Persephone Books discussion

Happy March all !
Our Persephone book choice this month is 'They Were Sisters' by one of Persephone's best selling authors Dorothy Whipple.
Published in 1943 and made into a film in 1945, 'They Were Sisters' tells the story of three sisters who all marry very different men.
Who will be joining me this month ?

Me :O)
It will be my first Whipple

Veronique wrote: "Me :O)
It will be my first Whipple"
Hello Veronique, my first read by Dorothy Whipple was 'Someone at a distance' and i knew then i'd love everything written by her !

Hi Karen. I’m totally wanting to love her writing :O)

I’m in, too, but won’t start reading it until later in the month. I’m looking forward to another good Peresphone read and discussion.

I'm still waiting on this one from the library, but I will be joining in soon.

Hi Susan and Tania, happy you are joining in on this one.
I'm half way through and absolutely engrossed in it !! can't wait to discuss

Karen wrote: "Hi Susan and Tania, happy you are joining in on this one.
I'm half way through and absolutely engrossed in it !! can't wait to discuss"
I’m finding it engrossing, too, Karen. I’m noticing her insights into the children’s feelings and behavior

This is the writing style that I most enjoy-centered on characterization rather than the action. This is what I think of when I think of "classical writing" or "classical literature." And so interesting to think this is one of the very first books to describe this type of marriage relationship. (No spoiler!) :)

HI everyone! This is my first Dorothy Whipple novel, I'm about halfway through and I haven't been this excited to get back to a book after putting it down in quite awhile. It took a little while to grab me, but it has. Will be posting more soon!

Hi!
I’m just joining this group and I’m actually going to the Persephone store this Saturday. What are the upcoming books you all will be reading?

Hi Mariann. The next reads (apart from this one), are Despised and Rejected, The Hopkins Manuscript, and Miss Ranskil Comes Home.

Mariann wrote: "Hi!
I’m just joining this group and I’m actually going to the Persephone store this Saturday. What are the upcoming books you all will be reading?"
Hi Mariann, welcome to the group ! All the upcoming reads are on the Persephone home page.( not usually visible on the app but can be seen if using desktop)

I've started this one now. I'm going to enjoy this one, I think.

Michael wrote: "HI everyone! This is my first Dorothy Whipple novel, I'm about halfway through and I haven't been this excited to get back to a book after putting it down in quite awhile. It took a little while to..." Hi Michael, will look forward to reading your thoughts in the finished thread soon.

Tania wrote: "I've started this one now. I'm going to enjoy this one, I think." Hi Tania, will look forward to reading your thoughts soon.

Finally started! I seem to always plan way too many books for one month...

Veronique wrote: "Finally started! I seem to always plan way too many books for one month..."

Ah, Veronique, I know that feeling well... :)

This is my first book by Dorothy Whipple and I love her writing. I had to stop reading this book though, the part about Crusoe crushed my heart and I couldn’t read anymore. I haven’t run across many characters as cruel to children as Geoffrey.

Mariann wrote: "This is my first book by Dorothy Whipple and I love her writing. I had to stop reading this book though, the part about Crusoe crushed my heart and I couldn’t read anymore. I haven’t run across man..."

I almost stopped reading after that. Those poor children :(

Mariann wrote: "This is my first book by Dorothy Whipple and I love her writing. I had to stop reading this book though, the part about Crusoe crushed my heart and I couldn’t read anymore. I haven’t run across man..."

I’m dreading that bit - I guess Crusoe is a dog perhaps, and I love pets (we have 4 dogs and 1 cat, all rescued).

So far, end of chapter 2, I’m intrigued by Whipple’s style of narration. She jumps from one mind to the next continually. Is this something she does in all her books?

Mariann wrote: "This is my first book by Dorothy Whipple and I love her writing. I had to stop reading this book though, the part about Crusoe crushed my heart and I couldn’t read anymore. I haven’t run across man..."

