Elizabeth Fair staat bekend om haar zes romans die op humoristische en zachte wijze de "beleefde sociale politiek" van dorpsbewoners ontleedden. Haar stijl, vaak vergeleken met die van Margery Sharp of Angela Thirkell, vertoont overeenkomsten met Anthony Trollope. Fair gaf zelf aan dat haar werken bedoeld waren voor degenen die "het leven niet te serieus willen nemen". Haar proza verweeft vakkundig romantische elementen met geestige, onopvallende commentaren op het Engelse dorpsleven.
The protagonist reflects on a life of complacency, having lost the anticipation of change until the unexpected arrival of Mrs. Gamalion's legacy disrupts her routine. This legacy promises to alter her perspective and life trajectory, introducing themes of transformation and the potential for extraordinary events in seemingly mundane lives. The story hints at a journey of self-discovery and the impact of unforeseen circumstances.
Loneliness permeates the life of a widow who, despite her prosperity and a lack of children, finds solace in her genuine interest in others. Julia Dunstan navigates her solitary existence, reflecting on her fortune compared to many in her situation. Her journey explores themes of connection and resilience as she seeks to fill the void left by her loss, highlighting the importance of relationships in overcoming isolation.
"The best thing one can say about the Priory is that it would have made a splendid ruin," she stated. "If only the Seamarks had left it alone ..." Hester Clifford has come to Mingham to recover from pneumonia, at the invitation of her godmother, Cecily Hutton, an eccentric painter with a predilection for ruins. Hester determines to bring order to the Huttons' easygoing lives, not to mention those of the villagers--including elderly Mrs. Hyde-Ridley, attempting to enforce her Edwardian standards of behaviour, Mrs. Merlin, the Rector's wife, equally determined to share the joys of country dance with an unenthusiastic parish, and Thomas Seamark, a classic example of the wealthy, brooding widower. Amidst conflict, manipulation, matchmaking, and general hilarity, Hester clearly has her work cut out for her. Furrowed Middlebrow is delighted to make available, for the first time in over half a century, all six of Elizabeth Fair's irresistible comedies of domestic life. These new editions all feature an introduction by Elizabeth Crawford. "Miss Fair's understanding is deeper than Mrs. Thirkell's and her humour is untouched by snobbishness; she is much nearer to Trollope, grand master in these matters."--Stevie Smith "Miss Fair makes writing look very easy, and that is the measure of her creative ability."--Compton Mackenzie