Persephone Books discussion

Here we can leave our thoughts and discussion questions on finishing To Bed With Grand Music

I read this some 10 years ago, but still remember it well. The author wrote other different and interesting novels too..... This is what I said when reviewing the book:
What would you call this kind of woman in the 21st century? "Loose morals" were looked down on a little more in the 1940s, but perhaps that's another case of what we are led to believe. Anyay, the woman in the book had an interesting time!
I don't have any children, but if I did I don't think I'd put my sex life before them and one wonders if she ever did care for her husband anyway.

I finished this yesterday. Deborah was a thoroughly selfish character, but I found I couldn't stop reading it. I think she thought she did care for her husband, but his being away for so long and her meeting, and comparing him to other men, made her rethink. He was also rather selfish, after all he doesn't promise to stay faithful to her, only that he will not fall in love with the women he sleeps with.

I agree that the husband and wife were both selfish people and really not very likable but the story is so compelling that you can’t stop reading it. In fact, this is one of my favorite books by Laski. I’ve ve read it multiple times.

I'm sure I'll be reading this one again. Keeping it. I read the first chapter on Saturday night, and finished it off on Sunday. I can wrap presents any time.

Tania wrote: "I'm sure I'll be reading this one again. Keeping it. I read the first chapter on Saturday night, and finished it off on Sunday. I can wrap presents any time."

Lol. I found it a quick and interesting read, too. I was so interested to learn from the introduction that Deborah was based on a woman the author knew and that she had a surprisingly happy life after the war when she divorced her husband and “married up.” I did worry about Deborah’s young son and was reminded throughout of “Saplings”, a Persephone about the different effects of WWII on the children in a family.

This is the fourth book i've read by Marghanita Laski and I've become a big fan of her writing.
So much to discuss with this book...
- Do you think Deborah wanted love and companionship from the relationships she had with the men she went out with, or did she enjoy the lifestyle and gifts she received more?
-Do you think the character Madeleine was a bad influence on Deborah's behaviour?
-Do you think Deborah was a good mother?
-Do you think things would of have been different for Deborah if her husband Graham hadn't said he couldn't promise to stay faithful to her before he left?
-Deborah felt her behaviour was merely satisfying a physical need and didn't seem to feel guilty. Do you think she was fully aware of her actions?

Great questions, Karen. ITA re Marghanita Laski’s writing. She’s one of my favorite Persephone writers. I think Madeleine was a influence for sure as Deborah’s roommate and friend. Joe seems to agree she’s a bad influence when he urges Deborah to find another place to live and not to hang out with Madeleine so people won’t get the “wrong ideas about the kind of girl you are. Graham had often said the same thing, but it was only after hearing it from Joe that Deborah, with a sudden shock, believed it.” Even if true, it’s ironic that they both tell her that since they each met Deborah while they were hanging at Madeleine’s. And Deborah’s request to Pierre that he teach her to be a good mistress is motivated in large part by jealousy of Madeleine and her own insecurity. So her motivations seem complex