Madam, want to talk about author Mary Stewart? discussion
Buddy Reads
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Ivy Tree Chapters 1-5
*Gasps* I forgot I actually found a used copy of Shadow of the Moon last year, and was holding off on reading it until a buddy read that never materialized. Karlyne, you or anyone around here interested? Maybe sometime a little later this summer?
Tadiana ♕Part-Time Dictator♕ wrote: "*Gasps* I forgot I actually found a used copy of Shadow of the Moon last year, and was holding off on reading it until a buddy read that never materialized. Karlyne, you or anyone around here inter..."If I can get it I will be.
Cunningly, I now have the job of sorting out the second hand books at the op shop I volunteer at. I am looking out for particular authors.
***Carol*** wrote: "Yes, I'm still toying with the idea of starting a Group for 20th Century Writers we don't want forgotten.If you start that group, I'd definitely join!
Tadiana ♕Part-Time Dictator♕ wrote: "*Gasps* I forgot I actually found a used copy of Shadow of the Moon last year, and was holding off on reading it until a buddy read that never materialized. Karlyne, you or anyone around here inter..."Ok, if my wrists are up for it, I'd love to read it this summer!
Karlyne wrote: "Ok, if my wrists are up for it, I'd love to read it this summer!"Wrist exercises three times a week from now until we start, Karlyne! That would be great if you can join us, Peggy. Misfit says she might join us as well.
Anyone want to suggest a start date? Maybe sometime in July?
I've opened a thread in the Far Pavilions group for people to let us know if they're interested in the Shadows of the Moon group read. If anyone would like an invite to join the group, let me or one of the other moderators know. https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...P.S. Apparently you can just join; it's an open group.
I've read all of Kaye's "Death in ..." books in the past six months except the Kashmir one. Very enjoyable--I think those are quite a bit like MS's romantic suspense novels. I don't know if Kaye was deliberately trying to emulate Stewart, but it wouldn't surprise me.
Tadiana ♕Part-Time Dictator♕ wrote: "I've read all of Kaye's "Death in ..." books in the past six months except the Kashmir one. Very enjoyable--I think those are quite a bit like MS's romantic suspense novels. I don't know if Kaye wa..."I think they were written at about the same time.
Yes, I just checked and they were contemporaries. M.M. Kaye published her "Death in ..." series from 1953-1960; Mary Stewart published her first romantic suspense novel in 1954 and her last in 1976 (or 1997 if you count the three "cottage books" as part of this genre). So much for my theory. ;)
I think one reason that I really like both writers is that they so completely captured what life was like at the time they were writing, in the places they set their stories, and also that their characters were so vivid and real. Their heroines in particular were well-rounded people seeking more from life than "just" a husband and a home.They may well have read each other's books when they were being published; it would be interesting to know!
Tadiana ♕Part-Time Dictator♕ wrote: "I've read all of Kaye's "Death in..." books in the past six months except the Kashmir one..."Ooooh, IMO you left the best for last Tadiana. Death In Kashmir is my favorite of her whodunnits :D
Hannah wrote: "Ooooh, IMO you left the best for last Tadiana. Death In Kashmir is my favorite of her whodunnits :D "AAAAGH I was just going to call it good and skip that one but now you've made it impossible. :p
Hah, Tadiana, I agree with Hannah...you've saved the best for last. Death in Kashmir is my favorite of her mysteries also.
Diane Lynn wrote: "Hah, Tadiana, I agree with Hannah...you've saved the best for last. Death in Kashmir is my favorite of her mysteries also."I just ordered a used copy on Amazon!
That's me. Decisive and all. ;)
Just finished ch 1. I'm loving it!
I think the first line is my favorite first line of all time - even better than Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca. I may even like it more than A Tale of Two Cities' !
Karlyne wrote: "I think the first line is my favorite first line of all time - even better than Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca. I may even like it more than A Tale of Two Cities' !"It is quite beautiful! I just added to my update. I think I will really enjoy this book. I don't know why it took me so long to read it.
