At Home with the Jardines

In Short

At Home with the Jardines chronicles the early married life of Faith and her husband Aubrey, affectionately dubbed "the Angel." Moving from a New York honeymoon into the exasperating world of city flats, arrogant janitors, and relentless noise, they eventually seek refuge in a country home named Peach Orchard in Clovertown. Alongside their remarkably capable cook, Mary, and a revolving cast of critical socialites, eccentric relatives, and visiting English aristocracy, Faith and Aubrey cultivate a grounded, deeply satisfying domestic life. The book endures through its witty, candid exploration of modern marriage, homemaking, and the search for sanctuary.

The Story

The narrative begins shortly after Faith and Aubrey marry, setting up housekeeping in New York City after starting their honeymoon at the Waldorf. Faith, a woman of emotional extremes, finds her perfect counterpart in Aubrey, a sunny and steadfast plateau of a man. They immediately plunge into the realities of urban renting, battling cross-eyed yet deferential janitors, exorbitant rents, unheated apartments in October, and the deafening, nerve-shattering roar of city traffic that drives residents toward constant weekend exoduses. Amidst these struggles, they secure Mary, a phenomenal cook and housekeeper whose loyalty anchors their home, even as she engages in playful, affectionate battles of will over missed meals and proper nutrition.

Alongside domestic adjustments, Faith attempts matchmaking between their sophisticated best man, Arthur Beguelin, and two competing women: the well-bred, sincere Cary Farquhar and the manipulative, charmingly deceptive Flora Forsyth. Flora creates social chaos during Faith's carefully planned dinner parties, attempting to bait Cary and secretly capturing other men's affections before unexpectedly becoming engaged. The resulting emotional turbulence, combined with the unbearable city noise that threatens their sanity, prompts Aubrey and Faith to abandon New York entirely. They decide to seek the quiet life along the Hudson River, guided by a sudden intuition that leads them to rent a country estate named Peach Orchard in Clovertown.

Moving into Peach Orchard proves far from seamless. They arrive to find a chaotic construction zone with unfinished walls, no heat, and missing plumbing, prompting a swift, satisfying reckoning with the delinquent real estate agent, Mr. Close. Once settled, the household becomes a hub of rural hospitality, welcoming an array of guests. These include Faith's hyper-critical, self-appointed superior general of a sister, Bee, alongside visiting British aristocracy, Sir Wemyss and Lady Mary, who enthusiastically embrace American farm life, admire the bulldogs and poultry, and offer gardening advice.

The social calendar peaks with a whimsical house-party featuring a goat-carriage christening ceremony. Jimmie, a witty companion whose humorous letters recount absurd building mishaps involving falling barrels and bruised bricklayers, helps orchestrate the event where children christen the goats Roosevelt and Congress. However, prosperity and changing household dynamics eventually affect Mary, whose initial devotion gives way to stubborn extravagance once extra maids and a gardener join the estate. Despite these minor shifts and the persistent social judgments of visitors who label their lifestyle hopelessly bourgeois and domestic, Faith and Aubrey remain triumphantly steadfast. The book closes with a profound reflection on the rarity of true marital compatibility, contrasting the misery of mismatched lives with the deep, quiet fulfillment of finding one's genuine soulmate against all odds.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins The book opens with the establishment of Faith and Aubrey's household, introducing their distinct temperaments and the acquisition of Mary, a culinary treasure who anchors their domestic life. They navigate the initial excitement of selecting furnishings, such as an oversized Turkish divan built strictly for luxury rather than utility.

The urban battleground As autumn arrives, the couple faces the harsh realities of New York living, including freezing apartments with arbitrary heating rules and a relentless, deafening city roar. Discussions with friends and observations of nervous collapses convince them that urban noise is slowly driving residents toward the insane ward.

The matchmaking diversion Faith attempts to steer the romantic life of their best man, Arthur, leading to social friction during a dinner party when the manipulative Flora Forsyth openly baits the sincere Cary Farquhar. This chaotic romance culminates in unexpected engagements and emotional distress that prompt the couple to flee the city.

The country sanctuary Seeking the quiet life, Faith tracks down a Hudson River property named Peach Orchard in Clovertown, though their arrival is marred by an unfinished house and a delinquent agent. Once restored, the estate welcomes visiting English nobility and friends for country living and humorous festivities.