Mariann, I agree with you!! This is my second time reading this book, and I had to skip over the part about Crusoe because it was so heartbreaking.

Veronique wrote: "Mariann wrote: "This is my first book by Dorothy Whipple and I love her writing. I had to stop reading this book though, the part about Crusoe crushed my heart and I couldn’t read anymore. I haven’..."

Veronique, I haveread two other novels by Whipple, Someone at a Distance and The Priory. She uses this style in both books. I like it as it allows you to empathise or at least have some understanding of characters whose behaviour you object to. Makes for an interesting read.

Thanks Tania. Interesting. I want to try those titles too but I keep having real life interfering. I’ll get there eventually ;0)

Real life does that. I have hundreds of books I need to read, and for each book I read, I add several more. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy them.

Veronique wrote: "Thanks Tania. Interesting. I want to try those titles too but I keep having real life interfering. I’ll get there eventually ;0)"
Looking forward to reading your thoughts on this one Veronique

I picked up a copy of this one today so I'll be ready to join in February. Really looking forward to this one.

I’ve got my copy as well looking forward to the discussion as well, Tania. I’ve never done a book discussion in this group. Can you tell me how it works? Do we just read it and post comments or is it so many chapters? Thanks

Thanks, Tania! I’m looking forward to our discussion even more after reading the earlier comments in this thread from 2 years ago!

Antoinette wrote: "I’ve got my copy as well looking forward to the discussion as well, Tania. I’ve never done a book discussion in this group. Can you tell me how it works? Do we just read it and post comments or is ..."

There is no schedule; in the past people have just read and commented as they go along, at their own pace. There are two threads, this one for comments while reading, and another one with spoilers for people who have finished the book here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/.... (This one has spoilers from the previous reading).

Megan wrote: "Thanks, Tania! I’m looking forward to our discussion even more after reading the earlier comments in this thread from 2 years ago!"

It was a great read. I do love Whipple. ; )

Thanks, Tania. I will be starting it after I finish my current read:)

Wonderful! I’m starting my re-read now.

I really loved this book first time around, it felt so devastatingly true to life. I know at least two men who in different ways resemble Geoffrey, and makes life a living hell for their spouses and the spouses’ friends and family. But both these women are also like Charlotte - weak, but completely pig-headed when it comes to these men. I struggle with trying to understand that dynamic.

Looking forward to hearing your comments on the book!

I am about 1/3 through the book and all I can say is “ I love Dorothy Whipple”. She drew me in right away into this family. It is right up my alley, domestic drama with likeable characters and some very testable characters. Geoffrey is a narcissistic beast. The sisters are all so different. I can’t help but love Lucy, feel sorry for Charlotte (but at the same time want to smack her) and Vera- not sure what I feel about her yet

Antoinette wrote: "I am about 1/3 through the book and all I can say is “ I love Dorothy Whipple”. She drew me in right away into this family. It is right up my alley, domestic drama with likeable characters and some..." It's a fab read and i loved watching the film after finishing the book. I'm looking forward to reading what you think of it on the Finished thread : ) Karen x

Tania wrote: "I picked up a copy of this one today so I'll be ready to join in February. Really looking forward to this one." Hi Tania, is this a reread for you ?

Karen, where did you find the movie ? I’d love to see it .

Karen wrote: "Tania wrote: "I picked up a copy of this one today so I'll be ready to join in February. Really looking forward to this one." Hi Tania, is this a reread for you ?"

It is. I read it a couple of years ago. I think Whipple is one of those authors I'd always be happy to re-read.

Started it today.

I had completely forgotten the were any brothers. I did love the description of the parents families; their fathers side worthy but charmless, their mums side charming but worthless. Sounds like the two older brothers took the worst bits from both sides.

About 1/4 in and enjoying it so far despite not liking most of the characters! I find the descriptions of Lucy’s marriage to be very true to life. And Judith is a delight; I find myself wishing Lucy and William could adopt her!