Cold Comfort Farm
Stella Gibbons
1932 Penguin

Rating ***

Most will recognize the title of the book from the 1996 movie version starring Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margolyes and Ian McKellen. The movie was a treasure house of eccentric personalities and unusual ``goings-on". I recently discovered there was even an earlier film version by BBC. As is often the case, the original book is different from the film, in some ways much better and in other ways not as good.

The outstanding feature of the book, which cannot be translated to film, is the wry humor, vivid writing, stunning descriptions and elegant, versatile and graceful use of language. For me, this book is simply a treat to read. I thoroughly enjoyed wrapping my mind around Ms. Gibbons's many phrases, analogies, descriptions and images. If you like reading prose like, ``Dawn crept over the downs like a sinister white animal, followed by the snarling cries of a wind eating its way between the black boughs of the thorns." or "The brittle air, on which the fans of the trees were etched like aging skeletons, seemed thronged by the bright, invisible ghosts of a million dead summers. The cold beat in glassy waves against the eyelids of anybody who happened to be out in it.", then you will find this book to be very enjoyable.

The plot is not so engaging as it probably once was. After all, a lot has taken place since 1932 to stimulate the senses and challenge the mind. Its simplicity and predictability, however, doesn't detract from the lightness and joy of the story. You know what is going to happen, and usually how it will happen but there is still a delight in witnessing it all come to pass.

As I recall the 1996 film version, the plot was less obvious, more engaging of my curiosity and interest. The vivid eccentricity of all the characters, even the eccentricity of goodness of our heroine really came to life and is a real credit to the performances of the entire cast.

Read the book, see the movie: in either case you will have a relaxing, charming experience.