Slightly Foxed #76: 'String is my foible'

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

Felicity James learns lessons in Cranford • Tom Hodgkinson is impressed by Uncle Quentin • Isabel Lloyd goes further into the wood • Jonathan Law pursues a man with many names • Pamela Beasant squeezes into a very independent bookshop • Anthony Gardner gets confused in Ruritania • Posy Fallowfield curls up with Shirley Hughes • Mathew Lyons remembers old Broadway • William Palmer goes birdwatching, and much more besides . . .

Genres: Essays

96 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2022

Reviews

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while to finish this one because the holidays were so busy but once again I visited old friends (Cranford, The Prisoner of Zenda, The Leavenworth Case), was introduced to unexpected new ones (The Life of a Robin, Other Men’s Flowers), and was briefly fascinated by books I will never read.

Love getting Royal Mail!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

The quarterly essays are always a weekend treat in reading for me. There is always a mix of humorous wit, poignancy, reflection, and education in the pages of a Slightly Foxed issue. This one doesn’t disappoint with a few of my favorite essays. Felicity James’ observations on Cranford made me want to sit down and rewatch the miniseries. Isabel Lloyd’s comments on the wood caused me to ponder what is the appropriate nature of preservation and conservation. Pamela Beasant took me a bookshop in Orkney, a place high on my travel wish list. And Kate Tyte eloquently introduced me to the author of the first piece of detective fiction written by a woman, Anna Katharine Green, (1878). Well done edition, Slightly Foxed.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new edition of Slightly Foxed is always a cause for celebration , and that’s particularly so with the arrival of the winter edition, arriving as it usually does on a bleak, cold November day. SF 76 contains the usual mix of literary delights, although there’s less in this edition that makes me want to rush out and get hold of a copy of a book I’ve never heard of; that’s down to chance of course and the quality of the articles is up to the usual high standard. I was particularly pleased to read Posy Fallowfield’s excellent piece on the great and much-missed Shirley Hughes, whose wonderful illustrations were such a feature of our (and countless other) children’s early experiences of books.

[Noits · Rating 5 out of 5]

I open the covers of this little magazine, delivered every quarter, with anticipation and delight: it does not disappoint – ever!
Every issue is a cornucopia of literary delicacies and since subscribing, my TBR list has grown exponentially. It doesn’t just satiate my own literary appetites, but I regularly spot books that are guaranteed to tantalise the literary tastebuds of my friends too.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this was delightful. The Slightly Foxed website describes this as "more like having a well-read friend than a literary magazine subscription" and that's exactly right. Will renew this in perpetuity.

[Catie · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5 Stars**

[Marie-Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb spur to read (yet) more books. Cranford now tops the list.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This issue was a delight as always. I love discovering new authors and books as well as enjoying other people's reflections on old favorites.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Slightly Foxed. I enjoy reading about books with which I am already familiar (Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford), and learning about books and authors which are new to me. Just delightful.

[readbyriane · Rating 4 out of 5]

My very first Slightly Foxed Magazine. What can I say? It was delightful, my tbr grew, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment in the post.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love every one of these issues. And I add titles to my TBR.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this magazine so much! The essays are marvelous.

[Sarah Hartfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun reading, and one essay was so good I was convinced to buy a 1,000 page book . . .

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight to read! So many great articles about literature and authors by varied people. Ultimately I was left with a copy of Anthony Hope’s ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ in my basket.