{"product_id":"larkin-family-series-h-e-bates-5-books-collection-set-paperback","title":"The Larkin Family Series 5 Books Collection Set - Darling Buds of May - Fiction - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitles in This Set\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Darling Buds of May\u003cbr\u003e\nA Breath of French Air\u003cbr\u003e\nWhen the Green Woods Laugh\u003cbr\u003e\nOh! To Be in England\u003cbr\u003e\nA Little of What You Fancy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCondition: New\u003cbr\u003e\nFormat: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\nISBN: 9789124192297\u003cbr\u003e\nPublisher: Penguin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nStep into the sun-drenched orchards of Kent with H E Bates' Larkin Family Series, gathered here as one complete five-book paperback collection. Led by irrepressible Pop and Ma Larkin, these novels overflow with warmth, wit and rural mischief. Beginning with the classic Darling Buds of May, the series follows the growing Larkin brood through cross-Channel adventures, house sales, christenings and health scares, narrated with Bates' trademark affection for country life. A perfect gift for fans of gentle, character-driven comic fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Books\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis five-book set brings together the complete run of H E Bates' celebrated Larkin novels. The Darling Buds of May introduces the eccentric, generous Larkin family — Pop, Ma, Mariette, Zinnia, Petunia, Primrose, Victoria and Montgomery — whose rustic idyll is disrupted by a bemused tax inspector. In A Breath of French Air, the now ten-strong family pile into their old Rolls for a chaotic holiday across the Channel. When the Green Woods Laugh sees Pop sell a crumbling country house to fund daughter Mariette's dream of a swimming pool, while Oh! To Be in England revolves around a christening that spirals into glorious disorder. Finally, A Little of What You Fancy finds Pop reluctantly giving up his indulgences after a health scare, much to the family's dismay. Across all five novels, Bates captures the bawdy charm of 1950s and 60s rural England with warmth, humour and an unerring eye for character. The Larkins inspired the classic ITV series starring David Jason, and later a fresh adaptation, The Larkins, with Bradley Walsh. This collection is a comforting, quintessentially British reading experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete run of all five Larkin novels in one paperback set\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes the beloved classic The Darling Buds of May\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerfect gift for fans of classic British comic fiction and family sagas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLightweight paperback format — easy to read, share and travel with\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom a celebrated, award-winning British author\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA timeless collection inspired by two hit television adaptations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nH E Bates (1905–1974) was born in Northamptonshire and published his first novel, The Two Sisters, at just twenty. Over a long career he became renowned for his evocative stories of English country life, and served as a Squadron Leader in the RAF during the Second World War. His Larkin family novels, beginning with The Darling Buds of May, remain his most popular creation. Bates was awarded the CBE in 1973 and his work has been translated into sixteen languages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You'll Love This Collection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nWarm, funny and endlessly charming, this five-book set captures everything readers adore about the Larkins — perfick countryside chaos, a big-hearted family, and gentle comic storytelling that never goes out of style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease Note: Cover design may vary slightly from the image shown; you will receive the current UK paperback edition with matching ISBN.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"H. E. Bates","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42807852171501,"sku":"PLD1888","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/4549\/8093\/products\/larkin-family-series-h-e-bates-5-books-collection-set-paperback.jpg?v=1784310612","url":"https:\/\/www.letsbuybooks.com\/products\/larkin-family-series-h-e-bates-5-books-collection-set-paperback","provider":"Lets Buy Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}