The Darling Buds of May


Book Description

Short comic novel about an unconventional English farmer and his attempts to snare a husband for his daughter.




A Little of What You Fancy


Book Description

The Larkin family’s rich spirit is tested when Pop has a heart attack in this series finale by the author of The Darling Buds of May. Pop Larkin enjoys the finer things in life, like good food and drink, but too much of it leads him to a mild heart attack. Placed on bedrest and an uncharacteristically strict diet, the family patriarch soon finds himself in low spirits. As nurses try their hand at helping Pop get well, Ma pursues alternative remedies. And Primrose, meanwhile, is in hot pursuit of the dashing Mr. Candy. But when it is discovered the government has plans to run a railroad through the Larkins’ home, it is all hands on deck as the Larkins, their community, and even Pop rise up to prove that the country way of life is always worth fighting for . . . Praise for the Pop Larkin Chronicles “The Larkins live—these novels please us by escaping definition.” —The Guardian “Like Wodehouse’s Jeeves, Bates’ Larkins must continue in their own delightful milieu—in this case the Kentish countryside.” —The New York Times




A Breath of French Air


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Oh! To Be in England


Book Description

The arrival of a French guest heralds christenings and chaos for the Larkin clan in this comic classic by the author of The Darling Buds of May. When Mademoiselle Dupont, the hotel manager from the Larkins’ frightful French holiday, announces she is coming over to be Oscar’s godmother at his christening, Pop and Ma reveal none of their children are baptized. Mariette and Charley are already planning to christen their little Blenheim, but now all seven Larkin children will be joining him. Not that Pop and Ma would turn down a reason to partake of some champagne or Dragon’s Blood . . . But their plan is far from blessed. The second eldest Larkin, Primrose, is infatuated with the handsome young vicar, who already has his hands full dealing with the hell-raising Larkin twins. Of course, that is only the beginning of the Larkins’ troubles, and it will take more than holy water to get them out of this mess. Praise for the Pop Larkin Chronicles “Pop Larkin, Ma and their progeny . . . are essentially English of the rich and ribald England of Chaucer and Shakespeare. A superb and timeless comedy.” —The Scotsman “Like Wodehouse’s Jeeves, Bates’ Larkins must continue in their own delightful milieu—in this case the Kentish countryside.” —The New York Times




When the Green Woods Laugh


Book Description

'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 . . .




The Two Sisters


Book Description




The Darling Buds of May


Book Description

The rich spirit of an English junk dealer and his family is challenged by the arrival of the tax collector in this humorous and heartwarming classic. Beneath the sunny, cloudless skies of Kent, the Larkin household—Pop, Ma, and their six children—enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Pop works as a junk dealer and keeps the farm to feed his brood, while Ma cooks the meals and minds the children. While the family may not seem to have much, they more than make up for it in joyous spirit—and bountiful feasts. All of that could change, however, when a stranger appears on their farm. Cedric Charlton from Inland Revenue has come to inquire why the Larkins failed to file income tax for the previous year. But Charlton’s plans hit a snag when the eldest Larkin daughter, Mariette, takes a liking to him—and he to her. Now, if the Larkins and country living can charm Charlton, perhaps he will forget about every last pound they owe . . . “A pulsing comedy of country manners. A five-alarm blaze of a book. Just about perfick.” —Time “A gently, anarchic, wish-fulfilling daydream.” —The Times (London)




The Art of Shakespeare’s Sonnets


Book Description

Analyzes all of Shakespeare's sonnets in terms of their poetic structure, semantics, and use of sounds and images.




Public Diplomacy and the Politics of Uncertainty


Book Description

This edited book explores the multi-layered relationships between public diplomacy and intensified uncertainties stemming from transnational political trends. It is the latest wave of political uncertainty that provides the background as well as yields evidence scrutinised by authors contributing to this book. The book argues that due to a state of perpetual crises, the simultaneity of diplomatic tensions and new digital modalities of power, international politics increasingly resembles a networked set of hyper-realities. Embracing multi-polar competition, superpowers such as Russia flex their muscles over their neighbours; celebrated ‘success stories’ of democratisation – Hungary, Poland and Czechia – move towards illiberal governance; old players of international politics such as Britain and America re-claim “greatness”, while other states, like China, adapt expansionist foreign policy goals. The contributors to this book consider the different ways in which transnational political trends and digitalisation breed uncertainty and shape the practice of public diplomacy.




Only Fools and Stories


Book Description

*** The Hilarious Number One Sunday Times Bestseller! *** The follow-up autobiography to one of Britain’s best loved actors and national treasures *As seen in David and Jay’s Touring Toolshed on BBC Two* In his first book David Jason told us about himself from his early years training as an electrician through to making it as one of Britain's greatest actors. This autumn, in a follow up autobiography, he tells us about the many other lives he has lived – his characters. From Del Boy to Granville, Pop Larkin to Frost, he takes us behind the scenes and under the skins of some of the best loved acts of his career. And in the process he reflects on how those characters changed his life too. The result told with his characteristic charm and wit is both funny and poignant, honest and heart warming.