Caroline's 2024 Reading (Part 2)

Avebury Stone Circle by Monica Sjoo
One of my all time favourite places.

I'm Caroline, I'm a bibloholic and I live in London. Still working, but due to retire in just over two years, counting the days.



I love reading (of course), art, movies, theatre, music and visiting gardens.



Paul Auster's typewriter (by Sam Messer) - one of a series of paintings.

Last years books read: https://www.librarything.com/topic/353378#8221464

Books Read in 2024

Fiction

House on Endless Waters (Emuna Elon (05/01/24) ****
Orbital (Samantha Harvey) (11/01/24) ****
City of Girls (Elizabeth Gilbert) (22/01/24) ****
I who have never known men (Jacqueline Harpman) (27/01/24) ****1/2
Day (Michael Cunningham) (31/01/24) ***1/2
Held (Anne Michaels) (02/02/24) *****
When the Dead Come Calling (Helen Sedgwick) (19/02/24) ***1/2
In a Summer Season (Elizabeth Taylor) (04/03/24) (*) ***
Searching for Van Gogh (Donald Lystra) (30/03/24) ****
Stone Yard Devotional (Charlotte Wood) (04/04/24) ****
Pet (Catherine Chidgey) (07/04/24) ****1/2
The Light Years: Cazalet Chronicles 1 (Elizabeth Jane Howard) (15/04/24) ****1/2
The Convenience Store Woman (Sakaya Murata) (23/04/24) ***1/2
Confusion Vol 3 of the Cazalet Chronicles (Elizabeth Jane Howard) (28/04/24) ****1/2
Casting Off - Cazalets 4 - (Elizabeth Jane Howard) (04/05/24) ****1/2
All Change Cazalet Chronicles 5 (Elizabeth Jane Howard) (11/05/24) ****
The Last Devil to Die (Richard Osman) (21/05/2024) ****

Non-Fiction

Enchantment: Reawakening Wonder in an Exhausted Age (Katherine May) (20/01/24) ****1/2
Lifescapes: A Biographer's Search for the Soul (Ann Wroe) (08/02/2024) ****1/2
Novelist as Vocation (Haruki Murakami) (11/02/24) ****
To Sir, With Love (E. R. Braithwaite) (14/02/24) (****)
Pure Wit (Francesca Peacock) (29/02/24 - leap year!) ****
Sara Shamma: Bold Spirits (Dulwich Picture Gallery) (02/03/24) *****
Prospect House (Gilbert McCarragher) (19/04/24) *****
What There Is To Say We Have Said: Correspondence of Eudora Welty and William Maxwell ed Suzanne Marrs (18/05/24) *****

Poetry

Four Quartets (T S Eliot) (14/01/24) twice today *****

Rereads (already counted above (*))

Four Quartets (T S Eliot)
In the Summer Season (Elizabeth Taylor)

TOTAL: 28

Fiction: 18
Non-Fiction: 08
Poetry: 02
Female: 18
Male: 07
Non-binary/trans:
Various:

UK: 13
US: 04
Canada: 01
UK/American: 03
Israel: 01
Belgium: 01
Japan: 02
Syria: 01
NZ: 01

BOOKS ACQUIRED 2024

57

08/14/11/12/14

(Last year's numbers: (16/14/15/11/09/14/11/10/08/13/21(oops)/21)



BOOKS RELEASED
1 book out for everyone in plus:

10 (4 weren't in my catalogue)

Last year 520 books went out plus 1 out for everyone in (160 in, a third of previous years, but too many). I've been abysmal at updating my catalogue though. I'm going to aim at no more than 59 in this year.

WELCOME

And help yourself to a choccy....

>4 Caroline_McElwee: Oooo....thank you! I just don't know which one to choose...

I have managed to put 65 books into the donation boxes for library books sales, Little Free Libraries, or Goodwill so far in 2024. I probably won't continue at quite that rate, but I'd love to take out twice as many as come in, as a rule of thumb.

Happy new thread, Caroline!

Loved all the art in your previous thread.
>4 Caroline_McElwee: Like Linda^ I find it hard to choose, they all look delicious!

Happy new one!

I have a few free libraries on my route to work. I always put a few each week in them....sometimes I take one in return.

Happy new thread, dear Caroline.

Happy new thread, Caroline. I am a chocoholic but with the caveat that it really depends on what's inside....;-)

I can assure you all, those chocolates were delicious. The bonus here is they are calorie free, whichever you choose!

Happy New Thread, Caroline. I hope the week is off to a good start.

OOOHHH, don't mind if I do (help myself to a choccy).

Here are 6 good reasons to visit your thread!
"I love reading (of course), art, movies, theatre, music and visiting gardens."

>11 msf59: Well not working Monday's helps Mark!

>12 mdoris: Aww, thanks Mary.

16. In a Summer Season (Elizabeth Taylor) (04/03/24) ***



Rereading this for my RL book group. Probably read about 10 years ago, didn't remember it a bit.

For me one of her least engaging novels, over the years I have read all bar 1. I really didn't warm to any of the characters, except maybe Lou (Louise) the 19 year old daughter. I didn't feel I really knew the central character Kate, but maybe that was the point, and her annoying younger 2nd husband Dermot ... why, I kept asking myself.

The older characters: Edwina, Aunt Ethel (I hate when writers give characters names beginning with the same letter) and Charles were more fully drawn. Not the novel to start with I'd suggest.

My favourite of hers is A View of the Harbour which I have read several times (I love the tone), and started me reading her work.

I love the Monica Sjoo painting! Did you see the recent exhibition of her work in Oxford? I managed to catch it just before it closed.

>4 Caroline_McElwee: Not a chocolate lover myself, so I will give mine up to someone else :)

>14 Caroline_McElwee: I picked up A View of the Harbour not long ago. I will have to dig it out and give it a read. I read In a Summer Season several years ago but I liked it more than you did. I would definitely like to read more of Taylor's books. Do you have any other recommendations?

