I've never read *******; where should I start?

There are so many authors i've never read, and I wonder where to start with them. I figure a lot of us may be in the same position. And a lot of us might have very good ideas of where to start.....

I'll go first: i've never read Virginia Woolf.....

I would begin with Mrs. Dalloway. That is where I began and I've never regretted it. Have reread it several times since. It is a short easy read and relative easy to put the nuances together.

Oddly enough, my first VW was also Mrs. Dalloway and I'd entirely agree with you - it knocked me out on my first reading and completely converted me. Her use of language in the book is quite wonderful - I think I feel a re-read coming on!!

Mrs Dalloway is one of my all-time favourite books! I can't think of a better one to read first!

Awesome and thank you!

now, who's next? :P

I agree - Mrs Dalloway.

I started with Mrs. Dalloway too, and haven't looked back! (although I actually tell people they should start with Jacob's Room, for a slightly gentler introduction.)

Nice idea for a thread.

Who shall I choose? Since her reading week is coming up soon, I'll go with Rosamund Lehmann - never read her; where should I start?

Invitation to the Waltz, the first book of hers I ever read, long before I knew she was an "important" writer. Also Dusty Answer...just gorgeous writing.

Invitation to the Waltz was my first Lehman. I really liked it and am eager to read the sequel for Lehman Reading Week.

I read Dusty Answer first and loved it - shall be re-reading it this month too.

Thanks!

Someone else's turn... which author have YOU not read yet?

I have lots of Edith Wharton in my tbr but haven't yet started any - which is a good place to begin??

ooh, I love Edith Wharton! While The Custom of the Country is one of my all-time favorite books, I wouldn't start there. Instead, I'd start with The House of Mirth which gives you a good sense of the society she writes about.

I too started with The house of mirth and it is a good one. Many people have to read Ethan Frome for school/college and it seems to put them off Wharton for life, but I thought it was very good. It's not typical of her work though, so unless you need something short, go with one of her New York society novels, such as the aforementioned House of Mirth.

Yes, Ethan Frome is standard fare in US secondary American Lit courses. Still, somehow I escaped it. Daughter #1 hated it, #2 loved it. I've heard it's better appreciated by "mature" readers, but I have yet to read it.

I love love love Ethan Frome, but it's not really typical of Wharton's work. I think I'd start with The Custom of the Country! (though they're all good!)

I would start with The Age of Innocence because Custom of the Country and House of Mirth are two of her best and after you've read them everything else is not quite so good. HATED Ethan Frome!!

Thanks! I have Mirth and Innocence and also somewhere Ethan Frome - maybe I'll start with Innocence during August! I also have her Ghost Stories - has anyone read these?

Ethan Frome gets my vote too but I would be hard pressed to say why. It certainly holds a special nook in my heart but it isn't an especially easy read and can be an upsetting one. But I love, love, love it.

Another vote for The House of Mirth, although The Age of Innocence is also one of my favorite Wharton novels.

I've got a whole stack of Barbara Comyns I've yet to read. Where should I start?

My first Comyns was Who was changed and who was dead which I loved, but then I do like fantasy and magical realism, with which this book is strongly flavoured. The skin chairs was slightly more normal (although I'm not sure that word can really be applied to any of the Comyns that I've read) and also very good. I'm planning to read The vet's daughter for this year's AV/AA.

I so love Barbara Comyns, I started with Our spoons came from Woolworths. A perfect book.

I so love Barbara Comyns, I started with Our Spoons Came from Woolworths. A perfect book.

I started with her Sisters by a River and loved it, but had I owned Our Spoons Came from Woolworths at the time, I would have begun Comyns with that one.

I would suggest Comyns' A Touch of Mistletoe. It has hints of her surreality but it's not as out there as some of her other works.

I started with what I still think is her masterpiece, The Vet's Daughter. Love, love, love that book. Our Spoons Came from Woolworths and Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead are tied for second place; Sisters by a River gets the bronze medal. I am holding off on The Skin Chairs and A Touch of Mistletoe for now; I want some Comyns to look forward to.

Thank you for my 'Spoons'.

Okay, I just went to AbeBooks and ordered Our Spoons Came from Woolworths to add to my TBR for All Virago/All August.

How to choose, how to choose. {sigh} Not by a cover but by a title -- the spoons came from where the Brontes went. {grin&groan} But OSCfW does come on good recommendations. Oh my, what a Virago month's coming up.

