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The Demon in the House is the third book of Angela Thirkell’s Barsetshire novels, and I wasn’t sure how I would feel about a story centered on a force of nature like the cheerfully self-involved, hyper-talkative, 12 or 13 year-old Tony Morland--the “demon” of the title--but for the most part I loved it. Many of the characters from High Risings, the first of Thirkell’s Barsetshire books, are back and it was a pleasure to catch up with old friends.Several sections of the story evoke with breath-taking clarity the mostly unruly but sometimes sublime passions of childhood--especially chapter 5, which is titled Paradise Pool because Tony discovers a particularly lovely view of the lake where a group of grown-ups and children have gathered to picnic and swim. The youngsters are full of high spirits, playing, squabbling loudly, and running off with each other’s toys, but then Tony and his mostly silent friend Donk climb down to muck around in a stream that’s below the level of the main body of water, and from that lower angle the lake looms like a magic pool suspended in midair, a vision that awes and moves them both and temporarily silences the almost pathologically loquacious Tony--it’s a lovely piece of writing.Thirkell apparently didn’t think much of her own books. Like Tony’s mother she wrote because she needed to earn a living and didn’t expect or want her well educated friends to read her novels, but but for “fluff” her stories are witty and socially aware. Because they were written during the time when they're set, in this case the 1930’s, the stories also offer interesting and often unexpected (to me) insights about the daily life and attitudes of the era, including a few eyebrow-raising off-hand comments by characters that are offensive today.Virago is re-releasing many of Thirkell’s novels, but so far not not this one, which means that most or all of the available copies are the Moyer Bell editions which do have some editing errors.Despite sounding like a book about exorcisms, the Demon in the House is actually a delightful story in Thrikell's Barsetshire series. The "demon" is Tony Morland. He's a charming, busy, and loving thirteen year old boy with a catchphrase of "I know" and a preternatural ability to get dirty anywhere. The action takes place during the home-from-school vacations across a year, and watch Tony grow from knickerbockers to trousers.His doting widowed mother, Laura, was the focus of the first Barestshire novel, High Rising, which I thoroughly enjoyed. These novels need to be read in order, to follow what is going on in the neighborhood. I made a mistake and read this as the second novel instead of the third, and there were a few times that I knew I was missing information.The Barsetshire novels are gentle and pleasant to read, and, while I've only read the two, this series is becoming a favorite.Not up to Thirkell's best, almost entirely devoted to Mrs. Norman and her maddening young son, thus not as interesting as her comedies among adults, but still a good read. I have decided to read in order all her Barchester books, collecting those I have not read before, and while I enjoyed this it is probably the one that could most easily be bypassed.I'm a fan of Angela Thirkell, so I like her books. I do need to read one or two other authors in between each of the Thirkell books, though. Too much of her all at once can be a little much.Tony bugs the heck out of me in this one. He acts like an 8 year-old, writes like my seven year-old grandson. In one short year, age 13, he will be a responsible and advanced student at his school (in subsequent novels). Doesn't make sense. Other than that our characters are full of Englishness and I appreciate that. Linda.I am slowly working my way through all the Barchester series, and this is one of my favorites. You will love this ESPECIALLY if you have a kid-the observations are SO funny and wry, and SO right on. Any parent will appreciate the fact that Tony answers " I know" to ANYTHING,. It's hysterical.Highly, highly recommend.I admire Angela Thirkell's books so much, especially the Barsetshire series featuring the Morland family. This was awful! Very poorly written, characterizations badly expressed, plot good but uneven - Oh, Laura; oh Tony; you're worth so much better!!I loved Tony Morland -- He is so much like my own son -- impossible but wonderful. The other characters were equally and simultaneously real and ridiculous. What a treat!Funny, funny, very humorous in all respects. Wot a little annoying rotter Tony Morland seems to be (though very funny with it!), and he reminds me very much of William Brown except he hasn't got a dog called Jumble and he talks a little bit more proper.Near the beginning of the book when he tries to convince his mother just how much he really needs a bicycle, and needs a full-size one *right now* reminds me very much of my employing similar pleas and arguments with my own parents some 60+ years ago.The whole book is a good laugh from start to finish and Angela Thirkell obviously had experience of young male relations that she based young Tony on.A truly relaxing yet invigorating read. I loved it!Angela Thirkell at her most enjoyable - a collection of gentle, hilarious, eventless sketches which tells of a widowed mother's underlying, often suppressed and rarely spoken out fears of what may happen at any minute to a troublesome but much-loved child. Tony Morland is a splendid version of an upper middle class "Just William". How can you dislike this irritating, labrador puppy-like boy who is always right? They don't write books like this any more.I do love the High Rising books, especially the infamous young Tony Morland. This paperback arrived much quicker than expected, and is in very good condition.A typical , gentle , mildly entertaining Angela Thirkell talereceived sooner than anticipated. Very pleased with book, as described. Packaging very good.
