Elizabeth Taylor Reading Project discussion
This topic is about
At Mrs Lippincote's
At Mrs Lippincote's
>
At Mrs Lippincote's FINISHING Thoughts/Discussion questions
I just finished it. In short: I loved it ;-) Although I loved more other (three) book I have read.I have also read your comments here. I agree with you all. But I didn't think whether I liked or not Julia or Roddy. It isn't important for a good book (at least not to me).
I like Taylor's wisdom and her observant eye. With such an asset, she had to write great novels.
I feel just a bit insatiable about Kirsty and Leo. I would like to know more about them.
[here my review]
Mod
I've learnt from reading her autobiography, that Elizabeth enjoyed travelling to London a lot, where she would sit in cafes watching and observing people for many hours.
The book is like scenes rather than a novel i thought
Mod
Thank goodness Virago published all her novels again !
Mod
Hi Kevin , look forward to hearing what your thoughts are
Mod
When it was revealed that Oliver was only 7, I was a little confused about his reading choices.
I adored all of Julia's internal (and remorseless) dialogue..."
Hi Carissa,
So happy you found Elizabeth Taylor's first book interesting.
I agree , considering how short the novel is, there is a lot going on.
There is some funny writing mixed with the more serious issues.
Thanks for joining in and look forward to chatting with you next month
carissa wrote: "Overall the tone felt listless...like each character was tired down to their souls...like the war and life had worn them out and each was locked into their own little private drama."This is a great comment. I had not recognized this, or at least articulated it internally, but you are spot on, and "listless" is the perfect adjective even when each is seemingly looking for a way forward.
Just finished this and have read all the comments here, the book has generated some really interesting discussion.I didn't completely like or dislike any of the characters - like others, I felt sympathy for their situation but felt they didn't deal with it well. None of them understood the others, or even tried to compromise.
I was interested that both Eleanor and Julia needed an escape from the home - Eleanor was lonely and hoping the Communists would provide some sense of belonging, Julia visiting Mr Taylor was a kind of inward rebellion against Roddy and his conventions. Mr Taylor's fate was so sad and he was imprisoned in his home too in a way.
Mod
I didn't completely like or dislike any of the characters - like others, I felt s..."
Hello Pamela,
Thanks for your thoughts and i agree, the characters all seemed to be living their own secret lives.
Is this your first Elizabeth Taylor read?
Happy Weekend : )
Karen wrote: "Hello Pamela.....Is this your first Elizabeth Taylor read?"Yes, this was my first read by her and I'm looking forward to the next one. I liked the style very much.
Finished, this is my first Taylor and I think I'm hooked.
Katrina wrote: "Most of the characters were unlikeable, but by the time I got close to the end then Julia's behaviour towards her husband seemed really benign given the circumstances. By then we've learned that Ju..."Interesting perspective. I didn’t get the sense that Julia was grieving the loss of the second child, nor am I convinced that the wing commander’s interest in Julia was entirely benign. He expressed interest in meeting up with her in London.
Squeak2017 wrote: "Eleanor’s resentment of Julia for becoming Roddy’s wife colours all her behaviour. Her devotion to Roddy intensifies her dislike. But I think the reason she colludes with Roddy is because she herse..."Interesting ideas. I think Eleanor feels chosen and special to have been taken into Roddy’s confidence. She has something on Julia. Of course, her own view of Roddy is tainted in the process (as a result of what she learns).
Rosemary wrote: "BTW did anyone else think it was bizarre that Mrs. Lippincote had left all her photographs out on display? And all the cupboards full of her family's things? Very little had been packed up or taken..."Yes, this struck me as odd, as well. I had the sense she’d been pressed upon to give over her house for the war effort. Her husband was apparently only recently dead.
Karen wrote: "Thoughts/discussion questions on FINISHING"I had hoped for more about Mrs Lippincote herself and her not-quite-right daughter.
Tania wrote: "On the last page, 'But Roddy wanted love only where there was homage as well, and admiration. He did not want merely to be reckoned at his own worth' throughout the book I thought he felt Julia owe..."I agree: he wanted to be looked up to and believed it was his due. He had also believed early in the marriage that he could mould Julia and usher her into adult womanhood. Very patronizing/paternalistic & what Ibsen explores in A Doll’s House, with quite different results. Julia has elements of passivity and parasitism in her. She jokes about the latter, but there’s a kernel of truth to it.
