The Fortnight in September

by R.C. Sherriff · 2021

Every September, the Stevens family embarks on a cherished pilgrimage to the English seaside town of Bognor Regis, a tradition that began on their honeymoon and has become the rhythm of their lives. In R.C. Sherriff’s timeless novel, the five‑member household—Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, their twenty‑year‑old daughter Mary, teenage son Dick, and little brother Ernie—settles into the familiar guesthouse, Seaview, now a little faded but still brimming with memory. As they claim a slightly larger cabana with a balcony, each family member finds quiet moments of renewal: Mr. Stevens takes his annual walk across the downs, confronting his hopes and regrets; Mrs. Stevens savors a solitary glass of port, reflecting on the years gone by; Mary experiences the first stirrings of romance; and the children revel in the simple joys of the coast. Through gentle humor and keen observation, Sherriff captures the dignity of everyday life, offering a warm, uplifting portrait of a family whose love for place and each other endures despite the passage of time.