Tomorrow I’m heading of to the Lake District, and then onto Edinburgh on Tuesday, returning to Oxford on Friday. So I’m going to try that trick from my last trip, and set up some posts to appear throughout the week…
To kick off, I’ll let you know which books I’m taking with me. I’m spending the equivalent of a day on public transport, so will hopefully get through a fair few! Actually, before I do that, I must thank you for your suggestions for old films. It led me to Amazon, where I bought three of your recommendations in a Classic Films Triple (3 films on one DVD, I think, or at least in one DVD case) – it has The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, A Matter of Life and Death, and the one I’m really looking forward to, I Know Where I’m Going. I see that the price has gone down from £8.98 to £7.18 since I bought it… Alongside those I bought Gaslight, which wasn’t mentioned, but I’ve been meaning to watch it for ages.
So what books am I taking with me? Along with Susan Hill’s Howards End is on the Landing, which is shaping up to be one of my favourite books of the year, I’m taking the following:
The Tortoise and the Hare – Elizabeth Jenkins
For the Cornflower book group… plus it’s been on my shelves for years.
Mr. Weston’s Good Wine – T.F. Powys The Venetian Glass Nephew – Elinor Wylie
Came across these two whilst researching my masters, and both looked interesting. And the Powys title is a quotation from Emma, so what’s not to like?
A Very Short Introduction to Biography – Hermione Lee
My supervisor last year has been busy… a fascinating topic, looking forward to seeing what Dr. Lee has to say about it.
Olivia – Olivia (aka Dorothy Strachey)
I took this on my last holiday, and didn’t get around to it. Second time lucky.
Summer at the Haven – Katharine Moore
Apparently a novel set in an old people’s home which is also cheerful! Well, being one of Joyce Grenfell’s friends, how could it not be?
English Correspondance – Janet Davey
Picked up on a whim, modern novel about letters arriving after a bereavement.
Have you read any of these? Anything to say? By the time I read your comments I’ll hopefully have read most of them, but I’d be interested nonetheless… And who knows, I might even find internet in Scotland.
I haven't read any of those books, but I Know Where I'm Going is a terrific movie, as is Gaslight. I haven't seen the other two, but they've been on my list for years. (Not available in the U.S., last time I checked.)
Have a great time! I'm reading The Tortoise and the Hare at the moment and enjoying it immensely!
Is the Wigtown Book Festival still on- are you stopping by on the way North? Louis de Bernieres was there this weekend I think, but we couldn't get across.
I Know Where I'm Going is one of my favourite films. Incredible.
Have a wonderful time. Lake District and Scotland…two of the best places on earth.
I loved the Tortoise and the Hare. It's one of my favourite Viragos so far though I haven't read many of them yet. Gaslight is wonderful!
Olivia is wonderful! Can't believe you have't read it as I'm sure I came across it via your blog!
Lucky you to work with Hermione Lee!!! Interested to hear what you think of that book on biography. I loved the Elizabeth Jenkins when I read it, although that was a while back now.
Have a great trip.
So pleases that you are having a Powell & Pressburger binge.
here's a link for some background (online) reading
http://www.powell-pressburger.org/
I wonder if you will enjoy "Peeping Tom" (1960) the film that ruined Michael Powell. Nowadays I don't think that anyone would bat an eyelid at it.
I have to read Summer at the Haven that just sounds too good to be true and I must get a copy pronto, am off to Amazon now!!!