The Camomile Lawn

Background

Mary Wesley first began writing The Camomile Lawn after the death of her second husband left her destitute. She finished writing it in 1983, and was convinced to publish it by her editor James Hale. Parts of the book were based on Mary Wesley's early life. The house in Cornwall was based on Boskenna, the seat of the Paynter family, where Wesley stayed as a child. After a coast guard fell to his death near Boskenna, Wesley suspected foul play and created a fictionalised version for her novel. Like Polly, Wesley worked for military intelligence during World War II. The character of Oliver was based on her former boyfriend Lewis Clive while Max was based on Paul Ziegler (brother of Heinz Otto Ziegler), one of her friends whose parents died in The Holocaust. Additionally, Mary Wesley's sister quarrelled with her over the depiction of Helena and Richard Cuthbertson in the book, as she believed that they were based on their parents.

Story

In August 1939, Oliver, Calypso, Polly and Walter are visiting their Aunt Helena and Uncle Richard Cuthbertson, and their 10-year-old cousin Sophy who has been taken in by Helena and Uncle Richard. They are often visited by the twin sons of the local rector, as well as by Max and Monika, a Jewish refugee couple from Austria, whose only son, Pauli, is in a concentration camp, and who have been taken in by the rector. Young Sophy is delighted with the arrival of her cousins, especially Oliver. She is determined to run 'The Terror Run', a cliff path that the cousins race along at full moon, along with the grown ups. However, during a daylight practice run, the local coastguard exposes himself to her.

Returning from fighting in the Spanish Civil War, a depressed and disenchanted Oliver has a changed outlook on life although he still retains his crush on Calypso. Calypso, knowing that she isn't what Oliver is truly seeking, is determined to make the most of her beauty and marry a rich man.

Sensible, intelligent, practical Polly is observant and eventually joins the War Office. It is implied that she is working on War Intelligence. Her brother Walter joins the Navy.

TV adaptation

The 1992 adaptation was independently produced by Glenn Wilhide and Sophie Belhetchet at ZED Ltd for Channel 4, and directed by Peter Hall. It was adapted from the novel by Ken Taylor and had a notable cast of actors.

Felicity Kendal played the scatty, snobbish Aunt Helena Cuthbertson, with Paul Eddington as her husband Richard. Jennifer Ehle played the "mercenary" young Calypso, with her real-life mother, actress Rosemary Harris, playing Calypso in old age. Tara Fitzgerald played the part of young Polly and Virginia McKenna appeared as the older Polly. Rebecca Hall, the eight-year-old daughter of director Peter Hall, was cast as young Sophy; older Sophy is played by Claire Bloom. Toby Stephens plays young, serious Oliver and Richard Johnson is the older Oliver. Film locations were at Broom Parc House, Veryan, Cornwall, and Portloe, Cornwall. The theme tune for the TV adaptation, by Stephen Edwards, is based on Ravel's String Quartet in F major, which is also rehearsed, by Max (Oliver Cotton) and his colleagues.