Janet
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The Third Miss Symons by F M Mayor
The ‘blurb’
The story of Henrietta Symons from her birth to her death, and the most perfect account in English fiction of those women who, through the ages, have neither married nor loved, the spinster, the maiden aunt, the surplus woman. Henrietta is the third daughter in a large Victorian family, the misfit girl without the beauty or the talent to be loved. Querulous, bad-tempered, her meaningless life passes aimlessly by. But Henrietta has one saving grace. She knows herself for what she is, and self-knowledge, however bitter, turns her life of defeat into a certain kind of victory.
Henrietta ‘Etta’ Symons is the titular Miss Symons in this short chronological novel by F M Mayor, who is probably better known for The Rector’s Daughter. Etta is the third daughter in a large, upper-middle class Victorian family. She’s overlooked by her family and is a loner, despite initially having a great capacity for love and desiring affection.
The novel follows Etta from birth to death – she never really makes much of an impression on life. Her one attempt at finding love is thwarted and as she gets older and becomes more belligerent her siblings tolerate her, but are grateful that she never stays too long. She, in turn, finds it hard to put down roots and so travels extensively. She has one redeeming feature – her generosity. Despite the family’s neglect of her, she’s always ready to be a shoulder to lean on or to bail them out with monetary gifts.
The main thread running through the novel is of how older unmarried women in the Victorian era were deemed worthless. If they were unable to find a man to love them then that must be due to some failing on their part – and like a self-fulfilling prophecy this happens to Etta.
I enjoyed reading this book, despite the rather pessimistic nature of it. At times I wanted to shake Ella and tell her to get a grip, but at the same time I felt an inordinate amount of sympathy for her – she had so much love to give, but love bypasses her. She shows strength by refusing to feel sorry for herself despite her lack of spouse and leads a successful, if ultimately unfulfilled, life. I will definitely try one of Mayor’s two other novels.
The paperback is 160 pages long and is published by Virago. It was first published in 1913. [Read on Kindle]
3/5
(Finished 18 February 2013)
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J I also couldn't get the image of Daniel Radcliffe out of my mind, unfortunately. I just can't see him as the main character.
4. If you have seen the stage production, TV version or film of The Woman in Black, how did it compare to the book?
Can't comment, as haven't seen either but while I was reading it I did try to imagine what the movie would look like. I'm surprised they made it into a movie actually; I suspect they must have had to flesh out the story a fair bit for it to be a decent length film? I'll get around to watching the movie at some point, no doubt, so I can see for myself. I don't get scared too much by books, but movies scare me easily, so I may need to watch it in broad daylight.
The part I found most creepy was when he described the woman in black as having an expression of 'desperate, yearning malevolence'. That creeped me out a bit - it's the idea of malevolence, rather than sorrow being a ghost's driving force which is unnerving. Surprisingly I didn't find much else scary - not the noises in the house or the abandoned nursery. I suppose the mist covering the causeway was a bit scary, and I'm so glad Spider was rescued!
Just a quick question:
When Arthur first saw the woman in black at the cemetery, he also saw a row of children standing at a fence. Were these children the ghosts of the ones who died everytime Jennet had been seen?
I watched the film yesterday and I have to say that I thought Dan Radcliffe did a decent job (although I didn't like the film adaptation at all - more on that in a second).
I think the film is probably scarier than the book - watching in broad daylight might be a good plan!
Good point re: the children. I just assumed they were children from the local school, but they may have been ghosts too. Hmmm.
(Sorry, but I've never used that smiley before!)T
Do you know what part of the ending they changed? I imagine that they've changed it so his son lives. I suppose it would be a dark way to end a movie and I can imagine it wouldn't sit well with many people (test audiences perhaps?). Still, if they are going to make a movie based on a book, they should really remain faithful to the story as told in the book!As I said, I watched the film yesterday. I know this is a 'no spoiler tags required' thread, but as I'm talking about the film I'll tag my reply in case anyone wants to try the film without being spoiled.
There is no 'storytelling' by the older Kipps to set the scene for the future action.
The film opens with three young girls playing in a nursery - they then go to three windows and jump out, killing themselves.
Kipps (who is already married with a son!) is being warned about his performance at work - so he's sent to deal with the death and effects of Mrs Drablow.
He meets Spider's owner, Sam Daily on the train - the man is friendly towards him.
When he arrives in Crythin Gifford, the hotel owner denies having received a booking for him - is very hostile towards him - and tells him to leave and go back to London. The landlord's wife tells him he can sleep in the attic rooms.
The townsfolk are also hostile towards him.