Back to Virginia Woolf -- I started with a short story, "A Mark on the Wall," which I thought was the dumbest thing ever, until the third time I read it and went "Oh. Now I get it and isn't that brilliant." My first novel was Mrs Dalloway, which I have to admit didn't do much for me on my first reading (I've since changed my mind). It wasn't until I read A Room of One's Own that I started enjoying her though. I just wanted to say this because of the encouragement here for starting with Mrs Dalloway. If like me it doesn't immediately click with you, I don't want to see you give up on her prematurely.

I studied a lot of Woolf at university, and one of my favourite profs always said "You can't understand Woolf until you reread Woolf." That's always stuck with me. I find I just have to read her slowly with all brain cells engaged, and then she's a deeply rewarding reading experience. If you try to skim, you might as well go read something else.

And if anyone is taking a poll, I loved Ethan Frome. It was my first Wharton. I've since read some short stories, but will read The Age of Innocence this month.

My introduction to Virginia Woolf was The Waves. I was working at Brentano's at the time, shelving books one day, and one of those books happened to be The Waves. I read the back cover, then set it aside to check out more thoroughly at lunch. It was love at first read. After I'd finished it, I bought all her novels on payday (33% employee discount!) and lived mostly on Top Ramen for the next week or so.

@ # 31: And well worth the relinquishing of real food I am certain. I read Mrs Dalloway and immediately went to Amazon.com and tapped out my credit card buying every book they had by and about her. My fascination also was 'love at first read'. I don't think I shall ever get over her.

When I was 17 or so I took Mrs. Dalloway off my mother's bookshelf. I got stuck on the first page, partly because Mrs. Dalloway seemed to be in her 40s in one place, and 17 in another. Anyway, that was it for about 10 years and the second time I tried, everything fell into place.
That being said, I've always found The Waves very difficult and wouldn't recommend it as a starting place except to someone who likes Modernist literature.
I would also say, though it's a different kettle of fish, all her non-fiction, criticism, her diaries and letters are well worth it.

Any thoughts on Rose Macaulay anyone? I'm tempted to go with either The World My Wilderness or The Towers of Trebizond - but then which edition? The Virago is an obvious choice, but the vintage Penguin is lovely, as is the hardback with the painting of ruined London on the cover! Arghhhh - decisions, decisions...

How could you resist a novel that begins with: "Take my camel, dear," said my Aunt Dot, as she climbed down from this animal on her return from High Mass. The Towers of Trebizond

I read The world my wilderness as my first Macaulay, and loved it. But if I'd owned Trebizond, I doubt I could have resisted that first line!

Ditto here Leseratte & Saker. What an opening line. I own some of hers but have yet to read her. Would I be wrong in guessing that there is some humor in her work?

The only Rose Macaulay novel I've read is Told by an Idiot, but for some reason I get the idea that most of her books are social comedies. I could be wrong, though.

Can't believe I missed the Barbara Comyns suggestions! I started with Our Spoons Came From Woolworths, but didn't much like it - I would recommend Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead to start, but... follow the advice as others!

For Rose Macaulay, I would recommend starting with Crewe Train or Keeping Up Appearances. Definitely not Staying With Relations, which wasn't great, and I have to admit that The World My Wilderness is someway down my Macaulay list. I haven't read The Towers of Trebizond yet.

Thanks for the advice all!

I actually have Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead on my tbr so I will probably add to the Viragos I'm going to read in August.

As for Macaulay, I will just have to decide what editions to track down...... ;))

40> Simon -- I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't much like Our Spoons Came from Woolworths -- haven't tried any other Comyns yet.

41 - hurrah!
40 - I was put off for years, but now she's one of my favourite writers - so do try another!

Crewe Train was my first Rose Macaulay and I liked it much more than The World My Wilderness.

Just popping in to say how much I love this thread and how wonderful of booktruffler to have thought it up. :-)
hugs,

Oo, I have another one - Margaret Drabble. Advice, folks?

Someone on here made a comment a long time ago that if he didn't like
Drabble, he would just have to Byatt. Still cracks me up.
Sorry, Simon...........I know that was of no help to you.

The only Drabble I've read was the Red Queen, which I'd heard mixed, but mostly horrible, things about. I loved it. My friend read it around the same time and loved it too. My sister in law, who likes most good books, hated it. Go figure. Anyway, I've now bought another four of Drabble's books, so I'll let you know what I think. Not much help, but that's all I've got.

