2020 just keeps going, doesn’t it? What a long, long year. I hope you have some good plans this weekend, and that they’re able to go ahead. I’ll be meeting up with my ‘bubble’ (my brother) so I’ll get to hug someone, which we never thought would become a novelty, did we?
Anyway, whatever you’ve got going on, here’s the usual link, blog
post, and book to accompany you on your way.
1.) The link – on my recent review of The Silent Woman by Janet Malcolm, Jenny of Reading the End left a link to an NYRB article Malcolm wrote about her libel lawsuits. It is fascinating in a totally Malcolm way.
2.) The blog post – I enjoyed Danielle’s take on a reading prompt of ‘ready for new beginnings’. Aren’t we all, at the moment? And so many excellent novels and memoirs could fit that description. Go and see what Danielle chose.
3.) The book – the latest Slightly Foxed Edition (my goodness, how I love them) is Jessica Mitford’s brilliant memoir Hons and Rebels. It’s about her childhood as part of the notorious Mitford sisters, but also a lot more than that as she grows older and forms her own identity. And you won’t find a lovelier edition than this, because SF Editions are the nicest books in the world.
Morning Simon – it’s a beautiful day here on Deeside, and I’m about to set off for what has become my daily walk by the river.
I read Slightly Foxed’s email newsletter last night and wondered again about subscribing – you’d say it’s worth it then?
I read Hons & Rebels when I was still at school and loved it – I still remember how, as an older child, Jessica said she would sit on her bed every morning, stick out her legs and yell ‘Stockings!’ to summon the maid.
After a few years I started to get a bit fed up with the Mitfords – they seemed to be everywhere, and really they did lead a very privileged, if weird, life. However, I have lately started re-reading Nancy Mitford’s novels, and she really was a very good writer – the subjects may be light but the prose is so smooth and engaging. Highland Fling, my latest read, cheered me up no end. I think both she and Jessica should be admired for their achievements, often in the face of great sadness. Not too sure about the rest of that lot! I do still remember coming across the family graves or memorial can’t remember which now) somewhere – is it near you? – and I’m always excited to find something I’d read about (like the Venetian church with the murals from Miss Garnet’s Angel, or Monica Dickens’ childhood home in Holland Park – those were also great days!)
I’m looking forward to reading Danielle’s post – I’m getting quite into book promotes and challenges just now, they can lead you into so many places.
Have a good time with your brother!
Lovely comment, thank you! Yes, there was definitely Mitford saturation a while ago, wasn’t there?
Yes, the graves are very close to my work (and quite close to me), as are two of their houses. Nice to be aorund where they were!
While I have mixed feelings about Decca, I have absolutely no mixed feelings about Slightly Foxed and have already ordered my copy of Hons and Rebels. Also really looking forward to their December release of Cider with Rosie.
Oo yes, a book so perfect for the series that it’s hard to believe they didn’t already do it.
Janet Malcolm was fun to read. It reminded me of being sent to an executive coach to prepare for a career-defining presentation to the board of directors. We spent 2 hours practicing how to enter the room, walk to the lectern and stand!
Haha! I hope the presentation paid off :D
Hons and Rebels is fabulous, what a perfect book for Slightly Foxed to reissue. I always thought I would have liked Jessica Mitford as a person, while the other Mitfords I have to admit to having just been fascinated by, I may not have liked them in real life.
I think Debo is about the only one I could bear talking to, or maybe Pamela. But reading about them is another matter!
*prompts not promotes (thank you i-phone..)