Which book is this?

[Janet]

There is a really famous 70s film version, starring Jenny Agutter, Dinah Sheridan and Bernard Cribbins - and a 90s version with Gregor Fisher, Jemima Rooper and... Jenny Agutter in it.

 

It's set in London (a bit) and Yorkshire (a lot) and has the line destined to make me cry every time I watch or read it... "Oh, my Daddy! My Daddy!" 

 

If that doesn't give it away then nothing will! 

[Chrissy]

I think that last clue has cracked it, and made the earlier ones slot into place too. I ask this with a hint of shame that I didn't get it sooner, but......... 

 

Is it 'The Railway Children' ?

[Janet]

     

 

Yes!!!

 

We have a winner! 

[Chrissy]

You pretty much had to hand that one over on a Christmassy decorated platter Janet.

 

Here goes.........

 

Within, I could hear both the noise - louder now because the door was open - and the sound of the dog, pattering anxiously about and sniffing and snuffling as she went.

Edited November 25, 2013 by Chrissy

[chaliepud]

Doesn't ring any bells (Christmassy or otherwise!) Will await more clues..

[Athena]

It sounds intruiging, but I have no idea yet either. Is it a classic?

[Chrissy]

It sounds intruiging, but I have no idea yet either. Is it a classic? 

 

Now that opens up a debate about 'what is a classic'.

 

It would best be described as written in the gothic style.

Edited November 26, 2013 by Chrissy

[Athena]

Now that opens up a debate about 'what is a classic'.

x

That's true !

 

Was it written in the 20th century?

[Chrissy]

Within the last 50 years.

[chesilbeach]

Is it The Woman in Black by Susan Hill?

Edited November 26, 2013 by chesilbeach

[Chrissy]

Yes it is!   Well done Chesilbeach. Over to you............................................

[chesilbeach]

Sorry I haven't done one earlier, but I fell asleep in front of the telly last night and just didn't get around to it!
 
Anyway, here's the next quote:
 
XXXXX sat in a taxi with a strange man and he had the effrontery to put his arm round her, and XXXXX ... XXXXX relaxed.  She sank in her seat.  She laid her head on his shoulder.  She had never been so wicked in her life and she had never been so happy.  She wasn't going to pretend any more.

[chesilbeach]

No guesses?  I know some of you have definitely read it

[chaliepud]

It seems vaguely familiar but that could be because I've read it lots of times! Is it YA?

[chesilbeach]

No, not YA.

[chaliepud]

Contemporary then?

[chesilbeach]

Nope, it was first published in the 1930s

[Chrissy]

I haven't read it, but could it possibly be 'The Great Gatsby'?

[chesilbeach]

No, not The Great Gatsby - it's by a female author.

[chaliepud]

It's not Rebecca again? Daphne Du Maurier?

[chesilbeach]

No to both, a bit more light hearted than Rebecca.

 

There was a film version released in 2008.

[chaliepud]

Virginia Woolf?

[chesilbeach]

No, sorry.

 

Here's a second quote ... the opening paragraph:

 

XXXXX pushed open the door of the employment agency and went in as the clock struck a quarter past nine.  She had, as usual, very little hope, but to-day the Principal greeter her with a more cheerful smile.

[Vimes]

Maybe you need to find another quote, it doesn't look like anyone is getting the book right sadly.

[chaliepud]

Doris Lessing? Was she 1930's?