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Novel Guides (Relusions or References)

Angela Thirkell Relusions

‘I admit I don’t quite take the relusion,’ said Mr. Adams …’but my little Heth would, …she’s a great reader and anything literary she’s down on like a pack of wolves.’ – from the Angela Thirkell novel: The Old Bank House, Hamish Hamilton, 1949, p.25.

Sam Adams mistakenly used the word “relusion” instead of “allusion”. Wikipedia says: “an allusion is a passing or casually short statement indicating broader meaning. It is an incidental mention of something”.

Something our members find fascinating when reading and discussing Angela Thirkell books is tracking down all the “relusions”. If you’re a ‘Heth’, why not help us find more?

Click a title to read explanations and origins of the intriguing allusions, or click on the PDF link to download or print the information. Where it’s available you can also read the publisher’s cover notes or book reviews.

View a complete list of Angela Thirkell books.

High Rising1933PDFReviews and jacket notes
Wild Strawberries1934PDFReviews and jacket notes
The Demon In The House1934PDFReviews and jacket notes
O, These Men, These Men!1935PDFReviews and jacket notes
August Folly1936PDF
Summer Half1937PDF
Coronation Summer1937PDF
Pomfret Towers1938PDF
Before Lunch1939PDF
The Brandons1939PDF
Cheerfulness Breaks In1940PDF
Northbridge Rectory1941PDFReviews and jacket notes
Marling Hall1942PDF
Growing Up1943PDF
The Headmistress1944PDF
Miss Bunting1945PDF
Peace Breaks Out1946PDF
Private Enterprise1947PDF
Love Among The Ruins1948PDF
The Old Bank House1949PDFReviews and jacket notes
County Chronicle1950PDF
The Duke’s Daughter1951PDF
Happy Returns1952PDFReviews and jacket notes
Jutland Cottage1953PDF
What Did It Mean?1954PDF
Enter Sir Robert1955PDFReviews and jacket notes
Never Too Late1956PDF
A Double Affair1957PDF
Close Quarters1958PDF
Love At All Ages1959PDFReviews and jacket notes
Three Score And Ten1961PDFReviews and jacket notes
Christmas at High Rising2013PDF

 If you find any Relusions we’ve missed, or can help us with the ones we can’t trace, do please let us know via the contact page.

Comments

2 responses to “Novel Guides (Relusions or References)”

  1. Elizabeth Crudo avatar
    Elizabeth Crudo

    In Virago’s 2016 edition of The Headmistress, I believe p. 316 at the bottom of the page references Tess of the D’Urbervilles (“… expecting to hear, recriminations, oaths, a woman’s shriek, a dull thud, and see a slowly widening red patch on the ceiling above her..”

    Reply
    1. Gill Watson avatar
      Gill Watson

      Oh, well spotted Elizabeth! In Chapter 56 of “Tess of the D’Urbervilles” Mrs Brooks’ ceiling shows a red stain that “speedily grew as large as the palm of her hand”. (Alec was asking for it.)
      Gill

      Reply

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