Virago Modern Classics discussion

As we have a wonderful Virago group on LibraryThing, I thought i'd create one here to gather those who aren't on LT.

So, welcome to the GoodReads Virago Modern Classics Group!

Please feel free to share your Virago green passions, start a topic or begin a new discussion! I'm new to GoodReads and still learning my way about.

Cate! How lovely to find a Virago group and that you are here too.

Has anybody got any readings planned? I have these Viragos waiting to be read: A Note in Music, Rosamund Lehmann (and some other Lehmanns, just read Dusty Answer this year, One Way of Love - Gamel Woolsey, Devoted Ladies - Molly Keane. If I go through my shelves, there may be more.

I'd love to group-read some Viragos. I have been a fan since the early 80s and would love to re-read old favorites or read new ones.

Welcome Karen and Lauren! Karen, how did you like Dusty Answer. I've been searching for that in the original green spine but to no avail. A group read sounds great, by the way.

I've been collecting Viragos since the early 90's but never as vigorously as when I joined librarything's Virago Group. Aside from VMCs, I've been collecting the Virago Travellers, Virago Classics and Virago Non-Fiction/Biographies. I'm out of control!! This does, however, ensure that I have plenty of reading for the rest of my life!

Tell me about your Viragos!

I absolutely loved Dusty Answer (my copy isn't a Virago but she's certainly a Virago author). Maybe at the first of the year we could do a poll and have a group reading.

A poll and a group reading is a great idea.

I've been reading and collecting since the early eighties.

Return of The Soldier and the Magic Toyshop, courtesy of the library, were the first I read and I was immediately hooked.

Then I discovered Willa Cather, Kate O'Brien, Edith Wharton ... and so it went on.

Invitation the the Waltz was my first encounter with Rosamond Lehmann last year, and I loved it.

But Cate, please don't spend too long looking for a green copy of Dusty Answer. There is no such thing! Penguin still had the book in print in the early eighties, and by the time Virago published it green covers were a thing of the past.

The Magic Toyshop was one of my firsts as well, as was Rebecca. Only discovered them this year.

Have a Margaret Atwood (Oryx and Crake), another Angela Carter (Passion of New Eve), another Du Maurier (My Cousin Rachel) and a Rebecca West (The Birds Fall Down) on my shelf at the moment.

A group reading would be absolutely fantastic, and I'd be up for it.

Oh dear, that's disappointing but thank you, Jane for telling me. *Off into the amazon horizon to shop for the 'modern' edition...."

I have a few reading obligations to meet before year end (and possibly into January), so perhaps we can take a toll for February?

Cate wrote: "Oh dear, that's disappointing but thank you, Jane for telling me. *Off into the amazon horizon to shop for the 'modern' edition...."

I have a few reading obligations to meet before year end (and ..."

I see a few more people have joined today. December's not good for me either, but January or Febuary sounds fine.

Excellent idea. Thanks for starting the group. I have a shelf dedicated only to my Viragos. I've also started collecting Virago fiction that are not Virago Modern Classics and Virago non-fiction. I've been collecting about a year and it's certainly exciting when I'm lucky enough to spot a green spine. I'm about to start reading The Ante Room by Kate O'Brien. All my Viragos are listed in LT.

I'm in for a group read. Perhaps monthly? Polls are a great idea and I'm fine with a Feb start.


ETA: I forgot to mention that I'm noodlejet22 on LT :-)

Greetings! :) I'm interested in a potential group read too.

Laura (aka digifish_books)

I couldn't do anything until February - group wise. virago introudced me to the novels of Antonia White and Elizabeth Taylor. They were my first and remain my most beloved.

Hi digifish....bleu here! Looks like 2010 is going to be a busy year as I also plan to read Miss Pym for your group on LT!!

Cate wrote: "Hi digifish....bleu here! Looks like 2010 is going to be a busy year as I also plan to read Miss Pym for your group on LT!! "

Ooooh, wonderful! :)

Re: Rosamund Lehmann

I've yet to try any of her books, but have been contemplating 'Invitation to the Waltz' for sometime...

Laura, Invitation to the Waltz is lovely and I think a good introduction to Lehmann (though Dusty Answer would be as well).

I would definitely be interested in a group read, as I have many Viragos waiting patiently on my TBR shelves!

Thank you, Margaret. I will look out for Dusty Answer as well!

Welcome anothercookiecrumbles, Danielle and Margaret!

Okay. Let's start a poll for whom we shall read for February. My thoughts are to agree upon a singular author and read them throughout the month. (Similar to Monthly Group Reads on LT). How does that sound? I'm also thinking that we could create a mirrored thread in the LT Virago Group to get more involved. Please share your suggestions, comments and nominees!

This is exciting! I'd like to read more Rebecca West. Any of her Virago titles would be wonderful.

I agree, Rebecca West would be good. I've also never read any Elizabeth Taylor *gasp*

I've read some Elizabeth Taylor, but nowhere near enough. And she does have the advantage of having a selection of books available in print.

Actually, I haven't read her either. And I do have Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont sitting at home.

Welcome Amanda! I haven't read Mrs. Palfrey but was very charmed by the film.

Fleur, have your read Nicola Beauman's The Other Elizabeth Taylor? I've heard good things about it.

Thus far, it's either Rebecca West or Elizabeth Taylor. I'd like to add Rosamund Lehmann, too.

