The Postmistress

You wouldn't think a book about World War II, a front-lines radio/reporter and a deceptive public servant would make for relaxing beach reading, but in the case of The Postmistress it actually was. It was interesting to read about the radio reporting from London, something I hadn't really read much about. It also shed light on the fact that for a while, the world didn't have a clear picture of what was happening to the Jews: we look back and say "how could that have happened?" but in the moment, in the confusion, the wild rumours going on about everything, it was hard to sift through to the truth as we see it now. Not a justification by any means, but perhaps an explanation of why the world's countries weren't quicker to open their doors.

With Malic Towards Some by Margaret Halsey

I have already addressed my love for epistolary writings in the previous entry, so I shall merely include a few of the many samples of Margaret Halsey's diary that amused me.
Although written in the 1930s (during her year in England) I find that many of her observations, particularly regarding Anglo-American comparisons, are still quite true which is delightful to my freakish little soul that loves cultural comparisons along those lines.
It also shows the extent of my Anglophilia that, despite her constant disparaging remarks on British weather, food, insipid conversation and her glowing tales of France and Sweden, my sense of comfort and loyalty towards Britain is, not only not abated but, contrary to logic, increased. The weather might be terrible, the food inedible and the people stiff and awkward: BUT, the fact that it's the same weather, food, and conversation endured by most of my favorite authors, politicians, actors, singers as well as all my fictional companions of youth gives it an idealistic glow that will probably not tarnish until I've had to personally endure those trials for at least a year.
It must also be added (especially should any of my British friends be reading this) that it is my opinion that in the last 80 years, the quality of wit in any given conversation has shifted considerably to the other side of the Atlantic. Unlike Meg Halsey, in looking for sheer amusement, I would much rather eavesdrop in England than America.

"In the meantime, we institute compensating economies. The straightened regime is harder on me than on Henry, who never knows whether he is comfortable or not until it is pointed out to him."
- With Malice Towards Some, 60

I suppose I ought to be used by this time to being myself, but sometimes it comes as rather a shock.
- 120

"It seems that one of the principal differences...of English and American life comes from the fact that Americans are prone to favor you with their opinions and to do it, moreover, in the manner of an office boy favoring letters with stamps at five minutes to five., whereas the English think of an opinion as something which a decent person, if he has the misfortune to have one, does all he can to hide" - 192

"American men look at women when (they think) the women are not aware of it; Englishmen do not look at them at all; but Frenchmen look at them with such thoroughness and intesity that you half expect them to approach and ask dubiously, 'Is it washable?' "

In regards to a man regarded by all as being bitter and cynical but turning out quite nicely: "In these parts, apparently, a skeptic is a man who refrains from cuddling kittens" - 200

Referring to a baby: "A handsomer batch of protoplasm than young Wadhams I have never seen" - 202