Between the Wars discussion

Please nominate books for February. I'll start with I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith.

The Priory (c'mon, it's about time!) by Dorothy Whipple.

I have that one too, Lauren, and was leaving it for you to nominate. : )

It's gone a bit quiet on here, hasn't it?

I want to read I Capture the Castle, so I don't have a nomination!

And I'd love to read the Priory so I'm not going to nominate anything.

I may have to pad the voting poll! lol

I am still reading Vile Bodies, because life and work has interfered with my reading! I do plan to finish it though.

Have you read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which is set in 1930s Edinburgh?

This may be a short poll! ha ha

Kathleen, I read it a short while ago. I've got to admit I wasn't so keen on it. Have you?

I didn't care for Miss Jean Brodie either. I'd like to nominate Testament of Youth

Lauren, yes, PMJB is one of my favorite books ever, and Muriel Spark is one of my favorite authors. I'm also enjoying Vile Bodies, so I think I may be in the wrong group! LOL.

I loved Vile Bodies, I read it a few years ago. Evelyn Waugh is a favorite of mine. I don't enjoy Muriel Spark's writing style. It isn't the plot that bothers me, I just find her tone sparse.

Yes! That's exactly what I like about her. That she says so much in so few words. She didn't start writing novels until the 1950s, and her style reflects that. The rest of her books are set in the 1940s and later, so they're outside of the the time period of this group. Her book The Mandelbaum Gate isn't as sparse as her others. It's much longer and more like a traditional British novel. (It's set in the 1960s in the Middle East, around the time of the Eichmann trial.)

Great to find another Waugh fan! Did you like Brideshead?

Kathleen wrote: "Yes! That's exactly what I like about her. That she says so much in so few words. She didn't start writing novels until the 1950s, and her style reflects that. The rest of her books are set in the..."

Did you like A Far Cry from Kensington? That is the only one I have read but I liked it.

I loved Brideshead Revisited! I'm eager to re-read it this year.

Amanda, I really enjoyed Testament of Youth, but most of it takes place during WW1, so a bit before our time frame. In fact, I found the post-war stuff she wrote about rather tedious.

Kathleen, are you nominating The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie for February?

I really liked Brideshead and didn't like Vile Bodies. :)

Sarah, A Far Cry from Kensington was another favorite of mine by Spark. Probably in my "Spark Top Five." Funny you should mention that one. I'm glad you liked it. I realize Spark is not for everyone.

Amanda,
Have you seen the Brideshead movie that came out last year or the year before? I've seen the miniseries but not the movie.

Gabriele wrote: "Amanda, I really enjoyed Testament of Youth, but most of it takes place during WW1, so a bit before our time frame. In fact, I found the post-war stuff she wrote about rather tedious.

Kathleen, ar..."

No. Thank you for asking.

Gabriele wrote: "Amanda, I really enjoyed Testament of Youth, but most of it takes place during WW1, so a bit before our time frame. In fact, I found the post-war stuff she wrote about rather tedious.

Kathleen, ar..."

No problem, the last thing I want is tedious reading. I'll do some more research and come back with a nomination!

I didn't watch the Emma Thompson Brideshead movie. I had several friends tell me that it didn't do the book justice.

I'm drawing a blank right now and the nominations above look so wonderful. I think I'll save my ideas for March!

I'd really like to read I Capture the Castle as well. I've heard good things about it, and, selfishly, it's on the BBC Top 100 Big Read list that I'm working through :) Plus, it looks short, and I've a habit, lately, of committing to some rather lengthy tomes!

Sounds like an interesting list. Good for you!

Kathleen wrote: "Sounds like an interesting list. Good for you!"

It's fun; combining my two favorite things, books and lists! Here's a link to it if you're interested:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top...

Thanks.

I don't have The Priory but would be happy to read High Wages or They Knew Mr Knight (which I do have) in February/March :)

We will be voting, I hope?

Yup! I'll have a poll out on Friday. Just giving others a chance to nominate.

I`m delighted to read all the suggestions butb oh no now I haveto pick one?
Too Cruel for words!!!!!

I can get Capture the Castle (can't get any of the others).

And the winner is.... I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. For those who have read it, please do participate with whatever comments you can muster from memory. I understand you won't want to re-read this when there are so many other books calling to you.

For those who are reading something on their own that they may wish to share, please start a thread under "Other Reads".

Great, Dodie Smith should be a good discussion.

Yay...So looking forward to this one.I'm away to put it on my Current Shelf...
I'll try to join in the discussion early as I'm very busy in the second half of the month.

:(

Oh no Lauren why are you sad?

Lauren wanted Dorothy Whipple? Side read, Lauren?

The Priory?
Couldn't it get nominated for next month?
I'd second it.

I would suggest The Priory as a side read, because I don't know if many people can get this book. Am I correct?

Lauren, I will vote for the Priory again as well. I don't have a copy but will order one if it wins another poll.

Lol, I'm not really that sad! I Capture the Castle is a great book :)

I agree a side read could be the best bet because so many people can't get hold of it. Whereas ICTC is more widely published, and so practically all of us can get a copy, The Priory could be reserved for anyone who desperately would like to discuss it.

I do hope you'll join our discussion, Lauren - maybe even start us off in February?

Why not post a thread for "The Priory" when you're ready? I have a copy and hope to read it soon. (Still struggling with "A Children's Book".) But I'd better read ICTC first!

Let me know if we are going to re poll for it asap and I will track down a copy and if I can't manage I will put my trusty Husband on the case,he seems to track down e everything!

DJ, I got mine from the Persephone website because it seemed to cheapest. I think it was about ten pounds, more or less.

Come to think of it, I swear I ordered their seasonal catalogue. It never came.

Anyway, they were quick and efficient in sending the book.

I'll definitely join the discussion re ICTC. If I can stretch my memory back!

ICTC is a short book. I plan on rereading it. Too many of my memories of the film get mixed in with the memories of the book! I enjoyed both, but I think the book is better.

Hi by re poll I .meant re nominate.
Gabriele I have THE CHILDRENS BOOK. Waiting to be read will be interested in your opinion.

DJ, we are discussing The Children's Book on the Victorians. Have a look!

I know I just haven't had time to read it yet with all the post Christmas sorting but I'll look up the discussion when I do manage it.
Thanks for reminding me :-)

Still waiting to hear your news, you know, DJ. : )

I know I'm still on Fee.Tomorrow night UK time..:-)