Mocking Period Charm (Press, 2 February 1985)

E. F. Benson's novel "Mrs Ames," published by Hogarth Press in 1984, is a reissue of a work that originally came out in the 1910s and is highlighted in a review by Margaret Quigley. Benson, an author prolific in various genres from the 1890s to the 1930s, produced nearly 80 books, which included comic novels, ghost stories, and essays. Though he was popular in the 1920s and early 1930s, his literary contributions have received little attention in the subsequent decades, apart from sporadic interest in his "David Blaize" series. Benson was part of an illustrious family; his father served as the Archbishop of Canterbury, while his mother, Mary Sidgwick, left her husband for a lesbian relationship, raising six children, four of whom garnered notable achievements. Benson himself dedicated his life to writing and enjoying various pursuits. In 1918, he settled in Rye, where he became mayor and authored several minor masterpieces of English comic fiction, with "Mrs Ames" considered one of his best works. Set in the fictional town of Riseborough, the novel presents a scathing portrayal of provincial English society, marred by malice and snobbery that are masked by conventional decorum. Quigley notes the residents' obliviousness to the “amazing emptiness” of their lives, filled with trivial pursuits like golf, gardening, and gossip, which keeps them from confronting their dull existence. The story revolves around Mrs Ames, the social queen of Riseborough, and Mrs Evans, the local doctor's wife, who gradually become aware of their unfulfilled lives and strive to break free from the roles expected of them. Their attempts at self-discovery lead to societal chaos; Mrs Ames champions the suffragette movement, while Mrs Evans finds herself in a romantic entanglement with another woman’s husband. A particularly memorable scene is a Shakespearean fancy dress ball hosted by Mrs Evans, showcasing the eccentricities of the middle-aged attendees dressed as Anthony and Cleopatra. Quigley describes "Mrs Ames" as a period piece, brimming with charm yet offering a humorous and rigorous critique of human vanity and self-interest. In summary, the reissue of "Mrs Ames" serves as a reminder of E. F. Benson's literary prowess and provides insight into the complexities of social structures and personal identities within the context of early 20th-century English society. The novel's blend of comedy and social commentary illustrates not only the era's cultural norms but also the timeless nature of the struggles for self-fulfillment and individuality.

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