Happy new thread! Have a terrific Tuesday!

>16 alcottacre: My favorite Elizabeth Taylor is Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont (and there's a lovely film of it, too). Others I have enjoyed are A View of the Harbour, At Mrs Lippincote's and The Sleeping Beauty. A Wreath of Roses is good but very intense. I was less impressed by In a Summer Season, A Game of Hide and Seek and Palladian. I didn't get on at all with Angel which I just read last week, but lots of people think it's one of her best works. And last month I finished a collection of her short stories, The Blush, and I found almost all of them very good, if you like that genre.

I think I have 3 novels and 3 short story collections left to read of hers.

>15 Sakerfalcon: As a round trip to Oxford in a day is too much for me now Claire, I gave it a miss. I generally stay a night or two sometime during the year, as I can catch up with a friend as well as see an exhibition. I do love her work though.

>16 alcottacre: I pretty much agree with Kathy, below, in the Taylor books. The inly of her novels I haven't read is A Wreath of Roses which I will get to this year Stasia.

>17 kac522: I read a couple of her short story volumes Kathy, Dangerous Calm and The Devastating Boys the latter was the one I preferred.

Happy new thread!

Happy New Thread, Caroline. I must admit , the chocolates are very tempting!

Happy new thread.
I'll have a chocolate, thanks. not supposed to be eating them in real life, so I'll stick to one virtually. >:-)

>14 Caroline_McElwee: I've not read anything by Elizabeth Taylor yet, Caroline, so noting A View of the Harbour.

Happy new thread, Caroline. I LOVe the art you have at the top. Love it. Good luck with your acquisition goals.

I still haven't read anything by Taylor, but I do have a couple of hers on my shelf, so my goal this year will be to give one a go.

>19 drneutron: Thanks Jim.

>20 vancouverdeb: >21 Helenliz: Mostly I have to resist them Deborah and Helen, but at Christmas I made an exception.

>22 AlisonY: I hope you will like it Alison.

>23 BLBera: Thanks Beth.

A few more in than planned, but fewer than the same time last year. I need to get back on track with exits though.

>14 Caroline_McElwee: I read this in 2009 and like you, rated it just 3 stars. I'd previously read and loved A View of the Harbour and Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. I think I liked the characters in *Summer Season* more than you, but the plot just didn't measure up. Still, I went on to read the rest of her novels thanks to a year-long reading project in the Virago group during 2012 (the centenary of her birth). She's definitely a favorite author.

>25 lauralkeet: I guess you really can't expect every offering in a writer's oeuvre to be a hit Laura, and I noted very different responses in the reviews, we were slightly in the minority.

Happy new-ish thread, the Sjoo painting is fascinating.
I have enjoyed the Elizabeth Taylor conversation, I have a few copies of her books but haven't got very far with them.

Your book counts are very clear re in / out. I started listing them, but the list is already rather longer than I anticipated!

>27 charl08: Ha, always more difficult to keep 'in' numbers down Charlotte. I'm making inroads at least. Need to get back on track re releases though.

HI Caroline, Yippee, I figured out how to turn the photos around. It happened again so I tried plan D! Thanks for your help.

>29 mdoris: Yay indeed Mary.

Went to see:



I got a lump in my throat as Burton is seen about to start the 'Alas poor Yorik' soliloquy at the footlights, as the play closed. The Burton/Gielgud production was done as if a rehearsal, so this was a rehearsal of a rehearsal so to speak. With fine performances. There where moments when Jonny Flynn really had Burton's voice, but it was hard to sustain it for nearly 3 hours. Gatis was excellent as Gielgud, and another in the cast who impersonated Gielgud behind his back was spot on.

Flynn truly showed you how destructive Burton could be when in his cups. Heartbreaking to be reminded how young he died, 58.

***

My line manager asked me what I was doing at the weekend, so I explained about the play and he looked blank. Richard Burton... no, didn't know the name. Married to Elizabeth Taylor, no.. no recognition. 'Let me google'. Ha. A reminder that someone half ones age will not know your references! I think it is far less likely for younger people to know of creatives from earlier eras, than we did, but then we only had a very few channels to watch/listen on, so we were all watching the same things, and they showed movies from earlier eras. Now there are so many ways to imbibe culture that aside from the things that quickly become 'cult' viewing it is spread thinner, and earlier work less likely to be seen.

>31 Caroline_McElwee: This sounds amazing, Caroline.

I saw the Marley biopic last night (mentioned on your last thread) and was really impressed. Thanks for mentioning it - I'm not sure I'd have gone without knowing you rated it.

>32 charl08: Glad you enjoyed the Marley biopic Charlotte.

The play last night was really good. I heard someone in front of me saying it was his second time seeing it.

I went to see Andrew Scott's one man 'Vanya' (National Theatre Encore Showing) and glad I did. A bravura performance. You certainly needed to have seen the play done traditionally to get the best from it (I have seen it twice live and once filmed), and it demands concentration from the audience, but there was a voice and a way each character held their body.

I remember many years ago seeing what I called Robert Lepage's 'One man and a pair of legs Hamlet', he needed a man with a rapier on a ladder to dual with - you only saw his trousered legs; there was a camera in the tip of the rapier which looked back at Hamlet.

It rained heavily all day, but amazingly stopped when I was exposed, so the brolly never went up.

***

Was glad to see 'The Motive and the Cue' has an Encore showing at the end of the month. I was at the back of the royal circle (to avoid most of the steps) so it will be good to see it again up close. I've often seen the Encore showing of plays I've seen live, to get that different perspective.

New-thread orisons, Caro!

>31 Caroline_McElwee:, >34 Caroline_McElwee: They both sound wonderful, Caroline.

