I love Nicola Upson’s “Josephine Tey” novels, in which a fictionalised version of the Golden Age crime writer investigates mysteries. Here, though, Nicola has turned her attention to other real-life people, and I suspect stuck much closer to reality than in the Josephine stories. Indeed, the extraordinary true story of the Spencers and those around them needs little embroidery, and must have proved an almost irresistible subject for a novel.


The artist Stanley Spencer, his wife Hilda Carline, also an artist, and the remarkable sagas which surrounded them, neighbour Patricia Preece, and her lover Dorothy Hepworth, are seen here largely through the eyes of their long-standing (and often long-suffering) maid - and subject of two paintings - Elsie Munday. The perceptive, vibrant and down to earth Elsie is, with the possible exception of Stanley and Hilda’s daughters Shirin and Unity, by far the most likeable character and the first half of the book is entirely from her perspective. Later, we also begin to see the viewpoints of other characters. The lifelong relationship of Preece and Hepworth would surely make a fascinating book in itself.

I loved this story, about people of whom I previously knew little, though I now feel considerably better informed. I love it when a book teaches me something, and Stanley and Elsie had me frequently looking up more information, particularly about the distinctive art of Stanley Spencer and Hilda Carline. My researches led me to clips of the recent documentary “Stanley and his Daughters” - if anyone knows where I can watch the whole thing, please tell!

Nicola Upson is a wonderful writer and has excelled here in creating the world of Stanley and Elsie, evoking a real sense of the artworks and the rural locations of Burghclere and Cookham. I now really want to visit the chapel, though unfortunately it’s a bit far away from my home in Scotland.

An excellent read.

I absolutely love learning about how life was back in the olden days, and this book was an amazing insight into life after the war. Sir Stanley Spencer, if you haven't heard of him was an artist and his art was inspired by the people whom he loved. He was commissioned to paint a war memorial in a chapel, he painted some absolutely amazing scenes and I could picture them all from this amazing book. I loved how Elsie wasn't just a maid to the Spencer family but a friend too which just warmed my heart. After I read this book I was completely intrigued by Stanley and googled his art and was gobsmacked by how amazing his chapel painting is and was astonished by how well it was described in the book. The story of Stanley’s life was like a love story that was torn apart and it was sad to read because I so wanted things to work out but it wasn't to be. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this even though it's not my typical goto genre but I loved it. If you're into history, art or even love stories then I definitely recommend this. I think I may take a trip to visit the chapel in the future to see the paintings described in the book as I think they will be even more amazing in real life. Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this little gem.

A compelling read of a fictional take on the life of Stanley Spencer seen through the eyes of the women who influenced his art but mainly Elsie his maid. Stanley himself comes across as temperamental and completely self obsessed. The book is easy to read and gives an insight to the background of his greatest works based on a lot of research and memories from family and friends. The writing brings together some of the more bizarre facts in a readable way.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

In a departure from her Josephine Tey series, this tells the story of artist Stanley Spencer via the women in his life. Upson wears her research lightly and always writes with grace and elegance. Depicting artworks can be hard, conveying a visual medium via words, but she pulls that off well. At the heart of the book is the ordinary Elsie, housemaid to the Spencers and witness to their turbulent marriage. This is a quiet book in some ways but beautifully controlled.

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
First time reading this Author
Stanley and Elsie was something quite different in the respect that it's rather complex
Stanley who was a famous painter trying to find himself and not always succeeding the turbulent life that he had with hilda makes this book well worth reading its highly enjoyable and informative and I can recommend.

Stanley and Elsie is a retelling of the relationships of artist Stanley Spencer. Spencer, who painted in the early to mid 20th Century, was married twice, first to artist Hilda Carline and secondly to Patrica Preece, also a Slade art school graduate. Both marriages were complex, turbulent and overlapping. It is these intriguing, unconventional and sometimes maddening relationships which provide the backdrop to the book.
When the novel begins Stanley is engaged in one of his most ambitious and beautiful projects. Commissioned by wealthy patrons John and Mary Behrend, Stanley is painting a purpose build chapel as a WW1 memorial to Harry Sandham , brother of Mary, whose death from malaria, caught whilst on active service, was refused memorial on the village monument. Whilst Stanley is immersed physically, spiritually and emotionally in his work, Hilda is working her way through the fog of post natal depression, struggling to paint and manage her household.  
Enter Elsie Munday, the Spencer’s maid, who, over time becomes so much more. Her presence as the voice of reason, domesticity and unswerving honesty and loyalty is the glue which holds the Spencer family together for many difficult years. Indeed it is through the portrayal of stoic and unflappable Elise that the reader is offered insight to the marriage of Stanley and Hilda
And so begins unrestricted access to a quite brilliant but damaged pair of artists. Moving trusted and almost unnoticed through the Spencer household Elsie provides us with unique perspective of a complex and always evolving situation.
Both Hilda and Stanley are fighting ghosts of their own. Stanley is talented but arrogant; art is his world and he has little patience with the domestic restraints and battles his wife is contending with. Encouraging her to paint, but having little success, he becomes arrogant, bullish and down right cruel. Through clever use of character and dialogue Upson allows the players to tell their own story and there is little for the reader to do but stand back and watch them slowly destroy their marriage. With heartbreaking clarity and sometimes disbelief Upson skilfully charts one of the most complex artistic realtionships. This is the familiar tale of art enhancing life but the artistic temperament being too hard to contain. Unwilling, maybe unable to compromise Stanley is chasing artistic perfection, looking to higher places and missing what is right before him.
Throughout Elsie remains the constant character, a stalwart, the yard stick by which the reader can judge how strange and chaotic the Spencer's relationship becomes. Upson's strategic use of Elsie helps to remind us just how far Stanley's behaviour moves from socially accepted norms. It is no accident that it is through Elise's eyes that we are encouraged to assess the elegant but ruthless Patricia Preece. It is Elsie who tells us what we should think and feel about this cuckoo in the nest.
There is no doubt that this novel is very much driven by the strength of the characters within. That is not to say there isn't a plot, but it is a plot with it's very being in the dialogue and emotion of it's characters. And within in the emotion it provokes in the reader.
This novel is peppered with facts, revelations and, crucially, beautiful descriptions of art. The dropping of famous names such as Henry Tonks, Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf had me firing up the search engines time and after time. It was this element of the book which for me was it's defining characteristic and strength. I love historical fiction; I love the journey it takes you on, the meandering path of discovery, leading you to new places and texts. And in that respect this novel represents historical fiction at it's best.Thank you to Prelude Books who have provided me with a digital copy of Stanley and Elsie, by Nicola Upson in exchange for an honest review.

Completely enjoyed this novel based on the life of Stanley Spenser, a 20th century British painter. His life and loved were the epitome of “its complicated”. I found myself googling to see what was factual and, trying not to spoil the narrative, the most unlikely points were all true! Hilda Carline was the most interesting character for me and I would enjoy reading more about her life and art.

I liked Nicola Upson's Josephine Tey series and was very happy when I got this ARC.
It's a very interesting book, engaging, full of good for thought and entertaining at the same time.
I loved the descriptions of Berkshire, the fleshed out characters and the plot.
Ms Upson can surely write and delivers a good book.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.