Between The Acts

A literary fiction novel from a celebrated twentieth-century English writer, set in June 1939 as a country house hosts a village pageant about English history. As the threat of war looms, the story probes memory, art, and national identity with warmth and wit, offering thoughtful, stage-like storytelling for adults and fans of literary fiction. The tone blends playfulness with quiet poignancy, inviting reflection on how culture endures in unsettled times. Content is presented as a story-led, stage-inflected experience: intimate dramas intersect with a public pageant that replays English history, guided by an enigmatic pageant author. The multi-voiced narrative flows through shifting perspectives, blending lyricism, wit, and quiet drama to create a distinctive reading experience. For readers, the journey is immersive and thoughtful: the narrative moves between intimate scenes and public performance, inviting reflection on art, memory, and identity. This edition provides a scholarly introduction and notes that illuminate the historical moment and the craft of the prose, helping readers connect themes to broader modern literature. This edition is edited by Stella McNichol and includes an Introduction and Notes by Gillian Beer. - Village pageant performances weaving English history into the narrative - Interwoven private dramas and public storytelling - Enigmatic pageant author fra