The Variety Artistes - Softcover

Tom Wakefield was born of a mining family in the Midlands. His previous books include a collection of short stories, Drifters, novels, Mates, The Discus Throwers and The Variety Artistes, and a childhood autobiography, Forties' Child, also published by Serpent's Tail. Tom Wakefield died in 1997.

Like Lydia Poulton, the winning protagonist of his humorous, shrewd novel, Wakefield ( Forties' Child ) possesses a capacious vision. A sensible, mildly dissatisfied London widow, Lydia adores romance novels, douses herself with Lily of the Valley cologne and spends weekends with her two adult children and their families. But then, at a "Know Your City" class for senior citizens, she meets Benny Handley; their loving, passionate friendship renews Lydia and deeply disturbs her meddling children. When Benny dies and Lydia inherits his property, the children make a "magnanimous" conciliatory gesture and send her on a vacation to North Africa, where she teams up with Avril Macey, a vivacious American. The women avoid the travel-book route, exploring marketplaces, dining with fishermen, and pretending to be a retired sister-actress duo. Lydia is a free spirit, impatiently dismissing those who patronize the elderly. An array of adventures and captivating minor characters make this a joy to read. Throughout, Wakefield celebrates affection, kindness and individuality at any age.
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