Come on, Comyns

Very few authors mentioned here elicit such an enthused response as Barbara Comyns. Usually posts attract comments in the 48 hours after they’re posted, and that’s that – but posts about Comyns continue to get fans popping up for months and years afterwards, waving the flag for Bidford-on-Avon’s finest.

I’ve read five novels by Comyns now, and have a few waiting – on Saturday, both Polly and Claire got hold of copies of The Vet’s Daughter (Polly got it in the book exchange, from me!) and we thought it would be fun to do a read-along. Quite short notice, but we’ll be kicking off at the beginning of June. If you can get yourself a copy before then, do join us. It’s nice and short, and I’ve yet to read a dud Comyns! Start posting reviews around the second week of June, although it’s all quite relaxed.

There should be quite a few copies around, both sides of the Atlantic. It was a Virago back in the 1980s, and has recently been reprinted in a beautiful NYRB Classics edition – which is the one I’ll be reading. Do let us know if you’re planning on reading along…

14 thoughts on “Come on, Comyns

  • May 11, 2010 at 11:31 pm
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    Thank you for highlighting books and authors unknown to me upto now.

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  • May 12, 2010 at 12:15 am
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    I'm intrigued. I've heard of Comyns of course because she's a Virago author but I've never read her. I have a vague feeling I saw an NYRB edition of The Vet's Daughter at a bookstore here in Manila. If I find one, I'm definitely in.

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  • May 12, 2010 at 8:30 am
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    Exciting! I've read it already for my Virago venture but I look forward to reaidng other people's thoughts – maybe you could pop a link up to my review!

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  • May 12, 2010 at 8:33 am
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    Can I read a different Comyns? I have The Skin Chairs which I've been meaning to read for ages…

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  • May 12, 2010 at 10:31 am
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    Hee, I love Book Snob's comment! I'm hoping this will give me a kickstart into reading the other three Comyns books that I have on my Virago shelf. I enjoyed Our Spoons Came From Woolworths when I read it (around the time of the demise of Woolworths, of course). I'll be posting a link to this tomorrow, I think.

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  • May 12, 2010 at 11:04 am
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    Just checked with 2 bookshops here and they don't have it! I'll just have to read all the posts and order it one day. Have fun reading!

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  • May 12, 2010 at 3:31 pm
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    Oh! and I was determined not to buy another book. Oh well, Amazon has it and so I'm in for June. Thanks for what I'm sure will be another great read. Ginny

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  • May 12, 2010 at 7:24 pm
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    Oh, so fun! I won't be able to participate, but I DO love NYRB Classics :-) I don't think you are participating in the Spotlight Series on them next week, but they publish AMAZING books!

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  • May 12, 2010 at 7:27 pm
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    Oh this does sound like fun! I will see if i can pinch Pols and just be slightly behind!

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  • May 13, 2010 at 2:20 pm
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    I've been looking for an excuse to dip into Barbara Comyns; June is looking exceptionally busy, but I'd like to try to chime in.

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  • May 14, 2010 at 8:43 am
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    Thanks for joining in, everyone, I'm looking forward to it! Especially impressed by sunt lacrimae rerum – ordering five of them!

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