Oldie but a goodie

H.E. Bates wrote several serious novels, but today he is treasure for his series about the Larkin family. The Darling Buds of May was re-released and contains the first three books of the series. If you are a fan of "Britcoms" on PBS, you will love the Larkin family.

The first book opens with poor Mr. Charlton showing up to discuss with Pops his failure to file his taxes. The sheltered Mr. Charlton doesn't know what hits him as the boisterous family sweeps him along during the course of the weekend and he is beguiled by the lovely Mariette, the oldest daughter.

Bates has a delicious sense of comic timing that will carry you away to England after the war as viewed through Pops rose-coloured, but "practical" glasses.