdy, almost-40, kind and peace-loving spinster Miss Barbara Buncle, facing financial difficulties as the dividends from her investments shockingly decrease in the post-WW I years, decides to write a book to gain some spending money. Not having “any imagination”, she draws her characters directly from life, changing only tiny details and, of course, their names. (The village Silverstream becomes Copperfield, Mr Fortnum is now Mr. Mason, Colonel Weatherhead becomes Major Waterfoot, Miss Pretty is Miss Darling, and so on, in a game of renaming by association.) As her tale progresses, she sends her “fictional” friends and neighbours off on some surprising adventures, causing much consternation when the inhabitants of Miss Buncle’s village eventually read the book and recognize themselves.
As the real-life inhabitants of Silverstream-Copperfield meet to decry the parody, and to discover and expose the Judas in their midst, they continually pass over innocuous Miss Buncle, even after she drops broad hints and, in a fit of conscience, even confesses to an unbelieving set of ears. For how could silly Barbara Buncle write even a borrowed epic? She’s not nearly clever enough…
The worm turns with a (mild) vengeance, and Miss Buncle gets the last laugh, as her life takes an unexpecteded turn due to her literary efforts.
Leaves & Pages 
I enjoyed Miss Buncle & the sequels so I hope you’re able to get hold of them. I listened to The Two Mrs Abbotts without realising it was the third in the series (after reading MBB) & then read MBM. I’d also recommend Mrs Tim. Bloomsbury reprinted Mrs Tim of the Regiment recently which includes that title & Golden Summers. Again, I listened to GS on audio & then read MTOTR & discovered that the second half was actually GS. Hope that makes sense! I’ve enjoyed the DES’s I’ve read so far, especially the ones set in Scotland. As you also enjoy O Douglas, I think you’s like DES in Scotland.
Yes, I’m definitely going to try more DES. So glad of the reviews from other readers/bloggers – an abundance of new authors to explore in my treasured “vintage” genre!
[…] is my second D.E. Stevenson, after my initial introduction to this author’s esteemed Miss Buncle’s Book . I can understand how Dorothy Emily has garnered such a devoted following over the years. My […]
[…] there on the borderline, but Mrs. Tim gets a nod and a pass. I’m liking her even better than Miss Buncle , who got a decided pass as well, after some […]
I recently bought this book as I couldn’t find it at the library. I enjoyed D.E. Stevenson’s “Mrs. Tim” series. As you say, they’re fluffy, but offer a nice escape from our world.
[…] enough, with a few reasonably memorable moments, but not quite up to the original Miss Buncle’s Book to which this is the sequel. Definitely recommended to those who enjoyed the first Miss […]
I loved the story until just before the end, when the kidnapping threw everything out of whack. DES violated the writer’s contract with the reader – to play fair in the world of the story – which generally makes sure everyone gets their just deserts. That incident could not have been hushed up, such a circumscribed society. The servants would have talked, Miss Buncle had a strong sense of right and wrong, and would have taken action to ensure that the unspeakable perpetrator was brought to book. It’s a clumsy device, and in my view lets down the whole story, which till then was deftly woven. When I realised what had happened, I nearly squalled, “She gets away with it????” and threw the book across the room.
(I didn’t. It’s a library book. But you know what I mean.)
Oh, good point. You’re very right. Actually I have to admit that Miss Buncle is not one of my top favourites of the DES collection of heroines, though I have high hopes for The Two Mrs Abbotts, which is on my wish list for this coming year.