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    Miss Buncle Married
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    Miss Buncle Married
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    Miss Buncle Married
    Ebook382 pages6 hours

    Miss Buncle Married

    By D.E. Stevenson

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    From beloved English author D.E. Stevenson who has sold more than 7 million books worldwide!

    The next heart-warming installment in the life of charmingly nosy writer, Miss Buncle, who won't slow down for things as simple as marriage or a sudden move to a new town.

    In this light-hearted follow-up to Miss Buncle's Book, Miss Barbara Buncle had just gotten everything sorted out. She married her publisher, became Mrs. Abbott, and set aside the distracting business of writing.

    But proper domestic bliss demands a change of scenery. The Abbots move to a new town filled with fascinating folks...who might just inspire her bestselling book, whether she meant to write it or not. Miss Buncle thought she wanted to settle down, but she's already discovered that married life can't do a thing to prevent her from getting into humorous mix-ups and hilarious hijinks.

    With the wit and charm of a Jane Austen novel and the gossipy, small-town delight of the Flavia de Luce series, D.E. Stevenson delivers a cozy, hilarious escape into the English countryside.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSourcebooks
    Release dateNov 6, 2012
    ISBN9781402272530
    Author

    D.E. Stevenson

    D.E. Stevenson (1892-1973) had an enormously successful writing career; between 1923 and 1970, four million copies of her books were sold in Britain and three million in the United States.

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    Reviews for Miss Buncle Married