I agree with Our Spoons Came from Woolworths - I was completely seduced by the title, but was disappointed after reading it.

And I've never been able to like Rose Macauley as much as I've tried. Sorry!

Margaret Drabble, however, is a different story! I really like her! But do stay away from her more recent books - I don't think they're nearly as good as her earlier ones. Try The Garrick Year or Realms of Gold.

Oo, Helen, I'm glad you said The Garrick Year as that's one of the two I've got!

I hope you like it! It was a long time ago when I read it, so I wonder if I'd feel the same about it now. That's the danger about recommending books!

I do love novels set in the theatre, so it's looking promising...

48 - sorry, missed your message before. I haven't heard of that Drabble, but I'm intrigued by the mixed reactions!

I am embarrassed to say that I don't remember the name of my favorite Drabble. It was about Thatcher's Britain so was probably The Radiant Way but could also have been The Ice Age. I also prefer her earlier stuff but, in general, you can't go wrong with whatever book you decide on.

I have had mixed reactions to Rose Macaulay but loved Towers of Trebizond.

My experience with Drabble is that I've grown with her -- kind of like watching Judi Dench over the years. She's the consummate novelist of manners as she catches the spirit of the times and the age of protagonists she writes about (Byatt does this too to a degree in her Frederika novels). I love her latest books because they capture the nature of aging as her earlier books captured the struggling with marriage and motherhood and careers.

Thank you, rainpebble, for the kind words. This thread is just what i'd hoped it would be.

>46 Stuck-in-a-Book: I've only read 3 Drabble - The Radient way - which I have no memory of, The Red Queen which I loved and The Needle's eye which I enjoyed, but I think it started slowly.

Was just on another thread in our little group here and Simon mentioned how much he thought of Ivy Compton-Burnett. I checked my library and I have not read nor do I own any of her works and she seems to have a lot. Where would one begin when reading her for the first time?

>57 Heaven-Ali: - I forgot about The Needle's Eye - I seem to remember liking that one too.

Belva - with Ivy Compton-Burnett, I don't think it really matters! They're all so similar. Her first (well, after some juvenilia which she later disowned) was Pastors and Masters, and that's sort of Ivy-lite - perhaps a good indication for how you'd get on with her?

My first was a VMC, Mother and Son, and it worked for me. AND it has an amazing cat in it!

And yes, booktruffler, this is a fantastic idea, and working really well!

Thank you Stuck. I will be on the look out for both of those.

I've tried and failed at a couple of Ivy Compton-Burnett's books. :(

Does anyone have any thoughts on Nancy Mitford as there are a couple of nice old Penguins floating around in local charity shops?

The best are reckoned to be The Pursuit of Love, Love in a Cold Climate, The Blessing and Don't Tell Alfred - they're often combined in one volume. The 1st, 2nd and 4th contain many of the same characters and some from the 3rd reappear in the 4th too. Her earlier novels Highland Fling, Christmas Pudding and some others are enjoyable too but not up to her later standard. (I think there are four, also often published as one volume). I'd say start with The Pursuit of Love, and meet the wonderful Alconleighs, if you can get it but the others are worth reading too.

Thank you! It's The Blessing and Don't Tell Alfred that are lurking locally so I may try and pick up all four!

The only Mitford novel I have left is Wigs on the Green. I tend to read authors in chronological order (I like to see how they evolve), but it took me years to find Wigs, so I had to skip over it to Pigeon Pie, I think. I should have skipped that one as well, I was quite disappointed by it.

I am SOOOOO late to this thread, having dropped off the face of Planet Virago for many months, but I will blindly dive in to contribute my possibly redundant opinions on Virginia Woolf (Mrs. Dalloway and The Waves are my favorites; Jacob's Room is my least favorite) and Rose Macaulay (The Towers of Trebizond first, followed by The World My Wilderness, Told By an Idiot and Crewe Train). It's interesting, though, how these things change with one's age. I adored Virginia Woolf at 23, when I read The Waves, but I found her intensely irritating in my mid-40s when I read Jacob's Room. Likewise, I loved Wharton's Age of Innocence at 28, but was bored by Custom of the Country when I finally got to it at 47.

Just to start things up again - anyone ever read any Joyce Carol Oates???