>31 Caroline_McElwee: I had this experience with my students. When I mentioned that Bob Dylan had won the Nobel Prize for literature, a student asked me, "Who is Bob Dylan?"

>35 richardderus: Thanks RD, have a good weekend.

>36 BLBera: It is strange that people who have been part of the cultural background of your life become so little known by younger generations Beth.

Lost my reading mojo a bit, and away at weekends this month, so less time.

Apologies for not getting around threads either. Hopefully will pick up when I have some time off at Easter.

Have a lurgy, so not about much for a few days. Will catch up when I can.

Happy Wednesday, Caroline. I hope you feel better. Rest up. "Vanya" sounds amazing. I just saw Andrew Scott in "All of Us Strangers". Very good film from last year and he was excellent. Have you seen "The Souvenir" with Tilda Swinton and her daughter? I just watched Part II and it was also quite good. Interesting stories.

>40 msf59: I saw 'Souvenir' Mark, and need to catch up with the second. Her 'Eternal Daughter' (same director I think) is on the list for this week.

Yes, Scott and Mescal were fine in 'All of Us Strangers'.

Feel better, Caroline.

>42 BLBera: Thanks Beth. Not there yet, but at least I have a week off now and can rest.

>17 kac522: >18 Caroline_McElwee: I have read Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont (although I have not seen the film version of it. Thank you for the recommendations!

>43 Caroline_McElwee: I hope you get all the rest you need to enjoy and recover!

Let me know how "Eternal Daughter" is. It is also on my list.

Oh yeah- Sweet Thursday!

Hope you feel better soon enough to be able to enjoy at least part of your week off, Caroline.

>44 alcottacre: I enjoyed the film version of Mrs Palfrey Stasia, though a while since I saw it.

>45 msf59: Will do Mark.

>46 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley. I'm fluctuating at the moment, but a bit more comfortable mostly.

Hi Caroline. I love that painting of Paul Auster's typewriter.

Re: The National Theater. I have received some promotions about productions available for viewing/streaming. Have you watched any of those? I thought the filmed production of the stage production of "Hamilton" was so well done (what they can do with cameras these days!!) that I've been tempted to give it a try. If I do, I'll report back. :-)

>48 EBT1002: Yes Ellen. I have started going to see the recorded version after seeing a production live too. It gives such a different perspective with the close up shots.

I have also been on a night a recording was made. Lear. I think Laura (Lauralkeet) watched the live broadcast the night I was there in London, if I remember correctly.

Feel better soon. There's a lot of it about.

>50 Helenliz: Thanks Helen. Still not shaken it off, though have little oases of slightly betterness.

Can't believe I haven't finished a book since 5 March. Though have half a dozen non-fiction books I'm nibbling at.

17. Searching for Van Gogh (Donald Lystra) (30/03/24) ****



Nathan and Audrey are two young people who have already experienced hard knocks, and find each other as they are trying to redefine themselves. This is a story of a friendship. Nathan is seeking himself as a nascent artist in his spare time. Audrey is using the Hepburn character in Breakfast at Tiffany's, with her own tilt, to try and make a life for herself, but they are both pulled back to the past in striving to make a new future.

Thanks to RD for this recommendation.

>49 Caroline_McElwee: That's right, Caro! We saw an NTLive production of King Lear in a cinema several years ago, and a few other NT plays as well during that period. Most of the time they were not simulcast, but it felt like live theater. This prompted me to check out offerings in our area; looks like there's a small venue that occasionally shows NT productions. I'll have to keep that in mind!

>51 Caroline_McElwee: I hope you feel better by now, Caroline.

>53 Caroline_McElwee: And glad to see you finished a second book in March :-)

Sorry to read you've not been well, Caroline. I hope the time off helps.

I am enjoying (my) lack of activity this Easter Bank Holiday rather too much I think. It's making me want to book some time for a trip. I was thinking that I'd like to discover a new-to-me gallery. I am still hoping to get back to Dulwich, one visit was definitely not enough. I was thinking about the RA's Kauffman exhibition but not sure I'm going to fit a visit south in time to catch it.

>53 Caroline_McElwee: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Caroline.

I hope you get to feeling better soon!!

>54 lauralkeet: Thought I wasn't misremembering Laura.

>55 FAMeulstee: I have a few days in Stratford upon Avon in May, with my sibs Charlotte. Haven't been since I was a kid, so looking forward to exploring. Have tickets to Love's Labours Lost. I suspect there might be a gallery.

>55 FAMeulstee: >56 charl08: Thanks re lurgy. Heading into week 3. The pharmacist said this strain has commonly been lingering for 3-4 weeks. I guess as I haven't been ill for 4+ years I shouldn't grumble.

>58 Caroline_McElwee: You have my sympathy, I've finished week 4 of my cough and it's still there. Coughing harder with less crap being cleared. I'm really cheery about it, as you may have guessed!

>59 Helenliz: Sympathies returned Helen. Mine is a dry cough with very sore throat at night. I hope yours clears up soon.

>58 Caroline_McElwee: *gaaak* for being ill for most of a month! I am, of course, pleased that you enjoyed >53 Caroline_McElwee:, but would be happier if you'd enjoyed it in better health....

Stratford sounds like it will be fun, so I hope you're back to 100% before it occurs. *smooch*

>63 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks RD. I'm definitely pretty fed up with being under par, especially as I had to postpone a few things over the. easter break.

18. Stone Yard Devotional (Charlotte Wood) (04/04/24) ****



The narrator is an unnamed, middle aged woman, who after taking a short retreat at a run down convent in her home country of Australia, returns there and never goes home. Three 'visitations' that occur shape the story.

I expected this to be more about solitude than it was, which maybe lost it half a star (bit too much about the visitation of mice - relentless), but I still found moments of her self-exploration quietly deep.

Certainly a writer whose back catalogue I will visit.

Finally got to 'The Zone of Interest' based on a novel by Martin Amis.

