The Pop Larkin Chronicles Series

The rich spirit of an English junk dealer and his family is challenged by the arrival of the tax collector in this humorous and heartwarming classic. Beneath the sunny, cloudless skies of Kent, the Larkin household—Pop, Ma, and their six children—enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Pop works as a junk dealer and keeps the farm to feed his brood, while Ma cooks the meals and minds the children. While the family may not seem to have much, they more than make up for it in joyous spirit—and bountiful feasts. All of that could change, however, when a stranger appears on their farm. Cedric Charlton from Inland Revenue has come to inquire why the Larkins failed to file income tax for the previous year. But Charlton’s plans hit a snag when the eldest Larkin daughter, Mariette, takes a liking to him—and he to her. Now, if the Larkins and country living can charm Charlton, perhaps he will forget about every last pound they owe . . . “A pulsing comedy of country manners. A five-alarm blaze of a book. Just about perfick.” —Time “A gently, anarchic, wish-fulfilling daydream.” —The Times (London)

A rural British family gets new neighbors—and new troubles—in this comic classic by the author of The Darling Buds of May. Gore Court is a run-down country house that junk dealer Pop Larkin intends to convert into a bungalow for his daughter and son-in-law. But Mr. and Mrs. Jerebohm, a wealthy couple from London, arrive desperate to buy the place. Spotting the naivete of the social-climbing pair, Pop manages to get them to agree to pay a ridiculous amount. Now he can install a swimming pool at home . . . But he may not have time to enjoy it. After a party at the Jerebohms, Pop finds himself fending off unwanted advances. Soon, a rocking rowboat, a pair of misplaced hands, and a misunderstanding have Pop before the local magistrate, and it may take more than wit and country charm for him to clear his name . . . “Pop is as sexy, genial, generous, and boozy as ever. Ma is a worthy match for him in all these qualities.” —The Times (London) Praise for the Pop Larkin Chronicles “The Larkins live—these novels please us by escaping definition.” —The Guardian “Like Wodehouse’s Jeeves, Bates’ Larkins must continue in their own delightful milieu—in this case the Kentish countryside.” —The New York Times

The Larkins travel to France for some sun and relaxation—only to be met with disaster—in this comic classic by the author of The Darling Buds of May. At summer’s end, rain clouds hovering over Kent have some in the Larkin household feeling under the weather in more ways than one. Ma is exhausted from nursing newborn Oscar, and Mariette needs a break. Meanwhile, Mariette’s husband, Charley, reminisces about delightful summers spent in Brittany during his youth. It was inexpensive, the food was marvelous, the air was warm and sultry, and they would almost never see a drop of rain. And with that, Ma persuades Pop to take a holiday in France. But when the Larkin clan arrives in the village of St. Pierre le Port, it is vastly different from Charley’s memories. It is raining, the food is awful, the hotel is run-down, and the manager is rather nasty. The Larkins normally find joy in the little things in life, but they have never dealt with a vacation like this . . . “Very racy, earthy. Rabelaisian.” —The Spectator Praise for the Pop Larkin Chronicles “Hilarious.” —The New York Times “Pop Larkin, Ma and their progeny . . . are essentially English of the rich and ribald England of Chaucer and Shakespeare. A superb and timeless comedy.” —The Scotsman

The Larkin family’s rich spirit is tested when Pop has a heart attack in this series finale by the author of The Darling Buds of May. Pop Larkin enjoys the finer things in life, like good food and drink, but too much of it leads him to a mild heart attack. Placed on bedrest and an uncharacteristically strict diet, the family patriarch soon finds himself in low spirits. As nurses try their hand at helping Pop get well, Ma pursues alternative remedies. And Primrose, meanwhile, is in hot pursuit of the dashing Mr. Candy. But when it is discovered the government has plans to run a railroad through the Larkins’ home, it is all hands on deck as the Larkins, their community, and even Pop rise up to prove that the country way of life is always worth fighting for . . . Praise for the Pop Larkin Chronicles “The Larkins live—these novels please us by escaping definition.” —The Guardian “Like Wodehouse’s Jeeves, Bates’ Larkins must continue in their own delightful milieu—in this case the Kentish countryside.” —The New York Times

The arrival of a French guest heralds christenings and chaos for the Larkin clan in this comic classic by the author of The Darling Buds of May. When Mademoiselle Dupont, the hotel manager from the Larkins’ frightful French holiday, announces she is coming over to be Oscar’s godmother at his christening, Pop and Ma reveal none of their children are baptized. Mariette and Charley are already planning to christen their little Blenheim, but now all seven Larkin children will be joining him. Not that Pop and Ma would turn down a reason to partake of some champagne or Dragon’s Blood . . . But their plan is far from blessed. The second eldest Larkin, Primrose, is infatuated with the handsome young vicar, who already has his hands full dealing with the hell-raising Larkin twins. Of course, that is only the beginning of the Larkins’ troubles, and it will take more than holy water to get them out of this mess. Praise for the Pop Larkin Chronicles “Pop Larkin, Ma and their progeny . . . are essentially English of the rich and ribald England of Chaucer and Shakespeare. A superb and timeless comedy.” —The Scotsman “Like Wodehouse’s Jeeves, Bates’ Larkins must continue in their own delightful milieu—in this case the Kentish countryside.” —The New York Times

An English junk dealer and his family get up to mischief and misadventure, in the first three novels of this “pulsing comedy of country manners” (Time). The Darling Buds of May Beneath the sunny skies of Kent, the Larkin family—Pop, Ma, and their six children—enjoy the simple pleasures of life. All of that could change, however, when Cedric Charlton from Inland Revenue appears on their farm. Cedric has come to inquire why the Larkins failed to file their income tax. But his plans hit a snag when the eldest Larkin daughter takes a liking to him—and he to her. A Breath of French Air Pop and Ma’s new son-in-law Charley regales them with stories of childhood vacations in Brittany, where the food and weather were delightful and everything was cheap. But when the Larkins decide to take a holiday in France, they soon discover it is vastly different from Charley’s memories. The Larkins normally find joy in the little things in life, but they have never dealt with a vacation like this . . . When the Green Woods Laugh When a wealthy couple from London go hunting for a country home in Kent, Pop Larkin knows just how much to overcharge them for an abandoned bungalow. But the money may not be worth it when Pop finds himself fending off unwanted advances. Soon, a rocking rowboat and a pair of misplaced hands have Pop before the local magistrate . . .