Madam, want to talk about author Mary Stewart? discussion

I found a few covers that are too priceless not to share.



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The covers are fabulous! (Although the last is a little too Cruella Deville for me.) Must re-read this one. Is this the one where she washes her dress in the sink and thanks God for easy-care polyester? Ha ha.

I just found this old post from the MS Novels blog with images of the book's setting,

http://marystewartnovels.blogspot.com...

These two sisters do such a great job on their blog for Mary Stewart. I've always wondered if Ms. Stewart has seen it.

They do a nice job, just wish they'd post more frequently.

Look what I found in one of the older files. I think I have become a cover junkie. What a wonderful link to MWYT on the MS Novels blog.

Oh wow, Misfit, those are great. I love it, you can almost tell exactly when the publishing date is by the clothes.

I love old covers! I know my copy of Nine Coaches cost $1.50 when it originally came out which was pretty spendy for the time (1958) and I paid more for it used than new-lol! Cost me all of $3.50!

And those pics are great-took me right back to the story.

Here are the covers on the re-issued (2011) paperbacks. I don't know if they are original or retro.

Jeannette wrote: "Here are the covers on the re-issued (2011) paperbacks. I don't know if they are original or retro.

"

Are these the ones you got for your B-day?

Moonspinners for my bday and Wildfire at Midnight in an exchange with Silvia (unless I switched them). GR is a pain on the phone.

Jeannette wrote: "Moonspinners for my bday and Wildfire at Midnight in an exchange with Silvia (unless I switched them). GR is a pain on the phone."

GR sure is a pain on the phone. The app is quite different. I found when I was in a wifi location I had a bit more success when I went online to the regular site.

I don't like the phone app much either. I have the choice of that on the Fire, but prefer to go there on the Silk browser.

I don't like the app, either. I'm running over wifi but it's a pain to Open multiple tabs

I hadn't seen these covers before--interesting. Here's the one I always think of when I think of the Moonspinners. (I found this version in a used book store years ago.)

Jeannette wrote: "I don't like the app, either. I'm running over wifi but it's a pain to Open multiple tabs"

Seriously. What's with not being able to "like" reviews (and seeing how many other people liked them) on the app? Pics often don't display properly either. The app is OK, but a lot of times when using GR on my phone, I just go to the regular website through the browser.

Judith's niece owns an online vintage clothing store and archive (great stuff!). I found this for those of us who want to see what a real nylon nightie looks like!

http://www.thearchiveclothing.com/col...

Jeannette wrote: "Judith's niece owns an online vintage clothing store and archive (great stuff!). I found this for those of us who want to see what a real nylon nightie looks like!

http://www.thearchiveclothing.c..."

Oh wow, thanks for the link! :D

Memories...

Misfit wrote: "Memories..."

Dare we ask? - or are you only talking about wash and drip-dry in minutes?

Misfit wrote: "Memories..."

You can't be that old. ;)

Old? Didn't you have at least one nylon nightie, Jeannette? One you might remember fondly? I remember my seafoam green one...
LOL

No, I don't remember. And, I'm guessing I am that old! lol

:D

I had a very boring childhood. :P

Umm, I wasn't really thinking of childhood memories. ;)

I wonder if Mary Stewart ever considered the conversations that could arise from her simple mention of a nylon nightie?

I am also not very awake, and I always have been the practical sort, not investing a lot of time or money in an article of clothing that wouldn't be worn for very long.... ;)

my nylon nightie was lavender and it was hot...South Texas summers were not meant for nylon.

By the time I was living in Texas, I had done away with nylon altogether.

Judith wrote: "my nylon nightie was lavender and it was hot...South Texas summers were not meant for nylon."

I saw hot and thought something else entirely--until I kept reading-lol!

I see what you mean, Linda! Probably calls for a comma after the word and. ;)

People, behave yourselves! :)
I had ellipses, do you see?

Yes, which made us pause at "hot".... ;D

Judith wrote: "my nylon nightie was lavender and it was hot...South Texas summers were not meant for nylon."

There's nylon, and there is nylon knit. The knitted stuff is heavier, yet cooler and softer on the skin. I had a pair of pjs that I used to call my 'sunburn' pajamas because they were all I could tolerate when I had my annual sunburns ("Get out there and get some sun! You look so much healthier when you have a tan!")