Ooh, good one, Kaggsy! Talk about a daunting body of work! I keep looking at her gothic epics, like Mysteries of Winterthurn or Bloodsmoor.

69,70>> I've pretty much just read some of her more recent work. Rather than gothic "epics" I've browsed through some of the gothic shorts like The Corn Maiden (just the title story so far, not the entire collection). There's also been a fairly recent anthology of her stories, both new and collected (1966-2006), High Lonesome, though I haven't bought it yet. I think I've read some of the Sourland stories too.

Check out Celestial Timepiece -- The Joyce Carol Oates Homepage at the University of San Francisco, and in particular, check out her 1966 classic "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" (which also appears in High Lonesome). It's a story with a lot of ambiguity to it, so read it carefully and then re-read it. I can't say more to avoid SPOILER so you'll have to figure it out for yourself unless we want to start a special SPOILER thread on here for that story.

Among the novels, I've read Black Girl/White Girl and A Fair Maiden. I was disappointed in Black Girl/White Girl because it turned out not to be what I expected. I thought from the title it would be about the relationship between the two college roommates (one black, the other white) but it turned out to be more about the relationship between the white roommate and her radical-lawyer father. I think a lot of readers were disappointed for this reason, but it may not be fair to insist that Oates have written a story in such and such a way just because that's what we expected.

A Fair Maiden (fairly short and definitely gothic) is a horrifying story of sexual abuse (a lot more horrifying than Donoghue's Room) and it might be seriously triggering for some readers. It does, though, perfectly capture the voice of a teenage sexual abuse victim.

I've always been meaning to read the Wonderland Quartet and started A Garden of Earthly Delights some while ago but then put it down. My fault, not Oates's, though. One caution, though, is that I think A Garden of Earthly Delights was substantially revised for a later printing, so I have to decide which version to read (or else be obsessive-compulsive and read the original and then the revision afterwards).

One way to sample Oates's stories on the cheap might be to download samples of the anthologies to Kindle. Since her stories often aren't that long, you might get the entire of a first and maybe even second story in the Kindle sample (though the title story of The Corn Maiden is more novella in length).

I own a whole stack of JCO, but have only read two. The first was We Were the Mulvaneys, which I didn't really like, but did find compelling and enjoyable enough at the time. It was an Oprah book, so make out of that what you will. The second was My Sister, My Love, which was also compelling but not wonderful. However, I realized when I read it that JCO has a strong satirical streak in her, and I'm not sure she likes her characters very much (in the two I read, anyway). She certainly skewers a lot of middle class American culture. I think if I'd realized that, I would have liked the first novel better.

I love Joyce Carol Oates short stories the best I think. We Were the Mulvaneys was my first attempt and I too, didn't care for it so very much. But when I picked up a book of her short stories, I was blown away!

Thanks for the advice! I picked up a couple of JCOs in a bit of a book buying binge today which I shall blog about tomorrow probably.

JCO does very well at creating complex characters and spinning a great story. However, her books seem to be less about characters and plot and more about philosophies/concepts/ideas. I think that's an important thing to know before beginning her books.

Probably my fav (of the few that I've read) is Black Girl White Girl. I found it to be very suspenseful, tragic, and profound. As 71 said, it's not about the relationship between the two roommates, as you'd expect, but I thought that was the strength of the book rather than the weakness. The "white girl" has been raised in an environment which you would think would make her aware of the racial injustice endured by the "black girl" but instead she seems to be blithely ignorant (and rather self-absorbed). The whole story seems to spin on that philosophy.

I've also read Marya (which I enjoyed quite a bit) and We Were the Mulvaneys (which I didn't like much at all). And as 73 said, JCO definitely writes a tremendous short story. I have a few other of her titles on the bookshelf, but I've found she's best enjoyed in small doses, like one book per year.

I've only read My sister my love and I chose it because the story and themes interested me. It was difficult reading about such unlikeable characters, but they were compelling nonetheless.

I haven't read a lot of JCO -- a really violent novel back in the early 70s whose title I can't recall. Angel of Light -- which uses The Oresteia as a basic plot line set in late 20th c Washington -- Eugene O'Neill did it better with his Mourning Becomes Electra set in the Civil War era. Recently I read I Lock My Door Upon Myself, which I found beautifully written, but bloodless. Every introduction to literature anthology I've ever used has included "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" which is wonderfully scary story.

Avaland over on Club Read 2012 is a big Oates' fan.