Disturbing as expected. It explicitly tells the story if the commandant Hoss' family who live in a house abutting Auschwitz. You never see into the camp itself, but you hear some of what goes on over the wall. You witness the every day domesticity of this family and their utter self serving life. Clearly the adults at least know what is going on, but it impacts them only in some of the spoils that have been taken from the prisoners. The wife has finally been given the home of her dreams and refuses to move when the commandant is promoted. The only person who may be feeling the horror is the grandmother who briefly comes to stay, and leaves early.

I suspect I will think about this for some while. Born 15 years after the war's end it impacted on my generation because our parents and grandparents wanted to understand what happened, and how it happened and how so many turned their heads to enable it. At a young age I sat at my dad's side watching 'World at War', and I have read much of the holocaust literature as well. Currently rereading Etty Hillisum's diaries and letters.

Well deserving of its Oscar.

>63 Caroline_McElwee: I was about to add this one to my wish list, Caroline, but you lost me at the mention of mice....

>65 AlisonY: Yup, it needed fewer mice for sure Alison.

>64 Caroline_McElwee: I'm not a fan of Mr Amis, but that sounds like it would certainly be worth a look.

I'll post this on a couple of threads, I'm looking for ideas of poetry,readings etc that feature bells &/or bellringing.
Any ideas, throw them my way.
Thanks

>67 Helenliz: Probably giving you the obvious, but The Bells by Edgar Allen Poe, and No Man is an Island by John Donne are two good examples of poetry featuring bells.

>58 Caroline_McElwee: I feel you. Week four of sinus/ear infection and just finished round 3 of antibiotics. I am feeling better, but totally wiped. Oh well. Hopefully the 3rd time is the charm and I will slowly get better.

>64 Caroline_McElwee: Sounds painful but really good. Nice review!

>67 Helenliz:, >68 laytonwoman3rd: Another obvious one...the Christmas carol I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, poem by H W Longfellow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Heard_the_Bells_on_Christmas_Day

One of my favorite carols.

And I think there are bell-ringers in Thomas Hardy's novel Under the Greenwood Tree, if I remember correctly.

Bells feature prominently in The Bell in the Lake a novel by Lars Mytting.

>71 mdoris: I liked that Mary, and have book 2 near the top of the pile.

Thanks all, any ideas welcomed.

>68 laytonwoman3rd: just because it's obvious doesn't mean I've thought of it... The Poe I had, I should have remembered the Donne, though.

>70 kac522: I must have purged the Hardy from memory, I hated Hardy at School! I think we did Under the Greenwood tree as well. I will gird my courage to the sticking place and find that out.

>71 mdoris: that's one I didn't know.

19. Pet (Catherine Chidgey) (07/04/24) ****1/2



The allure of the young teacher Mrs Price has her class and all her colleagues under her spell. The narrator, 12 year old Justine, whose mother has died and who lives with her father tells of how she and her school friends worship the ground Mrs Price walks on, vying to become her Pet, which entails doing the tasks of her bidding. A realistic look at the dynamic of children and the adults in their lives, and how intensely and quickly things can get out of hand. This is a psychological thriller that although quite early I had my suspicions kept me turning the pages. Considering I am not very much into ‘coming of age’ novels, I remained fully engaged with this book, and will certainly revisit this new to me NZ author. Thanks to PaulC for putting it on my radar.

I also loved The Zone of Interest, Caroline. Very unsettling and just as relevant now. I really liked his film Under the Skin too, although that was dark and creepy.

>73 Helenliz: Correction--Under the Greenwood Tree has a group of musicians, but they are not bell-ringers.

Apparently there is a scene of 6 bell-ringers in the last chapter of Hardy's Desperate Remedies. They are not handbell-ringers; they pull the ropes for the large bells in the belfry of the local church. I did read this book, but don't remember the ending scene at all.

Here is a link to the Project Gutenberg Desperate Remedies last chapter "Sequel", with the bell-ringing scene:
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3044/3044-h/3044-h.htm#link2H_4_0023

>72 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline, Book #2 is very good too. Now I am waiting for #3 to be published.

Hi Caro! Hope you're well, and reading wonderful books.

>74 Caroline_McElwee: Really pleased that we were in sync with that one, Caroline. I loved it.

>74 Caroline_McElwee: You and Paul have zapped me with that one...onto the Wishlist it goes. (Except the touchstone goes to Stephen King's Pet Sematary.

>75 msf59: I agree Mark.

>77 mdoris: The third must be due soon Mary.

>78 richardderus: Pretty much recovered now RD. I hope all is well with you.

>79 PaulCranswick: Will definitely be looking for other work.

>80 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks re the touchstone Linda, sorted. I'm pretty sure you will become engrossed with this one.

Hi Caroline. I just did a little bit of research and the 3rd in the trilogy will be published Feb. 2025 and the title is....The Night of the Scourge. He has written quite a few books.

>82 mdoris: That will come around soon enough Mary. As it is I can't believe over a quarter of the year is behind us! I do have (as yet unread) one of his other novels.

Both Stone Yard Devotional and Pet go on my WL, Caroline. And "The Zone of Interest" sounds powerful. As usual, some great reading going on here.

20. The Light Years: Cazalet Chronicles 1 (Elizabeth Jane Howard) (15/04/24) ****1/2



I was gifted a bag of Cazalets some years ago, picking them up now after reading Laura's (Laurelkeet) enthusiasm for them.

A family saga with a bit of upstairs/downstairs to it in the early volumes at least. Kicking off in volume 1 in 1937 introducing all the family/personalities. Howard is wonderful at giving you a varied cast, and allowing you to like even the more difficult characters. And she gives a wonderful flavour of place.

Now I'm heading into WWII in Volume 2 Marking Time.

