The Darling Buds of May: Inspiration for the ITV drama The Larkins starring Bradley Walsh
H. E. Bates
'Home looks nice. Allus does though, don't it? Perfick'
And so the Larkins - Pop, Ma, Mariette, Zinnia, Petunia, Primrose, Victoria and Montgomery - return from an outing for fish and chips and ice cream one May evening. There, amid the rustic charms of home, they 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' - as Pop calls him - and before long the family have introduced the uncomplaining inspector to the delights of country living: the lusty scents of wild flowers, the pleasures of a bottle of Dragon's Blood, cold cream dribbled over a bowl of strawberries and hot, hot summer nights.
In fact, soon Charley can't see any reason to return to the office at all . . .
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About H. E. Bates
Reviews for The Darling Buds of May: Inspiration for the ITV drama The Larkins starring Bradley Walsh
Time
A gently, anarchic wish-fulfilling daydream
The Times
A perfick piece of entertainment
New York Times
A wistful daydream about innocence and happiness
Spectator
Pop Larkin, Ma and their progeny . . . are essentially English of the rich and ribald England of Chaucer and Shakespeare. A superb and timeless comedy
Scotsman
As funny as Evelyn Waugh and as enchanting as Laurie Lee's Cider with Rosie. Don't miss it
Herald
They are absolute comfort books
The Lady
Pop is as sexy, genial, generous, and boozy as ever. Ma is a worthy match for him in all these qualities
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The Times
As funny as Evelyn Waugh and as enchanting as Laurie Lee's Cider with Rosie. Don't miss it
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Herald
Pop Larkin, Ma and their progeny . . . are essentially English of the rich and ribald England of Chaucer and Shakespeare. A superb and timeless comedy
-
Scotsman