My copy is a yellowed, tiny paper back as well. I am not too good at reading these anymore. I need very bright light! About to start ch. 2
I have been thinking of ordering this: I believe it may have been my first experience with her.
It would be nice to have you in the BR, Skye. Come on and join! :)
Reading this on my iPad -one of the Mary Stewart kindle sale items I bought for 99p each a couple of months ago! I am loving this re-read. I could not remember having read it before, but within a few paragraphs - I remembered! It is as always a delight to let Mary Stewart's magic envelop one. Aside from the cigarette smoking which of course was standard for the era - there are few other jarring anachronisms.
Her ability to create a location which feel real and which allows you to enter it-- is as always so skilful - along with the characterisation: deft, sharp and fleshed out so very swiftly. Thoroughly enjoying this.
I found my copy and should finish David Copperfield today, so this should be a perfect book after that doorstopper.
I have my copy ready. This is a reread, and I have a couple of books to finish before I get to it!I did like this one, although it hasn't made it into my top Stewarts!
Susan, Stewart's talent for putting us smack dab in the middle of a place we've never been before is astounding to me. Wouldn't it be fun to spend a year or two travelling to all the locales and seeing just how familiar they are to us simply because of her writings?
Karlyne wrote: "Susan, Stewart's talent for putting us smack dab in the middle of a place we've never been before is astounding to me. Wouldn't it be fun to spend a year or two travelling to all the locales and se..."What an amazing thing that would be Karlyne!!!
I have managed to subsequently visit locations she described in her books. - Hadrian's Wall is in fact one of them so I loved her description at the start of this book. Also managed to visit Crete and Corfu and Delphi where she set The Moonspinners and This Rough Magic and My brother Michael. Above all writers - she inspired me to travel because of her descriptions.
I think the Ivy Tree is my favourite of all the Mary Stewarts - hence, of course, my choice of pen name. Even though it is rather darker than some, with only brief bursts of sunshine, it is a beautiful, haunting read.I was thrilled this summer to persuade my 13-year-old daughter to read it, as she had resisted any earlier attempts to get her to read any Mary Stewarts. After rolling her eyes initially, she was absolutely gripped it and read it practically at one sitting. I have some lovely photographs of her reading it in the car and on a fallen tree when we were camping.
It was fascinating to experience the book again through her eyes. Her reaction to the characters and situations was very different from mine, coming to them all for the first time. I'm very tempted to read it again now - I've bought an old copy from Ebay but also have the lovely brand new edition - which to choose!?
I just started the book. Reminds me of a gothic novel with the ruins and eeriness. Is Con a type of Heathcliffe? I read this book several years ago but remember very little. I will comment later when I've read all the chapters.
I'm so glad others are able to pick it up. Looking forward to discussing.
Teaqueen wrote: "I just started the book. Reminds me of a gothic novel with the ruins and eeriness. Is Con a type of Heathcliffe? I read this book several years ago but remember very little. I will comment later wh..."o em gee! I watched a PBS mini series of Wuthering Heights last night and it was very good. I read the book so long ago there wasn't much that I remembered other than the stormy, obsessive relationship and some of the tragedy. The guy that played Heathcliffe was perfect for the part. He was very good a brooding. It was kinda creepy the way he played it just like I imagined it should be. He was def. scary and self absorbed. Good looking too.
Enchantress debbicat ☮ wrote: "My copy is a yellowed, tiny paper back as well. I am not too good at reading these anymore. I need very bright light! About to start ch. 2"YAY! I was cleaning up and reorganizing bookshelves today and had forgotten that I have a harddback or 3 novels on MS. The Ivy Tree is in it. SO bigger print. Whew! The Spell of Mary Stewart: The Ivy Tree/This Rough Magic/Wildfire at Midnight
I missed the PBS mini series, but I believe Wuthering Heights is my all time favorite book, story, and many of the movies, especially with Tim Dalton have been wonderful. I believe The Ivy Tree was the first Mary Stewart book I ever read, unless it was This Rough Magic. I was going to order a used copy from Barnes and Noble, but I wanted to see reactions to it ( it's been years).
