Reading the 20th Century discussion

Not actually a fave but she's come up plenty in this group so I thought she was worthy of a thread not least because she is the subject of the latest Backlisted Podcast...



246. The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington

Leonora Carrington's charming and surreal novel The Hearing Trumpet (1976, probably) is the subject of this episode. Joining Una, Andy and Nicky is author and lecturer Dr Paul March-Russell, who offers insights into all aspects of Carrington's career. Leonora Carrington lived a long and extraordinary life; we discuss the ways in which her biography intersects not just with her books, but her remarkable paintings and sculptures, which at auction now fetch tens of millions of dollars. How did the daughter of a Lancashire industrialist become first a muse to the Surrealists, and then an artist in her own right, whose visionary work will probably outlast theirs? How did the many challenges she faced - institutional, sexist, financial and health - shape her writing? And why, as Paul suggests, is Leonora Carrington so relevant to young artists today? Point your hearing trumpets at wherever you get your podcasts.



I'm pretty sure I have tried and abandoned at least one book by Leonora Carrington but listening to the Backlisted discussion makes me motivated to try once again especially as The Hearing Trumpet is 176 pages



Let's talk LC...

What have you read?

What would you like to read?

What's your view?

How much have you enjoyed her work?

And indeed her art?

BTW Anna Kavan and Ice come up in the discussion and get mentioned a few times in passing

Carrington is still on my TBR - what do they say about Kavan/Ice?

They mentioned that there were a number of similar books coming out when The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington was published including Ice, along with books by Ann Quin, BS Johnson and possibly one or two more that I can't remember

I tried The Hearing Trumpet fifteen years ago and, sadly I dnf it . But I wasn't reading much serious fiction at the time and it's probably worth a second chance

I was interested in her biography , not so much in her art . She comes from the Chorley area and lived in Cockerham , both places visited quite often and I spent a bit of time musing on her nature , as my mother had a similar background and her own political rebellion to it a decade later .

Nigeyb wrote: "They mentioned that there were a number of similar books coming out when The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington was published including Ice, along with books by Ann Quin"

Interesting, thanks, as Ann Quin is another writer I'd like to try.

When I recently read The Hearing Trumpet, I chose to read the book, look at some of her art and documentaries on that art, and get some biographical details as well as background details on surrealism as a movement. I think Carrington is better considered as a cultural figure, the most significant female surrealist, and using a variety of approaches helped me understand more. For example her interest in myth and feminist leanings show in both art and literature and one complements and helps the reader/observer appreciate the whole of her ideas.

Thanks all


My library has a few copies of The Hearing Trumpet so I’ll be giving it a go and will report back

If anyone wants to do a buddy read then just reply below

Thanks Nigey I enjoyed The Hearing Trumpet but it does dip in various places so could see why some readers might not persevere. I've also read some short pieces from The Seventh Horse and Other Tales and have House of Fear to get around to.

I just about made it through the Joanna Moorhead biography The Surreal Life of Leonora Carrington but wouldn't personally recommend it.

Nigeyb wrote: "Thanks all


My library has a few copies of The Hearing Trumpet so I’ll be giving it a go and will report back

If anyone wants to do a buddy read then just reply below"

I think I'd like to start with some of her short stories first but look forward to your thoughts.

Thanks Alwynne, thanks RC


Watch this space

The latest LRB podcast focuses on Leonora Carrington's The Hearing Trumpet discussed by Marina Warner and Chloe Aridjis:

https://www.lrb.co.uk/podcasts-and-vi...

Like Hester, I tried and abandoned The Hearing Trumpet a few years back. (Personally I found it hard because I was caring for my ailing mother at that time. That and Carrington's observations on aging/society's response to aging were hard in tandem.) Perhaps I need to give it another go.

Earlier this year, I read Leonora Carrington: Surrealism, Alchemy and Art and very much enjoyed learning more about Carrington. I am fascinated by some of her artwork. I have a couple of other books about Carrington now waiting on my shelves.

I went to the exhibition of her art at Firstsite, Colchester earlier this year and was not impressed. Considering the quality of artists she mixed with her own output was uninspired.
The most interesting works, with similar subjects/concerns, were by her friend Leonor Fini.
I haven't read any of her book so can't comment on that side of things, but her art hasn't encouraged me to search for them.