Retro Reads discussion
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Rhododendron Pie
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Rhododendrum Pie Start date: 7th of May NON SPOILER thread
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Yay, looking forward to people’s comments! I read it a little early.
Mod
Unfortunately I have been unable to get a copy. Enjoy everyone!
I have an extra, Carol (I liked it so much I ordered an old hardcover for my collection). Could send you the paperback if you’d like. Not sure what sort of time mail to NZ would take, but happy to do it if you wish.
Mod
Thank you, Carol and Veronique!
I wouldn’t be surprised if it took a while but would be happy to send it anyway—I found it (as you can tell) quite delightful. PM me if you want it.
I read it early as well, and enjoyed the humor in much of it, but found Ann’s family somewhat pompous, snobbish, and ridiculous, and not in the pleasantly silly Hyacinth Bucket way! Especially the father. I think I would like to read more Margery Sharp to get more of a feel for her writing. This was the first title of hers that I have read. Here’s a link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5....I thought we were reading this May 7, but the title says June, so sorry if I posted too soon, Carol!
Mod
Oops my mistake Ive edited the discussion titles.
My first Margery Sharp as well, and it’s the first novel she published, when she was only in her twenties. Her family is quite the piece of work! As we should be warned at the beginning, with the idea of birthday pies filled with flowers.
Abigail wrote: "My first Margery Sharp as well, and it’s the first novel she published, when she was only in her twenties. Her family is quite the piece of work! As we should be warned at the beginning, with the i..."Very true - but I took that as a child’s whimsy; the fact that they did it every year, for all three children, not bothering to find out whether all three wanted it, was kind of sad. I mean, poor Ann just wanted an apple pie, for heaven’s sake, but that was too normal, I guess!
I’m very much enjoying this book. Interesting characters and some great, witty insights.
Sharp reminds me of Angela Thirkell, but a little brighter and sharper.
Thank you Carol for setting up this :O)Seems quite a few have already read it and enjoyed it. I’m aiming to start today or tomorrow. I’ve only read The Nutmeg Tree, which I did like. It was a while ago however - too long really.
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I read it early as well, and enjoyed the humor in much of it, but found Ann’s family somewhat pompous, snobbish, and ridiculous, and not in the pleasantly silly Hyacinth Bucket ..."Thanks, Carol! I’ve gotten in the habit in another group of reading the book ahead of time, most of the time, and posting a comment on day one . I figured the start date date changed, but I missed the discussion because I unchecked the “notify me” box accidentally again. ;)
Abigail wrote: "Sharp reminds me of Angela Thirkell, but a little brighter and sharper."Yes! But in Thirkell, it always feels like a gentle meandering conversation with an elderly relative one loves dearly, and one is trying to not miss to point the old dear is trying to make. I felt that way with Ann and some of the other characters, but with the solemn essayist older sister, or the selfish brother, or the frankly b#*chy father, I often had no idea what they were getting at; (view spoiler) I’ll head to the spoiler thread, now.
Thought some may find this intro to the book interesting - 6minutes in. That’s how I found it - Miranda had mentioned it in a previous video but here she discusses a bit more. Haven’t finished the book yet but shall be looking out for that dark undercurrentEdit: the video is a little bit spoilerish
https://youtu.be/iU5sbyTvERA
Thanks, Veronique!
I watched it and it is a bit spoilerish, so if you worry about spoilers, you might want to wait and watch it after reading.
Abigail wrote: "I watched it and it is a bit spoilerish, so if you worry about spoilers, you might want to wait and watch it after reading."Oops! Sorry.
Just added an edit to warn people
Veronique wrote: "Abigail wrote: "I watched it and it is a bit spoilerish, so if you worry about spoilers, you might want to wait and watch it after reading."Oops! Sorry.
Just added an edit to warn people"
Thanks, Veronique - I finished the book, so wasn’t concerned about spoilers. I watched the video and found it interesting and on point.
I've just started and am enjoying it so far. I agree that it is a bit like Angela Thirkell.
Mod
Will make a start this afternoon!
Well, I still haven’t finished it 😔Am in a weird mood. Had my second vaccine and although the side effects are in no way as bad as for the first one, I feel a bit crappy... Going to put Sharp’s book on the side for a few days and see if that helps
Second Pfizer jab knocked me for a loop for a couple days - i recommend absolute brain candy if you read at all! Dig out a completely frivolous guilty pleasure - STAT! You deserve it! 🤗
Mod
Yes this. Some observations are very perceptive.
I'm just flying through this book!
@ Veronique hope you are better soon!
Please no spoilers in this thread - or use spoiler tags. We don't want to spoil a first read for anyone!
This group read is being lead by Veronique!