Some of the action at Eel Marsh house is as in the book. but one crucial difference is Kipps searching for, and finding the body of Jennet's son in the marshes. He and Sam dig up Jennet's grave and place the dead child in the coffin with the dead woman in the hope that this will lay her to rest and stop her from causing the death of the village children.
The ending is the biggest change. His housekeeper brings his young son up to Crythin Gifford - Kipps and Sam Daily try to telephone ahead to warn them not to travel but are too late. At the station, Kipps greets his son and sends the housekeeper to buy tickets back to London - they're returning immediately. As he speaks to Sam, the child wanders off. Kipps looks round and sees the woman in black, and with that, a train comes. He jumps on to the tracks to try to save his son and they are both killed. The film ends with them reunited with Kipps' dead wife - they are all ghosts.
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1. Yes, please don't eat the books from the library
2.
That's not exactly what we had in mind, is it! I hope you didn't get busted for having those pages on the website history log watchamathingy on your computer 
3. Don't you just hate it when that happens
But I see you've managed with both of the books after the post above, so good on you!4. Great review, Janet, thanks! I've never been curious about this or too keen to read it, but thanks to your review I'm going to check if I have a copy of the book and if I might actually get around to reading it in the near future
I don't know how to split up the posts like I used to with the new quote system, so I've numbered your comments instead.
1. I don't eat them.
I don't even lick them like someone we know*! (*Aww, get well soon, Kay
)2. It's okay - I have my own laptop so hopefully nobody will notice! There are some VERY odd fetishes out there!
3. I thought I should... I don't like the expression 'man up' at all but I can't think of an alternative (suggestions welcome)... just get on with it and stop being silly! I very much enjoyed my re-read of The Woman in Black. Sadly The Descendants wasn't so enjoyable - I can't say I'm looking forward to watching the film on Wednesday night, but I'll try to reserve judgement!
4. Thanks.
But oh dear - I hope you enjoy it if you do try it. 
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The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings
The ‘blurb’
A descendant of one of Hawaii's largest landowners, Matt King finds his luck changed when his fun-loving, filghty wife Joanie falls into a coma, victim of a boating accident. Matt is left in sole charge of his two daughters, teenage ex-model and recovering drug addict Alex, and Scottie, a feisty ten-year-old.
And then Matt discovers Joanie has been having an affair. Deciding to seek out Joanie's lover so that he too has a chance to say his goodbyes, Matt takes to the road with his daughters on a memorable journey of painful revelations and unexpected humour...
I wouldn’t have read this book if it wasn’t chosen by one of my Book Club members – we’re going to discuss it after watching the film together. I’ve tried reviewing this book over the last few days, but really I don’t know what to say about it apart from that I feel a bit ambivalent towards it. It is hard to have any sympathy for Joanie, the woman in the coma. I felt little sympathy for her husband, Matt either. I think we’re meant to like Scottie and to find her endearing, but I just found her irritating. I much preferred her sister, Alex.
My favourite character was Sid – Alex’s not-quite-boyfriend who was the one redeeming character in the book. There are enjoyable parts to the book and I didn’t hate it (even though my review might suggest otherwise!), but that’s about all I can find to say about it. I find that even though I finished it less than two weeks ago, the storyline is already fading.
I wonder if it’ll be a rare case where I like the film more than the book?!
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Stardust, the film is waaaaay better than the book.
Awww, I loved the book!
These Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach - which became The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - the film was WAY better than the book!
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I hope you enjoy it when you do get round to it.
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Yeah, I went through that phase!
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The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
The ‘blurb’
Gilbert Markham is deeply intrigued by Helen Graham, a beautiful and secretive young woman who has moved into nearby Wildfell Hall with her young son. He is quick to offer Helen his friendship, but when her reclusive behaviour becomes the subject of local gossip and speculation, Gilbert begins to wonder whether his trust in her has been misplaced. It is only when she allows Gilbert to read her diary that the truth is revealed and the shocking details of the disastrous marriage she has left behind emerge...
Gilbert Markham is fascinated with the mysterious Helen Graham who moves into some rooms in a nearby run-down manor house, Wildfell Hall located on a bleak moor, with her young son and faithful servant. As Gilbert falls for Helen she becomes the subject of local gossip and Gilbert in turn becomes jealous of another man who he believes is also in love with Helen – so she asks him to read her diary…
Told through letters from Gilbert Markham to his friend and brother-in-law, the reader learns the reason for Helen’s occupation of the Hall – she has fled her unhappy and abusive marriage. This novel is widely considered to be one of the first feminist novels and caused quite a stir on publication due to its portrayal or a woman who breaks with convention, leaving her alcoholic husband, taking their child with her. It took me a few weeks to read it, but that has nothing to do with the content – it was very enjoyable and easy to read and Brontë’s portrayal of the mental cruelty Helen receives at the hands of her husband must have been really shocking at the time. It’s no wonder that after Anne’s death, Charlotte prevented further publication of the novel!
