out of the red into the blue

Out of the Red Into the Blue by Barbara Comyns (Heinemann, 1960)

Anot her delightfully charming and engaging book by Comyns.  This is something of a memoir, and tells the story of her and her husband’s flight from dreary and expensive post-war London to a sunny (but often cold) and cheap island off the coast of Spain.  There is, of course, something generic about this premise and the book follows the familiar route: eccentric characters (both at home and abroad; Comyns specializes in these), problematic houses, and strained relationships.  Perhaps because this is based on reality and Comyns is working without the liberties of fiction, the humor and whimsy can at times feel a bit strained or forced.  At the same time, it’s nice to get a glimpse of that real life, for Comyns herself seems to have been an enormously charming and vivacious creature.  Out of the Red Into the Blue is more grounded and familiar than the novels, but well worth reading.  I enjoyed it very much.