>81 Caroline_McElwee: I'm really glad you're better. I, OTOH, am reading a poetry book for my annual self-test of intolerance to the stuff. No Charity in the Wilderness: Poems from the University of Nevada Press...I'm sure as heck not gonna BUY one, and these good folk have auto approved me on Netgalley, so...they, in the long run, get the blame or the praise.

>85 Caroline_McElwee: I just picked up Marking Time at the library today, Caro. You inspired me to start it sooner than I'd originally planned! I have a bit left in my current read and then I'm going to dive right in. I'm so excited.

>86 richardderus: Haha RD. I shall check on your progress.

>87 lauralkeet: I took a biggish bite out of volume 2 this evening Laura.

>88 Caroline_McElwee: I took a probably smaller bite at bedtime, Caro. It feels like I never left.

I really enjoyed this documentary/interview with the quietly understated photographer Jane Bown, many of whose portraits are iconic of their subjects, although she often had no idea who those subjects were. She simply seemed to perceive herself as the newspaper The Observer's jobbing photographer.

21. Prospect House (Gilbert McCarragher) (19/04/24) *****



I loved photographer and writer Gilbert McCarragher's intimate record of the house of Derek Jarman and his close friend Keith Collins, who continued the care of this home for 24 years after Jarman's death, until his own death. I'm not sure that McCarragher knew Jarman, but he was a neighbour and friend of Collins, who agreed to this project.


Maggie Hambling's portrait of Jarman, painted from memory and hung in the house after his death. She went to art school with Jarman and remained a friend.






The little lead house on his desk that contained his chequebook.

Biography, memoir, witness, gift to all those interested in Jarman, and record of a deep friendship and legacy in the care Collins offered in the home's upkeep. It is now held in trust, and periodically used by artists and writers in residence. Prints of the portrait raise money for the HIV/AIDS charity The Terrance Higgins Trust.

22. Marking Time V2 The Cazalet Chronicles (Elizabeth Jane Howard) (21/04/24) ****1/2



1939-41 Home front for the Cazalets during WWII. Mostly through the eyes of the teenage and pre-teen girls Louise (budding actress), Polly (still deciding) and Clary (nascent writer). You also meet some of the family friends. Set mostly in the countryside, with visits to London, against the backdrop of war. Howard really catches the 'between places' that children of this age suffer, neither quite one thing or the other, child but almost not a child, of the varying ages. The girls very focused on their hierarchy, who should or shouldn't be able to do or know specific things. And what they think they do know and understand, and how muddy that is.

For someone who generally doesn't enjoy coming of age novels, I am totally engaged with their story.

The country house and its satellites is crammed to the gills as they give wartime homes to other family members, friends and the girl's tutor Miss Milliment. As well as a kind of babies orphanage run by Rachel, and ultimately a respite home for wounded soldiers.

The stories wind in and out and deepen the picture of each character at this time. It feels very authentic.

It's interesting to discover that despite mostly being a wealthy family, some of them are already wearing dentures by their 40s, far less common now. My father was proud that he still had most of his own teeth at 90!

****

Pausing to read an RL book group read before going on to vol 3.

>92 Caroline_McElwee: Excellent review, Caro. I'm loving this book. I'm planning to put some space between each novel, reading one every other month, so I can savor them. But I'm also reading book 2 sooner than planned so who knows if I will stick to that strategy. Either way, you'll probably finish the series before I do.

>93 lauralkeet: Thanks Laura. I am generally reading a non-fiction book at the same time. I will probably pause again after volume 3 as I like to read it in big bites, but will be away with my sibs for a few days in early May with little reading time, so will take something short for bedtime reading.

The monthly visits to Chelsea Phys have begun. Gorgeous tulips:

Spectacular photos!

>95 Caroline_McElwee: Beautiful tulips.

Thank you for the images of Jarman's home. I want to visit, but suspect I might struggle with the public transport!

>96 mdoris: Thanks Mary.

>97 charl08: That's why I haven't attempted, that and due to a walking issue (pins and plates in right ankle and leg, old injury), the shingle would be a problem. I think staying at Rye and taking a taxi would work for you if you decided to try Charlotte.

23. The Convenience Store Woman (Sakaya Murata) (23/04/24) ***1/2



A quirky novel about a young Japanese woman who doesn't quite meet with anyone's expectations of the norm (we would probably describe her as 'on the spectrum') until she finds herself working in a local convenience store, where she does everything to the highest order. But 18 years on and still working there her family and friends still perceive her behaviours as strange, and in a bid to become more acceptable she gets caught up with an even stranger young man who wishes to manipulate her for his own, lazy, ends.

Read for my local RL book group. I've read a couple of other younger generation Japanese authors, but haven't found them especially engaging, but then I don't read many comedic books, which generally they are. This one worked a little better for me.

****

Back to the Cazalets vol 3.

Hi, Caroline. Prospect House sounds really interesting. I am not familiar with Derek Jarman.

>95 Caroline_McElwee: Thank for sharing, Caroline. I love how tulips make a colorful start of the garden season.

>99 Caroline_McElwee: Nice review.
I liked The Convenience Store Woman. Checking the book I did read it back in January 2020. Feels like it was way more recent.

>101 FAMeulstee: Tulips are some of my favourite flowers Anita.

My RL book group loved The Convenience Store Woman,it was a good discussion.

Thanks for the pictures from the Derek Jarman book. Looks great.

>85 Caroline_McElwee: >92 Caroline_McElwee: We really enjoyed The Light Years in our book club - I must get around to the next one soon. I was really struck by the teeth thing as well. I could understand it in this period for people who hadn't had sufficient nutrients as children, but that wouldn't apply here. What on earth were they doing to their teeth? My Dad (born 1920) was the same as yours, had pretty much all his own teeth when he died at 80.

>91 Caroline_McElwee: What a lovely project, and delightful memorial to Jarman and Collins.

