Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War (novel)

Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War is the first novel in the eponymous series of books about Thelma Caldicot, by British conspiracy theorist and author, Vernon Coleman, first published in 1993. Coleman chose the name Caldicot after one of the cricket loving characters (played by Naunton Wayne) in Alfred Hitchcock’s film The Lady Vanishes. The novel was made into a film in 2002, starring Pauline Collins, John Alderton and Peter Capaldi. It was directed by Ian Sharp.

The original hardback version of the book was published by Chilton Designs in 1993. There have been three subsequent paperback versions: in 2003, 2014 and 2019. A large print edition was also released by Isis Publishing. An unabridged audio version, read by Anne Dover, was released in 2006 by Soundings.

Plot summary[]

Mr Caldicot, a self-centered martinet, dies suddenly at a cricket match. His widow finds herself liberated by his death and is beginning to live her own life when her son tells her that he is putting her into a nursing home. He claims this is ‘for her own good’ but it soon becomes clear that he simply wants to sell the family home. At the nursing home, Mrs Caldicot finds herself being bullied by the male proprietor. Unwilling to allow herself to be bullied yet again, and upset by the quality of the meals (wherein cabbage plays a significant part), Mrs Caldicot decides to walk out of the home.

Other residents, inspired by her stand, decide to go with her. Suddenly finding herself leading a small army of rebellious pensioners, Mrs Caldicot moves them all into a luxury hotel. The news of the rebellion attracts a good deal of media interest and Mrs Caldicot becomes a television celebrity. To raise money she sells her story to a newspaper editor (Jenkins) who treats her kindly and honestly. As a result of the bad publicity, the nursing home which Mrs Caldicot left has to close. At the end of the book Mrs Caldicot becomes the new proprietor.

Characters[]

The following characters appear in all four books in the series:

• Mrs Thelma Caldicot: Long oppressed by a bullying husband, Mrs Caldicot blossoms after her husband dies and discovers strengths she never knew she had.
• Phillip Jenkins: Meets Mrs Caldicot when he is editor of a Sunday newspaper. Later retires to become an author and consultant. He and Mrs Caldicot marry at the end of the book.
• Miss Audrey Nightingale: One of Mrs Caldicot's friends and fellow nursing home residents. A former primary school headmistress who wanted to be a ballet dancer. Now suffers from mild confusion and memory loss.
• Mrs Joyce Peterborough: Mrs Peterborough used to work in the haberdashery department of a store. One of Mrs Caldicot's friends and fellow nursing home residents. Tends to repeat what she hears (whether she has heard it live or from a television or radio set).
• Mr Hewitt: Was a gardener and now travels everywhere with a trowel, hand-fork and dibber just in case he spots a bit of weeding which needs doing.
• David Livingstone: A musician who can play piano, flute, trombone and drums and who leads the impromptu busking band in Mrs Caldicot’s Oyster Parade. He flew in bombers during World War II and was a prisoner of war.
• Mr Henry Williams: Mr Williams was a successful photographer. His photographs are occasionally sold to raise money.
• Mrs Roberts: Mrs Roberts is a nurse in her mid-40s who acts as house-keeper and also helps look after the residents (when they need help). Her assistant is an 18-year-old girl called Ruth.
• Mrs Torridge: Mrs Torridge is a former store buyer. She is elderly but still very sprightly though she occasionally suffers from confusion.

Reviews[]

This novel was well received by a large section of media. The Daily Telegraph described the story as, "poignant, funny and socially relevant."^[1] The book was described by the Financial Times as "a little British comedy with a big heart."^[2] The People said that "Coleman’s fans won't be surprised to find that even in fiction he likes to get stuck into a good campaign."^[3]

The Western Morning News said it was a, "Funny and thought provoking novel."^[4] The Western Mail called the novel, "Witty, poignant and beautifully written. A tearful journey into pensionable age with a glimmer of hope in the laughter." Writing in the Derby Evening Telegraph, Maxwell Craven, said the book, "made me laugh out loud. Dr Coleman's lightness of touch and direct prose are all that one could wish for."^[5]

The Belfast Telegraph said, "It's funny, sad and exposes important social issues about growing old." According to the Express & Star: "This is the first Vernon Coleman book to get the movie treatment. It is the latest step in the remarkable career of a man who has brought unconventional medical wisdom to millions of readers."^[6]

Film adaptation[]

The film premiered in June 2002 at the International Filmfest Emden,^[7] where it came second in the competition for the Bernhard Wicki Prize.^[8] A few weeks later, it participated in the Moscow International Film Festival.^[9] The film had its first wide cinema release in United Kingdom and Ireland, where it opened on 31 January 2003.^[9]

Help the Aged stated: "It is refreshing to see a film that tackles the problems and issues surrounding elderly care tackled in such a dignified and entertaining way."^{[citation needed]}

Mrs Caldicot series[]

There are four books in the Mrs Caldicot series.

• Book 2: Mrs Caldicot's Knickerbocker Glory:

Mrs Caldicot, and the other old folk who left the nursing home with her, are living comfortably together but the former proprietor of the home is scheming to regain control. Local authority inspectors help him by searching for management faults which can be used as an excuse to close down the home. The residents succeed in raising money they need to keep their home. The book ends with Jenkins (the newspaper editor whom Mrs Caldicot met in Book 1) asking Mrs Caldicot to marry him.

• Book 3: Mrs Caldicot's Oyster Parade:

Mrs Caldicot and her companions take a holiday in Paris. Unfortunately, the pensioner who was in charge of their money (a retired tax inspector) loses everything to a trickster. Mrs Caldicot and her friends now have to survive in Paris with no money. Their hotel is paid for but they need money for meals. In desperation, they form an impromptu street band, hoping that they can earn a little money through busking. Most members of the band have no musical knowledge or experience and some of their instruments are home-made but to their own delight and surprise they are a huge hit. They make enough cash to survive – and they also make new friends.

• Book 4: Mrs Caldicot's Turkish Delight:

Mrs Caldicot and her colleagues lose their home as a result of a compulsory purchase order. They are threatened with homelessness but are saved when one of the residents inherits a seaside pier from a distant relative. The pier, which is rather dilapidated, comes with a good many problems, a few surprises, a cinema and a small hotel which Mrs Caldicot and her friends turn into their new home.

Later characters[]

The following characters appear in books two, three and four of the series.

• Mr and Mrs Merivale: The married couple formerly worked in films. Mrs Merivale was a cook and Mr Merivale was a stunt man. They do the cooking for Mrs Caldicot and friends.
• Mr Nigel Roxdale: Mr Roxdale is a former gardener.
• Mr Peter Twist: Mr Twist is a former tax inspector and accountant.
• Mr Canterbury (Book 4 only): Mr Canterbury is an old-fashioned lawyer who helps Mr Livingstone and Mrs Caldicot when Mr Livingstone inherits a pier. He becomes engaged to Emerald Pettifer, (formerly a fat lady on the pier) who works in the pier café as a waitress.

References[]