Reading the 20th Century discussion
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Angela Thirkell
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Haaze wrote: "A nice article by Hermione Lee about Angela Thirkell and her books in the New Yorker (not sure if there is a barrier or not)
http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=1996...
Love this 1914 portrait of her: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...
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"There is no doubt I'm somewhat drawn to these because of the setting, which I had to assume was that mostly rural setting (village-like?) with a cathedral that was Trollope's. Depending on the day, either his Barsetshire novels or his Palliser novels are my absolute favorites. I haven't added Thirkell yet, because I'm feeling overwhelmed with choices just now. On the other hand, you all may convince me! "
Judy replied:
"Elizabeth if you do try her, just a word of warning about the beginning of the first of her Barsetshire books, High Rising - I read this with another group a while back and a few of us didn't really like the start, but found it got better and better and ever funnier as it went on! "
Lady Clementina wrote:
"I've read one book by her brother Denis Mackail as well which was also great fun. Romance to the Rescue. They're Kipling's nephew and niece.
There is Greenery Street I think in Persephone books. I actually read Mackail before I read Thirkell because I had seen him mentioned in a PG Wodehouse book. Wodehouse admired his writing and that intrigued me :)"
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They were an amazingly talented family, since, as well as being related to Kipling and artist Edward Burne-Jones Thirkell was also the mother of author Colin McInnes.
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Thank you, Haaze, I couldn't see how to copy the picture. :)
I have tried to post the lovely cover for the edition of Wild Strawberries that I'm reading, but for some reason the big image won't post, although I have posted them in the past using the same method, so here is a small version!
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But I do want to read the third book next, The Demon in the House, because it features Tony Morland, the hilariously annoying young boy from the first book in the series, High Rising.
I was irritated to see that 'Demon' seems to be out of print, not on Kindle and second-hand copies are expensive, but I've now discovered that my local library system has one large-print copy, so am hoping to get hold of that!
It isn't important to read them in order, the characters do recur though, so you may know one or two plot points about main characters who become minor characters in later books.
Judy wrote: "Haaze wrote: "Just decorating... :) "Thank you, Haaze, I couldn't see how to copy the picture. :)
I have tried to post the lovely cover for the edition of Wild Strawberries that ..."
Decorating!
I have read lots of her books and prefer the earlier ones which I agree read like a less absurd P G Wodehouse. I enjoyed 'Demon, which I also had to read in large print format from the library, and the next book, Summer Half, which was very jolly hockeysticks, was another favourite.P G Wodehouse was a great friend and admirer of her brother, Denis Mackail. I've read one of his books, Greenery Street,, which is a charming story of the first year of marriage of a young couple. I loved this and gave it 5*. I would love to read more of his but they are not easily available. At least Virago are bringing his sister back.
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Thanks, Tania, that's good to know, since it looks as if some of the books are much easier to get hold of than others. I think I will try to read them in order as much as possible, but not worry too much if I have to jump out of order on occasion.
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Judy wrote: "I'm now halfway through Wild Strawberries and pretty sure I know what is going to happen in romantic terms, but I will still enjoy seeing how we get there."This is what I always think about Anthony Trollope. He doesn't do surprise/twist endings, but it's fascinating how he gets there.
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In June there will be a biography on Thirkell coming out, I'd love to get my hands on this one. Angela Thirkell: A Writer's Life
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That sounds good, Tania. Thank you for mentioning it.
Doesn't it. Such an interesting family.
Reading the 20th Century
Books mentioned in this topic
High Rising (other topics)Wild Strawberries (other topics)
The Demon in the House (other topics)
Greenery Street (other topics)
Wild Strawberries (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
P.G. Wodehouse (other topics)Anthony Trollope (other topics)
Angela Thirkell (other topics)
Denis Mackail (other topics)
Thirkell had an amazing life - I posted a link to an article about her in the other thread:
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...
I will also copy over a few posts from there for any readers finding this thread in future! I'm currently reading and very much enjoying Wild Strawberries, the second in her long Barsetshire series, which she set in the fictional county created by Anthony Trollope It's very funny, with a wonderfully eccentric family living in a country house.