>104 SandDune: I'm nearing the end of volume 3 Rhian, and continuing to enjoy them.

>105 richardderus: It is indeed RD. A fascinating man, I've enjoyed the breadth of his work since the '80s.

>95 Caroline_McElwee: Those tulips are gorgeous! It's tulip time here, too, and I just love them. I might need to try a little painting of some of them....

The Cazulet Chronicles have caught my eye with you, Rhian, and Laura really enjoying them. I have had the first one on my wish list for a while (no memory of what prompted me to put it there lo those many months ago). Time to see if I can find a copy.

>107 EBT1002: The Cazalets are very readable Ellen. I'm just about to start volume 4 (of 5).

I look forward to seeing your painting of tulips.

24. Confusion Vol 3 of the Cazalet Chronicles (Elizabeth Jane Howard) (28/04/24) ****1/2



The second half of WWII and the daughters are in or almost in their 20s, the family stories continue to be seen primarily through their eyes, as their experience and observation skills begin to expand, while still being hampered sometimes by what they don't know, but also by their own need sometimes to hold their own secrets.

>109 Caroline_McElwee: I'm glad to see another very positive review/rating, Caro. I'll read this one in June, if not sooner.

>110 lauralkeet: I'm well into volume 4 Laura, so may have read 5 by the time I go away, otherwise I will take it with me.

I keep forgetting to mention the tone, which is consistent across the volumes I've read. I wonder if she maintains that in v5 as I think there was a longer gap between v4/5.

I always smile when I pass this on the bus trip home:

LOL! Cute! I wonder if she knows about it.

>111 Caroline_McElwee: I have similar questions about vol 5 vs 4, Caro. We shall see!

>74 Caroline_McElwee: I can recommend Catherine Chidgey's Remote Sympathy if you have not yet read it, Caroline.

>85 Caroline_McElwee: I have really got to get that one read this month. I was supposed to read it in April.

>92 Caroline_McElwee: Some day. . .

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

>115 alcottacre: Thanks for the Chidgey recommendation Stasia.

Writers on Paul Auster:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/may/01/a-literary-voice-for-the-ages-paul...

>117 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks for that link, Caroline. I've been reading the tributes to Auster, and regret that I didn't get to his work years ago when I might have been more receptive to it. I only read Timbuktu in 2010, and wasn't impressed. It felt like a pot-boiler to me. I'm sure it's quite unfair to judge the man by that one work, and maybe one day when I'm feeling particularly sharp-minded, I'll give The New York Trilogy a try.

>118 laytonwoman3rd: Timbuktu landed with me the same way Linda, and I let it go.

You might like Brooklyn Follies (novel), or some of the non-fiction: The Invention of Solitude and The Red Notebook. I bought his collected poetry last year which I will pick up soon.

Of course he also wrote the wonderful short story, turned into a movie 'Smoke' with Harvey Keitel in.

I have his mammoth biography of Stephen Crane Burning Boy.

The tulips are lovely, Caroline. You are zipping through the Cazalet chronicles! I read the first three years ago and for some reason paused after three. Maybe I wanted to save them? Anyway, I hope to pull them off the shelf sometime this year.

>116 Caroline_McElwee: No problem. I do hope that you can find a copy.

I finally started The Light Years yesterday. So far, so good.

>120 BLBera: Thanks re the tulips. They do cheer me up Beth.

I hope you enjoy your Cazalet revisit. I wasn't planning to whistle through them, but I think the final will be read on my few days away.

>121 alcottacre: Enjoy the ride Stasia.

>122 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. I hope I do - and that you continue to!

>123 alcottacre: Nearing the end of Vol 4, one more to go.

Annual leave, yay. A few days to loaf and tick a few jobs off the list, then 5 days with my siblings in Stratford upon Avon (haven't been since I was a kid). We have tickets to see a matinee of Love's Labour's Lost on Thurs (my birthday), and will find a nice Indian restaurant for dins in the evening. Then another week and a half just loafing and going with the flow - hopefully an exhibition or two.

Tomorrow brunch with a friend, and then to see 'Back to Black' the Amy Winehouse biopic.

Back to work 22 May, but two short weeks due to the second May bank holiday.

Have a fabulous time off.

Sounds like the perfect way to enjoy time off! With loved ones and doing things you enjoy! And doing nothing! And May is much nicer weather for a birthday than November (mine)! :-) Enjoy, Caroline.

>125 Caroline_McElwee: Happy vacay! And many happy returns of your personal new year, as well. *smooch*

>126 Helenliz: >127 jessibud2: >128 richardderus: Thank you Helen, Shelley and RD.

HI Caroline, your plans sound dreamy and wishing you a very Happy Birthday! 🎉🥳🎶🎂

Have a wonderful vacation, Caroline. Your plans sound great.

>130 mdoris: >131 BLBera: Thanks Mary and Beth.

Happy Birthday, Caroline. Have a wonderful holiday.

>133 msf59: Thanks Mark.

Another very fine music biopic. Heartbreaking, though there were joyous moments. Marisa Abela inhabited Winehouse's life seemingly with ease, the mark of a craftsperson, you don't see the working underneath.

Amy Winehouse had such an amazing voice, her work crossed the generations, even my dad when in his 80s loved her singing. That she died aged 27 is so sad, but she left such memorable songs behind.

The thing I hated were the grimy middle aged men who made up the wolfpack of paparazzi (I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman in that role, there may be the odd one) who hounded her at her most vulnerable and made money off her back.

>135 Caroline_McElwee: I thought it interesting that Mark Ronson's bits were cut out of the movie given he was a key player in her music and life. I wonder did he not approve of the film being made.

>136 AlisonY: I'm not sure, will have to see if he was interviewed about it Alison. He was certainly mentioned a few times.

