A London Child of the 1870's STARTING Thoughts/Discussion questions

[Karen]

Hello and happy August all,
The book for August is A London Child of the 1870s by Molly Hughes.

[Susan]

This is one of my favorite Peresphone’s. But since there are “spoilers” in the introduction by Adam Gopnik, you may want to wait and read it after you finish the book.

[Karen]

Susan wrote: "This is one of my favorite Peresphone’s. But since there are “spoilers” in the introduction by Adam Gopnik, you may want to wait and read it after you finish the book." Hi Susan , hope you are well ? Oh thanks for the heads up : )

[Tania]

Thanks Susan, To be honest, I always read the introduction after the book nowadays, there are so often spoilers. I do like that in the new British Library Women Writers series, Simon Thomas always writes an afterward as he says he hates spoilery intros.
I'm going to be starting in the next day or so.

[Pamela]

I'll probably be starting next week.

[Susan]

Susan wrote: "This is one of my favorite Peresphone’s. But since there are “spoilers” in the introduction by Adam Gopnik, you may want to wait and read it after you finish the book."

Hi, Karen, Yes, I’m doing ok. Hope you are, too? My reading mojo is a little off these days, but I’m planning my next Persephone order so all is well ;)

[Susan]

Tania wrote: "Thanks Susan, To be honest, I always read the introduction after the book nowadays, there are so often spoilers. I do like that in the new British Library Women Writers series, Simon Thomas always ..."

Tania, That sounds like the best way to do it—guaranteed to avoid spoilers! How are you liking the New British Library Women Writers series? I just ordered my first one — Chatterton Square by E. H. Young. I read Miss Mole awhile back and really enjoyed it so am looking forward to reading another story by the author.

[Tania]

I loved Chatterton Square, 5*. I read the VMC edition a few years ago. E.H. Young is one of my favourite authors. My Husband Simon I'd give 3.5*, not as good as One Fine Day. The Tree of Heaven was probably my least favourite, but looking forward to reading more May Sinclair, and looking forward to the next batch of books.

[Susan]

Tania wrote: "I loved Chatterton Square, 5*. I read the VMC edition a few years ago. E.H. Young is one of my favourite authors. My Husband Simon I'd give 3.5*, not..."

Oh, that’s good to hear about Chatterton Square! From the titles so far, this looks like a wonderful British Library Project with lots of good reading to come ;). I was thinking about including One Fine Day in my next Persephone order because I enjoyed her WWII short stories so much, but maybe I should read her WWII nonfiction pieces first ;)

[Tania]

I loved her WW2 short stories, London War Notes looks really good.

[Susan]

Tania wrote: "I loved her WW2 short stories, London War Notes looks really good."
So many great possibilities can lead to decision paralysis (or in my case purchasing more than I can read ;). But since I already bought London War Notes, that should be next up—she’s such a wonderful writer

[JimZ]

I just ordered the book from Persephone books. I hope I get it in time to participate in the discussion. :)

[Tania]

Fingers crossed for you. : ) The threads stay open though, so you can contribute any time if it gets there later.

[Iza]

I've just ordered the book, I'll start reading it as soon as I receive it :)

[Karen]

Susan wrote: "Susan wrote: "This is one of my favorite Peresphone’s. But since there are “spoilers” in the introduction by Adam Gopnik, you may want to wait and read it after you finish the book."

Hi, Karen, Ye..." Hi Susan, I'm doing ok thanks : ) not reading as much as i'd like but slowly getting my mojo back too.

[Karen]

JimZ wrote: "I just ordered the book from Persephone books. I hope I get it in time to participate in the discussion. :)" That's great Jim : ) happy you are joining in

[Karen]

Iza wrote: "I've just ordered the book, I'll start reading it as soon as I receive it :)" Happy you are joining in Iza : )

[Tania]

I'm really enjoying this one, they seem like such a nice, loving family.

[Tania]

I must say, I do wish Molly's mum had written her memoirs, the stories she tells Molly sound absolutely fascinating.

[Susan]

Tania wrote: "I must say, I do wish Molly's mum had written her memoirs, the stories she tells Molly sound absolutely fascinating."

Molly wrote one ;), called “Vivians”. From my GR review “This charming book recounts stories from the lives of Molly Hughes' mother, Mary, and her mother's sister, Aunt Tony, from their mid-18th century Cornish childhoods to Mary's horseback trip in Spain with her father, to their year long visit to Norway, on through the happinesses and sadnesses of their lives. Toward the end of the book, Molly herself appears as a character and adds her own memories.” Molly also wrote another three volumes of memoirs about her own life. While A London Child of the 1870s is the best imo, they are all interesting reads and available secondhand.

[Tania]

Thanks Susan, I had no idea she had written about her mother's life, this looks really interesting. I just bought one on Ebay. : )

[Tania]

Susan wrote: "This is one of my favorite Peresphone’s. But since there are “spoilers” in the introduction by Adam Gopnik, you may want to wait and read it after you finish the book."

The copy I have, which I bought last year, has an afterward, so I guess they realised it shouldn't be an introduction and have since corrected it.

[Susan]

Tania wrote: "Thanks Susan, I had no idea she had written about her mother's life, this looks really interesting. I just bought one on Ebay. : )"

Glad you found a copy! Hope you enjoy it.

[Susan]

Tania wrote: "Susan wrote: "This is one of my favorite Peresphone’s. But since there are “spoilers” in the introduction by Adam Gopnik, you may want to wait and read it after you finish the book."

The copy I h..."

That’s great that they moved the introduction to an afterword. I thought it was a very charming appreciation of the book and Molly Hughes, and I appreciated the additional information on her story—afterwards ;)

[Iza]

I've finally received it ! I'll finish the novel I'm reading then get on to it :)

[Pamela]

I'm starting today, it sounds delightful so really looking forward to it.