    4/5

    189 ratings23 reviews

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    • 4/5
      D.E. Stevenson continues the story of Miss Buncle in Miss Buncle Married. In the foreword she writes that this sequel took much more planning and was more difficult to write than its predecessor, Miss Buncle's Book, but that she feels it is superior to that title. I'm not sure any comparison is needed; they are both highly enjoyable stories that are oddly hard to put down. In this tale, Miss Barbara Buncle has married her publisher Mr. Abbott and they are settling into their happy married life together. To escape the endless rounds of boring parties and bridge amongst their friends, they move to the country and become involved in the village life there. By a laughable mistake at the lawyers' office, Barbara is mistaken for a local noblewoman and is given a draft of that lady's new will to read. The knowledge she gains suddenly matters later when the to-be heiress and the Abbotts' nephew become romantically involved. I won't give anything else away, but be warned that an Elizabethan fancy dress ball costume comes into play. And trousers are stolen. And Barbara writes another novel! I do think I prefer the first one by half a star, but this was a fun sequel and I can't wait for my next Stevenson title!
    • 3/5
      While I enjoyed Miss Buncle’s Book, it seems Mrs. Stevenson lost her touch with this one, the second of three books—the third one being The Two Mrs. Abbotts. It started quite well, though. There were some annoying characters, like the Marvell children; in one of the chapters they are described ad nausea and their exchanges. They were funny for a while, but became a bit tiresome, especially the scene where they describe their button collection. I jumped several paragraphs, going as far as passing entire pages without reading them. But one of the most irritating features of this book is the constant repetitions. For example: ”For Heaven’s sake, stop it!” he said, trying to speak quietly. “For Heaven’s sake, stop it, Dorcas!” Or here: “Oh, well,” said Jerry, smiling adoringly at her masterful young man, “Oh, well […].” Or this example: “If it’s Crichton,” said Sam grimly, and he rose to his feet, “if it’s Crichton […].” And this: “The beastly coward!” said Sam, angrily. “The beastly coward […].” After hundreds of these repetitions (and if you read the book you will find them easily enough), I was ready to throw the book at the wall—since Mr. Stevenson was not available! It boggles my mind that Stevenson could be so brilliant at times, then go on an on with some silly, tiresome description. This did not happen in her prior book. It is interesting to notice that, if the books were published today, they would probably be called “Ms. Buncle’s Book” and “Ms. Buncle, Married”—which would make them ridiculous, since Buncle was not married—and, therefore, Miss—then married her editor—becoming naturally Mrs. Abbott. Thank God PC had not yet been adopted worldwide! (There was one character I wish had been developed: that of old Mrs. Thane. She had some very good lines, full of wisdom.)
    • 4/5
      Perhaps not quite as good as the first book but Barbara Buncle, now Mrs. Abbott, still manages to see into the hearts of her new neighbors.
    • 4/5
      Miss Buncle Married by D.E. Stevenson; Persephone, (#91); (4*)This book is a follow up novel by Stevenson to her Miss Buncle which I rated as a 4 star read as well. I thoroughly enjoyed the second as much as the first.In this second of the series, Barbara Buncle has wed one solicitor, Arthur Abbott and thusly has become Mrs. Abbott. He has agreed to let her find a new home in the country and though it takes her much time to do so, she finally finds what to her is a desirable village house. Mr. Abbott looks at the house and sees a money pit but whatever his darling Mrs. Abbott wants he will furnish for her. She oversees all of the updating and upgrading of the home and furnishes it beautifully.While walking in the gardens she comes upon two young children playing in the creek and upon it's banks. They get to chatting and tell her that they live just beyond the wood and they are worried that the new owners of the Archway House will not allow them to play in the wood and gardens but Mrs. Abbott assures that they are most welcome to play there as they have always done.This second novel is just as fun filled as the first with many a surprising turn of events occurring. The joy of a life in a small village shines through the pages. These comfy, cosy novels remind me so of a mix of Angela Thirkell and Barbara Pym's books with just a touch of Elizabeth Taylor thrown in.I very highly recommend D.E. Stevenson's books. They are a lark.
    • 3/5
      Six-word review: Weak tea following predecessor's hearty brew.Extended review:My expectations were set low for this sequel to a first book that has the feel of a standalone. My six-word encapsulation of Miss Buncle's Book says, "Perfectly delightful feelgood novel charms gracefully." Not only does it have a clear, complete arc but the premise that worked so well is canceled by the door-closing ending, stating clearly, "We can't go back." Moreover, I was warned that the second, though fun, wasn't as good.Even so, I found the contrast striking.Where book 1 has direction, momentum, and an apt conclusion, book 2 meanders.Where book 1 seems to flow naturally and of its own accord, book 2 feels forced and contrived.Where book 1 is robust, book 2 is saccharine.Where book 1 gives us character, book 2 gives us caricature.In sum, as I knew I might be, I was left wishing I'd quit at one. But my pleasure in the main characters and their interactions with their community inevitably led me on. I'll stop now.
