The Water Gipsies (novel)

The Water Gipsies
First edition (UK)
AuthorA. P. Herbert
LanguageEnglish
GenreComedy/Romance
PublisherMethuen (UK)
Grosset & Dunlap (US)
Publication date
1930
Media typePrint

The Water Gipsies is a romantic comedy novel by British writer A. P. Herbert first published in 1930. It portrays the adventures of Jane Bell and her sister Lily, who operate a barge along England's rivers and canals. Jane enjoys several romantic entanglements during the story.

The novel is Herbert's best-known work, and reflected his lifelong love of British waterways.[1] He lived in Hammersmith Terrace, and a thinly disguised version of The Dove pub appears as The Pigeons.[2]

Adaptations

Film

Main article: The Water Gipsies (film)

In 1932 the novel was made into a film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Ann Todd as Jane Bell.[3] It was the last film made by Associated Talking Pictures at Beaconsfield Studios before relocating to Ealing.

Musical

In 1955 Herbert collaborated with Vivian Ellis to produce a stage musical of the film. The cast included Dora Bryan, Doris Hare and Jerry Verno. It was a success, running for 239 performances.[4]

References

  1. ^ Head, Dominic (2006). The Cambridge Guide to Literature in English. Cambridge University Press. p. 509. ISBN 978-0-521-83179-6.
  2. ^ Fisher, Stuart (2012). The Rivers of Britain: Estuaries, Tideways, Havens, Lochs, Firths and Kyles. Adlard Coles Nautical. p. 217. ISBN 978-1-408-14656-9.
  3. ^ "The Water Gipsies (1932)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  4. ^ Traubner, Richard (2003). Operetta: A Theatrical History. Routledge. p. 335. ISBN 978-0-415-96641-2.


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