chesilbeach Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Another book from my current favourite publishers, Persephone Books, this is one of their Persephone Classics range, and is a collection of short stories, originally published in the New Yorker magazine during the second World War. The author was a prolific writer for the magazine throughout her career, submitting a wide range of work including poems, book reviews, London Letters, and Letters from England, as well as these short stories. The twenty-one stories in this collection are vignettes of Middle England through the war, briefly chronicling the experiences and emotions of her subjects. The stories range from light-hearted, almost wickedly observed meetings of a Red Cross sewing party, to the melancholy tale of a lonely, isolated civil servant, to the sparkling joy of a young bride finally stepping out from the shadow of her sister. The characters are perceptively observed, and the wit and compassion of the writer jumps of the page all the while shrewdly documenting wartime England, and the state of the nation. The stories run to about seven or eight pages, so are easy to read in a single sitting, or if you're like me, you can devour the whole lot in a couple of sittings. I don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Gillard Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 I just bought this book in a 2ndhand bookshop, together with MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY. My selection was a bit random so I was pleased to read your rave review, Chesilbeach. I also love Persephones and I'm always interested to hear of people's favourites. Mine are LITTLE BOY LOST (Marganita Laski), WILLIAM: AN ENGLISHMAN (Cicely Hamilton), SOMEONE AT A DISTANCE (Dorothy Whipple) and I also enjoyed A WOMAN'S PLACE: 1910-1975 (n/f by Ruth Thomas. A real eye-opener.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted July 1, 2009 Author Share Posted July 1, 2009 I absolutely loved Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day when I read it last year. It was my first Persephone book, and although I've only read a few, I've loved them all. They are quite expensive, especially as I've never seen any on a 3 for 2 table or in any other offer, but I try to make sure I purchase them from one of my favourite independent bookstores, where I usually have to buy my books at full price, but it is a rare treat! I also really enjoyed Someone At A Distance, and I've got Consequences by E. M. Delafield on my shelf waiting to read. I'm looking forward to it, as I fondly remember reading the Provincial Lady books about 15 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 I love the sound of Good Evening, Mrs. Craven (and the cover on Amazon is gorgeous!) - another one for my wishlist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I loved this book .. I love all Persephone books! (or have done so far!). She wrote a sequel didn't she? which Persephone also publish .. something about stories in peacetime. They sent me an e.mail recently saying that you could buy two books and get a third free .. I wish I had taken them up on it now. Their shop looks gorgeous too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Yes, I've just looked it up it's called 'Minnie's Room' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted August 15, 2009 Author Share Posted August 15, 2009 I loved this book .. I love all Persephone books! (or have done so far!). She wrote a sequel didn't she? which Persephone also publish .. something about stories in peacetime. They sent me an e.mail recently saying that you could buy two books and get a third free .. I wish I had taken them up on it now. Their shop looks gorgeous too. I'm becoming a huge fan of Persephone books. I think I've read five now, and all have been wonderful. They are quite expensive though, and I tend to save them for a treat when I indulge in one of my favourite independent bookshops where I have to pay full price for books! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 I'm becoming a huge fan of Persephone books. I think I've read five now, and all have been wonderful. They are quite expensive though, and I tend to save them for a treat when I indulge in one of my favourite independent bookshops where I have to pay full price for books! Yes, that's the same as me ... I don't often buy them but all the one's I have bought have been great. I did leave the catalogue lying around with ticks next to my preferred choices .. and dropped some heavy hints .. and my husband ordered a couple to be sent to me for my birthday .. and they came in bright pink tissue with a silky ribbon tied round .. I was in seventh heaven. Marianna has been my favourite so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 Yes, that's the same as me ... I don't often buy them but all the one's I have bought have been great.I did leave the catalogue lying around with ticks next to my preferred choices .. and dropped some heavy hints .. and my husband ordered a couple to be sent to me for my birthday .. and they came in bright pink tissue with a silky ribbon tied round .. I was in seventh heaven. Marianna has been my favourite so far. Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day has been my favourite so far, but oddly enough, Marianna is the top of my Persephone wishlist, so I'll be buying it on my next trip to an indy bookshop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I loved Miss Pettigrew too .. it was my first Persephone book .. bought from Waterstones I think .. probably the only Persephone book that you can get in the larger bookstores. Have you seen the film? .. I haven't .. you never know .. when you love a book .. whether a film adaptation is going to do it justice or not. I'd be so disappointed if they messed it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 I loved Miss Pettigrew too .. it was my first Persephone book Snap! ... bought from Waterstones I think Snap! Have you seen the film? .. I haven't .. you never know .. when you love a book .. whether a film adaptation is going to do it justice or not. I'd be so disappointed if they messed it up. I haven't seen it yet. I do want to but I'm not a huge fan of Frances McDormand and I'm a bit concerned it will have had the Hollywood treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Snap! Snap! I haven't seen it yet. I do want to but I'm not a huge fan of Frances McDormand and I'm a bit concerned it will have had the Hollywood treatment. That's what I think too .. I've got the audiobook as well as the book and Frances reads it .. and she's just not the Miss Pettigrew I had in my mind when I read it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 I just noticed that four of Mollies stories from this collection are going to be read on BBC Radio 7 this coming week. One each day starting on Tuesday (1st Sept) at 2.15pm (for a quarter of an hour). They are going to be read by the actress Sylvestra Le Touzel who played Fanny Price in an old 1983 BBC production of 'Mansfield Park'. I hope I can remember to listen each day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted August 30, 2009 Author Share Posted August 30, 2009 Thanks for the heads up - I'll try and remember to listen to those next week, even if I have to do it on the iPlayer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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