Enchantress debbicat ☮ wrote: "o em gee! I watched a PBS mini series of Wuthering Heights last night and it was very good."Is that the one with Tom Hardy as Heathcliff? He’s a good actor! I have a friend that is a big fan of his and because of her I’m even more aware of him now than I was before. I can picture him in a Mary Stewart book, like in Nine Coaches Waiting as Raoul.
Yes! Tom Hardy. It's a 2017 version. He is quite something! I was not familiar with him. He's so passionate and possessive. I'm still thinking about it.
Yea, I can see him in a MS. At first he didn't really seem attractive. But the more I watched the more I was drawn to him. I'll have to look up his other films.
Wait. Looking it up it says 2009 mini series. But my recording ( I dvred it) says 2017. Maybe that's when it first aired on our PBS station. Anyone else seen it?
Haven't seen it myself but I know it came out a few years ago. Have you seen Inception? TH was good in that and that's what started it all for my friend.
I absolutely love Inception but foundJoseph Gordon-Levitt much more appealing than Tom Hardy...
I have not. But I found myself googling TH last night and watched some you tube appearances. He was laughing and funny and was SO different than his WH character. Hair and all diff too. It was hard to believe he was the same man. A very good actor in my opinion. I'll look for inception. I kinda have a crush on him now. ;)
Annabel wrote: "I absolutely love Inception but foundJoseph Gordon-Levitt much more appealing than Tom Hardy..."Yes! That's who I had my eye on too! :)
Enchantress debbicat ☮ wrote: "I have not. But I found myself googling TH last night and watched some you tube appearances. He was laughing and funny and was SO different than his WH character. Hair and all diff too. It was hard..."It's always fun to discover new actors/crushes. :)
Ann-Marie wrote: "Enchantress debbicat ☮ wrote: "I have not. But I found myself googling TH last night and watched some you tube appearances. He was laughing and funny and was SO different than his WH character. Hai..."It sure is, Ann-Marie. The Virgin Queen. Yummo. Just watched a you tube clip. He is so nice to look at. Has very full lips. Love his accent. Binge watch worthy tonight. May not be any reading for me. Sigh....I am smitten.
What topic are we on?LOL Oh yea, The Ivy Tree. I am gonna cast TH as Con's character.
Read on!
Over on Retro Reads, we had a little discussion about women (and girls) inheriting houses, and when I read "Annabel's" description of Whitescar, its rooms and outbuildings and garden, I realize that Stewart might not have started my life-long search for perfect country houses, but she sure hurried it along.
I wasn't going to reread The Ivy Tree, but I'm weak I tell you, weak!Very interesting after reading Brat Farrar. Inspired how Stewart treats this. I'm just about to start Chapter 6.
I'm with you! I've read it plenty of times, but I picked it up just to look at it, and, bam! there I was again, galloping right through it. I feel your weakness.
Madam, want to talk about author Mary Stewart?
Books mentioned in this topic
The Spell of Mary Stewart: The Ivy Tree/This Rough Magic/Wildfire at Midnight (other topics)David Copperfield (other topics)
Death in Kashmir (other topics)
Trade Wind (other topics)
Death in the Andamans (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
M.M. Kaye (other topics)E. Phillips Oppenheim (other topics)
Ha..."
I noticed that you were reading Death in the Andamans, and I thought to myself, "Self, that'd be some nice summer reading right there." I think I have, if not all, at least most of her mysteries. A friend gave me The Far Pavilions and Shadow of the Moon recently, but they're HARDBACKS and weigh approx. 43.8 pounds apiece, so I'm waiting until I can make a kid hold them for me. And turn the pages. And maybe make me an iced coffee and keep the fanning going on my hot brow. The usual slave stuff.