Happy weekend, everyone! I had the day off on Friday (to recover from working at a Christian festival last weekend) and spent most of it reading and relaxing, which was lovely. It also means I’ve totally lost track of what day it is. But I’m pretty sure it’s now the weekend… and so here is a book, a blog post, and a link for you.
1.) The book – three years ago I wrote about R.C. Sherriff’s brilliant memoir, No Leading Lady. It focuses largely on the genesis, writing, staging and success of Journey’s End, as well as looking at his other works, his home, and his beautiful relationship with his mother. Well, it was also impossible to find copies of it. But thankfully that is no longer the case! It is now available in two volumes from Slightly Foxed Editions! I’m delighted that it’s back in print and urge you to get your hands on the limited edition copies.
2.) The link – it is time for Spinster September again! Nora can explain…
3.) The blog post – …and Radhika has some recommendations for books you might enjoy during it.
Happy Weekend Simon and three cheers for Spinster September! I heard Nora talking on an old episode of Trevor and the Mookse (62) and so already have some great titles lined up, including a reread of Lolly Willowes (to see if I am less shocked this time round!), and Great Granny Webster and Fair Play.
It’s also Short Stories September. I’ve picked a Selection of Sylvia Townsend Warner’s off my shelf.
Are you referring to Fair Play by Tove Jansson? If so, I think it is a fabulous read!
Yes, that’s the one. Thanks for your recommendation; I shall look forward to it all the more now!
Good luck with Lolly Willowes this time! I’m not sure what I’m going to read yet, but potentially Non-Combatants and Others by Rose Macaulay. And enjoy the STW stories! Nobody does it better IMO.
I did reread Lolly Willowes and I also re listened to episode 24 of tea or books. I shuddered as I approached the final section and I still think Sylvia’s resolution of her need to escape her family is terrible and shocking. I wish it hadn’t ended that way, as I love the atmospheric descriptions and the funny, very well observed interactions with the various members of Lolly’s family.
Now of course I want to reread The Love Child and see if I can dig His Monkey Wife and The Venetian Glass Nephew out of the stacks!
Thanks for the heads up on No Leading Lady, a definite purchase for me!
I am delighted! Such a good book.
Thanks so much for the heads up re No Leading Lady! Just filed a request for an early Christmas present…
Excellent idea :D
Ooooh, the Sherriff sounds brilliant – thanks!
SO good!
I read Sherriff’s memoir on your recommendation when you first wrote about it. I had to get an interlibrary loan to find a copy here in the states as it was unaffordable to purchase due to being out of print. I loved it! I sent messages to both Persephone Books and Slightly Foxed a couple of years ago to encourage a reprint. I am delighted that Slightly Foxed elected to print it in their beautiful format! My copies of the book arrived last week!!
Oh brilliant, we probably have you to thank then! I’m so glad they decided to go for it.
Thank you! Your blog is so enjoyable, and now I have discovered Radhika’s blog, too, thanks to you. Only problem: I am already 77, and reading your recommendations contributes to a burgeoning TBR that I doubt I will have time to enjoy on this earth!
Ha! I am sorry, definitely an occupational hazard of being on the bookish side of the internet…
Oh, those Sherriff volumes look wonderful, so thank you for the alert. I loved A Fortnight in September and Greengates and definitely interested in these. And thank you for linking to my blog post too:)
You’re very welcome!