Blaming FINISHING Thoughts/Discussion Questions

[Karen]

Here we can discuss our thoughts/discussion questions on finishing 'Blaming' by Elizabeth Taylor.
Please let me know what novel you loved the best and why too.
Do you have any favourite characters from the books?
Do you have any thoughts on reading all of her novels in publication order?
Thanks for all your comments and joining in.Please check out the new group i've set up too 'Readalongs with Karen'.
Best wishes Karen : )

[Susan]

I just finished Blaming. I could sympathize with Amy’s mixed feelings about Martha, but the ending felt rushed to me as if the theme of “Blaming” didn’t get quite worked through. Maybe I would feel differently if I read it again now I know where the story is going.

I’ve really enjoyed reading more of Elizabeth Taylor’s work. I’ve now read eight of her novels and will be keeping my eyes out in used bookstores for the others. My favorite is still At Mrs Lippincote’s with Mrs Palfrey At the Claremont and The Wedding Group next. Why Mrs Lippincott’s? I like the side stories and slow revealings of what’s going on, and I adore the character of Oliver and how he feels about reading.

“Oliver Davenant did not merely read books. He snuffed them up, took breaths of them into his lungs, filled his eyes with the sight of the print and his head with the sound of words. Some emanation from the book itself poured into his bones, as if he were absorbing steady sunshine. The pages had personality. He was of the kind who cannot have a horrifying book in the room at night. He would, in fine weather, lay it upon an outside sill and close the window. Often Julia would see a book lying on his door mat. “

And in Mrs Palfrey At the Claremont, Ms Taylor’s cool view of human nature keeps the story from being too, too sweet but without the astringency she is sometimes capable of.

Thank you for hosting and organizing this, Karen. It has been a pleasure to read these books with you and all the other participants, whose insights have added so much to my reading experience and understanding.

[Tania]

I finished Blaming last night, too. I agree the ending felt a bit rushed and thought the whole book felt a little hopeless, but I couldn't put my finger on why that was.

I loved At Mrs Lippincote's too. I would be hard pressed to choose between that, Angel, and Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont.

I do still have some of her short stories to read, which is good as I think over the course of the year she has become one of my favourite authors. Thank you to everyone who has taken part, and Karen for organising the group.

[Susan]

I’m looking forward to reading more of her short stories, too, Tania. And did I see that she also wrote some children’s books? I wonder if anyone here has read them/would recommend them?

[Tania]

My library has a copy of Mossy Trotter I think. Perhaps I should see if I can get that and see what it's like.

[Mela]

I have the feeling I didn't get the whole meaning of this one...
But still, it was E. Taylor after all.

I haven't read 'A Wreath of Roses' yet, because I can't find a copy of it. But I have on my shelf one of her books with short stories. Besides, there are always the second readings ;-)

Reading in publication order was interesting because I have the tendency to start with the most popular book of the author and often it isn't a good idea.

I can't decide which one was my favourite.

Thank you all.

[Karen]

Hi Susan,Mela and Tania,
Thanks so much for joining in and sharing your thoughts. I enjoyed reading Elizabeth's last novel 'Blaming' too.Considering she knew she was dying while she was writing the book, I thought she did a great job and it contained a lot of humour ( Ernie's new teeth made me laugh !).
The character Martha was based on a friend she knew in real life called Maude Eaton, who also took her own life.Elizabeth felt remorse for many years after Maude's death and felt she had failed her in some way.Martha burnt a lot of letters before she left with Simon to go to the States and this is something Elizabeth did too in real life before her death.
The year 'Blaming' was published,Elizabeth was posthumously awarded a Whitbread Prize for outstanding achievement over her lifetime.Her husband John was upset that she received this recognition after her death and not before.
I have loved reading all twelve novels in publication order and will look forward to re-reading them in the future.
For me my favourite novel is 'Mrs Palfrey at the Claremount', I just think this is her writing at her very best and the characters are great.Second favourite is 'Angel' and third is 'A view of the Harbour'. Elizabeth Taylor has become one of my favourite authors too and I do hope that this project has introduced her books to many.

[Karen]

I finished this yesterday and have mixed feelings on it too! Seems to be a common theme with this book! The twist of Martha towards the end really shocked me as it seemed to come out of nowhere but I guess that just shows that you don't know people as well as you think you do - still relevant today as it was back then. I had mixed views of Amy who I had sympathy with to begin with but then felt like she was playing on things and didn't seem to know what would make her happy.

Have loved being part of this group as it has made me pick up books that would have passed me by otherwise and have loved discovering the works of Elizabeth Taylor! Mrs Palfrey is definitely my favourite and the character of Angel will also be one that stays with me!

[Karen]

Karen wrote: "I finished this yesterday and have mixed feelings on it too! Seems to be a common theme with this book! The twist of Martha towards the end really shocked me as it seemed to come out of nowhere but..." Hi Karen, thanks so very much for joining in and sharing your thoughts. I agree, Angel is a character that will stay with me too.I watched the film a few weeks ago and loved it.

[Tania]

Angel is certainly an unforgettable character, I'd like to see the film sometime. Has anyone watched 'Mrs Palfrey?

[Karen]

Tania wrote: "Angel is certainly an unforgettable character, I'd like to see the film sometime. Has anyone watched 'Mrs Palfrey?"
Hi Tania, i'm yet to watch Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont film but heard its good

[Karen]

carissa wrote: "I thought Blaming was a good read, amazing considering she wrote it as her life was ending.
My tie for favorite are Angel and A Wreath of Roses with A View following close behind. They felt the mos..."
Hi Carissa, thanks for joining in and sharing your thoughts too.It seems 'Angel' is a favourite with many. I'm looking forward to reading her short stories now.