Any thoughts on Angela Thirkell, folks? I see Virago are issuing a couple of her titles.

I love Angela Thirkell! I read a lot of her some years back. In the past couple of years I have read just 4 or 5. But there is something about her writing that made/makes me want to read all of her books. Kind of like L.M. Montgomery. After I read Anne of Green Gables (as an adult) I wanted to read all of her books. Not that they write anything alike but they both have that effect on me.
One review I read quoted standard Thirkell plot elements as: (A. he thinks he's in love with B., but the reader knows A. and C. go together and B. is doomed to remain single...), an English summer, picnics, the church fête, squabbling servants, kitchen disasters, and a bit of suspense.
I like how she draws her characters. I enjoy the humor in most of her books. I read her when I want something relaxing and not ponder-some to my brain. But I am sure that those who enjoy reading the deeper prose would enjoy reading Angela Thirkell as well.
So give her a try kaggsy. She just might be a good fit for you as well.

Thank you Belva - I will!

I've not read much Thirkell, but I loved Northbridge Rectory

I read three or four of Angela Thirkell's novels many years ago - High Rising, Wild Strawberries, The Brandons, and possibly one other. I remember them as light, amusing, country house courtship comedies.

Thirkell's Barsetshire Books series are all good. I think there are 8 or 10 of them. And Andrew that is how I remember most of her books. I did find her Trooper to the Southern Cross to be quite different from the others I have read.

According to the LT series list there are 29 books in the Barsetshire series. I have no. 12. Is it important to read them in order, do you think?

84: That's a good question and a knotty problem - I am having the same issue at the moment with C.P. Snow's Strangers and Brothers series - they were published in a particular order, but the overall story is not chronologically the same as this (a bit like the Narnia stories). The pedant in me wants to read them in the order of the sequence of events, but the other pedant in me wants to read in the order of publication - what to do?!?!?!?

I completely understand your quandary. I generally prefer to read an author's books in publication order, to see how their style and themes evolve over time. But if it's a question of a series written out of order, I think I would break that rule to get the proper chronology of the storyline.

I stand exactly with Leseratte2 on this one.
And how exciting that there are 29 rather than the 8 - 10 that I thought in this particular series. :-)

I've picked them up at random and have still enjoyed the ones I've read, but would really like to redo it all starting from the beginning. I have 12 of the 29.

After Virginia Woolf's I would recommend Katherine Mansfield's.

My word of warning with Katherine Mansfield is fight your inclinations, and start at the end! Even if you have the OUP Collected Stories version, start with things from Bliss or The Garden Party - they're head and shoulders her best work.

This is not a post about a particular author but about the Persephone books. While I love their look and want to read them (and collect them), they are so very expensive especially for those of us in the U.S. for whom their shipping costs are so prohibitive. The books are 3/$48.11 and the shipping is $8.02 per book. OUCH! So I order once a year which comes out to (at this time) $72.17. But I have spent $24.00 on a book before. So.........
Anyway the ones that I have collected thus far are:

Mariana,
Someone at a Distance,
The Victorian Chaise-longue,
Good Evening, Mrs Craven,
Saplings,
Mrs Pettigrew Lives for a Day,
The Children Who Lived in a Barn,
Little Boy Lost,
The Making of a Marchioness,
Minnie's Room,
Cheerful Weather for the Wedding,
The Blank Wall, which I now discover I have read,
The World that was Ours,
Flush, and
They Were Sisters.

Any ideas on where I should begin?

Do you mean which of those ones you should read first, or which other ones you should like out for?
From those, I think Someone at a Distance is simply brilliant, and Minnie's Room very beautiful. I'm holding a readlong of Cheerful Weather for the Wedding on my blog in January, so could be good timing there! I think it's hilarious, and a film is coming out soon.

If you're looking for something light, Miss Pettigrew is delightful and so is Flush. I have a few Persephones but haven't read many of them yet. They are pretty, though!

Oh, I missed Someone at a Distance. I really liked that one.

I meant the former Simon but would be very interested to hear what some think I should go for when I order my next three.
Thank you both for your responses. Looks like Someone at a Distance will be the one unless I hear from others with different preferences. Is it mrspenny that is our 'house Persephone lover'?

I've only bought two Persephones so far. Flush was my first one, and I read it in the summer - and it is indeed delightful. I can't speak for any of the others yet.