25. Casting Off - Cazalets 4 - (Elizabeth Jane Howard) (04/05/24) ****1/2



So this volume we have 'the brothers' ie the fathers of the girls, and the outsiders: the in-laws and friends. The Cazalets are generally good at friendship, are welcoming and inclusive, but ultimately probably couldn't function completely without their support. And a few sections on 'the wives'. I'm deliberately not saying much about individuals as I don't want to spoil anyone's first reading.

I'm still loving the tone.

A thing that sticks out is the smoking of pipes. That has totally fallen by the wayside here, that and cigars. I haven't smelt pipe or cigar smoke since my 20s. Smoking generally here has dropped to 15%, although there are a lot of vaper's, which isn't as healthier an alternative as promoted!

Hope you have a wonderful time in Stratford, Caroline!

>139 Sakerfalcon: Thanks Claire. Had a lovely first day. Photos on my return as it takes longer on my phone and I need Zzzzs now.

Back from four days in Stratford-upon-Avon. A couple of photo collages.

Next to his family, and the theatre, the church of Holy Trinity had been in Shakespeare's life throughout. He was christened there, as were his children, he was a lay reverend there in later life (he was the second wealthiest person in Stratford by then). And he is buried there.



Ten years ago a scan was done of the family graves and it confirmed that Shakespeare's skeleton is in tact, no missing scull. He was about 5ft 3ins (people were shorter then) - an inch shorter than me. He is buried three feet beneath his grave stone rather than the mythologised 17ft. Anne who died 6 years later is buried at his side. The half statue is the only representation created in his lifetime. Anne testified to its likeness, and his parishioners would not have accepted an image that didn't look like him I suspect.

The font is the one all the Shakespeare's were christened in. It went missing for a while and turned up in a farmer's field being used for a trough for his cows.



Top left birthplace/top right RSC theatre, and below audience gathering/centre Anne Hathaway's Cottage (known as such as they resided there together before she became Mrs Shakespeare, she was older than he). Bottom: A tree WS may have stood beneath/statue in birthplace garden/statue of Rabindranath Tagore, who wrote about WS/The Actor's bar in The Dirty Duck public house (the only pub in the UK to trade under two names, it is called the Black Swan as well. It has been a pub since 1738 - 122 years after WS's death). The thesps retire here at performances end.

26. All Change Cazalet Chronicles 5 (Elizabeth Jane Howard) (11/05/24) ****



This final volume of the Cazalets was written 18 years after the preceding volume, nearing the end of EJH's life. It is a what happened later rather than a summing up I would say. Written generally in smaller bites, a little repetitive in places. She sustains the tone, but although big things happen, I'm not 100% sure the volume was necessary.

Overall the series has been very satisfying. The breadth of perspectives (the initial outline coming from the the teenage girls looking up and down, and how they mature across the series), the social/domestic history, the things that were still in my memory from childhood (be it from the working class) that no longer exist now all interesting.

These were an upper middle-class/lower upper-class family heading towards a time when the expectations of their lives were heading towards dramatic change. Howard shows this progression while maintaining sympathy for her characters.

I have a biography of Elizabeth Jane Howard which I will probably read next month.

Interesting review, Caro. I will definitely read this volume, even if it has some shortcomings. Just the other day I read EJH's Wikipedia entry and it was fascinating. I can imagine a biography would be even more so.

>143 lauralkeet: It's still a pretty good read Laura, and fleshes out a bit more of the youngest children who were born later in the series, and ties up a few ends.

Hi Caro...cool collage from Stratford! How odd it would be to learn that one's hometown had been reorganized around one's own life and legend...though I suspect that Willie Shakes would like it a lot.

>145 richardderus: Actually I suspect he might be a bit embarrassed to learn it RD. I think in later life he was quite community oriented. We tend to perceive him as being a bit Jack-the-laddish in his youth which he may have been - though as a focused writer, I suspect he was more serious than we imagine.

What lovely pictures, I hope you had an equally lovely time.

>146 Caroline_McElwee: hmm

I'm of the "once a hambone, always a hambone" theory of human development.

>141 Caroline_McElwee: As always, your photos are stunning, Caroline. It looks like you had a good time.

Great comments on the Howard books. I look forward to them later this year.

>141 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks for sharing the photos, Caroline. I can visit vicariously.

Not sure when I will get to Marking Time, but I think I am going to try and read it next month. And then maybe one a month thereafter. . .

Sweet Thursday, Caroline. Glad to hear you liked the Amy Winehouse biopic. I really liked the documentary from a few years back. I think it was called "Amy".

>149 BLBera: I’m not especially either a series or saga person Beth, but I did enjoy these. Hope you will too.

>150 alcottacre: Glad you enjoyed travelling on my shoulder Stasia. I went too quickly really.

>151 msf59: She was so talented Mark. The film is worth a viewing.

Have a wonderful weekend, Caroline! I sure hope you enjoy Table for Two: Fictions when you get to it!

>154 alcottacre: I'm sure I will Stasia.

27. What There Is To Say We Have Said: Correspondence of Eudora Welty and William Maxwell ed Suzanne Marrs (18/05/24) *****



An extraordinary record of a deep and long friendship between two of America's finest writers. They had known and supported each other for over fifty years. They were family. And for a lot of the time Maxwell was Welty's editor, and the workings of their working relationship are sometimes found between these pages.

Alike in much of their early experience, always recommending and gifting new books or other cultural finds. Supportive of other creativity. Reporting on meetings with other writers, as in this report by Maxwell of meeting Isak Dinesen:

She herself at times looked like a falcon. Though we talked all through dinner, she didn't do more than consider and reply to my remarks, until the dessert, and then something, I forget what, the fact that I had just finished making a doll house, perhaps, for my daughter, made her melt, and she talked to me-but still not personally, not as if she liked me or ever wanted to see me again. But in such a way as to make me love her forever. Her voice is so beautiful, the accent isn't either British or American. It has notes that are like cello music. It's like listening to Hayden (Haydn). And those burning black eyes. It is several years too late to be her friend, but it is not too late to remember what she is like, as long as I live. p133.