Let's make the deadline to vote on January 18th, giving time for everyone to acquire other titles of the chosen author.

Good idea!
We might also be interested in Molly Keane, Antonia White, Elizabeth von Arnin, Vita Sackville-West

I really enjoyed The Edwardians by V. Sackville-West.

I'll second Elizabeth Taylor and Rosamund Lehmann :)

I think we've hit just about everyone I'd be interested in, but I'd also add Kate O'Brien.

I'll be happy to read what the group chooses. I own several Lehmanns, a Molly Keane and a Gamel Woolsey but I'm open to getting whatever the group chooses, I haven't read any Elizabeth Taylor.

I have a few of the Kate O'Briens but haven't read them so I'd be interested in her. Also, Antonia Frost.

Any of these would be good -- I'm also interested in Margaret Kennedy......

Yes, me too. and Ada Leverson. Great friend of Oscar Wilde's.

Lauren, I just received a biography of Ada Leverson - a hardcover published by Virago!

The poll is a tie between Elizabeth Taylor and Rosamond Lehmann :)

So it is. Should we have a run-off I wonder? Or maybe read one in February and the other in March ...

Good Morning everyone! Got caught up in the 'work' thing yesterday and didn't make it here for the decision. Yes - a tie! Let's decide then on one for February and one for March. NOW....who shall be first??? Perhaps, just given the order of the poll, we can read Taylor in February and Lehmann in March. How does that sound?

That sounds good, Cate. Are we having another poll to decide which books?

Hi Karen,

My idea of the monthly author read was for each of us to read as many (or as few), of the author of the month. We can create a discussion thread for each work. For instance, for Elizabeth Taylor February, I'm planning to include Nicola Beauman's newest biography of Miss Taylor, in addition to some of her novels - though I don't know which one I'll start with!!

Elizabeth Taylor Bibliography:

At Mrs. Lippincote's (1945)
Palladian (1946)
A View of the Harbour (1947)
A Wreath of Roses (1949)
A Game of Hide and Seek (1951)
The Sleeping Beauty (1953)
The Real Life of Angel Deverell (published as Angel) 91957)
In a Summer Season (1961)
The Soul of Kindness (1964)
The Wedding Group (1968)
Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont (1971)
Blaming (1976)
Hester Lilly (1954)
The Blush and Other Stories (1958)
A Dedicated Man and Other Stories (1965)
The Devastating Boys (1972)
Mossy Trotter (1967)
"Fly Paper" (Short Stories)

Interesting side note:

Elizabeth Taylor was also a close friend of Elizabeth Jane Howard, who was asked by Elizabeth Taylor's widower to write a biography following Elizabeth Taylor's death. Elizabeth Jane Howard refused due to what she felt was a lack of incident in Elizabeth Taylor's life. See Slipstream, Elizabeth Jane Howard's memoir, for more details on their friendship.

I have a copy of EJH's Slipstream, so I may include that as well!

I like that idea, Cate. Off to check on some of these.
Okay, just ordered At Mrs Lippincote's.

I like that idea but probobly can't read more than one book per author per month. Too many other committments - reading and otherwise. But post the February book (or author) and I'll do what I can.

I'm with Lauren -- I'd prefer we focused on one book in that I think it could make for a more focused discussion -- but I'll pick something and see what happens. Also, more than a week's notice would make it easier for me to read a couple of things ahead of time, if I was so inclined. I'd pick March's author now and not wait..... but that's just my preference.

Well, I'll probably only get one read also. I chose At Mrs. Lippincote's since it's her first, so if there are others who haven't read that one I'd love to have company.

I like the idea of being able to read an author rather than a specific book given that so many VMCs are out of print. In Elizabeth Taylor's case A Wreath of Roses is difficult to find. I have a copy, but if I didn't I would be very happy to share somebody else's reading experience.

But I see the appeal too of being able to exchange views on the same book.

I'm planning to read Hester Lilly as I've named it in a reading challenge, but I'd like to find time for a novel too. I have't read MrsLlippincote, so that's a possibility. I'm also drawn to A Game of Hide and Seek and A View of the Harbour.

After going on and on about Elizabeth Taylor I see from my shelf that I don't have At Mrs Lipponcote's! What a slacker I am.

So I'm off to order it and will be reading that for when? February?

I do love A Wedding Group. One of the worst mother-in-laws in literature.

Looks as if I need to acquire and read Dusty Answer!

I'll see if I can find Lippincott as well. The Soul of Kindness is one of my favorites.......

I'd love to hear your take on Dusty Answer, Kat. Yeah, Lauren, I'm going to do At. Mrs. Lippincote's during February.

I got At Mrs Lippincote's today, a used copy in perfect condition. I love the look of these books, I want every one of them. The intro is by Valerie Martin. I have a couple of things to finish before I start but am looking forward to it. Should I start a new thread for this book or should it be for Elizabeth Taylor in general?

Sifting through my Viragos for Elizabeth Taylors, I see that I'm also missing At Mrs. Lippincotes, Mrs. Palfrey, Hester Lilly and A Wreath of Roses. Must fix that!

Karen, go ahead and start a thread for Mrs. Lippincotes. (Lucky you for the perfect condition edition, btw!). I think each book should have its own thread for specific discussion.

I'm still wrapping up a review from January before I start ET.

I ordered Mrs Lippincote today - and Francis Hodgson Burnett for the February Persephone read. For someone not supposed to be buying books, I'm not doing a very good job.