SKU: 10368497

"Reflections From A Village" 1969 SWINNERTON, Frank

Sale price$112.50 Regular price$125.00
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $31.25 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 17 - Jul 22

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

"Reflections From A Village" 1969 SWINNERTON, FrankSWINNERTON, Frank Frank Arthur Swinnerton was an English novelist, critic, biographer and essayist. He was the author of more than 50 books, and as a publisher's editor helped other writers including Aldous Huxley and Lytton Strachey. His long life and career in publishing made him one of the last links with the generation of writers that included H. G. Wells, John Galsworthy and Arnold Bennett. [196] pp. Hutchinson of London 1969 Third Impression 8 1

SWINNERTON, Frank

Frank Arthur Swinnerton was an English novelist, critic, biographer and essayist.

He was the author of more than 50 books, and as a publisher's editor helped other writers including Aldous Huxley and Lytton Strachey. His long life and career in publishing made him one of the last links with the generation of writers that included H. G. Wells, John Galsworthy and Arnold Bennett.

[196] pp.

Hutchinson of London

1969

Third Impression

8 1/2" x 5 5/8"

Jacket and text decorations by J.S. Goodall

VG/ VG

Scroll Down for (10) Additional Scans:

A critic reviewing “Reflections From a Village” in anything but a literary periodical could hardly avoid asking himself for whose benefit his opinions were offered. Not for the author's-he stopped asking for press clippings during World War I. Not for the benefit of the teenagers who mill around the filing cabinets of our more capacious public libraries. (I recently counted 42 copies of Frank Swinnerton's novels, a phalanx that may not have been dusty but certainly looked inert, in that section that remains perennially ungrazed by the education explosion.) Not for the benefit of the dramatists, scenarists and adapters who have seldom bothered to explore his possibilities for their particular bag. And least of all to the ad- vantage of the trim, commuting secretaries who appear to be cheevering their way up the dikes of exurban anthropology within hours of a paperback edition. It is more than 50 years since H. G. Wells wrote of Mr. Swinnerton (1884-) that he "sees life and renders it with a steadiness and detachment and patience quite foreign to my disposition. He has no underlying motive. He sees and tells. • He does not want you or anyone to do anything." Wells's judgment, a sound one then, has been incontestable ever since. Of that handful of Edwardian writers who are still alive, none has been as rigorous as Swinnerton in refusing to subjectify his experiences. Few have been as aloof from controversy, as indifferent to acclaim. If this single-minded devotion to his craft has insulated him from the clamor and the limelight of best-sellerdom, it must have been costly to him in other ways. But the question of "Who reads X nowadays?" is becoming a tedious one, and no more will be said on that topic as it relates to Mr. Swinnerton. The village of his title is Cranleigh, a Surrey community that has been the Swinnertons' home since the 1920's. It is one of those places that a vastly expanded London has gnawed at but failed to swallow, a village in which the remnants of rural life are sometimes more obvious than in large areas of the Midlands or the North. Given its setting, the book is free from that steamy poeticism such memoirs are apt to perpetrate -and, for all its apparent formlessness, it is not haphazardly put together. Country life and characters alternate with backward glances at the London scene. There is, or should be, something for everyone here, and the prose moves smoothly and faultlessly from one rumination to the next. If the book has a weakness, it is in the anecdotes. Some are more droll than others (there is an amusing story about drunken bees), but English rustic humor has never convulsed anybody, and these specimens are far from the best, even of their kind. The London episodes, which are more to my own taste, evoke with hardly more than a flick of the pen a city so distant from our present age that it almost belongs to folklore. When Mr. Swinnerton was born (he is a Londoner but not a Cockney) the capital was post-Dickensian by less than 20 years. Early in the book the point is made that this hiatus was a strangely stagnant one. Sometime between the full impetus of the Industrial Revolution and the death of Queen Victoria, the tempo of change seems to have slowed down. Swinnerton could walk pretty much the same streets and witness the same sights as Dickens did. When he and his wife took possession of their cottage, they were looked after by a housekeeper who had once earned only a shilling a week. The author, who has already written frequently and at length about the best-known novelists of his generation, is rather sparing this time round with literary reminiscence. He recalls Arnold Bennett and Sir Philip Gibbs (both firm friends of his), and there are vignettes of other contemporaries. It is not until the penultimate chapter-"Plea for Contentment" - that we come upon the one truly shocking revelation in the book. In his day, he tells us, “only four men, from Norman Douglas to James Agate, were believed to be homosexuals. We knew nothing of Maugham's lately exaggerated abnormality, and, of course, nothing of the fevers revealed in a recent biography of Lytton Strachey and his companions." Mr. Swinnerton, as noted above, has been publishing books for quite a while. A few more disclosures like that, and he'll be lucky to get his next manuscript in print.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 10368497

