Just a quick update on my previous post, since a few of you were asking in the comments which Stella Gibbons should you read first… I wrote in my review that I couldn’t choose a better novel between Cold Comfort Farm and Westwood because they were so different, but I do think you should Cold Comfort Farm first. If you only read one Stella Gibbons’ novel, it should be that one – because while Westwood is brilliant, there are lots of similar(ish) novels out there, whereas Cold Comfort Farm really is one of a kind. Plus hilarious novels are pretty rare. There you go, that’s my dictat on starting reading Stella Gibbons….
My mother would suggest you stop reading Gibbons after completing Cold Comfort Farm; interesting to see you enthusing about one of her other novels.
Peter – I think if one is hoping for more of the same, then one would be disappointed – luckily I was warned about this in advance!
If you're only going to read one Gibbons make it Cold Comfort Farm, but if you're going to read a few 'Westwood' is far more typical of her general output but I'd say Nightingale Wood is probably the best starting point…
Thanks, Simon!