I adore Julia Strachey’s novel Cheerful Weather For the Wedding – more here – and I was very excited when I found out that a film was being made. It was going to cinema, then straight to DVD, now I think it’s back on for the cinema. I was excited, but with some trepidation, as it struck me as the sort of book which might not translate well to screen. It’s so dryly, bitingly funny, and not at all serious. But I’m impressed with this trailer, and think they might well have caught the tone…
I’ll be re-reading it before the film comes out, and wondered if anybody fancied joining me for a bit of a group read in January? All very informal – just post a review when you want to (in, say, the last week of January) and I’ll have a discussion here. It’s very short and very good – although does divide people quite a lot, so should be interesting to discuss.
Let me know if you’re interested! A Persephone edition is available, indeed two Persephone editions are available, as it got the beautiful Persephone Classics reprint treatment.
Fun fun!
I'd love to take part in a group read! I recently purchased the Persephone Classics edition and am eager to dive in. Thanks for your blog, Simon, you have introduced me to so many lovely books!
Wonderful! Glad to have you on board :)
This is one of my favourite Persephones. I am eagerly awaiting the release of the film and will cheerfully (*ahem*) join the readalong!
Lovely lovely! I remember you loved it, and I agreed with every word :)
I literally finished this novel about half an hour ago on the train to work. I loved it! Some of it is laugh out loud funny. Clever too, wonderful observations.
What a coincidence! I imagine you won't want a re-read immediately, but I hope enough stays in your head that you can join in the discussion :)
Sounds like a plan. I'm in.
Wonderful! I'm so pleased with the response.
It's been so long since I've done a challenge or a read-a-long that I'm tempted. However, I'm going to have to wait until winter break before I sign up for anything more.
I have been enjoying going to movie adaptations this fall though. I'd love to hear what you think of the movie.
I hope that by the end of January, you find yourself with some time :) It is very short!
I loved the book, although I found it profoundly depressing. I would never have thought it filmable. Perhaps "based on" might have a lot to cover here!
I found it frothy and funny, so I'm intrigued by you finding it depressing! I do hope they get the tone of the book, even if it requires some padding to be filmed. The cast is fab.
I wonder if it is because it has such a lot to say about the shallowness of the middle classes? Being middle class myself I felt a little bit mean finding it funny, as if I was laughing meanly at my own family. For example, Mrs Thatcham made me laugh but also reminded me of my mother (who it has to be said, is also fairly shallow).
I get the same dissonant reaction from watching comedies like The Office.
This was the first Persephone I purchased while visiting London about 4 years ago. Later that day when I got back to my daughter's flat, she immediately stole my new book! I have retrieved it just in time to join the read-along.
Haha! Well done for getting it back! Really glad you'll be on board – and what an introduction to Persephone! It's quite different from some of their other novels.
I'm in as well! (I will have to subscribe to Persephone, so many great titles…)
Hurray! And you definitely should subscribe to Persephone… let me know if you want any advice for which titles to choose…
Hi Simon,
I agree with you totally, that Cheerful Weather for The Wedding is a brilliant book! In fact I think that all the Persephone Titles are wonderful and interesting. I live in Mumbai, but I love your blog…its really inspiring for people like me who have just started blogging. I wish I could join you for the reading…
Thanks so much :)
If you can get hold of a copy, please do feel free to join in!
I'm in! It will be a lot more fun than my current reading – The Dark House by Warwick Deeping (1941). No one's going to join me for a group read of THAT one.
Lovely! Is there a copy in the library?
And, er, no thanks on the Deeping… lucky you!
There is a copy in the collection, but someone else is reading it for the reading group on the theme of marriage, meeting on Monday! I have treated myself to a Persephone.
(Mary Grover, expert on all things Deeping, tells me that he did get a bit dull in the 1940s. Is true.)
I was just thinking about reading this after watching the trailer so I may join you!
Oh, lovely! It would be brilliant to have you on board, Sakura.
I'm in. I have a Penguin edition already on my shelf. That Persephone edition does look gorgeous though. :)
Tempting, isn't it? I love the cover image so much. So glad you're in!
Fab idea Simon – count me in! I have the Penguin edition llike Alex though if I get any Christmas booktokens the Persephone is definitely calling!
Wonderful news, Karen!
I think this is my favourite Persephone Classics cover – and also the third copy I have of this novel!
oh a film of it ,I have it and have read it so may be up for it ,all the best stu
Excellent, thanks Stu!
Count me in, I liked this book and think it should be a good re read.
Great to have you on board, Hayley – I wonder how this novel will seem on a second read…
Thank you for showing the trailer, Simon. I recognise some of those actors from other roles. I hope I can differentiate the different characters when I see the film ;-). Amazing that the title hasn't been changed! I think I have only listened to this on audio – read by the wonderful Miriam Margolyes. Will try to join in the group read.
Yes, Downton alert! And the lead male was in a short film I saw the other day (AND he's a twin.) Not to mention Debbie Archer herself.
Miriam sounds like an excellent choice for this audiobook – must track down a copy.
This is the only Persephone I have read – though I intend to read more. I'd love to join in the group read.
Fantastic – and, oh, what Persephone delights await you!
I'm new to the world of blogging but would love to join your group read. I've only just discovered Persephone books through reading your blog – they sound wonderful! Now I know what to tell people who (very kindly) ask me what I'd like for Christmas…
Lovely! Just make sure you don't tell everyone, or you might end up with dozens of copies ;)
Count me in Simon! This book is in my HIU mountain, thanks to the Doves, so I'll be happy to dive into it!
Perfect! I'm so thrilled with the response.
I'll join in too! Looks like my library has the Persephone edition. Yay!
Yay indeed! Well done library.
I wonder if it will EVER open here in the U.S.??? Le sigh.
But I'd love to read it again with a group. I'm in!
Le sigh… I'm not sure it'll come to any mainstream cinemas even in the UK…
I'm in!
I have this ready to go, too, Simon.
Just ordered the book!
I am in and (Lo and Behold!), I think the text has even been translated into French. I have to check a shelf where it should be. Of course I have got the Persephone edition as well but it would be fun to compare both texts!
I'm in!
I don't often join readalongs but I, too, have the lovely Persephone edition and I'm in. I've read it before but I feel sure I'll enjoy a re-read and other readers comments and thoughts.
I've finish reading it last week and would love to join in. It sounds like a lovely idea.
It's coming in the mail – just got the "shipped" email this morning – so keeping my fingers crossed it will arrive in time to participate. Will be my first experience of this author – looking forward to finding out if I like her (well, her book, really!) as much as so many of you do.