The books are 3/$48.11 and the shipping is $8.02 per book

Have you tried the Book Depository? (www.bookdepository.com). They have free shipping.

At the Book Depository to order the ones I don't have (and I did find a total of 10 Persephone) the prices ranged from $19.89 to $21.79. So I went ahead and ordered from the Persephone website. Six books plus shipping totaled 90 British pounds or $144.00 and change. I was a bad girl so perhaps I won't order my three next year.
I ordered:
William - an Englishman,
Greenbanks,
Patience,
The Persephone Book of Short Stories,
Fidelity, and
A House in the Country.
Now I can't wait for them to arrive.

Darn it, Belva. Give me a list and the next time I'm in London (probably spring) I'll pick up six for you They come to around $15 each new and I might find some used ones.

I loved Someone at a Distance for all the wrong reasons, but I have a real soft spot for Saplings and Little Boy Lost.

Oh yea!~!~!
My plan is to read one Persephone per month. I have been told by some that they prefer the Persephone to the Virago even. I can't imagine but am going to find out.
Thank you Elaine.
hugs,

Belva check out awesomebooks shipping is free for more than 2 or 3 books (can't remember which), they don't have many used grey ones, but they do come up, just keep checking periodically, that's what I do.

Definitely Miss Pettigrew - it's awesome!!

95 - well, for future purchases (tempt! tempt!) my favourites which you haven't got are Hostages to Fortune, Family Roundabout, and for a really lovely children's story with beautiful woodcuts, The Runaway by Elizabeth Anna Hart. Doesn't get mentioned as much as others, but it's funny and wonderful.

Are any of the UK based Viragoites planning to go to the Persephone Christmas shopping evening this Wednesday? I'll be there at about 6pm to pick up the new short story collection and enjoy mince pies and mulled wine! It would be lovely to meet any of you who might be around.

#104 Sadly it's a bit far to travel from Newcastle! You'll have to enjoy it on behalf of all of us who can't attend.

Miss Pettigrew is perfect if you need a lift - you'll be smiling in no time.

Howevr Dorothy Whipple's Someone at a Distance and They were Sisters - are brilliant. Little Boy Lost - oh my have tissues to hand - it is gut wrenching in parts (don't let that put you off) - but beautiful and so so memorable. It's a fantastic list Belva - there are only two there I've not read.

Belva - I have over 60 Persephones and have read about half of those. Someone at a Distance is a very high class romance book and I loved it. But I'm with Elaine and Ali when it comes to Little Boy Lost. Just to give you a heads up, guy is married to a Frenchwoman at the beginning of the war. She is killed and after the war he goes looking for their son who was a newborn last time he saw him.

104 - Oh, I would love to, but getting away to London in the week is impossible :( Have fun!

Belva, I can't remember if you do electronic reading or not, but if you do there is a very useful blog post with details of Persephone books available online here.

Otherwise it's so difficult to pick and all of the recommendations you have received are wonderful, but the book I would chose for you is Marjory Fleming by Oriel Malet. Not the most read of the Persephone titles but it should be, because it is such a lovely account of a bright, young girl and the joy she finds in reading.

Thank you all so very much for your input and I will take it all to heart.

eratta; I will check on awesomebooks.com.

kaggsy and Ali; Thank you for the Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day rec. Will consider that one for my next P. read as well as your 2 other recs, Ali.

Simon; Thanx for the recs. They are now on my 'wanted' list.

Barbara; Over 60 Persephone? Wow, I am jealous. Thank you for kicking in your recs of Someone at a Distance (which I did choose as my first knowing Persephone read), and Little Boy Lost.

Fleur; I do not do read books on the computer as it messes with my eyes after a bit but I do have a 'Baron von Kindle' that I have yet to use. I have downloaded some books from Project Gutenberg but have read none. Thank you so much for the link. I hope I can figure out how to download books from it as there are quite a few I would love to have on the Kindle for when I DO get brave enough to read from it. And Marjory Fleming is now on my 'wanted' list.

Last evening I began Someone at a Distance, am easily 3/4 of the way through the book and am loving it. Loving the story and especially loving the way that Dorothy Whipple is telling the story. Her writing is amazing. To have found her right after reading Elizabeth Taylor all year has really dropped my jaw. Just based on this one book, I don't know who I like the better and that (for me), is saying a lot because I love Elizabeth Taylor.

