The Luck of the Vails

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 The Luck of the Vails, by E. F. Benson

I appear to be on an accidental Benson kick.  A couple of months ago, I read a volume of his horror/ghost stories, which was very good.  It was completely unrelated that I also listened to a podcast about E. Nesbit's story The Enchanted Castle, which put me in the mood to read it again.  In it, Mabel mentions that: 

"There's a yew-hedge with a passage along its inside like the box-hedge in 'The Luck of the Vails.'"

"In what?"

"'The Luck of the Vails.' It's a ripping book. It was that book first set me on to hunt for hidden doors in panels and things."

 And, owing to the magic of the internet, I realized that I could find out if a book called that really exists (Nesbit's book mentions generally do exist), and if it's any good.  And it does, and it is.  In fact, it's a very entertaining novel!  And an odd one.

It is just about 1900, and Harry Vail is getting started running the family estate; of course there's hardly any money and lots of needed repairs.  His buddy Geoffrey is staying, and his great-uncle Francis is coming to live at Vail too.  Francis has spent most of his life abroad after a tragic accident ruined his life, but he's a very friendly, kind old man and everybody decides that of course, the accident was not his fault. 

 Meanwhile Harry has been rummaging around in the attic, and he finds the Luck -- an antique jewelled goblet, complete with prophetic inscription, that has appeared and disappeared throughout the family history.  Those who find it must beware of danger from fire, frost, and rain, but may also profit greatly.  Harry doesn't believe in the Luck...or does he?  He certainly faces danger from three sources, and then his luck is in; he falls in love.

There are indeed hidden doors and passages, plots and intrigues and accusations.  It's an adventure story and a mystery, and it's witty too.  It's interesting, because the novel reads like a straightforward Edwardian story, but (given the tone of the novel) it unexpectedly turns into this wild adventure.  No wonder Mabel thought it was a great story.

I had a lot of fun with this one.  It's just a delightful story.  Highly recommended to lovers of secret passages!

 



Comments

  1. mudpuddleMay 12, 2021 at 7:46 AM

    it's on Gutenberg!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JeanneMay 13, 2021 at 7:30 AM

    Oh, this is marvelous! I never thought of looking for that particular book, and glad you did.
    I discovered The Borribles, by Michael de Larrabeiti, from looking for the book that provided so many of the chapter introductions for Cornelia Funke's Inkheart.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JeanMay 13, 2021 at 8:58 AM

    I'm going to have to look for that! That sounds great. Read this one -- yep, free on the usual sites!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Karen K.May 13, 2021 at 9:57 AM

    I saw a reprint in a London bookstore and was so tempted to buy it. I've never read anything by Benson except for Mapp and Lucia and a couple of his ghost stories. Nice to know it's on Gutenberg. I love that the kids in the Nesbit book thought it was ripping, always a good endorsement.

    ReplyDelete
  5. LoryMay 21, 2021 at 10:54 AM

    Oh what a wonderful discovery! It's been a while since I read Nesbit and it hadn't occurred to me that now it may be more possible than ever to look up her literary references (which are many) and actually read them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. JeanMay 21, 2021 at 3:39 PM

    I know!! I remember when I was a kid, she would mention all these books (like The Water-Babies) I'd never heard of and couldn't possibly get hold of, which was frustrating. So it's really nifty to be able to do that now.

    ReplyDelete

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