The Darling Buds of May by H. E. Bates – Reprint, 1958

Description The Details:This copy is in very good condition. Dust jacket in good condition. The Story:The Larkins – Pop, Ma, Mariette, Zinnia, Petunia, Primrose, Victoria and Montgomery – return home one May evening to discover a visitor: one Cedric Charlton, Her Majesty’s inspector of taxes. Mr Charlton is visiting to find out why junk-dealer Pop hasn’t paid his tax – but nothing’s that simple at the Larkins. Mariette takes a shine to ‘Charley’ and before long the family have introduced the uncomplaining inspector to the delights of country living. In fact, soon Charley can’t see any reason to return to the office at all . . . (Penguin Books) The Author:Herbert Ernest Bates, CBE is widely recognised as one of the finest short story writers of his generation, with more than 20 story collections published in his lifetime. It should not be overlooked, however, that he also wrote some outstanding novels, starting with The Two Sisters through to A Moment in Time, with such works as Love For Lydia, Fair Stood the Wind for France and The Scarlet Sword earning high praise from the critics. His study of the Modern Short Story is considered one of the best ever written on the subject. (GoodReads) Related