Slightly Foxed Issue 68: ‘Ring Out, Wild Bells’

by Gail Pirkis (editor), Hazel Wood (editor)

The independent-minded quarterly that combines good looks, good writing and a personal approach. Slightly Foxed introduces its readers to books that are no longer new and fashionable but have lasting appeal. Good-humoured, unpretentious and a bit eccentric, it’s more like a well-read friend than a literary magazine.
In this issue

Henry Jeffreys props up the bar with Kingsley Amis • Marianne Fisher rings the changes • Adam Sisman goes back to Middlemarch • Victoria Neumark enters the realms of gold • Anthony Longden is intrigued by the story of a fire • Posy Fallowfield finds comfort in William Trevor • Richard Crockatt faces up to Gibbon • Frances Donnelly falls for an unusual private investigator • Laurence Scott smokes the pipe of peace, and much more besides . . .

Genres: Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2020

Reviews

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this issue because I had already read so many of the books mentioned. Also it starts with an incredibly interesting article on bell ringing ( think Nine Tailors) and a book made of bell ringing diagrams. For some reason this article made me yearn to hear the bells in England again.

[Jemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Slightly Foxed' is a quarterly literary journal I've recently discovered, and it was nice to join the club with the Winter edition. Winter, for me, evokes such cosy feelings, and I love the crisp cold of the outdoors. What I loved about the concept of this journal is that it's people writing articles on books that they love or have impacted them in some way. I love this passionate way of talking about books, which makes me fall in love with the book I'm hearing someone gush about! Slightly Foxed also make sure they have copies of that book in stock and direct you to how to buy them, as some of the titles are more difficult to find. Even the journal itself is luxurious, being printed on beautiful creamy paper and sporting a beautiful illustration on the front.

I particularly enjoyed the articles on George Eliot's 'Middlemarch', a book on bell-ringing, Russian fairy-tales, and snobbish books on cocktails by Bernard DeVoto and Kinglsey Amis.

It really has to be read to appreciated - I can't do it justice. All I can say is that it fed the part of my soul that had been missing intelligent literary discussion and hearing sophisticated opinions on books, the like of which has been missing from my life since I graduated. Oh, and they have a monthly podcast, which is just splendid.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this issue.

[Emmapettitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great as ever.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another rich, diverse and highly entertaining edition of Slightly Fixed containing the perfect mixture of articles about books that are already favourites (Posy Fallowfield’s piece on William Trevor’s The Story of Lucy Gauls is particularly good and brought back all the rich mix of emotions I experienced when I read it some years ago), books that I’m vaguely aware of but have never got round to reading and others that I’ve never heard of but which their authors are passionate about. The arrival of this winter 2020 edition was a real lift to the spirits on a cold, murky November morning in a difficult year,

[Noits · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful collection of literary essays that are all erudite, enlightening, entertaining, and readable.
Slim, jam-packed, diverse - something that makes bedtime reading a joy again without the danger of falling down that page-turner’s rabbit hole!

If you haven’t heard of Slightly Foxed, I urge you to find their podcast, their Instagram, and if possibly subscribe to their quarterly little magazine. This is literature unbuttoned, loose, and unfettered by academic sanctimony. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! If you like Anne Fadiman and her New Yorker vibe - this is the VERY British equivalent!

There is something quintessentially British in its tone, its subjects, and its essence. But it is in no way backward-looking or provincial but it could possibly, at times, be considered beautifully nostalgic (without the gawping sentimentality of harking back to the “good old days”!)

I have a two year subscription and I will be exploiting, fully, their digital archive of back issues!


… just READ! READ! READ!

[Sonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy these journals!

[Christine Lid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never disappoints

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful issue of the Slightly Foxed Quarterly. Beautifully written essays about books- this is a publication to savor.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always worth a dip into a Slightly Foxed magazine.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a joy!!

[Marie-Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a pleasure, this quarterly publication is beautifully produced and feels like I'm reading in the company of good friends.