Katrina wrote: "Most of the characters were unlikeable, but by the time I got close to the end then Julia's behaviour towards her husband seemed really benign given the circumstances. By then we've learned that Ju..."Katrina, what was your reaction to Julia’s benign behaviour? What motivated her to respond in this way? Is her attitude one of “live and let live”, resignation, or passivity?
I think Julia’s behaviour is motivated more by the love of her son than of her husband. She stays with Roddy to give her son the grounded family life he needs and a father figure in his daily life, but she remains clear eyed herself about Roddy’s flaws. She no longer looks to him for love and support for herself.
Mod
Yes, this was my first read by her and I'm looking forward to the next one. I liked the style very much."
Hi Pamela , look forward to chatting with you , next month
Best Wishes Karen
Mod
Hello Squeak2017 and Canadian reader,
I also think Julia stayed with her husband because of her son
Karen wrote: "Squeak2017 wrote: "I think Julia’s behaviour is motivated more by the love of her son than of her husband. She stays with Roddy to give her son the grounded family life he needs and a father figure..."This makes sense. At the same time, I think there is very little evidence that leaving was even a question for her at all. I detected little internal conflict over the matter.
Tania wrote: "I didn't feel she was flirting with him, he was pressing his attentions on her. He also idealised her based on her literary choices, she didn't seem keen on the Rochester comparison. interested by ..."The wing commander’s interest in the Brontes seemed a real stretch to me. In my experience, the Brontes aren’t writers that appeal much to men at all. I didn’t find Mallory credible—a military higher-up concerned about the infidelities and possible failure of an underling’s marriage? I didn’t buy it at all. Interesting, however, that Taylor held out the possibility of adultery to Julia (numerous times actually) and her character steered clear. Apparently wise to one man, she was wise to, slightly suspicious of, them all. Flirtation was fine, but a fuller-blown affair was avoided.
Squeak2017 wrote: "Eleanor’s resentment of Julia for becoming Roddy’s wife colours all her behaviour. Her devotion to Roddy intensifies her dislike. But I think the reason she colludes with Roddy is because she herse..."I understood her to be fairly transparent about her real reasons for hanging out with the communists: because she was lonely. I did not pick up on what you mention: a crisis of conscience about deceiving others, a sense of being false.
Dan wrote: "Squeak2017 wrote: "No one I know in real life has heard of her. How can that be?"Sadly, the half-lives of many fine novelists with the reading public can be remarkably and undeservedly short."
Dan, I wonder what you think it is that caused her works to fade, and why is she now being rediscovered (her books reissued).
carissa wrote: "Great Read with interesting characters. When it was revealed that Oliver was only 7, I was a little confused about his reading choices.
I adored all of Julia's internal (and remorseless) dialogue..."
Really good point about the listless, weary tone to the book. The main characters are all old enough to realize that life hasn’t quite delivered what was expected.
I found the contrast between the two households quite interesting
Having never read anything by Elizabeth Taylor before, it surprised me how much I enjoyed Mrs Lippincote! I think I had an idea of it being 'of the time' and that it might be a slog to read, but I found that I raced through it! Loved her writing style and the situations she created for the very interesting characters! Can't wait for next month now!!
Mod
That's great to hear Karen : )
Mod
Hi Paul, thanks for joining in.
Was there any characters you liked/disliked in the novel ?
I haven't really collected my thoughts yet, but most of them just seemed to be battling with their roles, what was expected of them.
Mod
Would of been great if Taylor had wrote another novel later on , following the characters and seeing if moving away again really did change anything
I have nothing new to add but I was impressed that it was a debut novel. If this is her standard at the beginning then we should be in for a treat. She is a very witty and observant writer. She reminded me a bit of Jane Austen.
Mod
Hi Lorraine,
Thanks so much for joining in.
Jane Austen was in fact one of Elizabeth Taylor's favourite authors : )
Karen wrote: "Jane Austen was in fact one of Elizabeth Taylor's favourite authors : ) "So glad she is an improvement over Jane!
Canadian wrote: "Dan, I wonder what you think it is that caused her works to fade, and why is she now being rediscovered (her books reissued).."That's a very interesting question, Canadian. Within the past two years, all of Henry Green's novels were republished by NYRB and New Directions. A GR group similar to this was begun, but it garnered minimal participation. Both Bernice Rubens and Anita Brookner won Bookers. Rubens has never been rediscovered as far as I know; Brookner's novels have all been republished by Virago, and I think that she's had a steady but relatively small readership. Jean Rhys' novels have been republished over the years, but also, I believe, with a steady but relatively small readership. I really just don't know why one author who wrote one or more decades ago suddenly became more popular and others don't. What are your thoughts on this?
