Everyone has to make decisions about love. Wilfred Price, overcome with emotion on a sunny spring day, proposes to a girl he barely knows at a picnic. The girl, Grace, joyfully accepts and rushes to tell her family of Wilfred's intentions. But by this time Wilfred has realised his mistake. He does not love Grace. On the verge of extricating himself, Wilfred's situation suddenly becomes more serious when Grace's father steps in. Up until this point in his life, Wilfred's existence has been blissfully simple, and the young undertaker seems unable to stop the swirling mess that now surrounds him. To add to Wilfred's emotional turmoil, he thinks he may just have met the perfect girl for him. As Wilfred struggles in an increasingly tangled web of expectation and duty, love and lies, Grace reveals a long-held secret that changes everything . . . Wendy Jones's charming first novel is a moving depiction of love and secrecy, set against the rural backdrop of a 1920s Welsh village, and beautifully told.
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Review
Wilfred s sentimental education is wrought so delightfully and affectionately --Sunday Times
Light, compassionate drama about a small, very tightly bound, ancient corner of the world. --The Guardian
Gently glorious.--Kate Long
I love this novel. Who would have thought so quiet, calm and delicate a novel could keep you completely absorbed from first page to last? Reading this I missed my station.--Fay Weldon
Using lean prose full of subtle humour and irony, Wendy Jones creates a world which feels at once distant and familiar to the modern reader.--Panos Karnezis
Gently glorious.--Kate Long
Wilfred s sentimental education is wrought so delightfully and affectionately.--Sunday Times
Light, compassionate drama about a small, very tightly bound, ancient corner of the world.--Guardian
This is a spryly told tale whose heart is an ample match for its more knowing qualities.--Daily Mail
This is a delightful debut, whose droll exterior masks something wiser and sadder: the importance of truth, parental favouritism and lives ruined or redeemed by a single event.--Scotsman
A novel of serious moral and existential emphasis.--Times Literary Supplement
This is an exceptional debut from a highly talented writer; with such an enchanting novel Wendy Jones is a name to watch.--Newbooks magazine
This charming tale - with a dark secret at its heart - will take you back in time.--Star Magazine
Sensitively written, Wendy Jones debut is set in the 1920s, and captures the judgmental claustrophobia of a society obsessed with respectability.--We Love This Book
The characters in Wilfred s life are very realistically drawn, especially his father, and we ve probably all met people like the members of the Mothers Union Thursday Club. Wendy Jones s story may not be new, but it is engagingly told and thoroughly enjoyable.--Scotsman
Set in the 20's Welsh valleys this is a delightful read, as quirky as its title.--Choice magazine
I had to start reading the book as soon as it arrived and could barely put it down as I did. This, Wendy Jones first novel, is a great read and one I d definitely recommend. I only wish I could read more about the young Wilfred Price!--Notes of Life
A charming and beautifully told debut novel.--Lovereading.co.cuk
This is a writer new to publishing fiction, writing about a young man and his tangled web and doing it exceedingly well. I loved it, book groups worldwide will love it, and chances are you will too. There, I've committed myself.--TheBookbag.co.uk
There's a delicacy about the book that suits its themes of reticence and what is hidden and unspoken, and there's a lightness to the telling, as unforced as its period setting, so all told, a lovely debut from Wendy Jones.--Cornflowerbooks.co.uk
Wendy Jones has written a surprisingly restrained and moving book. There are secrets which aren't pretty, there are shocks without sensationalism. This is a novel about duty, love, loss and responsibility and it deserves a very wide audience ... Wilfred is just about perfect. --Booktopia.com.au
Light, compassionate drama about a small, very tightly bound, ancient corner of the world. --The Guardian
Gently glorious. --Kate Long
Light, compassionate drama about a small, very tightly bound, ancient corner of the world. --The Guardian
Gently glorious.--Kate Long
I love this novel. Who would have thought so quiet, calm and delicate a novel could keep you completely absorbed from first page to last? Reading this I missed my station.--Fay Weldon
Using lean prose full of subtle humour and irony, Wendy Jones creates a world which feels at once distant and familiar to the modern reader.--Panos Karnezis