    • 4/5
      A delightful fun and witty look at small town life in early 20th century England, and a worthy sequel to Miss Buncle's Book.
    • 4/5
      This sequel to Miss Buncle's Book finds the protagonist settled into a new life with her publisher-turned-husband. Feeling stifled and overburdened by social commitments, they decide the only solution is to move. After some time, Barbara finds the perfect house which needs considerable renovation but this little trifle is quickly resolved. Barbara befriends a young woman, Jeronina aka "Jerry," the niece of a wealthy but failing elderly matriarch. Jerry falls for Arthur's nephew Sam, but while Barbara approves of the match, there are reasons only she knows for allowing their relationship to develop slowly. Of course she attempts to influence events, and of course things don't go as planned, and of course it all turns out fabulously in the end. Otherwise it wouldn't be a D.E. Stevenson novel, would it?This was a light, fun read, although not as magical as Miss Buncle's Book. The reader must suspend disbelief at the swift transformation of a derelict building into a showplace, and the twists required to create the happy ending, but I didn't find that to be a problem and am looking forward to completing this series.
    • 4/5
      Miss Buncle Married is the 1936 sequel to Miss Buncle's Book. Like the first book, the title rather sums it up. Miss Barbara Buncle - no longer a Miss or a Buncle - is married, and living in a new community.The story is charming and delightful - the setting of an Agatha Christie novel, told with insight and humour and also without anyone getting murdered. It is occasionally a little bit predictable, but that's perhaps part of the charm. Anyway, it is less about what happens and more about the observations of the characters. I thought these were even more perspicacious and poetically written than those of Miss Buncle's Book.It's also a gentler book, not quite so vicious in its observations. Which makes sense - it focuses more on Barbara's perspective than Miss Buncle's Book did, and Barbara is observing her new neighbours, not members of a village where she's spent in her entire life. And no one is braying for the blood of the anonymous author of Disturber of the Peace, a situation which rather brought out the worst in some people.However, I missed the meta-ness of the book about a woman who writes a book about a woman who writes a book about a woman who writes a book. Barbara's writing is still present but plays a much smaller role; I wanted more of Barbara-as-a-writer.
    • 4/5
      Once again, Stevenson wrote a marvelous book. What amazes me about her writing is how simple the subject matter is - just a married couple, moving to a new neighborhood, meeting their neighbours and dealing with family. But her ability to take these seemingly boring subjects and infuse them with intrigue, life, merriment, sorrow and humor is what makes her work so delightful, so warm and wonderful to read. The smallest event because fascinating under her pen, the small everyday things become clear and wonderful and shine with new lights. Her characters are lively, deep and unique. I highly recommend the Miss Buncle series and I look forward to reading all of her other works.
    • 3/5
      Unfortunately, I did not care for this book as much as Miss Buncle's Book. There were long drawn out descriptions that had me scanning until the action or dialogue started again. Miss Buncle had to leave her home in Silverstream before her second book was published since the events depicted in it would reveal her identity as the author. She has married her publisher, Arthur Abbott, and wants to move to the perfect house. When she meets with a lawyer to get the key to see a house, he mistakes her for a different appointment and gives her a will to read. She can't help herself and reads the last testament of a bitter woman dead set against marriage. She wills her estate to her niece, Jerry, with the stipulation that she not be married at the time of the lady's demise. Eventually she gets her identity straightened out and the lawyer gets her to the old rundown house with surrounding overgrown gardens. She sees the possibility in the house and falls in love with it. Arthur has a nephew working for him, Sam, who is not showing a good deal of enthusiasm in his work. Barbara invites him to spend time with them in the country and, wouldn't you know it, he meets and falls completely in love with Jerry. Knowing what she does about the will, Barbara is in a position to try and prevent them from seeing each other without revealing why.This is a gentle and amusing book, perfect for sitting in a comfy chair while enjoying a cup of delicious tea and crumpets.
    • 3/5
      A charming read, like its predecessor, although not very memorable. The characters are sweetly amusing and everything falls neatly into place. While it wasn't particularly gripping a read, I'd like to read the final book in the Miss Buncle series when I'm in need of something light, amusing, and bubbly.
    • 4/5
      The further adventures of the delightful Barbara Buncle, the heroine of DE Stevenson's 1934 novel, Miss Buncle's Book. Now happily married to her publisher, Arthur Abbott, Barbara and Arthur are perfectly content except for one thing - the swirl of cocktail parties, bridge parties and other engagements that have taken over their lives. How to extricate themselves without offending the neighbors? They must move, of course.

