Persephone Books discussion

This month we will be reading Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield.

It is a book I have read a few times, and always really enjoy. It is available in the public domain so I will find some links for it

The first entry is on my birthday, 7th of November; perhaps that is why I have such an affinity with it. I don't own the Persephone edition, so I'm unsure of how many books from the series are in this one. I had an idea it might be the first two.

I will be reading this one after I finish my current read. It’s been on my TBR since I discovered Persephone books.

Lovely. It's one of my favourites.

I love the whole Provincial Lady series.

I am going to read it. The book is on my to-read shelf for a long time.

I started this one today. I just love her voice. I even find myself sympathising with her on her difficulties finding a palour maid; sure a chore/bore. 😅

Always been a favourite author and I adore this series as well . My books are all in storage as I’m between habitats so I’ll see if our local library has copies .

I am about 100 pages in and I am finding it perfect for me right now. It is so funny at times. A true comfort read, n’est pas?

Antoinette wrote: "I am about 100 pages in and I am finding it perfect for me right now. It is so funny at times. A true comfort read, n’est pas?"

It certainly is. I finished the first book. I started The Provincial Lady Goes Further but had to stop myself or I would get nothing done today.

Yes, this is one of my favorites also - such a fun read!

I loved the wit. I am considering reading the next one too (The Provincial Lady Goes Further).

Kind of curious - I don't have the Persephone edition - is the French translated at all? I felt like I was missing out a little since I'm not super familiar with French.
I love her observational style - I wonder if Helen Fielding was inspired by this book when she created Bridget Jones. I find their styles to be similar and very relatable!
So many of her comments are still relevant today...when she was realizing Robert's relatives were visiting for Christmas after she invited them a few months ago: "Query here becomes unavoidable: Does not a misplaced optimism exist, common to all mankind, leading on to false conviction that social engagements, if dated sufficiently far ahead, will never really materialise?"
Another part where she meets a young man who is a playwright and shares her dislike of Lady Boxe: "It turns out later that he has met Lady Boxe, who struck him, he adds immediately, as a poisonous woman. We then get on well together. (Query: Is not a common hate one of the strongest links in human nature? Answer, most regrettably, in the affirmative.)" So funny!

I agree; may have been written nearly a century ago, but there are many things in here that we can still relate to today. I also have been finding it really tricky to find someone willing to come to my house and do the guts of the dirty work for little pay. Such a bore!

Tania wrote: "I agree; may have been written nearly a century ago, but there are many things in here that we can still relate to today. I also have been finding it really tricky to find someone willing to come t..."

I was surprised by how relatable it was too, since it's so far removed from me and my life. I liked the wry/deadpan wit, and I think that's part of what captured my attention.

And yes, the point about 'help' was interesting, it reminded me of Winifred Peck's House-Bound which I also loved. Her style is similar to Delafield's at times too.

I haven't yet read House-Bound but I plan to eventually.

Tania wrote: "I haven't yet read House-Bound but I plan to eventually."

I think you'd like it.