A reminder that it’s Shirley Jackson Reading Week! I’ve just started The Road Through The Wall, which I’m hoping to finish by the end of the week, but I will also point you towards my review of Life Among the Savages and Raising Demons (in the latest edition of Shiny New Books). Those who think Shirley Jackson might be too dark for their tastes will love these domestic memoirs. They’re either fictionalised autobiography or biographical fiction; take your pick.
A round-up of posts so far is over at Jenny’s, and more keeping coming in. Hurrah!
Did you know BELLO BOOKS are reprinting Richmal Crompton THERE ARE FOUR SEASONS on 25th August?They may be on a spree of her reprints for all i know.£10.99 paperback.
ah yes i see you do know about Crompton as it is on your Twitter dated 14th July.Thanks for replying.
I would be annoyed if i had spent time and money collecting the hardback originals.
Yes, and I am thrilled! Not just because there are a few I’ve not been able to find, but because more people will be able to read her now, which can only be a lovely thing.
I read Life Among the Savages a few years ago and I agree, it is funny. I like to think, however, that there are hints of the darker side of Jackson if you read between the lines. Then again, that may just be the 1950’s lifestyle and parenting techniques. I read it alongside the Private Demons: The Life of Shirley Jackson by Judy Oppenheimer which I would recommend if anyone wanted to get an idea of what was really going on in Jackson’s life when she was writing these two lighter books.
I’ve had that on my shelf for a couple of years, and have heard about the dark times Jackson experienced. I agree that there are hints of that in LATS and RD, but… I try not to read between the lines with those books. They’re just so funny!
I was going to read Life Among the Savages and Raising Demons, but I haven’t got round to buying them. Actually, I think I would quite like to try We Have Always Lived in the Castle. But memories of The Lottery keep surfacing, and I’m still not sure if I’ll like her.
Oh, Christine, I do promise you’ll love them! I have less certainty that you’d love We Have Always Lived in the Castle… but I don’t want to discourage you trying.