Veronique’s Comments (group member since Mar 03, 2017)

Veronique’s comments from the Retro Reads group.

:O)

Thanks Carol :O) Moving tomorrow, then a couple of weeks to get settled and then hopefully ‘better’ just in time to enjoy the end of the year. Well, that’s my plan.

Didn’t love The Burden either; my least favourite of the 4.

Jenn wrote: "#11, with book no. 7: Giant's Bread, Agatha Christie, as Mary Westmacott. Finished today, 9/24.
4-stars. I should probably wait to comment - feels too fresh for me to really know w..."

Haven’t read this one but 4 of her other Westmacott novels, two being favourites (Absent in the Spring + A Daughter’s a Daughter). As you said, they’re not romances but rather taut psychological dramas. Happy you enjoyed it :0)

Apologies for not participating much. It’s been a very difficult year but hopefully looking up, and I can get back to normal 🤓

Elinor wrote: "Elinor #14 here with my sixth book on August 17, 2023. I jumped on the bandwagon with Business as Usual by Jane Oliver. I don’t usually choose epistolary novels but this one was cha..."

That is a lovely book. Happy you enjoyed it :0)

Lynnie wrote: "#8 with book 1 (finished 15th January)

The Night of Fear by Moray Dalton..."

Just started :O)

What a pity but I also believe your other choices will be better. And it is a great start!
As for me, I should read one of mine soon ish - crossing fingers.

Business as Usual was a lovely read :O)
And I have The Feast on my shelves too - another opportunity to get to it.

Jackie wrote: "I love Christie so I should try her Westmacott novels for sure."

Abigail wrote: "Ooh, Veronique, great idea to focus on the Mary Westmacott novels! Absent in the Spring is the only one I’ve read and it is brilliant! I’ll definitely be drawing from your list."

Abigail and Jackie - so pleased you’re interested. I’ve got a feeling that the new book and tv documentary by Lucy Worsley will incite more interest in the Westmacott novels too :O)

Thanks Carol for adding me :O)

The tv production was French and I’m not sure they would have dubbed it in English. I wonder how it would fare to a modern audience... As for Dalton, I’ve only read one of hers but was impressed by it.


Lynnie wrote: "Oooh, I have The Night of Fear on my tbr soon list. Think I will start with that one in January."

Good plan. Will try to do the same :O)

Christmas Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "[bookcover:Angelique: The Marquise o..."

Oh my god! I didn’t know this was a book! I grew up watching the tv adaptations. They were from the 1960s but kept being playing throughout my childhood (70s and 80s).

So many great titles already, some I’ve read and loved, others waiting on my shelves :O)


I’ve read 4 of the 6 Agatha Christie Mary Westmacott’s novels, and intend on getting to those two next year. They are taut psychological dramas, in case you wonder. I absolutely loved A Daughter's a Daughter and Absent in the Spring, both 5* and not what you expect...


Sounded like a fun wartime adventure


Read my first Moray Dalton mystery a little while ago and loved it. Cannot wait to dive in this second case of Inspector Collier.


A comedy of errors set in the art world, by the sounds of it. Piqued my curiosity.


This title keeps popping back on my radar. Probably time I finally read it.

Oops... I need to catch up :O) Definitely want to be part of Book Pool 2023. Let me have a think on my titles.

More interested in the earlier part of 20th century but I totally understand wanting to have Penelope Lively. Maybe have to 1980 but allowing a few exceptions.

I’m all for it too, for all the points mentioned. Still hope to get to a few more this year.

Haven’t read this one although it was in my TBR. Interesting points.

So pleased you enjoyed it. I hadn’t even heard of the older adaptation. Apart from here, I ‘discover’ titles/authors through all the publishers bringing back these gems but also podcasts (Backlisted / Tea or Book) and blogs such as Simon’s Stuck in a Book.

I always find it amazing when an author I had never heard of finally reaches me. Finally got a copy of Dear Hugo and looking forward to reading it.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Added this to your count, Véro. I like your interpretation of this novel. I certainly found it hard to warm to Dona...."

Thanks Carol

Dona is indeed not very likeable at the beginning. As a romance, I’d say this fails in a way, but as a search for self, then it works much better, whether you look at the heroine or the Frenchman. I also preferred the conversations between Dona and William (very funny actually) than Dona and the pirate. And of course that sense of place that permeates everything. That first chapter was quite something - it could be a little short story, a microcosm - and the scary scene near the end (Daphne could really write horrific and tense scenes). I can see how readers who had experienced Rebecca, or other novels of hers would be somewhat disappointed.

#10 Véro

Book 04 - Frenchman's Creek - 4* (read 26 Jul)
Enjoyed returning to du Maurier :O) Don’t except anything like Rebecca, but this gentler tale has merit nonetheless. What appears a romance feels more like a search for self, and Daphne’s writing style does shine through.

Review

Jenn wrote: "I haven't posted in a while, so am doing one big update. Hope that is okay. .."

Nice selection :O)