I put up lots of other people’s thoughts about The Love Child by Edith Olivier the other day, and here are mine – now you have a chance to read it yourself! I’ve got a spare copy kicking about, and it seems right to send it off to someone – and, since it’s small and light, I’ll have this open to anyone in the world. The novel is just too good to keep myself.
To enter, for a bit of fun and in honour of ‘Edith’, comment with your favourite author beginning with ‘E’ and/or your favourite book beginning with ‘E’. Or just pop your name in if that proves too tricky! I’ll keep the entries open for a week, then announce the winner in the next Weekend Miscellany.
Emma. Anything by Elizabeth Taylor. And The Waiting Years by Fumiko Enchi, which I recommend if you haven't come across it. So that covers first names and surnames. (Actually, I'm not sure whether Japanese surnames come first or the order is reversed.)
Anyway, they're the best of the Es that I can see from my desk without getting up!
Edgar Allan Poe. Was part of my texts for Advanced Level literature!
thanks for sharing.
Edith Wharton is one of my favorite authors. I've been on a binge lately reading her work.
Well, the first "E's" that came to mind are both favorite children's authors at our house — Edward Eager and Elizabeth Enright.
edith whartons mine to!!
Ellen Foster. Elizabeth Hay. ELizabeth Jane Howard.Elizabeth Berg.I would love to read The Love Child.
Evelyn Waugh.
The first author that came to mind for me was Enid Blyton, swiftly followed by E Nesbit. Not exactly high literature but both great for this time of year! (And by coincidence my word verification begins with an "e" – do I get extra points for having to type in "enith"?)
I've recently discovered Edith Wharton and love her books, while E. Nesbit is one of my favourite childhood authors. 'Emma' is possibly the Jane Austen novel which I enjoy the most, although that changes quite frequently.
Does *E* F. Benson count?
No need to enter me, Simon, as you have already kindly given me a copy of this gently bizarre book. I just wanted to add my thoughts and mention E.B. White.
The cold days are making me think of comfort reading and Enid Blyton
E M Delafield is one of my favourite writers. L M Montgomery's 'Emily of New Moon' series remains a guilty pleasure at the grand old age of 26…oh dear!
Well, EM Delafield, of course! Which reminds me, it has been far too long since I've read something by her.
Evelyn Waugh!! Fantastic writer – and Emma (by Austen) is a wonderful book.
Elizabeth Goudge….what fun this is! :)
This is intriguing! I'd have to say my favorite E authors are Edith Wharton and Elizabeth Gaskell. My favorite book beginning with E is definitely Ethan Frome.
OOOH – anything by E.M. Forster and Elizabeth Taylor and the outstanding Evelyn Waugh but E.M. Delafield is, and will always be, right in the middle of my heart!
E.M. Forster's Howard's End is one of my all-time favorites. Thanks for the draw!
Excitement! What a lovely book. Mine is Edith Wharton – I just finished The Age of Innocence and I can't concentrate at work for thinking about it…
Evelyn Waugh – The Loved One – one of my desert island books, but in reality the first that came to mind was Enid Blyton too.
Oh by all means, Eudora Welty. And a couple of other fine writers: Edward P. Jones (The Known World) and Jeffrey Eugenides (Middlesex). How about The Electric Michaelangelo? As you can see, I'm really trying to win you over.
E.F. Benson: "He told himself that he was not drunk at all, but that he had taken an unusual quantity of whisky, which seemed to produce much the same effect as intoxication." Major Benjamin Flint, in the book _Miss Mapp_
Elizabeth Gaskell, Elizabeth Bowen. And if last names count, George Eliot. And a middle initial, D.E. Stevenson.
Ellis Peters (the Cadfael Chronicles) Emile Zola (Nana), Emily Bronté (Wuthering Heights) and Elisabeth Kostova (the Historian), those were the first E's that came to my mind.
Thank you for a very inspiring blog. I have found some very useful links and books to read.
Greetings from Sweden.
Love the "E" authors.
What came to my mind was Edward Eager, a writer for children who wrote in the 50's and 60's. His books were about ordinary children experiencing magic. The school librarian gave them to me in thrid grade and I was smitten.
PB
Although I love Elizabeth Taylor, it would have to be E.M Delafield's Diary of a Provincial Lady.
I've enjoyed reading these comments, some books and authors here I'd never heard of.
I feel a bit embarrassed about posting because I hardly ever comment here but alas my desire to read The Love Child overcame my sense of etiquette and wish not to seem so nakedly acquisitive.
George Eliot is hands down my favourite E author although I am also fond of Elizabeth Taylor, Edith Wharton and Edith Templeton.
For books, I think Graham Greene's The End of the Affair probably ties with Elizabeth and her German Garden. Oh no! I've just thought. My absolute favourite is The Egoist by George Meredith – it's clever and charming, you should read it.
Since I'm actually commenting for once – thanks Simon for your lovely blog!