The Vince Review: 'Coronation' by Paul Gallico

MY THOUGHTS:

This was a strong recommendation from a friend who came to the used book shed where I volunteered for a while. She pulled this one off the shelf and told me it's brilliant. Well, serendipitous recommendations are too few and far between for me to miss a single one. I agree that it was a very enjoyable story and decided to time this review with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which begin this week. Now, I'm sure I wasn't the only one who was a little confused by the dates, as the Queen was crowned in 1952, but her coronation didn't take place until 1953. A quick search reveals that her coronation was postponed for a year, in a sign of respect for his father, King George VI, who recently passed away.

Anyway, that big day in London is what this book is about. It's June 2, 1953, and the Clagg family is heading to the city to take part in the coronation celebrations for the new young queen. Will Clagg, the father, is a blue-collar steelworker who is delighted to have scored five tickets to a prime viewing spot along the procession route, which includes wonderful drinks. Your day off will have to replace your annual fortnight of vacation at sea, but it's a big sacrifice that everyone can agree on.

Young Johnny is an imaginative boy who loves to mentally put himself in the role of a hero. He is looking forward to seeing all the elegant royal soldiers and cavalry. Her younger sister Gwendoline is obsessed with the young Queen Elizabeth II because she looks like a fairytale character in the flesh. And Prince Philip is so gallant and handsome. (I remember having similar feelings about Diana in the early 1980s, when I was quite young.) Grandma Bonner, the judgmental and cantankerous mother-in-law, can't resist the idea of being present at a significant historical moment. And Violet, the worried young wife, is just heading out to try a sip of champagne.

Well, it turns out that crooks and frauds were as busy in 1953 as they had ever been. The Claggs' tickets turn out to be absolutely worthless. But what seems like a disaster to them turns out to bring brilliant solace to each member of the family as the day unfolds. I can't improve on how the dust jacket blurb puts it. 'Each person learned to give up their own ends and desires. However, everyone returned home laden with gifts and riches far beyond their expectations, which would remain with them for the rest of their lives.' In short, it ends up not being a complete waste of a day.

This story is a compelling example of how poor people can possess a shortcut to happiness and contentment that rich people miss out on because their standards of what should check our boxes are incredibly high. The Claggs may not have names, but without saying it directly, Paul Gallico gives the impression that, in the long run, they may have many more moments of contentment and satisfaction throughout their lives than VIPs who are considered much more important. Especially if they continue with the same resilient attitudes.

It's one of those novels that takes place in a single day. Wow, the overwhelming noise and bustle of that big day in London comes through the pages loud and clear. Through TV from 1981 onwards, I watched four royal weddings and Prince Philip's funeral. And now, through this little novel, I feel like I, too, was at the queen's coronation, even though I didn't see Liz or Phil in person. And when the Claggs finally arrived home, I felt my ears ringing from the sudden silence. I think this might be a nostalgic read for those who were actually around at the time.

I'm glad the Claggs were pleased with how things turned out, although I'm not convinced I'd be in their shoes. Maybe I still have a little to be desired in the art of letting things go.

🌟🌟🌟🌟