Ann Patchett, Tessa Hadley, and finding the right time to read a book – welcome to episode 149!
In the first half, we answer the question: is there a right time for each particular book? In the second half, we compare Ann Patchett’s The Dutch House and Tessa Hadley’s The Party.
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The books and authors we mentioned in this episode are:
Honourable Estates by Vera Brittain
Deviants by Santanu Bhattacharya
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
A Jest of God by Margaret Laurence
Richmal Crompton
E.V. Lucas
One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downes
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal
The Pooh Perplex by Frederick Crews
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
The Warden by Anthony Trollope
He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope
The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope
Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope
Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope
Charles Dickens
Jane Austen
Framley Parsonage by Anthony Trollope
Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Douglas Bruton
The Bachelors by Muriel Spark
Symposium by Muriel Spark
I absolutely do believe that there can be a right and wrong time for a book. It can be mood, or current interests, different translations or even your age – I’ve definitely read books more recently that I couldn’t when I was younger!
I agree wholeheartedly that there is a right and wrong time for a book. The reading muse repays careful attention for much more satisfying meaningful reading! I am a firm believer in bookish serendipity.
Loved this episode, Ann Patchett is one of my favorite writers. I really liked The Dutch House (I listened to the audiobook narrated brilliantly by Tom Hanks); also loved Commonwealth, Bel Canto and her earlier novels, The Magician’s Assistant and The Patron Saint of Liars. But I cannot recommend Tom Lake enough, it’s absolutely brilliantly written and paced. I think Rachel would particularly love it because there are a lot of scenes in theaters that I think she would really enjoy (I am also biased because much of the book is set in Michigan near a place where I vacationed as a child).
I also think you should read some more Trollope! There are some shorter stand-alone books that are wonderful. Besides Doctor Thorne which is my very favorite, I loved Rachel Ray, The Belton Estate, and Miss Mackenzie. Framley Parsonage follows DT in the Barchester series and is also good. I can’t remember if you’ve discussed Trollope on the podcast but I’m a huge fan of his so I’d love to hear what you both have to say.
I didn’t like The Party for much the same reason as you guys: there’s no substance to it. But I beg you not to discard Tessa Hadley on this basis. The Past (her 2015 novel) is absolutely exquisite, as well as Accidents in the Home. She reminds me of Penelope Lively.
Regarding Ann Pratchett, I’ve been a fan forever! Don’t miss out on Tom Lake and Commonwealth.