The Oaken Heart

The Oaken Heart
by Margery Allingham
first published 1941

Reviewed by Kay Stephen

Margery Allingham, was already a famous author of classic British detective novels when she wrote this non-fictional, semi-autobiographical account of life her in an English village immediately preceding and during the early part of World War II. The original manuscript for this book started out as a series of letters she wrote to some American friends detailing her increasing involvement in village life during preparation for, and the experience of, war. These activities included the organization and billeting of evacuees, service as a First Aid Commandant, local air raid precautions and various other activities that became necessary as her country, England, got further involved in surviving the hardships caused by being at war.

The reader is treated to the ebb and flow of village life as the seasons turn, the crops are harvested and life is celebrated. The bravery and steadfastness of the British citizen is a reoccurring theme as there is never any doubt that they shall prevail against the enemy no matter how many bombs are dropped, how many men are lost, how much food is rationed or how many hardships must be endured.

One of the true pleasures of reading this publication is in hearing the opinions of an educated and social villager about the experiences and thoughts of the common person as another war became inevitable, and was eventually declared, in Britain. Allingham describes the faith which the population put into Prime minister Chamberlain during the pre-war years and how their faith was so completely shattered when he continued to talk of peace with Germany and made little, or no, attempt to train people, manufacture the required munitions or engage in the myriad of other activities that are so necessary in wartime. For example Allingham's describes in detail the debacle of sending thousands of child refugees from London to the countryside months before any fighting was experienced on the island. The reader is informed of the sheer hard work and planning that the volunteers performed, both those who helped to place the children, as well as those who accepted them into their homes. The fact that most refugees had returned home long before the air raids even started in London is just one example of inept planning by Chamberlain's government. The joy and relief upon the appointment of Prime minister Winston Churchill and the sensational inspiration his speeches brought to those gathered around their radios is palatable as described by Allingham.

Initially, Allingham's writing in The Oaken Heart is somewhat stilted, similar to that found in a formal essay written by one who is comfortable with the syntax of complex sentence structure and who has an vast, if somewhat dated, vocabulary. But as the book progresses the author appears to become more at ease and the writing tends to flow as Allingham hits her stride.

A vast array of characters are described throughout this war time tale. The village of Auburn is populated with all the classic characters the reader has come to expect in the English village -- elderly spinster sisters, church ladies, shop keepers, publicans, and a vast array of military types from Air Raid Wardens to Commissioned Officers. Yet the central character in this historical tale is actually the village of Auburn – steadfast and trustworthy.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of WWII, especially as experienced by the British.

Written in diary form, this auto-biographical novel describes the build up and beginning of the the Second World War from the viewpoint of a country dwelling woman. It is fascinating to read her inner thoughts and feelings about the countries preparation for war, and the local plans that were put in place in her village to defeat the Nazis. A true insight into the feelings of the populace as the country stood on the edge waiting for the declaration of war, and then the first two years of the war. The descriptions of the blitz and how the villagers saw London when visiting, are particularly poignant, as are the evacuees and the issue of gas masks. The fact that people were frightened to speak on the trains for fear of giving away information to the ever listening enemy! It is heartening to read about the bravery of the ordinary people, all determined to do their bit to protect their small corner of the country. Written with a view to encouraging America to support Britain, I can see how effective this would have been. A fascinating read for anyone interested in this period.