I don't remember where I first read about this book, but I do remember thinking that I'd never find a copy in Houston. So when I saw it on the shelves at Half Price Books - just one copy - I lunged, quite prepared to elbow out anyone else reaching for it. I have had good luck lately finding Persephones and Bloomsbury editions, or maybe it's just that I'm looking for them now.
This book was such a joy. I'm not even sure how to talk about it, because it is a very unusual story, full of unexpected turns. If there is anyone else who hasn't yet discovered it, I don't want to ruin any of the fun with spoilers. The bare bones of the story revolve around the Carne family, three sisters who live with their widowed mother in London between the wars (the book was published in 1931). Deirdre, the middle sister, who narrates most of the story, works as a journalist, writing "women's features." The eldest, Katrine, is studying drama when the story opens; and the youngest, Sheil, is still in the schoolroom. I don't think the two older sisters are working because they need the money, since they live comfortably with servants and a series of unsympathetic governesses. With their mother, they create detailed, intricate stories that weave in people they know or read about. Sheil believes in them whole-heartedly, which concerns the governesses quite a bit. Her mother and sisters have to work harder sometimes to keep their belief going. And then one day Deirdre gets to meet one of the real people whom they have turned into a character. What happens when the rich world of their imaginations meets its real-life counterparts?
I confess, I didn't take to this book the first time I tried it. Like poor Miss Martin the governess, I was confused, and rather irritated. I couldn't sort out the real people in the book from the characters in the Carnes' sagas. This time it all made sense, and I found myself wanting to join in the fun. I can see why Charlotte and Emily do! I think this book will be one of those I turn to on grey days. I was making a list of them last night, after I finished this. They're not just comfort reads, they're also guaranteed to make the day seem a bit brighter - like the song says, "sunshine on a cloudy day." Here are a few of mine:
- Life Among the Savages, by Shirley Jackson
- Our Hearts Were Young and Gay, by Cornelia Otis Skinner & Emily Kimbrough
- The Egg and I, by Betty MacDonald
- Never No More and No More Than Human, by Maura Laverty
- Eat Cake, by Jeanne Ray
- Cotillion, The Unknown Ajax, The Quiet Gentleman and The Talisman Ring, by Georgette Heyer
- Crocodile on the Sandbank, by Elizabeth Peters
- Circle of Friends, by Maeve Binchy
- Live Alone and Like It, by Marjorie Hillis - another recent addition to the list
What books would be on your list? I'm always looking for more for mine!
Highly recommended: THE HARPER'S QUINE (and its nine sequels), historical mysteries set in 1490's Glasgow. The author does use some Scots vocabulary, but I didn't find it a bar to enjoying the books. http://www.amazon.com/Harpers-Quine-Cunningham-Murder-Mystery/dp/1845294610/
ReplyDeleteHi, Ann, thanks for stopping by! I haven't heard of this author or the series, but they sound great, particularly the setting. Hopefully being a Dorothy Dunnett reader will help with the vocabulary :)
DeleteOh! Eat Cake is one of my favorites, too! And I've become a real fan of Georgette H. in the two or three years since I first started reading her (through blogging). This one has been on my list for a long time....
ReplyDeleteI have given Eat Cake to so many people! and chosen it for two book groups. For years, my sister and a friend were the only other Heyer readers I knew, so it's been lovely finding others on-line - and such fun watching people discover her books (just like with Trollope :)
DeleteI remember reading this on holiday, after a bad spell of reading and a longish break from blogging, and it was a wonderful tonic. And for sunshine on a cloudy day, Margery Sharp always works for me.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that I already have some Sharp on my TBR shelves. I will keep her in mind for the next grey day. There have been a few of those lately. I probably should have included Miss Pettigrew on the list, she certainly brightened up an awful day the other week.
DeleteI bought a copy of this book a few months ago but haven't read it yet. I'm tempted to read it now, but I think I'll save it until the next time I need to brighten up my day!
ReplyDeleteIt would be a lovely book to have on hand, like those "break in case of emergency" cases. On the other hand, in my book evangelist fervor, I want to say, no, read it right now. I'm so torn :)
DeleteThis sounds like a great book! I will have to track it down now!
ReplyDeleteIt's just such fun, Theresa - I hope you can find a copy!
DeleteSold! I think this is right up my alley. By the way, have you read the Bronte's humongous biography by Juliet Barker? If you're a fan, highly recommended!
ReplyDeleteAlex, I haven't read anything about the Brontes, other than the introductions to their various books - but I do find them so fascinating. Thanks for the recommendation!
DeleteThis sounds wonderful! I know I've heard of it before, but it never made it to my wish list. Miss Pettigrew would definitely be on my list :)
ReplyDeleteI should have included PG Wodehouse on my list as well as Miss Pettigrew - though I can't decide on just one of his books.
DeleteI didn't warm to this one - a bit too weird for me, I think, and I think I was just too puzzled about making sense rather than just going with the story. I should give it another go though because so many of those other books you mention are ones I have enjoyed. I've just recently re-read The Unknown Ajax, Quiet Gentleman & Talisman Ring - all thoroughly comforting and books I know I can return to again and again.
ReplyDeleteThat was exactly my reaction the first time I started it, but for some reason this time it clicked with me. I find that with a lot of books these days - I'm trying them two or three times before settling down with them.
DeleteThose are three of my favorites, with Cotillion - and in my humble opinion, three of her best :)
I adore 'The Brontes ...' and have read it over and over. It's a huge disappointment to me (although I love them for everything else) that Persephone Books are so dismissive of it. Personally, I turn to Angel Thirkell for cheering up and Trollope for taking me out of myself.
ReplyDeleteLucky you, living in Houston, Texas is one of my favourite places (on the strength of two very short visits).
Nomey, thank you for stopping by! Trollope and Thirkell are two of my favorite authors as well. Are you celebrating the Trollope bicentennial? I'm glad you appreciate Houston - one of my sisters refused to visit for years, and though she finally did, she's made it clear she won't be back. I love living here - and not just because of the great bookstores :)
ReplyDeleteBinchy! I love her books and Circle of Friends is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me that a biography of Maeve Binchy came out, I think last year? I need to put that on my reading list too.
DeleteGreat post! I've also been collecting Bloomsbury books whenever I can find them. I still have The Brontes Went to Woolworths and Miss Hargreaves on the TBR shelves. Like you, I tried The Brontes and couldn't get into it the first time, so your review gives me hope that I shouldn't give up.
ReplyDeleteTwo of my favorite comfort reads are Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day and Miss Buncle's Book, two of my favorite Persephones -- also, I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith; A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; and Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell. I also loved the early Maeve Binchy books but after Tara Road they mostly went downhill for me.
Karen, I also have Miss Hargreaves - another book that I didn't click with the first time I tried it - so it's still on the TBR shelves.
ReplyDeleteI have been meaning to re-read I Capture the Castle. I was a bit disappointed the first time, because I had read so many glowing reviews. I think my expectations were just too high.
I tried to read this book, got frustrated, didn't like anyone, found my mind wandering, and chucked it. Glad you stuck with it and ended up liking it. Perhaps I should give it another try, after all I do trust your taste in books :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a compliment, Jane :) I think this is a "right time/right place" book. Though lately there are a lot of books that I start and set aside - sometimes more than once.
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