A Cheerful Readalong

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!

52 thoughts on “A Cheerful Readalong

  • November 29, 2012 at 12:08 am
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    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!

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  • November 29, 2012 at 12:13 am
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    This is one of my favourite Persephones. I am eagerly awaiting the release of the film and will cheerfully (*ahem*) join the readalong!

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    • November 29, 2012 at 5:23 pm
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      Lovely lovely! I remember you loved it, and I agreed with every word :)

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  • November 29, 2012 at 12:18 am
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    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.

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    • November 29, 2012 at 5:23 pm
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      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 :)

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  • November 29, 2012 at 1:30 am
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    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.

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    • November 29, 2012 at 5:25 pm
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      I hope that by the end of January, you find yourself with some time :) It is very short!

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  • November 29, 2012 at 2:38 am
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    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!

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    • November 29, 2012 at 5:27 pm
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      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.

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    • November 30, 2012 at 3:38 am
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      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.

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  • November 29, 2012 at 4:05 am
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    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.

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    • November 29, 2012 at 5:27 pm
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      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.

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  • November 29, 2012 at 4:12 am
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    I'm in as well! (I will have to subscribe to Persephone, so many great titles…)

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    • November 29, 2012 at 5:28 pm
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      Hurray! And you definitely should subscribe to Persephone… let me know if you want any advice for which titles to choose…

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  • November 29, 2012 at 7:27 am
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    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…

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    • November 29, 2012 at 5:28 pm
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      Thanks so much :)
      If you can get hold of a copy, please do feel free to join in!

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  • November 29, 2012 at 9:16 am
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    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.

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    • November 29, 2012 at 5:29 pm
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      Lovely! Is there a copy in the library?
      And, er, no thanks on the Deeping… lucky you!

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    • November 30, 2012 at 8:47 am
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      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.)

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  • November 29, 2012 at 10:44 am
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    I was just thinking about reading this after watching the trailer so I may join you!

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    • November 29, 2012 at 5:29 pm
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      Oh, lovely! It would be brilliant to have you on board, Sakura.

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  • November 29, 2012 at 3:06 pm
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    I'm in. I have a Penguin edition already on my shelf. That Persephone edition does look gorgeous though. :)

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    • November 29, 2012 at 5:31 pm
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      Tempting, isn't it? I love the cover image so much. So glad you're in!

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  • November 29, 2012 at 5:38 pm
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    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!

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    • November 29, 2012 at 5:40 pm
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      Wonderful news, Karen!
      I think this is my favourite Persephone Classics cover – and also the third copy I have of this novel!

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  • November 29, 2012 at 9:49 pm
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    oh a film of it ,I have it and have read it so may be up for it ,all the best stu

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    • December 4, 2012 at 11:33 am
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      Great to have you on board, Hayley – I wonder how this novel will seem on a second read…

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  • November 30, 2012 at 9:19 am
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    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.

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    • December 4, 2012 at 11:34 am
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      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.

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  • November 30, 2012 at 9:22 am
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    This is the only Persephone I have read – though I intend to read more. I'd love to join in the group read.

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  • November 30, 2012 at 12:32 pm
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    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…

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    • December 4, 2012 at 11:35 am
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      Lovely! Just make sure you don't tell everyone, or you might end up with dozens of copies ;)

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  • November 30, 2012 at 8:02 pm
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    Count me in Simon! This book is in my HIU mountain, thanks to the Doves, so I'll be happy to dive into it!

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  • December 3, 2012 at 2:08 am
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    I'll join in too! Looks like my library has the Persephone edition. Yay!

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  • December 3, 2012 at 3:00 pm
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    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!

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    • December 4, 2012 at 11:35 am
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      Le sigh… I'm not sure it'll come to any mainstream cinemas even in the UK…

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  • January 1, 2013 at 10:10 pm
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    I have this ready to go, too, Simon.

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  • January 5, 2013 at 5:10 pm
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    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!

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  • January 7, 2013 at 8:59 am
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    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.

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  • January 15, 2013 at 2:35 pm
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    I've finish reading it last week and would love to join in. It sounds like a lovely idea.

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  • January 20, 2013 at 3:03 am
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    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.

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