I am glad people are enjoying E.T's writing so far, and that she is being rediscovered, thanks to the likes of Virago and Persephone. Her writing reminds me of E.H. Young, another writer who was rediscovered by Virago, also a fairly unconventional person in real life. One of Bernice Reubens books has been on my library to read list for some time but I've yet to get to it. It does seem as though some of those Middlebrow authors are becoming more popular, with some new publishers starting up to bring back those lost books (Furrowed Middlebrow being a favourite of mine), I do wonder though, if this is the case with the wider reading public, my choice of GR friends may have skewed my perception of what is popular.
Dan wrote: "Canadian wrote: "Dan, I wonder what you think it is that caused her works to fade, and why is she now being rediscovered (her books reissued).."That's a very interesting question, Canadian. Withi..."
I’m tending to think there’s some nostalgia, but I also think people want quiet stories simply told with some restraint. I believe those writers who are “rediscovered” owe that to a prominent modern writer who champions them. Publishers duly sit up and take notice. Of course, I can’t prove a single bit of this really. I seem to recall, though, that the very influential Updike spoke a fair bit about Henry Green, and I suspect the same sort of thing has gone on with some of these women writers.
Canadian, these are all excellent and helpful points. Updike wrote an introduction to a Penguin re-issue of three Green novels, and Green certainly had his champions among more contemporary novelists.
Tania wrote: "I am glad people are enjoying E.T's writing so far, and that she is being rediscovered, thanks to the likes of Virago and Persephone. Her writing reminds me of E.H. Young, another ..."I read her Miss Mole recently which I liked. There are others in the general group of "middlebrow" that are being read widely, such as Angela Thirkell. I'm probably not going to pick up one of hers, but I have seen others generally enthusiastic.
I read Miss Mole and liked it, too. Although it is her best known work, it's my least favourite of hers that I have read. I preferred Celia and The Misses Mallett. Probably not a popular opinion, however.
Canadian, I agree. there is a degree of nostalgia, and it certainly doesn't hurt to be championed by a popular writer.
Tania wrote: "I read Miss Mole and liked it, too. Although it is her best known work, it's my least favourite of hers that I have read. I preferred Celia and The Misses Mallett. Pro..."I'm happy to add both of those to me ever-groaning wish list shelf.
Ha Ha. Mine is about to collapse. If and when you get to them, I do hope you enjoy them. The Misses Mallets is available for free download on Project Gutenberg, if that helps.
Yes, that matters, although maybe not for *when* I can get to it. All of my reads are for a challenge group. The Misses Malletts happens to fit this time, but I already have so many penciled in. Well, you know how it goes.
I do indeed. It's a great way to find new authors
Mod
Just wondering which book to start with and Elizabeth Taylor was a big fan of her writing
I have read 4 of her novels, and will read more. I had not thought of it, but even with just this first Elizabeth Taylor I can see similarities. I don't know where to tell you to start, but I can tell you I gave 5-stars to her final novel, Eva Trout. My review (I must have felt a bit quirky that day.)The others I have read:
The Heat of the Day (this was my first, and though I gave it only 3 stars, I liked it well enough to read more by her)
A World of Love
The Little Girls
I either got more generous with my stars as I read them, or I adapted and she grew on me.
Mod
Hello Elizabeth, thanks for the recommendations and i will add these to my TBR list : ) x
I have only read A World of Love by her which I liked and would like to read more at some point. As ever...
Tania wrote: "I am glad people are enjoying E.T's writing so far, and that she is being rediscovered, thanks to the likes of Virago and Persephone. Her writing reminds me of E.H. Young, another ..."Tania, I’m curious about the Rubens you want to read. One of hers is quite like Mrs. Palfrey in setting, tone, and focus (on an elderly woman). Can’t recall the title at the moment. I did like it, but I tried another of hers, which I found to be a dud.
Elizabeth Taylor Reading Project
Books mentioned in this topic
A World of Love (other topics)The Waiting Game (other topics)
The Waiting Game (other topics)
A World of Love (other topics)
Eva Trout (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
E.H. Young (other topics)E.H. Young (other topics)
Angela Thirkell (other topics)
E.H. Young (other topics)
@ Ketrina, Yes I hadn't thought of that aspect, of course it would have changed her view of things, (especially if Roddy, who strikes me as someone who would have just wanted her to get on with things, without sympathy) took little notice.
@ Kevin, I liked Julia too. She was very real. Flawed, but who isn't.