Fairy Gold by Compton Mackenzie (1926)

A late entry to our run of Compton Mackenzie reviews… Review by Helen C: It is 1917, and young Dick Deverell has been invalided out of the army and posted to man a protective garrison on the islands of Roon and Carrackoon, off the coast of Lyonesse. There he meets the elderly Knight of Romares, … Continue reading →

Ukridge by P. G. Wodehouse (1924)

The aim of our collection at Sheffield Hallam University is to preserve, read and research popular novels that are in danger of being lost and forgotten. You certainly can’t say that Wodehouse is forgotten! So perhaps I ought not to have accept a donation of Wodehouse novels – but they were all lovely early Herbert … Continue reading →

Rogues and Vagabonds by Compton Mackenzie (1927)

Review by Thecla W: The novel opens in 1829 with a display at Neptune’s Grotto, a pleasure garden in London. Letizia, the lively daughter of Mme Oriano, owner of a firework factory, performs by sliding down a rope as fireworks go off around her. Caleb Fuller, Madame’s business partner, is full of lust for Letizia … Continue reading →

Guy and Pauline by Compton Mackenzie (1915)

Review by Val H: In 1915, when he published Guy and Pauline (Plashers Mead in the USA), Compton Mackenzie was near the beginning of his long career and fame.  He was to try his hand at comedy, drama, history and much else.  In Guy and Pauline, he did high romance in a rich rural setting.  … Continue reading →

Carnival by Compton Mackenzie (1912)

Review by Margaret B: This is the story of Jenny Pearl, starting with her birth in respectable working-class/ lower middle-class Islington. Jenny, daughter of a feckless father but a strong, strict and loving mother sets her heart on training as a ballet dancer but, due to her lack of application once at ballet school, she … Continue reading →

Compton Mackenzie (1883-1972)

Sir Edward Montague Anthony Compton Mackenzie (1883-1972) came from a theatrical and bohemian family. He was the son of the actor/manager Edward Compton Mackenzie, founder of the Compton Comedy Company. His sister, Fay Compton, was an actress particularly famous for starring in the plays of J. M. Barrie in the 1920s. Monty, as he became … Continue reading →