I have one nightgown now in the same fabric and it is comfortable no matter how hot it is. In summary; there's nylon and nylon. In "Airs Above the Ground" there's a scene where the heroine flees in a nylon nightie which she specifies is 'double nylon' and therefore not see through. Perhaps this is what we USers called 'nylon knit?"

Deb wrote: " In "Airs Above the Ground" there's a scene where the heroine flees in a nylon nightie which she specifies is 'double nylon' and therefore not see through. Perhaps this is what we USers called 'nylon knit?" ..."

I thought that it was like a nightie my mother had, which was made of two layers, the top one floaty and see-though and the bottom one rather more dense.

I've just re-read Madam, Will You Talk? (I've lost count of how often I've read it) and loved it all over again. The detailed description of the meals they ate in France gives a strong impression of how much rationing in England during and after the war restricted the quality and choice of food. The book always makes me want to go off and explore the Roman ruins in Provence, too. And of course Richard Byron is irresistible...

I'm reminded of how well Mary Stewart writes about children, too -- she really makes David come alive, and makes him credible and likeable too; one can believe that Charity fell for him! And of course she makes the younger boy in Nine Coaches Waiting equally likeable and believable as a character.

This is a very good one and I have read it several times. All the descriptions of places are so evocative. Stewart is very good at describing children but I can only think of 3 of the mysteries which feature children - Madam Will She Talk, of course; Airs Above the Ground; and Nine Coaches Waiting are all I can remember, am I missing any? Then there are the historical novels, the Crystal Cave, in the beginning, is told from the viewpoint of a child and the Hallow Hills has Arthur as a child.

Misfit wrote: "I found a few covers that are too priceless not to share.

"
I love the covers! That first one looks early.

Helen wrote: "This is a very good one and I have read it several times. All the descriptions of places are so evocative. Stewart is very good at describing children but I can only think of 3 of the mysteries whi..."

Tim in AATG is older, about 17? But I suppose you could still lump him in with the younger boys. :) The only one you're missing, I think, is the boy in Thornyhold, whose name escapes me at the moment. They're all truly delightful characters. Do you think Mary liked young boys better than young girls? ;)

HJ, Madam Will You Talk? is one of my very favorites--I adore the car chase through France. The only MS book that beats it out on my favorites list is Nine Coaches Waiting.

Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ wrote: "Helen wrote: "This is a very good one and I have read it several times. All the descriptions of places are so evocative. Stewart is very good at describing children but I can only think of 3 of the..."

I remembered after I posted this that Tim is a teenager!

Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ wrote: "HJ, Madam Will You Talk? is one of my very favorites--I adore the car chase through France. The only MS book that beats it out on my favorites list is Nine Coaches Waiting...."

I think I agree with you -- but then I remember My Brother Michael and I'm not sure... I think I have to have a top three!

The only young girl I can think of is the narrator's remembrances in Thornyhold, and she does a very, very good job with her (they sound exactly right), but she's obviously in her element with boys - nice boys, the kind we all want to know and fall for!

Oh, and Madam, Will You Talk still remains my #1 favorite, with about six of the rest of them constantly vying for second place.

HJ wrote: "I think I agree with you -- but then I remember My Brother Michael and I'm not sure... I think I have to have a top three!"

That's funny, My Brother Michael is one of the ones that doesn't much appeal to me. But then I really like Airs Above the Ground and a lot of people who otherwise love MS books don't care for that one.

I've just re-read Airs Above the Ground and loved it again; partly because Tim is such an attractive young man! (at nearly 18).

Like Timothy, I love Airs Above the Ground for the coffee and pastries...

Karlyne wrote: "Like Timothy, I love Airs Above the Ground for the coffee and pastries..."

Because I never learnt German I'm sure I'm missing out in appreciating what pastries he's enjoying because I can't understand their names. But they do sound wonderful!

Oh my goodness, German pastries are to die for! I still remember the Bienenstich and Apfelstrudel from my LDS mission in Germany many years ago.

Somewhere I learned "kaffe mit schlag" which is obviously spelt completely incorrectly, but I know what it is! I only wish I could be having it in Vienna...

Oh, and I used to have a friend whose mother was German and her apple strudel was simply the best thing in the world. My mouth is watering.

Karlyne wrote: "Somewhere I learned "kaffe mit schlag" which is obviously spelt completely incorrectly, but I know what it is! I only wish I could be having it in Vienna..."

Actually you were extremely close! German capitalizes nouns, and there's one more e at the end of Kaffee. :) I had some hot chocolate with whipped cream in a German restaurant once that was to die for. I still remember it years later.