So excited for another Persephone Readathon! I'm a bit late with this posting, but I've already started my latest Persephone, Alas, Poor Lady by Rachel Ferguson. I seem to have put this one off forever -- I think I've owned it for at least five years. But I've read more than 100 pages so far and I'm quite enjoying it. It's fairly long, more than 450 pages, but I'd like to try to squeeze in at least one other dove-grey book by the next Sunday if I can -- I also own two newer Persephones which are quite short: Tory Heaven by Marghanita Laski, and The Journey Home and Other Stories by Malachi Whitaker. I've been really impressed with Persephone's short story collections, though I do find short stories difficult to review.
And now for the giveaway!!
A couple of months ago I was at the only used bookstore around with books in English (tricky to find here in Germany). I naturally checked the Classics shelf, and was delighted to find a Persephone -- a pristine copy of Cheerful Weather For the Wedding, in the Persephone Classic edition!
I already own a copy (sadly, packed up and in storage) but I could not bear to leave it on the shelf so naturally I bought it! I realized it would be the perfect book to share as a giveaway during the Persephone Readathon!
If you aren't familiar, it's a novella about a single day in the life of a young woman named Dolly, her wedding day. Things are not necessarily as they seem, as the bride has doubts, and a former suitor arrives. It's a very quick read, only 119 pages, with wide margins. It could easily be finished in a single sitting (and I might reread it before I pop it into the post for the winner). It was also adapted into an excellent film starring Felicity Jones and Elizabeth McGovern in 2012.
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| That's Felicity Jones (right) as the bride, and Zoe Tapper (her bridesmaid? I've forgotten.) |
- If you'd like to enter the drawing, just leave a comment below and tell me which Persephone is your favorite and why. (If you haven't read any Persephones yet, just tell me which one you'd like to read!)
- The drawing will be completely unscientific and I'll pick my favorite response.
- Deadline to enter is Sunday, September 30, 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
- The drawing is limited to residents of the U. S. and Europe -- I live in Germany and can mail via European and U. S. mail.
- Please leave a good contact email in your comment (if it doesn't automatically link) so I contact you if you win!
Anyway -- happy reading to all! Hope you're enjoying your Persephones this week!
I love all of Dorothy Whipple's books so it is hard to choose which is my favorite, but I think it would be Someone at a Distance, which was my first Whipple and my first Persephone.
ReplyDeleteLaura at lauracald56_gmail.com
I LOVE Dorothy Whipple! I feel like I should have multiple copies of Someone at a Distance so I can hand them out to people. I think she's my favorite Persephone writer.
DeleteI JUST got hold of a copy of Few Eggs and No Oranges -- one of the first Persephone titles! Sadly I had to skim it, since it's about 600 pages long and I had to give it back practically before I got it. So one day I will get myself a copy and read the whole thing properly. It's a straightforward diary of London life for all of WWII; the author portrays herself as a completely ordinary, average Londoner, which she seems to have been, except for the rather startling exception of her ordinary office job. She worked for a lady who "had discovered she was psychic" and started this Christian/Spiritualist not-church, with a newsletter and everything. Her spirit guide was named Zodiac. There was a remnant of this organization active until just a few years ago, as far as I can tell.
ReplyDeleteI once emailed Persephone with a suggestion that they publish the adult novels of L. M. Boston; they would fit perfectly. I live in hope. :)
I've read Few Eggs, No Oranges, but I don't remember the bit about the psychic at all! And I didn't know L. M. Boston, wrote adult novels -- I'd only heard of The Children of Green Knowe which I still haven't read, though I know many people love it.
DeleteThanks so much for hosting this giveaway! I love both the book and film versions of Cheerful Weather for the Wedding. In fact, I might have to re-watch the film later this week. Glad you're enjoying Alas, Poor Lady so far!
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying Alas, Poor Lady but it is tough to read in parts -- it's so maddening how few choices single women had.
DeletePlease don't enter me since I already have a copy of Cheerful Weather for the Wedding. But I still want to weigh in or rather concur with Laura C and you that Whipple is my favorite Persephone author (thus far at least) and if I had to choose, I would pick The Priory as my favorite title.
ReplyDeleteI love Whipple also. The Priory was my very first of her books, and one of my first Persephones, so I will always have a special fondness for it.
DeleteYou just have to give a good book a home, Karen! I've just realized that choosing a favourite Persephone is like choosing between children, pets, friends or chocolate in a selection box, but the title that jumps out right away is Tirzah Garwood's 'Long Live Great Bardfield'. I bought this memoir to learn more about her husband, Eric Ravilious, and ended up completely invested in her!
ReplyDeleteI live in Canada so that excludes me, but your visitors will be looking for recommendations and I couldn't resist.
I really want to read the Tirzah Garwood, I've been putting it off because it's rather long -- but I'm so tempted by the illustrations. Thanks for the recommendation!
DeleteDont count me in as far away, but the story sounds delightful.
ReplyDeleteI have just finished Back to the Classics 2018. So happy
ReplyDelete