I’ve done one Anne Brontë book and one Charlotte Bronte book – now I need to do the Emily one!
[Read on Kindle]
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I downloaded this one ages ago (one of my first downloads after I got my Kindle at Christmas 2011, I think) but I think that in light of your review I might delete it. it's not like I'm short of other books!
That said, it's a shame you didn't enjoy it. -
Thanks for the feedback about the book.
I still have a few days to make a decision! -
I really enjoyed Cold Blood, Peahen (great user name, btw!) - I hope you enjoy it too.
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With thanks to Claire (Chesil) for helping me out with this month's circle.
In an article in the Guardian newspaper, Susan Hill says:
I set out to write a ghost story in the classic 19th-century tradition, a full-length one. There have never been many, writers perhaps having felt the form would not stretch successfully. By the time I began mine, in the 1980s, full-length ghost stories seemed to have died out altogether. I read and studied the Jameses, Henry and MR, and Dickens, and I also had beside me the "bible" – Night Visitors by Julia Briggs (still the best study of the form).9. If you've read any 'classic' ghost stories, how do you think this compares to them?
10. How successfully do you think Hill has captured the feel of the 19th century?
11. Do you think the book works well as a full-length novel, or in your opinion would it have been better as a short story?
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Me again! I think I've changed my mind about having The Hundred Year Old Man... for book club.
I'm now wondering about Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. I have heard good things about it, but I'm concerned about it being too... fluffy. It has a cover that screams 'chick-lit' (which is a genre I used to read all the time, but have gone off now!) or that it might not make for a good discussion. Hmmmm.
I've never had this much bother choosing a Book Club read before!
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I got 3 and 4. I would dispute #1 -
I think it would take longer than that!
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Thanks Claire.
The only issue I've just thought of is that one member likes to get the books from the library - and they're all out with lots of reservations, but I'm sure she can buy it just this once! (It's never been a stipulation of our club that books have to be available from the library).
I'd like to choose something from my 'to read' pile rather than buying a new book!
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Can anyone who has read The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out out of a Window and Disappeared (phew!!) tell me if they think it would make a good Book Club read? It's my turn to choose next and I'm having a bit of bother deciding what to pick. Thanks.
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Up until quite recently we had a thread promoting people's blogs, but it wasn't really widely used and was full of links from people who joined and posted their links and then disappeared from the forum.
As you said, there is the section for personal book blogs here, and also the forum for members to have threads about whatever they like (a sub-forum of General chat and only 10 posts required for access
) so hopefully that's all the bases covered. I've never actually seen any YouTube videos about books - I will have to go and have a nosy there.
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Those Rush autographs are fakes
After I posted the photo earlier I dug out my signed tourbook collection, which I got through the band's fan club, and compared the signatures and they didn't match up, so I posted the photo on the Rush forum and was immediately told by a couple of collectors on there that they aren't real.I'm not so upset for myself, but I feel awful for my friend who went to the effort and paid for them. Somebody's a bit richer at his expense
Awww, I'm so sorry to hear that.
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Wow, awesome gift! Happy birthday.
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Roses are red,
Violets victorious
Never sneak up on
Oscar Pistorius!
Seriously though, it's a shocking business. One never knows what goes on behind closed doors, but that's no excuse to kill someone - assuming he is guilty. Such a waste of a talent - and the chance to be a great ambassador for disabled sport if he did do it.
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I read the first one a couple of years ago. It wasn't like I imagined (not being set in Walnut Grove) but I did enjoy it and I'd like to read some more in the future.
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I reread them a few years ago too. Dated, but still enjoyable as a revisit.
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Excellent review, Alex.
I'm quite tempted to try it.Good luck if you do decide to give up book-buying for Lent.
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I'll plan on joining Rootschat today/tonight Janet and will definitely look for you there! You never know, you and I might be distantly related!
That would be funny!
(In a nice way!)
Janet's Log - stardate 2013
in Past Book Logs
Posted
Oh dear - I'm not a George Clooney fan (although to be fair I think I've only seen him in one film - but it was awful!) so that doesn't bode well! I will report back after tomorrow night!
I hope you both enjoy it.
It's rather dated, of course, but a good story and very well-written. I'm definitely going to try her other two titles (she only wrote three books).
frankie - I'm not ignoring you, but how do you split up my post to multi-quote like that? I just can't work it out!