You've collected some good ones so far!! I'd agree that Miss Pettigrew is lovely, but I think Cheerful Weather for the Wedding is my fave of yours! :)

Glad this thread was posted as I have a bunch of Persephones on my wish list now that Xmas is here. I'm putting down Little Boy Lost and Someone at a Distance.

I finished Someone at a Distance this afternoon and again as in after completing Blaming I am at a loss as to what to pick up next that can begin to be comparable. My review is here, http://www.librarything.com/work/75990, should you be interested.
I think I will go with Little Boy Lost as so many of you think so highly of that one. I am still in this WOW! mode from my last two reads. I feel so fortunate to be finishing my reading year with such quality material.

Belva, you must, must, must read Little Boy Lost. You will love it!

You have put me in a dilemma regarding Dorothy Whipple. I've read two (The Priory and They Knew Mr Knight) and sort-of-liked them but didn't think I'd bother reading any more of hers. Is Someone at a Distance really that good?

I loved it Dee. Is it great literature? No. But it's a great old fashioned read with the patient loving wife, the adulterous husband and the truly dreadful 'other woman'.

Belva - nearly all my Persephones were bought cheap on line. I'd hunt for used New ones and paid as little as a few dollars for some a year or two ago. Their condition was variable, but mostly quite good to excellent. Now there does not seem to be any cheap ones left and I treat myself every few months to a couple from Book Depository. BD have specials where they sell them for about $14 and last year they sold the newest title for 1 British Pound as a promotional thing. And no postage.

>115 romain:: Thanks Barbara, I can imagine Whipple doing all that quite nicely. Maybe one day, when I'm in the right mood...

Dee, I began Little Boy Lost last night and it has sucked me right in. The father is now in Paris with Pierre searching for the little one.
And yes, Someone at a Distance is really, really that good. Especially when one considers how often this tale has been told. I was quite captured by it.
I have been searching online for less expensive Persephone and am just not finding any. Will keep trying though.

Just keep checking Amazon, too. I put my Persephone wishes on PBS, not that I expected to get any there. But the PBS link to Amazon is so handy. I never paid more than $15 including shipping and I managed to fill in quite a few titles.

Like this Belva

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1903155266/ref=sr_1_71_up_1_main_olp?s=bo...

It says it's like new

Or this for $2.00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1903155126/ref=sr_1_153_up_1_main_olp?s=b...

In case my links don't work the books are Runaway and Reuben Sachs.

You never know what you're going to get but at least it's not too expensive a mistake.

Elaine and Barbara;
Gotcha. Thanks for the info. I just ordered both of those titles from the Book Depository at an average (9 books) of $21.56 each. I guess I need to develop some patience. And your links work great. So the next time I feel the need to order I will spend more time checking out all of these places. I have 17 on order now so that should hold me for a bit. I have been on here checking order sites and ordering since 11:00 A.M. and it is now 5:50 P.M. here. I could have been reading more of Little Boy Lost which I am really liking. I just get so anal at times and can't help myself. Like my hubby frequently tells me: "We all know you 'ain't got no' f**king patience!" God, I love that man. He reads me like a book.
Thank you again for all of your help.
hugs,

*Bump*

Not a Virago author, but has anyone ever read Bernice Rubens? Any thoughts or recommendations pleeeeeeese? Thanks!

I've read I sent a Letter to my Love and wasn't crazy about it. But others speak very well of her so try a couple and let us know.

I can recommend A Five Year Sentence as a very black comedy, but that's the only book of hers I've read to date.

I've recently acquired A Five Year Sentence and am looking forward to it but I don't think it's very near the top of Mt TBR.

I've also read A Five year sentence and really liked it, I have had The Elected Member TBR for ages.

Thanks! I think I shall keep an eye open for her work in my local charity emporiums (emporia?)

I read The Elected Member while I was on a crusade to read all Booker winners, and I really liked it. I wasn't expecting much, I remember it had an odd cartoonish cover, but it was much more sophisticated.

#122 I've got A Five Year Sentence in my TBR but my first Rubens was Madame Sousatzka which was good.

I've not read Madame Sousatzka but I have seen the movie, which was marvelous. Shirley MacLain played Madame and was perfect in the title role. I saw it many years ago and it has stayed with me. You should try seeing if they have it on NetFlix or if you can rent it Heather. I didn't even realize that it was based on a book. Need to see if my library can get it.

