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15th out of 18 books
—
3 voters
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A Long Way from Verona
by
Jane Gardam
Growing up in the middle of World War II and attending an all girls local school, Jessica, an aspiring writer, has difficulty dealing with authority.
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
May 22nd 2001
by Abacus Books
(first published 1971)
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A delightful story of a 13 year old girl who aspires to be a writer. it is set in wartime England and really captures the reality of living through a war. Jessica Vye has to cope with second rate teachers and her frustration surfaces in at times unacceptable behavior and actions. Still it is quite believable and we are sympathetic to Jessica with her passionate nature and intense emotions. We also feel for her as she battles with normalcy and the raging hormones of a teenager.
Though I l...more
Though I l...more
I have had this TBR for so long, it was certainly time I got round to reading it. Why I left it so long I have no idea, it's lovely!! This is such a charming little book. The narrator is a young girl, who is convinced she is a writer. She is a wonderfully eccentric character, full of life, wit and enthusiasm. Hampered by an unimmaginative teacher, war time and the constraits of a curate's chaotic household, Jessica begins to grow and move toward her ultimate goal. Often hilarious, it is a small ...more
For some reason reviewers describe this as a young adult novel. I don't see any difference between this novel and others by the superb Jane Gardam, except that this is my favorite, a novel of humor and emotional resonance. It deserves to be much better known.
Very unusual book, set during WWII. The way the kids just accept wartime life is fascinating -- though the war definitely leaves its mark, it's not about that so much as one girl's journey to self-acceptance. Great voice.
"I don't know if you've noticed but if you want to become one of the English Classics it's a good idea to be up in the top half of the alphabet. There are a tremendous lot of As and Bs and Ds and - down to about H."
Jessica Vye is the English equivalent of Harriet M. Welsh. Smart, blunt, and confident, until she's faced with social situations that she can't quite get a handle on. She's far from perfect, but always true to herself. Gardam's writing is so honest and her characters a...more
Jessica Vye is the English equivalent of Harriet M. Welsh. Smart, blunt, and confident, until she's faced with social situations that she can't quite get a handle on. She's far from perfect, but always true to herself. Gardam's writing is so honest and her characters a...more
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I can see why it was an award-winner in 1972, although times and changed the voice and subject of comingof-
age novels. but I loved it very much.
favorite quote: "It's funny but even now I don't think I could actually BUY paper. It always seems to me as if
it ought to be free."
age novels. but I loved it very much.
favorite quote: "It's funny but even now I don't think I could actually BUY paper. It always seems to me as if
it ought to be free."
I didn't know how to describe this book until I saw another Goodreads reviewer's words: "Jessica Vye is the English equivalent of Harriet M. Welsch." -Susann's review Yes! That's it exactly.
A lovely novel written from a bright and mildly subversive thirteen year old child's view. It's very funny, wise, and captivating. If you like The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie you'll like this. Set in WWII England.
Disappointed.
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Jane Mary Gardam OBE is a British author of children's and adult fiction. She also reviews for the Spectator and the Telegraph, and writes for BBC radio. She lives in Kent, Wimbledon and Yorkshire. She has won numerous literary awards including the Whitbread Award, twice. She is mother of Tim Gardam, Principal of St Anne's College, Oxford. Jane has been awarded the Heywood Hill Literary Prize for ...more
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