Valmouth and Other StoriesValmouth is one of Firbank's most dazzling novels. Set in an English seaside health resort where the air promotes extraordinary longevity, Valmouth is dominated by the exotic and manipulative black masseuse, Mrs Yajnavalkya. Unhampered by class or creed, the ubiquitous Yajnavalkya moves between the strata of Valmouth society, bringing relief that is not without elements of eroticism ... |
Common terms and phrases
amid arms asked Automona bell beneath bird blue Cardinal Cardinal Pirelli centenarians Charlie chasuble Chile church Cuna-Cuna Cunan dair darling dear child declared Dick Don Alvaro Doña Consolacion door Duchess Duquesa Edna Eminence Eulalia exclaimed eyes face Father Firbank's flowers garden girl glance hair hand Hare heah heart Hodeidah honey Hurstpierpoint Lady Parvula laugh lero lips look Lord M. R. JAMES Madame Poco Madame Ruiz maid Mammee Marchioness Miami Miss Miami Miss Tooke mistress Monsignor Mother Mouth murmured nebba negress never night Niri-Esther pale pariah dogs Parvula de Panzoust perhaps Pirelli poor Prancing Nigger Primate Princess replied Ronald Firbank rose Sasabonsam seemed Señora Sh'o sighed sister smile sweet t'ink tell Thetis Thoroughfare trees turned Valmouth Vatt Villa violet voice window woman wonder Yajnavalkya young