And Berry Came Too
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1936 |
| Founder | Dornford Yates (Cecil William Mercer) |
| Products | Humorous short story anthology |
And Berry Came Too is a 1936 anthology of humorous short stories penned by English writer Dornford Yates (Cecil William Mercer), showcasing his well-known 'Berry' ensemble.
Plot
This volume comprises eight short tales, primarily set in Hampshire. An introductory note suggests that the events likely take place during the summer interval between chapters 1 and 2 of Berry and Co., approximately sixteen years earlier. Alongside the familiar "Berry & Co" group, the stories introduce the family's two-year-old Alsatian dog, "The Knave," and an American visitor named Perdita Boyte.
Background
Each story was initially published in The Windsor Magazine from May through December 1935. Mercer composed these narratives while living in Pau with his second wife, Elizabeth (affectionately called 'Jill', to whom this book is dedicated).
Chapters
| Chapter | Book Title | Windsor Title | Date | Volume | Issue | Pages | Illustrator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | How The Knave embarked for Cock Feathers, and Berry encountered an unwelcome acquaintance | Enter The Knave | May 1935 | LXXXI | 485 | 715-734 | E G Oakdale |
| II | How Berry recognized the obvious, while Daphne and I interfered with each other's plans | Period Stuff | June 1935 | LXXXII | 486 | 34-49 | E G Oakdale |
| III | How Berry foretold misfortune, and The Knave overcame his disdain | The Law And The Prophet | July 1935 | LXXXII | 487 | 173-183 | E G Oakdale |
| IV | How Daphne received a gift, and Jonah removed his coat | Black Magic | August 1935 | LXXXII | 488 | 274-288 | E G Oakdale |
| V | How Perdita purchased a staircase, and Berry donned unfamiliar attire | A Roman Holiday | September 1935 | LXXXII | 489 | 423-438 | E G Oakdale |
| VI | How Berry found his equal, and a mule reclined alongside The Knave | Spade Work | October 1935 | LXXXII | 490 | 649-665 | E G Oakdale |
| VII | How Jill had a delightful time, while Len and Winnie were compelled to squander precious moments | Big Business | November 1935 | LXXXII | 491 | 775-791 | E G Oakdale |
| VIII | How Perdita departed White Ladies, and Berry sat beside a lady unfamiliar with law | Lady Friends | December 1935 | LXXXIII | 492 | 41-54 | E G Oakdale |
In addition, four of these stories—chapters I, II, IV, and V—were serialized in Woman's Home Companion during 1935, featuring illustrations by Frederick Chapman and retaining their original titles from The Windsor Magazine.
Illustrations
The book edition omitted the illustrations by E. G. Oakdale that accompanied the original Windsor Magazine publications.
Critical reception
On 29 January 1936, Punch reviewed the collection positively, expressing enthusiasm for Berry’s return after a five-year hiatus and anticipating favorable public response. Nevertheless, it criticized the author's recurring "peculiar blind spot" concerning female characters, especially noting narrator Boy's frequent depiction of women as innocent and childlike. AJ Smithers' biography from 1982 considered this observation "completely justified."
Bibliography
- Smithers, A.J. Dornford Yates. Hodder and Stoughton, 1982.