Group Reads -> September 2023 -> Nomination thread (Relationships won by The Go-Between by LP Hartley)

[Nigeyb]

Every month we discuss a book on a specific era or a theme. This book will be the winner of a group poll.


Our September 2023 theme is...


Relationships


Please nominate a 20th century book (either written in the 20th century or set in it) that is centred around relationships, and that you would like to read and discuss. It could be fiction or non-fiction

Feel free to interpret the theme however you choose

Please supply the title, author, a brief synopsis, and anything else you'd like to mention about the book, and why you think it might make a good book to discuss.


Happy nominating

[Roman Clodia]

I'm jumping in with a nomination for My Brilliant Friend by the equally brilliant Elena Ferrante:

The story of Elena and Lila begins in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighbourhood on the outskirts of Naples. Growing up on these tough streets the two girls learn to rely on each other ahead of anyone or anything else, as their friendship, beautifully and meticulously rendered, becomes a not always perfect shelter from hardship.

A memorable portrait of two women, My Brilliant Friend is also the story of a nation. Through the lives of Elena and Lila, Ferrante gives her readers the story of a city and a country undergoing momentous change.

[Ben]

I've decided my first idea for the month was not quite on topic, so I will nominate another book, by a writer I've wanted to read for some time but for no reason at all, haven't, Siri Hustvedt.

What I Loved

Instead of the Amazon blurb, I'm taking the description from a GR reviewer I follow, Marc.

It doesn’t often happen, but this book really hit an emotional chord with me; days after I put it down, it kept on haunting me. The story itself is about a mix of family situations, relationship problems, moments of hapiness and despair, but also death and psychosis, and at a certain point it even evolves into an outright horror story. That sounds a bit trite but Hustvedts characters are people of flesh and blood, with big and small yearnings, very own psychological mindsets, uncertainties and wrong assumptions, and with very divers reactions on tragic events. * * *

Hustvedt has set her story in the art scene of Soho-New York in the 80s and 90s, a very special world that she apparently knows well and with which she settles some scores.

[Nigeyb]

Sounds fab Ben


As does EF

Thanks to both of you

[Roman Clodia]

Ben wrote: "... a writer I've wanted to read for some time but for no reason at all, haven't, Siri Hustvedt"

Me too - I did read a collection of her non-fiction essays but not her novels yet.

[Nigeyb]

Because...


The Go-Between (1953) by L.P. Hartley


...is such a great fit, I can't see past it



Although RC and Susan feel it's too soon for them to personally reread it that does mean they could still discuss it from those fresh memories

I last read it in 2016 and thought it was stunning and realised I'd very happily read it again

It's got the lot: the glorious writing; the evocation of the seemingly perfect Summer; the realistic insights into the mind of a 13 year old boy struggling to make sense of the adult world; the boundaries of Edwardian society; the Norfolk landscape; and the dangerous, illicit love affair at the book's core.

And lots of interesting relationships

There are darker themes too: Edwardian class tensions; the Boer War (and the wars that were to follow and which claim other victims); the supernatural vs the material; young, vibrant, magical Leo vs his older, haunted self; Leo's non-aristocratic background which is at odds with the gilded world of his hosts; Leo's conflicted feelings for Ted; arranged marriage vs passion; etc.

#alltimefavourite

[Nigeyb]

Nominations so far...



My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (Roman Clodia)
What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt (Ben)
The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley (Nigeyb)

[David]

Such a great topic with excellent nominations so far.

I'll nominate Robert Glück's Margery Kempe, which I suppose is all about relationships.

For those in the US, it's part of the NYRB Classics line. NYRB is running their summer sale: 20% off two books; 30% off three books; 40% off four or more books. That may appeal to the NYRB stans here.

[Roman Clodia]

David wrote: "I'll nominate Robert Glück's Margery Kempe, which I suppose is all about relationships."

Ooh, controversial! Wasn't that the book that some accused of blasphemy?

[Nigeyb]

Having read the blurb it feels highly likely that many would define it as blasphemous

[David]

I can pick another one if blasphemous runs afoul of the rules here. I read it years ago and didn’t think it was as blasphemous as Kempe’s own writing would have been during her lifetime.

[David]

Let me withdraw that in favor of Evelyn Waugh’s Vile Bodies, a delightfully clever novel full of relationships.

[Roman Clodia]

David wrote: "I can pick another one if blasphemous runs afoul of the rules here. I read it years ago and didn’t think it was as blasphemous as Kempe’s own writing would have been during her lifetime."

