I owe a debt of gratitude to Ali at Heavenali whose review of Lissa Evans’ Old Baggage persuaded me to read it after being put off by its blurb. I loved it so much it ended up on both my 2018 books of the year list and my 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction wishlist. You won’t be surprised, then, to hear that hopes were sky high for V for Victory and I’m delighted to say they were met. Beginning in 1944, Evans’ novel catches up with Vee and Noel, names familiar to readers of Old Baggage, neither of whom are quite who they appear to be.
He didn’t have a family tree, he had a Venn diagram, in which none of the circles overlapped
Vee runs Green Shutters, a Hampstead guesthouse open to lodgers willing to tutor the precocious Noel who refuses to go to school. To their guests they’re aunt and nephew but they share a secret: Vee is Noel’s guardian, a position once held by the renowned suffragette Dr Mathilda Simpkins. They met in compromising circumstances, soon forming a team, but Vee is constantly on her guard, the possibility of being unmasked looming when she’s the sole witness to an accident. When Noel meets an air raid warden who shows him an ornate roof boss, just the thing to pique his interest, he unwittingly makes a connection with his beloved Mattie. Winne and her twin sister Avril were members of the Amazons, a group formed by Mattie to prepare young women for the fight against fascism. By the end of the novel, Vee will have made a surprising ally and possibly something more, Noel will have understood a great deal about his origins, Winnie’s husband will have returned from his Polish prisoner-of-war-camp and Avril will have published a titillating novel which bears no resemblance whatsoever to the truth.
Mrs Claxton waited for a moment, her bright little gaze poking Vee all over like a skewer
The wit, compassion and historical veracity which made Old Baggage such a delight are all present and correct in Evans’ hugely entertaining new novel. Winnie’s story is lightly woven through Vee and Noel’s, referencing characters from the previous book which feels like a reunion with old friends for those of us who’ve read it while standing alone for readers who have that treat ahead of them. As ever, Evans’ characterisation is spot on: Noel’s insatiable quest for knowledge and his inability not to correct the incorrect is particularly well done. The novel ends on VE Day with Miss Appleby, who’s spent much of her year failing to teach Noel French or snare herself a serviceman, determined to enjoy the party. Pure joy, then. I’d love to think that sometime in the next few years we’ll be able to catch up with Noel. I’m keen to see what kind of man he’s going to be. He’s made such a promising start.
Doubleday: London 9780857523617 304 pages Hardback
My post has gone up today as well, and I loved every bit as much as you did. I’ve yet to read Old Baggage, I’m saving it for one of those really rotten winter weekends when you just want to curl up round the fire with a hot pot of tea and indulge yourself.
That sounds like the perfect time to read it, Ann. Both novels are absolute treats. Very much hoping we’ll find out what sort of man Noel becomes.
Great review. If you haven’t read it, Crooked Heart, the “in between” book has much more about what Noel and Vee got up to.
Thanks, Cathy. Another treat to look forward to.
Like you, it was bloggers recommendations that put me onto Old Baggage, which I loved. This sounds such a wonderful treat, I’m impatient to read it!
I’m so pleased I took note of Ali’s review. I’m sure you’ll love this one, too. One to read when in need of cheering up!
I loved Old Baggage and am really looking forward to this one.
It certainly won’t disappoint!
This sounds excellent, I loved Crooked Heart and Old Baggage, so I really want to meet up with Vee and Noel again. I think I shall have to get this soon on kindle (just can’t cope with hardbacks at the moment) as it will be a perfect, immersive read for a lazy weekend after a tiring week back at school.
It’ll be just the ticket for a restorative treat, Ali. I’m sure you’ll love it.
Just skimming this for now as I have a copy of the book and would rather not know too much about it in advance if that makes sense. Nevertheless, I have clocked your subtitle of ‘pure joy’. That’s so reassuring to hear as the earlier books seem to have set such a high bar (and sense of anticipation for this new one). Definitely one to save for a suitably rainy day!
No disappointment to fear, Jacqui. I practically inhaled this one which arrived during the worst days of the pandemic and it cheered me up no end.
I absolutely loved Old Baggage, but was less taken with Crooked Heart, so had not been particularly drawn to this latest one. But on the basis of your review I should at least give it a look – a good candidate for a library reservation!
I think if you’re a fan of Old Baggage this one will work for you too, Liz
Excellent thanks!
Yes, Old Baggage was really good. I think I’ll be looking into these other books as well.
If you loved Old Baggage I’m sure you’ll love this one too, Davida.
I’m putting this on my “wish list”!
Whenever I read about Lissa Evans (mostly at Ali’s blog, I think), I immediately want to gather up all of her books and have a little binge with them. They just sound lovely.
They’re certainly bingeworthy! I’m so glad that Ali reviewed Old Baggage otherwise her work might have passed me by.
P.S. When I look up her name at the library, the catalogue includes a BBC production of “The Kumars at No. 42”, so maybe she has also written for television?
Wikipedia tells me she was a director and producer for some BBC comedy shows but I’m not holding that against her!