Begin Again discussion.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

February discussion thread for Begin Again by Ursula Orange.

Who plans on reading this one? I will be rereading, but probably a bit later in the month.

[Bronwyn]

I plan on reading it but I have two books from the library to finish first. I’m looking forward to it though. :)

[Antoinette]

I plan on reading this one but probably not till mid way through the month.

[Pamela]

I’ll also be reading it later in the month, after Jenny Wren

[Lisa]

Same, later in the month.

[Susan in NC]

Same here, definitely want to read (another new to me author), have the Furrowed Middlebrow ebook through Scribd, later in the month.

[Bethany]

Ooh, I have a copy I bought a couple years so I’ll definitely be reading! Probably later in the month too :)

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Marvellous. It sounds like we'll all be reading along together. Such fun!

[Jackie]

I won't join in since I am way behind in reading, and everything else. I just moved this week and it's a challenge. also, my library doesn't have it.
I think I will read your posts about it, anyway, and see what everyone thinks since I've never heard of this author.

[Susan in NC]

Jackie wrote: "I won't join in since I am way behind in reading, and everything else. I just moved this week and it's a challenge. also, my library doesn't have it.
I think I will read your posts about it, anyway..."

Congratulations on your move, Jackie, hope it went as smoothly as moves can go (always something, right?!) Take it easy on yourself, moving is always an upheaval!

[Taryn]

This books seems interesting...but not my normal read

[Jenn]

Maybe? I read it when the FMB edition first came out, so not sure I'll have time for or be in the mood for a reread. But, we'll see. I do recall that I really liked it.

[Sandybeth]

My copy arrived today so I will start it over the weekend.

[Susan in NC]

I’m not finished yet, but finding this book interesting - the two young ladies still “at home” are so achingly young, so full of their own opinions but unaware of the harsh realities of the real world! I was mixing them up, they are both spoiled and have indulgent parents! I’m finding Jane and Florence slaving away in London more relatable. But all four of these women, the various trials and tribulations, make me wonder why anyone would want to be in their twenties again!

I really feel for (view spoiler)[Florence with her dreadful novel and embarrassing work situations anyone can relate to, and Jane trying to deal kindly with the clingy boyfriend, and Sylvia, who I didn’t like at all, dealing with little sister and her dirty old man beau/would be adulterous lover. 46 seducing 18 year old? Serious ick factor- that’s where I left off last night! I feel most sorry for Sylvia’s parents, they are going to have a lot of heartbreak over “baby” Henrietta’s hijinks…it got melodramatic fast! Hope Orange can pull it out of the fire a bit for me…oh, and Leslie is so clueless, I want to smack her! She’s just annoying, glad the author hasn’t spent much time on her in this last bit! (hide spoiler)]

If you haven’t started or previously read, please don’t read the spoilers! I just wanted to kick off discussion while it’s fresh in my mind.

[Susan in NC]

Well, I just finished, and enjoyed the ending more than I thought I would. Interesting and well done, Orange didn’t tie everything up with a neat bow, because that wouldn’t have been at all realistic. I won’t say anymore until other members have read this and are ready to discuss.

[Bronwyn]

I don’t know if it’s me or the book, but I tried it last year and again now and I just can’t get into it. :( Last year I thought it was because I’d just read a book with a similar set-up, and I’m definitely a bit depressed right now, but it’s just not hooking me… We’ll see. It may not be it’s time for me though, unfortunately.

[Susan in NC]

Bronwyn wrote: "I don’t know if it’s me or the book, but I tried it last year and again now and I just can’t get into it. :( Last year I thought it was because I’d just read a book with a similar set-up, and I’m d..."

I hear you, I feel the same about “Jenny Wren”, after this one I don’t feel like another angsty young women book! Have to be in the mood, if a book isn’t clicking right now, I’m trying to be better at putting it aside, trying something else.

If you’re feeling depressed, be kind to yourself.

[Bronwyn]

Thanks, Susan. ❤️

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Susan's right. There's no point in struggling with the book if you aren't enjoying it. Take care of yourself. x

[Susan in NC]

Bronwyn wrote: "Thanks, Susan. ❤️"

You bet❤️

[Bronwyn]

Thanks, Tania. ❤️ I know you’re right; sometimes I just need permission from someone else, ya know.

[Susan in NC]

Bronwyn wrote: "Thanks, Tania. ❤️ I know you’re right; sometimes I just need permission from someone else, ya know."

Oh, yes, I know that feeling!

[Sandybeth]

I am half way through and I agree that it was slow to get going. I am still finding all the characters slightly confusing and I can’t remember who is who or with whom? I am finding the girls rather annoying too. I will plough on, but is not one that I am excited to pick up and as I have read half I might as well read it all!

[Pamela]

I’ve just started this and really liked the start - I could so relate to Leslie wanting her Mum to start an argument so she could flounce off, but her Mum is being so reasonable!

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Pamela wrote: "I’ve just started this and really liked the start - I could so relate to Leslie wanting her Mum to start an argument so she could flounce off, but her Mum is being so reasonable!"

I started it this afternoon, and smiled at that bit too.

I thought I'd share a video of a review of this one from Lil's Vintage World. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J64j7bz...

She has reviewed a lot of Furrowed Middlebrow titles, as well as BLWW and Persephone titles, and lots of Golden age crime. Always a pleasant watch.

[Susan in NC]

Pamela wrote: "I’ve just started this and really liked the start - I could so relate to Leslie wanting her Mum to start an argument so she could flounce off, but her Mum is being so reasonable!"