No rules about blasphemy here - I was commenting, not censoring. Margery Kempe's visions weren't, I think, regarded as blasphemous at the time as that whole 'bride of Christ' thing allowed for an ecstasy that seems sensual, if not sexual, to us. I think she upset more people for being illiterate, female, and not a member of the wealthy elite!

[Nigeyb]

Yes indeed. Choose what you want

[Roman Clodia]

I haven't read Vile Bodies which looks fun. I think I'm remembering the film of The Go-between, I'm sure the book is more detailed.

[Nigeyb]

Vile Bodies is not one of my favourite Waughs. A Handful of Dust on the other hand is a really great fit with the theme and is also dark, sarcastic and unforgettable.

David, let us know what you decide. Robert Glück's Margery Kempe is fine.

[David]

Let me go with Handful of Dust. That’s a good one.

[Nigeyb]

Thanks David - what a strong line up already


Nominations so far...

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (Roman Clodia)
What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt (Ben)
The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley (Nigeyb)
A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh (David)

[Alwynne]

David wrote: "Let me go with Handful of Dust. That’s a good one."

That one has a particularly memorable ending.

[Susan]

I loved the Siri Hustvedt, Ben and yes, thank goodness, no book censorship in this group!

I will nominate A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore winner of the first Orange prize

WINNER OF THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION

'Tense, dark and intensely gripping . . . written so seductively that passages sing out from the page ' Sunday Times

Cathy and her brother, Rob, don't know why they have been abandoned by their parents. Alone in their grandfather's decaying country house, they roam the wild grounds freely with minds attuned to the rural wilderness. Lost in their own private world, they seek and find new lines to cross.

But as the First World War draws closer, crimes both big and small threaten the delicate refuge they have built. Cathy will do anything to protect their dark Eden from anyone, or anything, that threatens to destroy it.

[Ben]

Great list

[Roman Clodia]

Is this the best nominations list ever?! I would genuinely read any of these. It will be an interesting poll.

Susan, so glad you picked a Dunmore from my tbr list 🙂

[Nigeyb]

For some reason I conflate Helen Dunmore and Rose Tremain - both v good (though prefer Rose T)

[Nigeyb]

I can't call this one, probably Ferrante but all are so enticing it could go any which way


Nominations so far...

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (Roman Clodia)
What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt (Ben)
The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley (Nigeyb)
A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh (David)
A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore (Susan)


Who else is nominating?


I'll leave it another 48 hours until I get the poll up. Countdown is progressing....

[Nigeyb]

One day left to nominate


Poll going up tomorrow morning (UK time)

[Nigeyb]

Alwynne wrote:


"A Handful of Dust has a particularly memorable ending."

Just a bit 😱

[Nigeyb]

The poll is up


Please vote here...
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...



Nominations

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (Roman Clodia)
What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt (Ben)
The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley (Nigeyb)
A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh (David)
A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore (Susan)

[Ben]

Looks like the link needs fixing

[Nigeyb]

Thanks Ben


Fixed now I hope...

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...


Pollwatch....

The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley - 4 votes, 50.0%
A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore - 3 votes, 37.5%
What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt - 1 vote, 12.5%
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante - 0 votes
A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh - 0 votes

[Nigeyb]

Pollwatch....



The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley - 6 votes, 54.5%
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante - 4 votes, 36.4%
A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore - 1 vote, 9.1%
What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt - 0 votes, 0.0%
A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh - 0 votes


https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

[Nigeyb]

About 12 hours to go


Pollwatch....

The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley - 6 votes, 54.5%
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante - 4 votes, 36.4%
A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore - 1 vote, 9.1%
What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt - 0 votes, 0.0%
A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh - 0 votes


https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

[Nigeyb]

The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley will be our September group read


Thanks so much to everyone who got involved

[Susan]

Thanks, Nigeyb, for setting up the vote.

[Nigeyb]

A pleasure, thanks Susan


As My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante garnered four votes it could make a suitable buddy read.

I already have three RTTC reads in September 2023, so will leave that possibility hanging for anyone who might be keen to pick up the baton and make it happen

[Roman Clodia]

I'd be interested in a buddy read of A Spell of Winter if anyone else is keen?

And yes, thanks Nigeyb, as always!

[Susan]

I would be happy to read A Spell of Winter in October or November? I think September will be really busy for me.

[Kathleen]

I would love to read A Spell of Winter too, and October or November sounds perfect for me.

[Jill]

I only read it in April, so will maybe, remember some of it.