Gently glorious.--Kate Long
Wilfred s sentimental education is wrought so delightfully and affectionately.--Sunday Times
Light, compassionate drama about a small, very tightly bound, ancient corner of the world.--Guardian
This is a spryly told tale whose heart is an ample match for its more knowing qualities.--Daily Mail
This is a delightful debut, whose droll exterior masks something wiser and sadder: the importance of truth, parental favouritism and lives ruined or redeemed by a single event.--Scotsman
A novel of serious moral and existential emphasis.--Times Literary Supplement
This is an exceptional debut from a highly talented writer; with such an enchanting novel Wendy Jones is a name to watch.--Newbooks magazine
This charming tale - with a dark secret at its heart - will take you back in time.--Star Magazine
Sensitively written, Wendy Jones debut is set in the 1920s, and captures the judgmental claustrophobia of a society obsessed with respectability.--We Love This Book
The characters in Wilfred s life are very realistically drawn, especially his father, and we ve probably all met people like the members of the Mothers Union Thursday Club. Wendy Jones s story may not be new, but it is engagingly told and thoroughly enjoyable.--Scotsman
Set in the 20's Welsh valleys this is a delightful read, as quirky as its title.--Choice magazine
I had to start reading the book as soon as it arrived and could barely put it down as I did. This, Wendy Jones first novel, is a great read and one I d definitely recommend. I only wish I could read more about the young Wilfred Price!--Notes of Life
A charming and beautifully told debut novel.--Lovereading.co.cuk
This is a writer new to publishing fiction, writing about a young man and his tangled web and doing it exceedingly well. I loved it, book groups worldwide will love it, and chances are you will too. There, I've committed myself.--TheBookbag.co.uk
There's a delicacy about the book that suits its themes of reticence and what is hidden and unspoken, and there's a lightness to the telling, as unforced as its period setting, so all told, a lovely debut from Wendy Jones.--Cornflowerbooks.co.uk
Wendy Jones has written a surprisingly restrained and moving book. There are secrets which aren't pretty, there are shocks without sensationalism. This is a novel about duty, love, loss and responsibility and it deserves a very wide audience ... Wilfred is just about perfect. --Booktopia.com.au
Light, compassionate drama about a small, very tightly bound, ancient corner of the world. --The Guardian
Gently glorious. --Kate Long
Book Description
A charming and moving depiction of love and secrecy, set against the rural backdrop of a 1920s Welsh village.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
62 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This novel is set in Narbeth, a small town in South Wales, during 1924. Wilfred Price, the "Purveyor of Superior Funerals" lives with his father, a grave digger, in the place where he has grown up and hopes to make his business a success and become a citizen of some status and standing. When we meet Wilfred, he is having a picnic in the garen with Grace Reece, the daughter of Dr Reece. Overcome with the emotions of the sunny afternoon, and Grace's new yellow dress, he proposes. This is something which, on reflection, he is horrified by. Finally, he tells her that the engagement is off and gets on with his life. Getting on with his life involves the beautiful Flora, whose fiance died in the Great War, and whose father he is to bury. However, situations change suddenly and Wilfred finds himself forced into a situation he is not ready to accept.
There are few novels which you cannot put down, but this is one of them. Wilfred is a lovely character, full of charm and intelligence. I adored his sweet father and you have sympathy for both Grace and Flora as the novel unfolds. The characters are wonderfully written, the book itself flawless. Although Wilfred is an undertaker, there is much humour in this book, particularly in the sayings from Mr Ogmore Auden, who trained Wilfred and whose pronouncements litter the book. These range from, "refrain from dwelling on thoughts of a lewd nature while in the presence of the deceased. Especially when using a sharp tool..." and "as long as you're reading, you're learning," which leads Wilfred to buy a dictionary to improve his vocabulary. I have a feeling we will all be hearing a lot more from this author, judging by a debut which is so masterfully written, offering a thought provoking and intelligent read with humour, pathos and incredible charm.