      Move they do, to the remote English village of Wandlebury where Barbara shakes things up in her usual quiet way.

      I was going to include a spoiler caution for Miss Buncle's Book at the top of this review, but the title of the book itself is a spoiler. I haven't ruined anything for you. I do recommend that you read MBB before you tackle MBM. It will place things in context.
    • 4/5
      Like Miss Buncle's Book, this one was so delightful, seeing Barbara in her new role as wife to Arthur and in their new home village. There were some laugh out loud moments and I enjoyed it immensely.
    • 3/5
      Miss Buncle/Mrs. Abbott is still charming in this second book and I enjoyed the English humor but it rambled a bit and wasn't as crisp as the first in the series, hence 3 stars. I still recommend it, though!
    • 4/5
      Miss Buncle's absurd adventures continue in this light and entertaining sequel. I absolutely love that the Abbotts decide to move away from their living situation, rather than admit to a dislike of dinner parties and card games -- ridiculous, but so satisfying to my inner curmudgeon.
    • 4/5
      Readers first met authoress Barbara Buncle in Miss Buncle's Book, in which she wrote thinly disguised novels about her neighbors in Silverstream under the pen name “John Smith.” In this sequel, Barbara has married her publisher, Arthur Abbott. The newlyweds move to the village of Wandlebury where their new neighbors prove to be just as eccentric as the inhabitants of Silverstream. A case of mistaken identity and Barbara's attempts to play matchmaker for Arthur's nephew, Sam, provide laugh-out-loud moments. The village setting and family conflict could have come from an Agatha Christie novel. The difference is the tone. Agatha Christie's village would have a sinister undertone. D. E. Stevenson's village is filled with warmth and humor.
    • 5/5
      Barbara Buncle is the new wife of Arthur Abbott, who published her two bestselling novels about village life (written under the pseudonym John Smith). The new Mr. and Mrs. Abbott have gotten into a bit of a rut, scheduling evenings out more out of a sense of social obligation than for enjoyment. So they decide to move. Barbara takes on the job of finding their dream home – and she approaches it with her usual energy and wide-eyed optimism. She sees an idyllic setting and house with “possibilities” while the Mr. sees a wreck and a money pit. But he loves Barbara and could no more say “no” to her than he could fly. Soon Barbara has transformed the home and they move in.Arthur is eager for Barbara to write another humorous novel. Since she has “no imagination,” she needs to use the real people who surround her for inspiration. And Barbara knows all too well what can happen when friends realize they’re being used as fodder for her writing career. This is a lovely series, first published in the UK in the 1930s. This second book is wonderful – although I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the first. Anyone who’s looking for a quick, light, uplifting read should give D.E. Stevenson a try. Most of her books are in print and not hard to find.
    • 3/5
      It's charming, light and takes you back to a nicer world....a 1930s village, full of decent, if quirky, folk and improbable scenarios.Author Barbara Buncle is now- following her marraiage to her publisher- the happily married Mrs Abbott. The couple move house, and in meeting the solicitor, our heroine inadvertently sees the will of another resident, which will come into play later...A bit of light relief.
    • 5/5
      When we last saw Miss Buncle, she was just about to marry her publisher, Arthur Abbott. Her novel, Disturber of the Peace, disturbed the peace in the town of Silverstream, and the novel opens with a decision to move from there in light of the censure Barbara, now of course married, received for writing it. Barbara begins married life in Wandlebury, a new town with a whole new set of characters from which to gain inspiration. But Barbara claims she has eschewed novel writing and turns her attention to her new house, friends, and family, including Arthur’s nephew Sam.Barbara is just as charming as ever; she’s incredibly perceptive of the people she encounters, from the village busybodies, to the town doctor (who happens to be an old friend of Arthur’s), to an eccentric old aristocrat who changes her will according to the whim of a moment. It’s this will that’s at the heart of the plot of the book and the mistakes and mistaken identities that ensue as a part of Barbara’s attempts to interfere. There are some truly hysterical scenes in the novel, but I don’t want to reveal anything for fear of ruing the plot.Only time will tell if Barbara learns her lesson; I’m wondering when The Two Mrs. Abbotts will be republished so I can get more of these wonderful characters, including the Marvels next door: Mr. Marvel is a wonderfully boorish Artist and his ragamuffin children who run roughshod over the Abbotts’ garden. The ending is somewhat predictable, and many of the characters are toned down from the ones that appear in Miss Buncle’s Book, but I thought this novel was entertaining from the first page to the last.
    • 5/5
      (21 January 2012 – from Matthew)My last unread Persephone book – but as we’re now in September, I think I’ve strung them out pretty well! This is the sequel to the marvellous “Miss Buncle’s Book”, and a little longer and slower going, which made it a lovely, wallowy read. Miss Buncle is now Mrs Abbott, house-hunting then settling into small town life, with a crop of rather odd children tumbling around in the garden and various random town ‘characters’. But of COURSE, Miss Buncle isn’t going to write a book about them and risk being hounded out of town …I love the portrayal of female friendships and the jolly lingo of nephew, Sam, who needs to buckle down. But will he, when the place is populated by suspected ghosts, there’s a Will that the wrong people know about, and poets and artists knocking around who cause one to ponder on the relative nature of good and bad art. And, in the end, will something happen that will mean another bout of upheaval for the Abbotts, surely the most happily married couple in literature?
    • 4/5
      Not *quite* as good as Miss Buncle's Book, but still pretty good. Barbara is now married to Arthur Abbot, and bored of the socialising they seem unable to get out of, they decide to move instead.

      Finally they find a place that Barbara can "do up" whilst allowing Arthur to still work in Town.

      Apart from Sam and his new girlfriend, the supporting characters are not as "large" as in the previous book, but that might be a good thing, to prevent Stevenson from repeating herself. This time the focus is much more on Barbara and Arthur and it is very sweet.

    • 4/5
      I should probably start by saying that although this isn't as good as Miss Buncle's Book it was still an enjoyable book to read, but you may find this book disappointing if you are expecting another Miss Buncle's Book.The charm of the first book was mainly due to the characters in the village where Miss Buncle lived and the wonderful and ridiculous situations which arose as a result of Miss Buncle writing a book about them. In Miss Buncle Married, Miss Buncle has, as you would expect from the title, got married and moved away from the village she wrote about. Most of the book focuses on Miss Buncle and her new husband and one or two close friends and relations. There's the occasional scene which involves a large group of people and then the book briefly captures the spark of the original, but these scenes occur all too rarely. It's less amusing to read about Miss Buncle and her marriage because Miss Buncle and her husband are nice people and it's therefore much harder to laugh at them. Having said that, this was still a nice, gentle, warm book to read and I hope that Persephone decide to reissue The Two Mrs Abbotts which is the third and final Miss Buncle book.
    • 4/5
      Miss Buncle and her new husband, publisher Arthur Abbott, decide to move away from London and look for a home in the countryside. After a long search, Barbara fall in love with the Archway Cottage in the little town of Wandersby. As they settle in, whole new set of characters are introduced, and Barbara gets involved in all sorts of village and domestic affairs, from matchmaking to keeping secrets. And considering the title, you can imagine how it ends!While I enjoyed this book, it wasn't nearly as fine as its predecessor, [Miss Buncle's Book].