Well, the first thing to say is that although the novel begins with a couple of deaths off page as it were which could have meant it was going to be another of the direly morose books my Poole bookclub appears to choose, this one managed to veer away from blood, gore, horror, despair and suicide ...
I will always love this book. Partly because it reminds me of my mother. Partly because it reminds me of being a teenager (I think I was that young when I first read it? not far off anyway. But mostly because I love Mary Wesley's writing. Her characters are fascinating (if not always likeable) an...
For some time now I do carework for the elderly in the UK. People in their late 80's or even 90's, whose young years play out on the pages of this book. Often they relate to me their war-time experiences, in fact it seems, that - very understandibly - those years left the deepest marks on their l...
A cross between Anita Brookner and Ivy Compton-Burnett, I think. I’ve heard Barbara Pym thrown around as well but I didn’t quite see it; Wesley isn't as cozy and smooth. Also Jane Austen, but nah. People have said Anita Brookner's like Jane Austen too but no. Just because you're a lady writing ab...
For those of you who are not familiar with Mary Wesley, here's a brief introduction; She was kick-ass with a capital K. Need more info? Fair enough. Born in 1912 she lived till the fairly grand age of 90 and racked up ten novels and a CBE all of which was achieved after her 70th birthday. When no...
to be honest i did not really know what to make of this book. guess i could not really see the point of it henry brings his new bride to cotteshaw in 1944 and she immediately retired to her bed and stayed there 2 young couples encounter her 10 years later and become regular but uneasy house guest...