There is something delightful about discovering that your favorite authors from years ago read the same books you have. Upon reflection, it may not be so unlikely, but it is fun to discover. As I’ve mentioned before, my family are big Cranford fans—we watch the miniseries once or twice a year, quote from it liberally in our daily conversation, and several of us have read the book. Quaint and quirky little Cranford has such a charm of its own that in our house literary references to it are always hailed with particular glee. I suppose the fact that Cranford is perhaps a bit less known than, say, a novel of Charles Dickens’, makes it more of an event too. So imagine with what delight we met this passage, encountered as my mom and I continue with our chronological re-reading of Agatha Christie’s mystery novels:
Our village, King’s Abbott, is, I imagine, very much like any other village. Our big town is Cranchester, nine miles away…Able-bodied men are apt to leave the place early in life, but we are rich in unmarried ladies and retired military officers. Our hobbies and recreations can be summed up in the one word, “gossip.”
~ Agatha Christie, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
It seems hardly possible that Christie didn’t have Cranford in mind when she wrote that! If you recall, Cranford’s “big town” was Manchester, twelve miles away. Cranford…Manchester…Cranchester. Coincidence?
But I was even more tickled by this entirely unexpected bit that met me in the pages of a Western novel the other day:
“There’s Margy, sayin’ Cranford would be real excitin’ alongside this place. She got real put out t’day, because you boys went off first thing this forenoon, and then Butch Cassidy come over and spent most all the time foolin’ around with Skookum and didn’t talk to her much, and somethin’ or other went wrong in her story—she was tellin’ me all about it while we washed up the dishes…”
“Cranford! Ye gods!” Bud exploded, tardily, the full enormity of the comparison striking him in the middle of his demolishing the plate of chicken.~ B.M. Bower, Meadowlark Basin
Do you think we may safely agree that this was the only time Cranford and Butch Cassidy were ever mentioned in the same paragraph as each other?
photo credit: guardian.co.uk
Ron Scheer says
Cranford shows up now and then in the early westerns I've been reading…It occurs to me sometimes reading these forgotten authors that their style can mirror that of writers from a previous generation, whose novels we still read today. It can be an unexpected point of connection with them.
Melissa Marsh says
I admit, I have never read Cranford, and now I think I need to rectify that! Off to update my GoodReads list… 🙂
J.T. Webster says
I haven't read Cranford, and I don't think the mini series has aired here either but I've certainly heard of it. And you're right, I'm sure Butch and Cranford aren't mentioned together elsewhere. 🙂
Anonymous says
Heeeeheee so proud yet again of my beautiful (inside and out)niece, that I just could'nt contain myself at our local favorite library! Please forgive me 🙂 anon Aunt m:-)
Kelsey Bryant says
I just found your blog and I like what I’ve been reading! I, too, love finding references to Cranford. I also enjoyed the BBC miniseries Lark Rise to Candleford – have you seen it? Anyway, I read the wonderful book by Flora Thompson that it’s based off, and in one part Laura, the main character, and her uncle were reading Cranford: “How Laura loved dear Miss Matty! … ‘Not too fast, now, Laura, and not too much expression. … These were genteel old bodies, very prim and proper, who would not have raised their voices much if they’d heard the last trump sounding.’” Laura lived in England, so it’s not surprising, but it is very surprising to find Cranford in a western!
Elisabeth Grace Foley says
Thanks, Kelsey! I've heard a lot about Lark Rise to Candleford but haven't read or seen it. That bit you quoted sounds charming!
Kate says
I know that this post is almost two years old, but I couldn't resist commenting. I LOVE finding references to Cranford in classics, and they seem to be everywhere! There is one in An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott. That was my first experience of the kind, and I have loved every one since.
Elisabeth Grace Foley says
Never mind that; I love it when people comment on old posts! I've found even more Cranford references since writing this…but I can't recall the one in An Old-Fashioned Girl. I'll have to read it again sometime and look for it!