Beryl Bainbridge, Celia Dale, critical and charitable reading – welcome to episode 123!
In the first half of the episode we use a suggestion from Susannah – do we read charitably or critically? In the second half we compare too rather dark novels – Sheep’s Clothing by Celia Dale and Harriet Said… by Beryl Bainbridge.
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The books and authors we mention in this episode are:
Mary Lawson
Stories for Winter and Nights by the Fire by various
Elizabeth Taylor
Angela Carter
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Temptation by János Székely
Family Album by Antonia Ridge
Miss Read
Grandma Went To Russia by Antonia Ridge
The Persimmon Tree by Marjorie Barnard
Katherine Mansfield
Ivy Litvinov
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Richmal Crompton
Stella Gibbons
Day by Michael Cunningham
Specimen Days by Michael Cunningham
A.A. Milne
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Dan Brown
Injury Time by Beryl Bainbridge
Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh
Another Part of the Woods by Beryl Bainbridge
Anita Brookner
Barbara Comyns
Thank you Simon and Rachel once again for a very interesting discussion. I thought Susanna’s question was very clever for stimulating conversations. It made me realise how much my preconceptions and expectations influence my enjoyment of a book.
I did not read either of the books this month. Having researched them both, I decided that I couldn’t cope with bleak and nasty at the moment. Although you both made a case for reading the ones you each chose, I am still not sure it was quite enough for me to reconsider. I think I will be much more inclined to read along when the books are more ‘sunny and happy’! In this category I have just picked up Family Album from the library, after reading Rachel’s blog recommendation – thanks for that Rachel – I had not heard of Antonia Ridge before.
Really looking forward to hearing about your best books of 2023 and wishing you both a Happy Christmas.
Yes, the more I thought about this, the more I enjoyed Susannah’s topic suggestion – really clever and thought-provoking. And yes, I felt rather grubby and nasty after reading these two novels next to each other – I needed something fun afterwards.
Interesting to hear your opposing views on the protective jacket covers. Which makes me wonder – given a choice, would you prefer to have (a) an old/original copy of a book, maybe a bit worn from having been read several times, or (b) a nice crisp new edition, with an attractively-designed cover?
Interesting! I would deifnitely go for the former – I’ll have to ask Rachel which she’d choose.
I’d highly recommend the Litvinov – a fascinating life and some interesting stories!
Oo good to know, thanks!
Among Beryl Bainbridge novels I recommend The Birthday Boys, about the Scott Expedition. It’s beautiful. Not creepy! And yes, it’s a historical novel, but a slim one that doesn’t overwhelm a reader with details about the time (1912), so I don’t think it would be off-putting, Simon.
I will give that a go at some point then, Karen! I’d imagine she retains her quirkiness.
I read Sheep’s Clothing as soon as it arrived – after you announced it was to be discussed. Unfortunately, Harriet Said …, which I’d ordered second-hand must have got lost in the post on its way over here. I waited and waited and eventually gave up and listened to the podcast today! I read a few Beryl Bainbridge novels years ago and remembered enjoying The Bottle Factory Outing especially. She had included a lot in her early novels from her own family background, I read. She is quoted as saying “ I have never really written fiction; what would be the point?What is more peculiar, more riveting, devious and horrific than real life?” That (re Harriet Said … ) makes me wonder what she had experienced as a teenage girl – Beryl was expelled from school at 14!
I agree with Rachel regarding Celia Dale’s novel (and will read more by her). Two women behaving criminally towards other (and older) women is certainly a topic I have never come across before. I was fascinated from beginning to end.
Ah sorry that the Bainbridge didn’t arrive! Apparently this book was based on a real life case, but maybe Beryl put in some of her own childhood personality…
I saw Rebecca when I was in Vienna last year and was absolutely delighted, first class production, singing was great especially Mrs.
Danvers. It seems like it’s not quite the same as the UK version (or the book, naturally) but I really enjoyed it, I never thought I’d get the chance to see it since the Broadway production was a scandalous disaster.
Also LOVED Temptation by Szekely, one of my favorite NYRB classics of the past few years. It’s long but such a great story!