I went to Draycott Books in Chipping Campden today – a bookshop I first visited last year. That was during Project 24, so I had to be very restrained. And it was just the sort of bookshop where I didn’t want to be restrained at all. Not a massive stock, but a large amount of interesting and unusual titles in their 20th-century hardback fiction section – which, naturally, is the first place I head in any bookshop.
And, yes, I came away with quite a pile.
Arundel by E.F. Benson
Climber by E.F. Benson
Always great to find more EFBs in the wild. I don’t remember anybody ever mentioning these books, which are both from the middle of his long and prolific writing career. Even at his worst, Benson is enjoyable – and at his best he is sublime, so I’ll have to wait and see where these fall on the Benson spectrum.
Colonel Blessington by Pamela Frankau
Frankau’s final novel, and apparently a thriller? Again, I don’t remember seeing anybody writing about this one – and, again, Frankau can be quite a variable author in my experience. But certainly happy to add to my shelf of unread Frankaus.
Best Stories of Theodora Benson
This is the book I reluctantly left behind last time, so I was pleased (though not entirely surprised) to find it was still waiting for me in Draycott Books. Of course, I love Which Way?, the title that British Library Women Writers reprinted, and have had mixed success with her other books. It will be interesting to discover what she is like as a short story writer.
Little Innocents by various
I bought this collection of childhood memories on the strength of E.M. Delafield being included in it – though she is far from the only name I recognised. Others include Vita Sackville-West, Ethel Smyth, Harold Nicolson… I couldn’t work out whether the contributions had been written specially for this book, but it does look rather like they were.
When My Girl Comes Home by V.S. Pritchett
I’ve only read Pritchett’s autobiography, but now have a couple of his novels to try. This was one of many titles from ‘Contemporary Fiction’ – a series I didn’t recognise, but which had a lot of intriguing and lesser-known mid-century books in it. Anybody know this imprint?
The Expensive Miss du Cane by Miss Macnaughtan
I don’t know anything about this book or author, but that’s the sort of title I certainly can’t resist. I flicked to the opening paragraph, and found myself even less able to resist:
As a country-house visitor Miss Du Cane was altogether desirable. She had her place, and that a high one, in the world of house-parties. And many people wondered at this, for not only was she very little known in London society, but there was about her an absence of that self-assertiveness which is generally supposed to militate against the acquirement of small privileges. There was nothing of the expert guest whose remarks may be said in their entire aptness and suitability to border upon professionalism. Nor was she even one of the useful guests who can be depended upon by tired hostesses to take a good deal of trouble off their hands, and to play games good-temperedly, and to become enthusiastic about taking some rural walk, or to laugh a great deal over small country-house jokes.
Indeed, even though it’s the book I know least about, I think The Expensive Miss du Cane might be the first book I read from this haul.
Where would you start?
Nice find Simon! I don’t know anything about the Contemporary Fiction imprint, but I’ll be keen to hear what you think of the Pritchett!
I’m trying hard to resist starting a collection :D
Don’t think I could resist a previously-unknown EF Benson.
Absolutely not! My kryptonite.
Wow, what’s the Colonel Blessington about? I can’t find any info on it, or the author. Very intrigued.
It doesn’t have much description, just that it’s a thriller, so… we’ll see! She is better known for the books that Virago reprinted- A Wreath for the Enemy is incredibly good.
Thanks! I put Wreath on my TBR shelf.
Excitement..I KNEW I had bought a Theodora Benson!Apart from my love of these “recovered”women I chose “Which Way?” because it must just about be the first book written by a woman to usual parallel timelines!Our heroine has three options..I’ll read it quickly and let you know.Also heard of Spring Always Comes but not seen it.
Thank you for a wonderful column.
Yes, Which Way? is so fun and original – hope you enjoy
I’ve just ordered a copy of The Expensive Miss du Cane. That opening paragraph you quote was irresistibly alluring. Thank you!
Oh fab! I hope the rest of it lives up to that first para
Definitely with Miss du Cane, sounds fun.
I might even start it today…
It’s actually “When my Girl Comes Home”: a collection of short stories, which was where Pritchett was at his best.
Oo well spotted, thanks. And v glad it’s a good’un!
I’m thinking the Theodora Benson will be great! As will that collection of short stories by various authors. Enjoy!
Thanks Davida!
Oo.. this bookshop sounds lovely and this week’s pile looks interesting just on the basis of the physical appearance of the books! I have enjoyed all the Benson’s that I have read (which does not include any of these), but I cannot read tham one after the other or it gets a bit too much. I enjoyed ‘Which Way’ so will be interested to see what the short stories are like.
I keep seeing Pamela Frankau books in second hand and charity shops but have not risked one yet – now I might be more likely to do so thus will look out for your verdict on this one.
(BTW, I picked up ‘To the LIghthouse’ this weekend (just relistened to tea or books episode 7 on this one ) so am hoping to tackle that this week.)
Oo yes, do grab the next Frankau you find! Some of her books are a bit weird, but the ones that Virago did are dependably good I believe. And good luck with To The Lighthouse! Just let the beauty of it wash over you.
Thanks for the Frankau recommendation. I probably won’t find any for ages now!
As for To the Lighthouse – I don’t think I have ever read anything quite like it and am totally blown away. Thank you for encouraging me to feel I would be missing out if I didn’t try Virginia Woolf – I certainly would have been!
Using Saturdays to acquire stacks of books is the best use possible. I hope you read Miss du Cane soon because that is a wonderful first paragraph and I want to know more.
Isn’t it beguiling! So glad I spotted it tucked away on a shelf.
I’d start there, too. And no, I don’t know that Contemporary Fiction imprint, how exciting! I like the design. Is there a list of the books on the flap?
I’ll be in Chipping Camden in September and will definitely visit this bookshop. Thanks for mentioning it. I have both of the Bensons but haven’t read them yet. I’d also start with Miss du Cane.
I have that same edition of Colonel Blessington! Lovve Frankau, and this has been on my shelf for years, so maybe it’s time for me to read it even if not for you. Great list!
Fun! Yes, she is so brilliant at her best, so fingers crossed this is one of them