There are few novels which you cannot put down, but this is one of them. Wilfred is a lovely character, full of charm and intelligence. I adored his sweet father and you have sympathy for both Grace and Flora as the novel unfolds. The characters are wonderfully written, the book itself flawless. Although Wilfred is an undertaker, there is much humour in this book, particularly in the sayings from Mr Ogmore Auden, who trained Wilfred and whose pronouncements litter the book. These range from, "refrain from dwelling on thoughts of a lewd nature while in the presence of the deceased. Especially when using a sharp tool..." and "as long as you're reading, you're learning," which leads Wilfred to buy a dictionary to improve his vocabulary. I have a feeling we will all be hearing a lot more from this author, judging by a debut which is so masterfully written, offering a thought provoking and intelligent read with humour, pathos and incredible charm.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Raven
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
Don't be misled by the charming cover because you will find a much darker tale at the heart of this seemingly unassuming book set in rural Wales in the 1920`s. Our hero Wilfred finds himself embroiled in a complicated love triangle (despite the advice of his funereal mentor Mr Auden forbidding `fancy business with the ladies') with a quite shocking secret at its heart that hits you square on and makes you reassess the predicament that he and Grace (his intended) find themselves in, further complicated by Wilfred's illicit love for the emotionally battered Flora. Alongside this, the relationship between Wilfred and his `Da' is beautifully drawn adding a sense of stability to Wilfred's complicated life and the writing throughout regarding human relationships seems so understated but leads the reader along effortlessly. The story is punctuated by moments of mordant wit (mainly in the good advice dispensed by the aforementioned Mr Auden) and then by turn injections of extreme pathos which really makes you care about the characters and ponder on their fate after the last page is turned. An accomplished debut that I can wholeheartedly recommend for those who like books that make you think...
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Mr MarMar
Format:Paperback
I was given this delightful book as a gift and it is one I will treasure and re-read which is something I very seldom do. It is the story of Wilfred, a 27 year old funeral director and a lovely cast of characters in his life. Set in Wales in 1924 it is poetically written, but in a very readable way. The story is gripping and often very humourous; I was smiling as I read. Would make a very nice "Sunday evening TV" drama and I am desperately hoping for a sequel! Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deeply touching and romantic
I loved this book and stayed in bed all day to read it to the very end. I cried with its beauty and was uplifted by its delightful lightness of touch and poetry of style. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Georgia hennessey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining, Thoughtful and Beautifully Written
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. It's not often that one reads a book that really ticks all the boxes. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Miranda A
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
I was a bit disappointed with this considering how much people raved about it. Some of it is really quite affecting and memorable, and some of it is just plain dull or unpleasant... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Miss Fusspot
4.0 out of 5 stars
Is love dead or alive?
In the midst of life there is death. In Wilfred Price's life there only seems to be death and he is struggling with the personal quest to find a life to be alive in. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Joanne D'Arcy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
This book was recommended to me by an Australian friend - little did se realise how much it would captivate me as all the place names are real and because I live a mere hour away... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jan
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wilfred Price Review
This book was ok. There were bits that I liked but not really gripping. A good story line but for me it fell a bit flat.
Published 1 month ago by MRS A MCPHEE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved this book
Couldn't put this down. Beautifully written. Keenly observed nuances of village life and custom. Intriguing characters. A thoroughly good read.
Published 1 month ago by Marie
3.0 out of 5 stars
pleasant escapism but un memorable in the long term
I purchased this from a daily deal not really knowing what to expect. I found it to be an enjoyable tale but missing something to fully immerse and captured me. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Adele204
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't go annoying the bees...
Let it never be said that I don't try to read with an open mind, but I found this book indigestible. The horrible twinges began with title. Why use a word like "Happenings"? Read more
Published 2 months ago by Eileen Shaw
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
This was a plodder of a book. I learnt a couple of facts from this and although not a page turner for me I still enjoyed the loe story behind it.
Published 2 months ago by flickchick6
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