Member Reviews

I love Nicola Upson’s “Josephine Tey” novels, in which a fictionalised version of the Golden Age crime writer investigates mysteries. Here, though, Nicola has turned her attention to other real-life people, and I suspect stuck much closer to reality than in the Josephine stories. Indeed, the extraordinary true story of the Spencers and those around them needs little embroidery, and must have proved an almost irresistible subject for a novel.


The artist Stanley Spencer, his wife Hilda Carline, also an artist, and the remarkable sagas which surrounded them, neighbour Patricia Preece, and her lover Dorothy Hepworth, are seen here largely through the eyes of their long-standing (and often long-suffering) maid - and subject of two paintings - Elsie Munday. The perceptive, vibrant and down to earth Elsie is, with the possible exception of Stanley and Hilda’s daughters Shirin and Unity, by far the most likeable character and the first half of the book is entirely from her perspective. Later, we also begin to see the viewpoints of other characters. The lifelong relationship of Preece and Hepworth would surely make a fascinating book in itself.

I loved this story, about people of whom I previously knew little, though I now feel considerably better informed. I love it when a book teaches me something, and Stanley and Elsie had me frequently looking up more information, particularly about the distinctive art of Stanley Spencer and Hilda Carline. My researches led me to clips of the recent documentary “Stanley and his Daughters” - if anyone knows where I can watch the whole thing, please tell!

Nicola Upson is a wonderful writer and has excelled here in creating the world of Stanley and Elsie, evoking a real sense of the artworks and the rural locations of Burghclere and Cookham. I now really want to visit the chapel, though unfortunately it’s a bit far away from my home in Scotland.

An excellent read.

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A compelling read of a fictional take on the life of Stanley Spencer seen through the eyes of the women who influenced his art but mainly Elsie his maid. Stanley himself comes across as temperamental and completely self obsessed. The book is easy to read and gives an insight to the background of his greatest works based on a lot of research and memories from family and friends. The writing brings together some of the more bizarre facts in a readable way.

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Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

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In a departure from her Josephine Tey series, this tells the story of artist Stanley Spencer via the women in his life. Upson wears her research lightly and always writes with grace and elegance. Depicting artworks can be hard, conveying a visual medium via words, but she pulls that off well. At the heart of the book is the ordinary Elsie, housemaid to the Spencers and witness to their turbulent marriage. This is a quiet book in some ways but beautifully controlled.

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Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
First time reading this Author
Stanley and Elsie was something quite different in the respect that it's rather complex
Stanley who was a famous painter trying to find himself and not always succeeding the turbulent life that he had with hilda makes this book well worth reading its highly enjoyable and informative and I can recommend.

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Completely enjoyed this novel based on the life of Stanley Spenser, a 20th century British painter. His life and loved were the epitome of “its complicated”. I found myself googling to see what was factual and, trying not to spoil the narrative, the most unlikely points were all true! Hilda Carline was the most interesting character for me and I would enjoy reading more about her life and art.

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I liked Nicola Upson's Josephine Tey series and was very happy when I got this ARC.
It's a very interesting book, engaging, full of good for thought and entertaining at the same time.
I loved the descriptions of Berkshire, the fleshed out characters and the plot.
Ms Upson can surely write and delivers a good book.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

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