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.2 ★★★★★
Based on 16 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
A
Atherney Family Farm
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice elegant suit for any occasion.
Color: Light Blue, Size: 12, Color: Light Blue, Size: 12
The suit set is very nice, the fabric material is durable and soft. Overall stitching is tight with nice surging of the hems and great construction on the shoulders. Buttons and button wholes are well done. I'm going to iron in the creases on the front of the pants because they weren't folded properly for shipping. The material does hold on to wrinkles so don't be afraid of your iron to get a super sharp look. The color is a soft baby blue that stands out in a crowd of black suits. With the option of an elastic tie or clip on bowtie this is everything you need to make him look presentable for a variety of occasions. My only complaint about this suit kit is the dress shirt is stiff and thin. I found some loose threads that I don't trust to not get played with. I'll probably trade it out for something with a little more cotton. As far as cost goes mid range, but definitely worth the cost. I might consider something with a vest if it's a super formal event, but I'm very happy with how this suit comes together.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2026
M
Martin V.
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Modern luxury with summer fabric that performs above its price!
Color: Beige, Size: 14, Color: Beige, Size: 14
Wow! My son wore it for Easter Sunday and this suit fits the bill! The linen material is spot on--not too heavy and not too light especially since the weather is warming up now. The jacket is quality made--the design is modern executive, the stitches are strong no flaws to note. The pants are tad bit longer but that's okay, build quality is also great. The white shirt is decent and matches well with the rest of the set. The bow tie and tie itself is a great complimentary to the set, though optional to wear. The whole set just has that quality you would really look for in the price range you would want to pay. Overall, best value for for the, wear right outside the bag, maybe a light ironing otherwise it's perfect! I highly recommend it, no complaints here very happy with this suit!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2026
A
Ariel B.
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 4
Heavy linen character, but a beautifully tailored suit!
Color: Beige, Size: 4, Color: Beige, Size: 4
This is a really nice linen suit! The jacket is beautifully made and well-tailored, with a fun speckled texture that has lots of pretty color variation (we ordered the beige). When I placed it side by side with a similar linen suit from another brand, the difference in the linen texture was really noticeable — this had a much stronger linen character that stands out! It has three useful pockets on the outside of the jacket, which is great for little hands. The only downside is that one of the inside pockets is just for show (faux), which was a bit surprising and somewhat disappointing for my little guy. The pants have pockets too, but they aren’t very deep — perfect for small treasures, but not much more. The pants are made from a lighter, thinner single-layer linen compared to the fully lined, double-layer jacket, which makes sense for comfort and easy movement. The pants didn’t come with a front crease ironed in, so you’ll want to press one yourself. The linen did pick up some creases from being folded in the package, but it doesn’t seem quite as wrinkly as some other linen fabrics I’ve tried. Still, like most linen clothes, especially for boys, the pants will need occasional ironing to keep them looking neat and crisp, especially after a day of play and general wear. The structured, lined jacket stays looking smoother and more put-together with less effort. It also came with a bow tie, a neck tie, and a tuxedo-style white shirt as extras. The ties aren’t great quality — they’d work fine for quick photos but probably won’t hold up to much actual wear. The formal white shirt feels a bit funny paired with the casual linen suit, but I don’t mind at all. We already have white shirts that we prefer, so we’ll use those instead. For us, the extras are really just bonus items we won’t plan on using. Overall, it’s a handsome little suit that’s perfect for special occasions like weddings, family photos, or holiday events. My kid looked adorable in it! The stronger linen texture on the jacket gives it a premium feel that I really like. Just be ready for a bit of extra care with the pants to keep everything sharp.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2026
C
chzgr8er
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Great suit set
Color: Light Grey, Size: 4
It is incredibly attractive and includes everything a young child needs for a special occasion. The material is a 75% polyester and 25% linen blend, and the outer fabric feels remarkably smooth. Its unstructured design allows for an attractive, natural drape, and the blend conveniently allows for machine washing at home. As is typical with linen-based materials, the fabric can be naturally stiff and prone to wrinkling, so I recommend ironing or steaming it before use. The lightweight feel makes it an excellent choice for the spring, summer, and fall months. Overall, this suit offers exceptional value for the price.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2026
B
Verified Purchase
Bridie
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Samsonite? I was way off!
Size: 8, Color: Light Blue, Size: 8, Color: Light Blue
Linen was a nice enough material and slightly distracted from the dumb&dumber blue motif. The regular suit material would have been a full homage. It is what he wanted so this was a fair compromise. Stats/ he is a size 8 in most brands, 51in and 60lbs. Purchased an 8. A size 7 would have been a better choice and more tailored look but this fit fine in the important places and he has room to grow. Short notice, quick shipping and fair quality for the price. May your Harry Dunne love it as much as mine did.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2026

recommand products