Isn't Dinesen now vividly in your imagination?

It is also amazing to think that they each carried out multiple correspondences, although this was the closest to them both I think. How lucky we are to have it.

Of course I now want to read more of both of their stories, I just ordered Maxwell's complete stories, and am trying to put my hands on my volume of Welty's.

Suzanne Marrs was a friend of Maxwell, and wrote a biography of Welty, to whom she may have also been a friend.

The hare sculptures were by South African artist Guy du Toit.

Beautiful weather at Chelsea Phys today. It really is a balm to the soul. I go with a friend and we just sit for hours on our favourite bench by the pond and chat, listen to and watch the birds - a couple of blue tits today. The robins were in hiding.

Look away RD.



Not the best photo, but it is the second time in two weeks I have seen a kitty in a kitty backpack. This is Ollie who was at the bus stop with his young owner and mum. He stuck his head out of a side window to have a sniff at me and get an ear skritch. Seemed totally content as did the white persian I saw on the tube on my way home from Stratford-upon-Avon.

Although only a couple of chapters into Artemis Cooper’s biog of Elizabeth Jane Howard (known as Jane) it is very clear, as expected, that the Cazalets are her family.

>158 Caroline_McElwee: I read EJH's Wikipedia page recently which mentioned several bits from her life that show up in the novels, so I wondered how much the Cazalets were modeled on her own family.

>156 Caroline_McElwee: A book I really loved as well, Caro. I'm glad it hit with you.

>159 lauralkeet: It will be interesting to see how biographical it is Laura.

>160 richardderus: I do love correspondences and diaries RD. One of my favourites is the 5 volumes of Virginia Woolf's diaries (due a reread), although Maxwell and Welty both loved her, the diaries were one thing they had some disagreements about.

>156 Caroline_McElwee:.Sounds like a fascinating collection of lettere, Caroline. That whole era of longtime correspondence seems to be fading into the distance. I can't imagine anyone reading a WhatsApp thread in the same way!

>162 charl08: Absolutely not Charlotte. I suspect some writers will keep copies of literary emails and have diaries, but I'm not sure that biographers going forward will have the wealth of material available from this generation of creatives at all.

>156 Caroline_McElwee: I wish my local library had that one. It does have Marrs' biography of Eudora Welty as well as a book of her correspondence with Ross MacDonald, but not that one.

>157 Caroline_McElwee: I love the pictures, Caroline! Thank you for sharing them. I have never heard of a kitty backpack before. I must investigate. . .

Have a terrific Tuesday!

>164 alcottacre: It was like this one Stasia:

https://nidfashions.com/product/expandable-breathable-cat-backpack/?gad_source=1...

28. The Last Devil to Die (Richard Osman) (21/05/2024) ****



Another romp with Elizabeth, Ron, Bogdan, Joyce and Ibrahim. As with volumes 2&3 I found it enjoyable but just too blatantly formulaic, hence being tight with my * rating.

That said, each novel has offered something thought provoking and authentic beyond its murder plot. In this volume it was the Elizabeth/Stephen thread about his dementia. I've rarely come across such a touching presentation of a difficult subject.

***
The casting of the Spielberg film is slowly being announced. So far:

Elizabeth = Helen Mirren/Ron = Pierce Brosnan/Ibrahim = Sir Ben Kingsley (he insists on the ‘Sir’)/Joyce = Celia Imrie (who I saw at the bus stop in Victoria recently).

>157 Caroline_McElwee: What great photos, Caroline.

>166 Caroline_McElwee: I've heard so many good things about this series, but so far I have resisted starting another one. Maybe I'll just watch the film.

>166 Caroline_McElwee: Your spoilery comment and bits like that in the other books are, for me, what elevated this series beyond the formula. Although the formula made for a lot of fun; "romp" is a good word to describe it.

On my way home from Chelsea Phys on Monday I passed Sadler’s Wells Theatre and noticed a poster advertising a production called ‘May B’ by a French company, a dance inspired by the work of Samuel Beckett. Online as soon as I got home and got myself one of the last tickets for yesterday (it was only playing 2 days), the last day of my A/L.



What an extraordinary production. Totally riveting. Dance to near silence except their footsteps and occasional oral sounds, dance to music (Schubert and Gavin Bryars). For 2/3rds of the evening the dance/movement/mime gave a sense of the work it was inspired by. Not until nearing the end did Beckett’s masterful characters make an appearance, Lucky and Pozzo, Clov and Hamm, and Beckett himself.

It wasn’t until I got home and found a review of an earlier production that I learned that Beckett had green-lighted the dance. The choreographer had written to him, not expecting a reply, but had received one inviting her to meet with him to discuss it. Must have been amazing for the then very young artiste. Without knowing this, while watching the performance I was thinking ‘Sam would approve’.

All that said it should have finished at 75 minutes. The audience thought it had and applauded, but it continued for 15 minutes more which was mostly performers exiting and entering the stage in various ways. That 15 minutes felt like 40, and an add-on, which it may have been if the venue wanted a neater 90 minute programme.

While I was on the website I booked 3 other productions across the rest of the year.

>168 lauralkeet: I agree Laura, it is the thing that kept me reading.

>157 Caroline_McElwee: Lovely pictures, Caroline. I have never seen a kitty backpack, nice way to travel with cat.

>166 Caroline_McElwee: I finished The Last Devil to Die today.
Rated it 3½* like the others, although I liked it slightly better because of what is behind the spoiler.

I just don't resonate with the old-people-sleuths trend that much. Not sure why, goodness knows I have every reason to identify with the protagonists. Enjoy your weekend-ahead's reads.

>172 richardderus: Thanks RD, it's a long weekend here, yay. Have a good one yourself.