Well, I found a battered copy of Mother Russia for 50p at a hospital sale today so that's a good place to start!!

*Bump*

Slightly off topic, as it's not Virago, has anyone any thoughts on the Raj Quartet?

Brilliant! Read it read it read it! We do have quite similar book taste, so you know it makes sense!

I've read it twice and seen telly thing - love it - it is wonderful. Also when you've read The Raj Quartet - read staying on - brilliant!

Well, that's good enough for me - I shall start sourcing a set!!

I'm a fan as well. We watched the TV dramatisation first, and I read the books later, including Staying On which I can also recommend.

LOVE THE RAJ QUARTET!!!!
I intend to reread all of them next year with some group here somewhere (the senior brain can't recall). And, oh yes, you have to read Staying On, and you have to watch the Granada production.......but the big thing is to read them! (Sorry, Barbara)
Meanwhile, I just ordered a used copy of both Little Boy Lost and Someone at a Distance at AMP for 1¢ apiece = $4 with shipping. I can't quite believe the good fortune, but if they are good quality as described, I'm a happy reader!

I read Staying On, as you know Peggy, but never got to the Raj Quartet because of something I read about Paul Scott's personal life which upset me a lot. I was in my 30s then and in a very stressful place so perhaps I overreacted, but I feel the same way about Doris Lessing since finding out she abandoned her children. Great author and The Good Terrorist is in my Top 50, but if I am to enjoy an author's work I should never read their biographies. :)

138: I never expect my authors to be nice people - I figure if they were, they wouldn't be able to create the works of art... :)

I obtained a copy of the first volume of the Quartet earlier this year, having so much enjoyed (re)watching the TV adaptation. I remember watching at least some of this when it was first broadcast, but the last few episodes were not at all familiar so I don't think I ever saw the end originally. Anyway, having seen the whole thing now, I am keen to read the books - and glad to hear that others are intending to (re)read them next year. Perhaps I'll do better with this than with Dance to the Movement of Time...

139 - Sigh. I take your point. I don't expect Mick Jagger to be a nice person, indeed that's part of his appeal. Perhaps if Paul Scott had been a bit sexier...? :)

I'm very late to this thread but when it comes to Edith Wharton, I've read quite a few of her novels and especially liked Ethan Frome and Summer. Summer is somewhat on the order of Ethan Frome. The characters aren't society people, there aren't many of them onstage, and the story is simple and straightforward--and well-told.

The Group Read that Peggy mentioned for The Raj Quartet is right here. It starts in March and then reads a book every other month, so May, July and September. They haven't started a thread for it yet but the wiki is easy enough to add your name.

I read A Dance to the Music of Time this year with a group. We read one novella a month for all twelve months and it was wonderful and a fairly painless way to get the whole series read.

I just ordered Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day from Abe Books for $4.00 and free shipping. Can more Persephones be far behind? At that price? You betcha LOL.

141: LOL! :)

143: Thanks for the pointer Bonnie - I did the Dance read this year and it was nice to do so alongside others so I shall probably join in with the Raj Quartet every other month - I think I can handle it!

Miss Pettigrew is a truly wonderful book - and $4 plus free shipping is amazing!!

Thanks for the link, Bonnie. I'm signed up!
(Barbara, if you read only Staying On without any background, I can see that even without Scott's personal lousiness you would not have been tempted to read the rest. I'll just say that The Jewel in the Crown is my gold standard for good experimentation with point of view.
AND I'll also say that my copy of Little Lost Boy arrived today, and it's pristine. How often does that happen!?!?!

I'm not saying he isn't a great writer Peg... It's funny what puts you off a writer. I haven't read another Penelope Fitzgerald since the animal cruelty in The Beginning of Spring. And it was Lessing's autobiography that put me off her. But when Scott won the Booker a lot of dirt came out about his domestic violence and I thought 'So many books, so little time, so let's wipe this bugger from the list... '

As an afterthought - I've never read A Passage to India, and I'm picking up that it might have some relevance to the Raj Quartet - should I read Passage first?????

I think A passage to india is fantastic for laying out the social aspects of The Raj, the injustices and snobberies etc - I don't know if it would be necessary to read it first but you might find it a useful way round to read them.

I'm back just to say that my copy of Someone at a Distance arrived today. It looks as though it has been very gently read only once. I'm thrilled to own it and will read it sometime.........
Hmmm. I've never read *Passage*, and I'm sure that I want to.