Afternoon of an Autocrat by Norah Lofts

I read this novel as part of a discussion led by Werner at the Goodreads Supernatural Group.

I find it’s interesting to read books by novelists who reach back in time to write about a former era. Hey, what can I say? I did it myself with Moonlight Dancer.

I think of Nathaniel Hawthorne, a 19th century writer who focused on 17th century New England in The Scarlet Letter. I think of John Harwood reaching from the 21st century back to 19th century with his gothic novel The Séance. In a previous post I compared Harwood’s depiction of 19th century female sensibilities with those of Wilkie Collins. You can read that here.

Today, we have 20th century author Norah Lofts writing about 18th century Suffolk, England. The setting is a rural community beset with the forces of those who would enclose the common land (the landed gentry) versus those who traditionally had free access to the land in question (the farming poor).

Our story opens with autocrat Charles Shelmadine as he travels the countryside atop Bob the horse dispensing ill-advised advice to all obliged to listen. It’s a neat literary device as we thus meet our cast of characters: Damask Greenaway, her OCD evangelist father, Damask’s love interest Danny, forgetful Mrs. Parsons et al. The author does a good job of world-building via a leisurely pace, not unlike trotting down country lanes with Old Bob, inspecting turnip yields and cobblers’ kitchens. (However, I did find some of the Amos Greenaway church-building ruminations tedious.) Still, along the way author Lofts entertains readers with her gentle satire.

All is torn asunder when Sir Charles dies (not a spoiler as this happens early on and sets the plot in motion). Enter spoiled autocrat scion Richard Shelmadine and his delightful albeit browbeaten wife Linda. Soon, Richard’s dissolute lifestyle leads him to unsavory Mr. Mundford–he who neither ages nor loses at cards. Much to Linda’s dismay, Mr. Mundford and Richard begin to explore the mysteries of Mithras worship. Meanwhile, feisty Damask ponders a power all her own. The question is, can Linda put all to rights? My lips are sealed tighter than the underground chamber chez Shelmadine.

Finally, the lives of the community members coalesce in a dazzling, blood-stirring dénouement well worth the wait.

And, speaking of endings, a cautionary note. Our intrepid leader Werner discovered that not all editions of this novel are created equal. Apparently, some editions do not include the last chapter. Catastrophe! Is this some budget-minded publisher’s ploy or the author’s desire for ambiguity? All I can say is that I adore Chapter 21. So if, like me, you are a sentimental fool, make sure your last chapter begins thus: On an October evening in the year 1798, Matt Ashpole drove home…