Cold Comfort Farm - Why set it in the future?

[Marlitharn]

I’m talking about the book, obviously, not the movie.

It was published in 1932, and the author includes a Note before the Foreward that the action takes place in the near future. But she doesn’t really do anything with this. At one point she mentions that due to convenient and cheap air travel and automobiles, the railroad lines were fast becoming obsolete. Later on two characters are talking with telephones equipped with “television cameras”. One of the characters is a veteran of the “Anglo-Nicaraguan Wars of '46”. But it really adds nothing to the story. Why not just set it in 1932?

And while I’m on the subject, Aunt Ada Doom married Fig Starkadder. Her daughter, Judith, married Amos, who apparently was a Starkadder, too. Can anyone help me figure out the bizarre, bent, and twisted family tree we’ve got going on here? Was Amos Judith’s half-brother or a cousin or what?

[Marlitharn]

Oh, yeah, and what does “I saw something nasty in the woodshed” mean? I thought it was just something Stella Gibbons made up, until I saw Douglas Adams use it in The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul. I feel I’m missing something there!

[dangermom]

I really cannot understand why she set it in the future and put in camera-phones and such; you’re right that it doesn’t add anything–except that everyone can run around in little planes. Maybe that’s why. I really can’t figure out any other reason though; otherwise it’s pretty much England in 1932.

I don’t understand the family tree any better than you do. They all seem to be cousins. Anyone have a diagram?

(And hey, doesn’t the Higher common sense have to be one of the great imaginary books? I wish it existed!)

[Cunctator]

@dangermom

I don’t understand the family tree any better than you do. They all seem to be cousins. Anyone have a diagram?

Wiki has a version here.

It’s years since I read the book, so I can’t remember how accurate this family tree is.

[Marlitharn]

That helps a little. I guess what’s really confusing me is, Judith’s maiden name is Starkadder, and she married a Starkadder; I always wondered if Amos was a cousin or a half-brother or uncle or what.

And I agree; The Higer Common Sense should be a book. I think we should get some Dopers together to collaborate on it.

@the Abbé Fausse-Maigre

Condole with the Ugly Duckling’s mother. She has fathomed the pit of amazement.

I’ve noticed, too, some of the family seem to be contortionists:

@page 151

You leaned heavily on Judith’s shoulder as she pressed her foot into the small of your back to lace your corsets.

Limber pair of harridans, aren’t they?

[Muad_Dib]

Tell me about this “common sense” book.

[WotNot]

@Marlitharn

Oh, yeah, and what does “I saw something nasty in the woodshed” mean? I thought it was just something Stella Gibbons made up, until I saw Douglas Adams use it in The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul. I feel I’m missing something there!

As far as I know, Stella Gibbons did make it up. It’s such a mysterious and evocative phrase that it became something of a catchphrase – hence, presumably, Douglas Adams’ use of it.

[Marlitharn]

@Muad'Dib

Tell me about this “common sense” book.

@page 57-58

Flora thought of The Higher Common Sense, by the Abbé Fausse-Maigre. This work had been written as a philosophic treatise; it was an attempt, not to explain the Universe, but to reconcile Man to its inexplicability. But, in spite of its impersonal theme, The Higher Common Sense provided a guide for civilized persons when confronted with a dilemma of the Aunt Ada type. Without actually laying down rules of conduct, The Higher Common Sense outlined a philosophy for the Civilized Being, and the rules of conduct followed automatically. Where The Higher Common Sense was silent, the Pensées of the same author often gave guidance.

With such guides to follow, it was not possible to get into a mess.

It definitely should be a real book; I was most disappointed to discover it wasn’t.

@WotNot

As far as I know, Stella Gibbons did make it up. It’s such a mysterious and evocative phrase that it became something of a catchphrase – hence, presumably, Douglas Adams’ use of it.

And here I was thinking it was another one of those quaint Britishisms that make no sense from this side of the pond!

If anyone hasn’t read this book, by the way, I highly recommend it. Wickedly funny, it is.