Virago Modern Classics discussion

Hi everyone! I'm Ludovica and I'm Italian. I recently discovered Virago Modern Classics. I think it's a wonderful project!

I'm considering reading some Barbara Pym. I would like to know if her novels are full of light humor or bitterness because I read very discordant reviews about her works. I'm curious to know your opinion! :-)

I think some of her later novels are more melancholic rather than bitter. I would start with Excellent Women or Jane and Prudence for light comedy.

Tania wrote: "I think some of her later novels are more melancholic rather than bitter. I would start with Excellent Women or Jane and Prudence for light comedy."

Thanks for the advice Tania, I'll buy them soon! :-)

We Italians are quite cheerful people, but with surprisingly depressing literature (dysfunctional families, poverty, traumatic events, etc). Maybe the reason lies in our history. The twenties (that I love) were "roaring" in many countries around the world, while for us it was the period of dictatorship and literary production was sadly affected by that.

British humor is by far my favorite. I find it light and witty. Until a year ago, however, I only knew humorous books of Wodehouse and J. K. Jerome. Then, I discovered British women writers that released ironic and brilliant novels from the '20s to the '50s. Obviously now I'm addicted!

P.G. Wodehouse is probably my favourite author; I've been reading his books since I was a teenager. Comfort reading at it's best. If you like him, I expect you would really enjoy The Diary of a Provincial Lady series if you can find them in Italian.

Tania wrote: "P.G. Wodehouse is probably my favourite author; I've been reading his books since I was a teenager. Comfort reading at it's best. If you like him, I expect you would really enjoy [boo..."

I checked. The complete series is not available. But Diary of a Provincial Lady has been translated. I guess one book is better than none! :-)

Ludovica wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Ludovica and I'm Italian. I recently discovered Virago Modern Classics. I think it's a wonderful project!

I'm considering reading some Barbara Pym. I would like to know if her nov..."
Dear Ludovica - welcome to Virago Modern Classics. Aren't they fabulous? I do hope you enjoy Barbara Pym's work. She makes me laugh out loud and Excellent Women is really very good.

Alexandra wrote: "Ludovica wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Ludovica and I'm Italian. I recently discovered Virago Modern Classics. I think it's a wonderful project!

I'm considering reading some Barbara Pym. I would like t..."

Thank you for the welcome! Virago books are great...and I love their covers. I can't wait to read Excellent Women and Jane and Prudence as you and Tania say such good things about them. A laugh is definitely what I need! :-)

Ciao Ludovica, hello from Italy from an Italian lover of Barbara Pym and Virago Classics, too. I agree with you about Italian literature. I read a lot of British books. Now I am reading a Virago Modern Classic, Hunt The Slipper by Violet Trefusis.

Violet Trefusis - wasn't she the "good friend" of Vita Sackville-West? I was unaware that she had written anything.

Yes, she was! They are the three Vs, Violet, Vita and Virginia. Vita was Violet's lover, and then she was Virginia's. They led interesting lives.

My library has Violet to Vita: The Letters of Violet Trefusis to Vita Sackville-West, 1910-1921, their love letters, which I will get round to sometime. I have been looking out for a copy of Hunt the Slipper for years, but no joy yet. I know I could just buy one from ebay, and if I ever finish all the books I own, I will.

Daniela wrote: "Ciao Ludovica, hello from Italy from an Italian lover of Barbara Pym and Virago Classics, too. I agree with you about Italian literature. I read a lot of British books. Now I am reading a Virago Mo..."

Hi Daniela :-) I just finished Merry Hall(not a Virago), a feel-good book that Tania recommended to me! It's a lovely memoir, very funny and light. You can find it published by Lindau, even if I see it's not a problem for you to read in the original. I still prefer Italian, I enjoy it more, but I have to wait for the translations... :-\