Lol, yes, her mum had the patience of a saint…

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I’ve just started this and really liked the start - I could so relate to Leslie wanting her Mum to start an argument so she could flounce off, but her Mum is being so reasonable!"

..."

Thanks!

[Susan in NC]

Sandybeth wrote: "I am half way through and I agree that it was slow to get going. I am still finding all the characters slightly confusing and I can’t remember who is who or with whom? I am finding the girls rather..."

I had the same problem, kept the two london girls straight, but the two still at home, which had a single mother, which had the boyfriend, which wanted to go to London, etc., kept jumbling together in my mind.

[Bethany]

I agree with those who had trouble keeping the girls straight in the beginning, ha!

I just finished the book this afternoon, and I did end up enjoying it, though it took me a while to get into it! I confess I'm still in my 20s (for only a few more months) and I could certainly see my younger, more idealistic and fractious self in the girls. I'm grateful to have those days behind me. (And also to have my independence!)

[Bethany]

Tania wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I’ve just started this and really liked the start - I could so relate to Leslie wanting her Mum to start an argument so she could flounce off, but her Mum is being so reasonable!"

..."

I've been looking for booktubers who read these types of books! I'll have to check her out!

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I don't think there are many, but she does read a lot in this field, as does Miranda Mills. Lil is more focused on books.

[Bethany]

Tania wrote: "I don't think there are many, but she does read a lot in this field, as does Miranda Mills. Lil is more focused on books."

There really don't seem to be! I'll look up Miranda Mills too, thank you!

[Lisa]

I so enjoy this book (about half way through). I'm reading it, smiling to myself, remembering how insufferable I (was) must have been.

How earnest I was... and completely clueless.
(I can't be the only one!)

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Yes, I've been having the same thoughts. You're certainly not the only one.

[Susan in NC]

Lisa wrote: "I so enjoy this book (about half way through). I'm reading it, smiling to myself, remembering how insufferable I (was) must have been.

How earnest I was... and completely clueless.
(I can't be t..."

Yes, I (vaguely) remember the days, and chuckle to myself the last few years when my son, in his twenties, talks about our generation, and how his will fix things…history repeats! ;)

[Lisa]

sorry, who is BLWW? (I know Persephone & Furrowed, but not that one.)

[Bronwyn]

British Library Women Writers! Also excellent. :)

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Yes they are. They've released som excellent titles so far. Simon Thomas, who has the 'Stuck in a Book' blog and co hosts 'Tea or Books? is the series consultant. Both worth checking out.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I have now finished this, and liked it more on rereading. I really liked Lesley's mum; she struck just the right note when handling Lesley. I also enjoyed the exchanges between Sylvia and Claud, and felt the outcome of their story was satisfying, if predictable.

I didn't really warm to Jane, she was the most selfish of the lot of them. I did chuckle when she was talking about her essentials, taxis from parties etc, and what she could do without, toothpaste! I really couldn't see what she saw in Bert, he was boring even when he wasn't mansplaining. I can't see that his views were at all compatable with Jane's and can only imagine she was showing any interest to annoy Henry. As for Henry, (view spoiler)[I think he made the right decision in the end. (hide spoiler)]

I do hope things work out well for Florence too. I think her B A was wasted as a secretary.

[Pamela]

I must admit I’m finding this one a bit of a struggle, it may just be wrong timing at the moment. I think I’ll leave it for a while and come back to it, as everyone here seems to be enjoying it.

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "I have now finished this, and liked it more on rereading. I really liked Lesley's mum; she struck just the right note when handling Lesley. I also enjoyed the exchanges between Sylvia and Claud, an..."

Definitely agree about Henry, and Lesley’s mum! I also didn’t really warm to Jane, but did feel for her about Henry, (view spoiler)[they say “rip the bandage off” when dumping someone, and do it bluntly and quickly, but she obviously still had some feelings for him, and didn’t want to hurt him. And he didn’t make it easy, with his mood swings from temper tantrums, to clinging. Nowadays, I’d think there were red flags that he could become an abusive partner, he got so wound up about her. Her very casual reassurance that it didn’t matter how he talked to her, how many hurtful things he said, seemed to indicate she just didn’t really care that much. (hide spoiler)]

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Pamela wrote: "I must admit I’m finding this one a bit of a struggle, it may just be wrong timing at the moment. I think I’ll leave it for a while and come back to it, as everyone here seems to be enjoying it."

I didn't enjoy it as much the first time I read it. I think I was just in the right frame of mind this time. Also, I read 3 of her books in fairly quick succession, and thought this was the weaker of the three, maybe that coloured my Judgement.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Susan in NC wrote: "Tania wrote: "I have now finished this, and liked it more on rereading. I really liked Lesley's mum; she struck just the right note when handling Lesley. I also enjoyed the exchanges between Sylvia..."

With Jane and Henry, (view spoiler)[ I agree, that could potentially have become a toxic relationship. He was really clingy and I'm a bit surprised she hadn't ended it sooner. I suppose they were still rather young and it was easier for her to go along with it. I'm glad he realised it was never going to work out. (hide spoiler)]

[Pamela]

Finally managed to finish this, I’m afraid I found it a bit disappointing. The girls mostly seemed incredibly immature, they were in their early twenties but the ones still living at home were like helpless babies and even Florence was only happy once she could cling to Leslie’s Mummy (who then sorted her life out for her) and be given hot milk.

I would have liked a bit more humour and some clearer distinctions between the characters.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

They were very immature, and especially the ones at home who it seemed were being managed by their mothers, tho Sylvia's mother had a harder time of it.