Four charming, witty novelsâincluding The Nutmeg Treeâfrom the âhighly giftedâ New York Timesâbestselling author of Cluny Brown (The New Yorker).
A master of the twentieth-century comedy of manners, British author Margery Sharp has been praised as âone of the most gifted writers of comedyâ (Chicago Daily News) and âa wonderful entertainerâ (The New Yorker). Available for the first time in a single volume, this quartet of novels provides a shining example of âher brilliantly acerbic fiction . . . [and] one of her greatest talents, creating female characters of toughness and complexityâ (The New York Times).
Something Light: In 1950s London, professional dog photographer Louisa Datchett has decided itâs high time she snared herself a husband. Up until now, sheâs been indiscriminately fond of men, whoâve taken shocking advantage of her good nature. At age thirty Louisa is ready for someone to take care of her and sets out on her romantic quest, in this New York Times bestseller.
âBrisk, bright, sly, engaging . . . a pleasure to read.â âChicago Tribune
The Nutmeg Tree: Motherhood was never really free-spirited Julia Packettâs thing. Following the loss of her husband in World War I, Julia turned to her well-heeled in-laws to raise her daughter. Now twenty, Susan invites her mother to France for the summer to persuade her grandmother to allow her to marry. When Julia arrives, she quickly sees that her proper daughter is mismatched with a playboy. And when Susanâs distinguished legal guardian, Sir William Waring, shows up, romantic complications ensue.
âOriginal, subtle, and consistently entertaining.â âKirkus Reviews
The Flowering Thorn: In 1929 London, socialite Lesley Frewen impulsively decides to adopt an orphaned boy. Moving to the tiny village of High Westover, Lesley finds herself challenged by a whole new way of life and changed by a young boy who begins to awaken her capacity to love.
âTo those who âdiscoveredâ Margery Sharp with The Nutmeg Tree, the reissue of this earlier novel . . . will be good news. The city-bred-country-won theme is handled with gay humor and enough of sentiment for general appeal.â âKirkus Reviews
The Innocents: As World War II separates a three-year-old, mentally challenged girl from her parents, a British spinster takes on the responsibility of raising her and the two grow closer. But when the war is over and the girlâs mother returns, Antoinette doesnât want to be separated from the only person whoâs ever really understood her.
âMarvelously crafted . . . believable and heart-wrenching . . . [Sharp] is an incredibly perceptive writer.â âThe Literary Sisters