The goat-carriage christening The household organizes a lighthearted community celebration where children officially christen the estate's goats Roosevelt and Congress. The ceremony brings together visiting aristocrats and local friends in a spirit of shared amusement and rural delight.

The test of prosperity As the estate flourishes with extra staff and visiting family members, Mary's character shifts toward extravagance and jealousy under the weight of relative prosperity. The narrative concludes with a philosophical meditation on the beauty of true marital harmony over ordinary, mismatched unions.

The People

Faith is a woman of emotional mountain peaks and deep valleys who seeks meaningful hospitality, genuine domestic happiness, and an escape from cold urban cynicism. Standing in her way are exorbitant rents, abrasive city conditions, manipulative guests, and her own tendency to overthink, but she ultimately achieves a deeply anchored, joyful partnership with her husband.

Aubrey, affectionately known as "the Angel," is a sunny, steadfast plateau of a man equipped with infinite patience, a love for repairs, and a steady legal mind. He wants a peaceful, functional life with Faith, successfully buffering her emotional storms until they both find sanctuary in the countryside.

Mary is much more than a cook; she functions as a nurse, housekeeper, and fierce defender of her employers' nutritional well-being. She wants stability and appreciation, but later struggles with the introduction of extra staff, shifting from loyal devotion to mild extravagance.

Bee is Faith’s hyper-critical sister who acts as a self-appointed superior general to the universe, desiring social prestige and European sophistication. She views Faith and Aubrey's domestic contentment with disdain, labeling them hopelessly bourgeois.

Arthur Beguelin is a wealthy, well-bred best man caught between two competing women, unintentionally causing social storms before settling into his own path. Flora Forsyth is a fascinating, manipulative young woman who uses charm and calculated behavior to secure a husband and escape a life of teaching.

Sir Wemyss and Lady Mary are visiting British aristocrats who bring good-humored charm to Peach Orchard, enthusiastically embracing American rural life, admiring livestock, and bridging cultural divides.

In Its Own Voice

The author captures Faith's intense emotional landscape and her deep appreciation for her husband through striking domestic reflections.

It is only fair to state, in justice to the best man, that I am a woman of emotional mountain peaks and dark, deep valleys, while the Angel is one vast and sunny plateau.

The relentless sensory assault of New York City life is sharply outlined during discussions among the characters regarding urban stress.

London, Paris, and Berlin all put together cannot furnish the noise of New York, while the roar of Chicago is the stillness of a cathedral compared to it.

Finally, the profound rarity of genuine marital union is beautifully crystallized at the very close of the narrative.

Men propose and women marry, but the misfits are palpable all through life to others, and frequently to themselves.

What It's Really About

The book explores the tension between artificial urban sophistication and authentic domestic peace. It questions why modern Americans tolerate abusive living conditions, arbitrary landlord rules, and a nerve-shattering environment that prioritizes social climbing over genuine human connection. Beneath the domestic comedy and logistical mishaps of moving houses, the narrative investigates the true nature of companionship. It argues that a successful marriage requires finding an emotional counterpart whose steady temperament balances one's own volatility. Ultimately, the book champions the deliberate cultivation of a warm, hospitable home life centered on shared joy, mutual understanding, and the rejection of hollow social conventions that drain the human spirit.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate vintage domestic humor, witty character dynamics, and cozy countryside narratives will find immense charm in this book. Reading it feels like sitting across from an observant, self-aware friend who shares the absurdities of daily life with absolute candor and warmth. What stays with you is the delightful interplay between Faith’s dramatic flair and Aubrey’s unflappable calmness, as well as the vibrant, idiosyncratic presence of Mary the cook.

Modern readers must approach the book with an awareness of its early twentieth-century period attitudes, occasional leisurely pacing, and dated social structures. However, these historical elements add an authentic texture rather than dampening the experience. The universal quest for sanctuary from an overwhelming, hyper-connected world remains profoundly relevant today. Anyone who has ever dreamed of trading urban chaos for the grounding peace of a country garden, or who treasures stories of enduring partnership built on laughter and mutual respect, will find this gentle chronicle a deeply rewarding escape.