Hello – and welcome to Mary Hocking week.
As many of you know I have been trying to raise the profile of this often forgotten author, so I am hoping a lovely week of Mary Hocking chatter will go some way at least to doing that. I have just finished reading A Time of War (1968) a book I thoroughly enjoyed, totally immersing myself in the world of a fleet-air training station and the young Wrens who live and work together, the men in their lives and the losses they endure. I shall be posting a review in a couple of days. I now already on to my second read for Mary Hocking week.
I am very much looking forward to hearing what other people are reading either here or on Twitter and if you’re on Facebook there is an as yet small but enthusiastic little group: Mary Hocking readers – and I know of several people, most of them not bloggers who have already begun reading and will probably be sharing their thoughts there. We welcome new members.
So a reading week needs a nice shiny giveaway, doesn’t it? – but of course Mary Hocking books are all out of print. So I have bought three second hand editions; books that could provide an introduction to people who haven’t read any Mary Hocking yet. The giveaway is open to everyone – whether you have read Mary Hocking before or not. However, please note – UK postage costs have gone crazy, so although I am opening the giveaway worldwide, I can only afford to pick one winner from outside the UK and the book will be sent surface mail. So I will do one random draw for people outside the UK, and a second draw of two winners for those of you from within the British Isles. These are the books on offer (click on the title tosee my original review);
A Particular Place (1989)
The Very Dead of Winter (1993)
An Irrelevant Woman (1987)
Please leave a comment below if you would like to be entered for the giveaway letting me know where in the world you are, and which of the three books you would like – and leave an email address where I can get hold of you if you win. The giveaway will be open all week and I shall draw the winners on Sunday 7th June using Random.org .
Bloggers; if you review any Mary Hocking either this week or in the coming weeks please post the link either here or at the bottom of this post so I don’t miss it. A round up of Mary Hocking week will follow in due course – those of you who don’t blog, please I still want to hear from you, what were your experiences of reading Mary Hocking, and will you read more?
heavenali 
Hello! I’d love to win “A Particular Place” and I mention the Week in my State of the TBR post today https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2015/06/01/state-of-the-tbr-june-2015/ (publishing at 10am today, link won’t work till then) and will be reviewing “An Irrelevant Woman” on my blog tomorrow.
Thanks for linking to me 🙂
Hello,
I’m so enjoying Good Daughters, have found lots of coincidences and a connection to my beloved Cornwall.
I’d love to win Indifferent Heroes which is the next in the series.
I will be looking out for more of her novels.
I was so engrossed in my book last night , when I looked at the clock it was 1am!
Just realised an error.
I would love The Very Dead Of Winter and will put the other book on my wish list!
Don’t worry I’ll put you in the draw.
Nice! I would love A Particular Place, but any of the three would be fine. Email me at lory [at] emeraldcitybookreview [dot] com.
I would love to win any of the books as I have not read anything by Mary Hocking yet. She sounds like the kind of writer I enjoy. I am in Connecticut, USA, and would help with the postage if we can figure out a way to do it.
Sorry. Email: gluck_nancy at yahoo dot com.
Thank you for the offer. I’ll see how the draw comes out.
When I heard your Mary Hocking week was coming up (several weeks ago), I put a request in at my library for one of her books only to find out that there are none at all in my province and it would cost me $12 to have one shipped from three provinces over (Ontario). For that price, I could just buy one, of course. But, it was worth a try. I find it interesting that, for someone who wrote so many books, there would be none around. If I ever see one of her books when poking around in a used book store, I will sure to snatch it up!
I suppose as M H is a British author it is less surprising that her books aren’t available in Canada. It is disappointing though.
Any of the books would be wonderful .Her books sound perfect for me&I will be heading to our main library to look for them.
Lomazowr@gmail.com
Can you tell what part of the world you’re in Rhonda.
Thank you Ali! I would be thrilled to win An Irrelevant Woman. I am a faithful reader of your blog from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Always fun and insightful to read your posts. You can reach me at ebooks.pereira@gmail.com.
I’ve never read Mary Hocking but would love to try one of her novels (comparisons with Elizabeth Taylor have piqued my interest). The Very Dead of Winter sounds particularly appealing, but I’d be delighted to win any of the three you’ve selected. My email is jacqui100@live.co.uk. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win one of her books – you’re doing a fab job of raising her profile!
Thank you 😊
I am in the U.S. and would love to win The Very Dead of Winter, Ali. Thank you for the opportunity.
My pleasure.
Oh I love Mary Hocking, and I’m knocked out by your generosity in buying and giving away three of her books. However, I own all the ones you’re offering and I’ll be happy just to re-read one of the books in my MH collection. I look forward to reading your review of ‘A Time of War’, that’s one I don’t own and haven’t read for thirty years, but I did recently read a peacetime sequel to it … sorry, I’ve forgotten the title. Keep up the good work in promoting Mary Hocking.
Yes the sequel is The Hopeful Traveller which I have now started reading too.
Irrelevant Woman sounds so timeley – I’d love to read it! I’m in NY (and I’d gladly reimburse for postage) thanks! teabird17 **at** yahoo ** dot ** com.
Oh thank you for the offer of reimbursement. Good luck 😊
Hi there – I live in Texas and to be honest, I’d be happy should I win any of those titles. Seeing as I live outside UK and thinking of postage, perhaps I should limit it to whatever book is lightest (less postage for you?) Either way, please may I get my name in the draw? Thank you. I had not heard of Hocking before you, and now I’m very tempted. Good writing on your side!
😊 good luck. I will do the draw on Sunday.
Whoops. I forgot to add that I’m happy to cover postage should I win one. 🙂
😀
Hi, I have never read any books of Mary Hocking before but reading your book review, I think I wanna win “An irrelevant woman”. By the way, I’m from the Philippines. l_saringo@yahoo.com
OK you’re In the draw good luck.
I’d love to enter and either win A Particular Place or An Irreverent Woman. I have two addresses – one in Switzerland and one in the UK. Whatever works best – should I be drawn.
I’m enjoying Letters From Constance ans will review it on Sunday.
Glad you’re enjoying Letters from Constance.
I’m from Brazil and I would love to win an Irrelevant Woman.
Thank you for the opportunity!
My email is beh_tsukamoto@hotmail.com
[…] very pleased that when I went to look for a book to read for Mary Hocking Reading Week I found ‘The Meeting Place’, her final novel, published in 1996. As I read I found much […]
Here is my post for the week: http://www.emeraldcitybookreview.com/2015/06/remembering-mary-hocking-good-daughters.html
brilliant. Thank you for the link. Glad you enjoyed Good Daughters.
Hi , I have never tried any of Mary Hoking books so I would like to give it a try ! I think I will try An irrelevant women . my email is assourti@gmail.com
I am from Tunisia
[…] The blog post – you’ve got time to join in Mary Hocking Reading Week! Let Ali explain it all… (Oh, and Sylvia Townsend Reading Week has been extended to a month, so I should manage to at least […]
I forgot about Hocking week but I promise i’ll get right on it (a week late). I got behind on reading blogs but I do have a Hocking ready to go.
I’m glad you’re going to read some Mary Hocking it really doesn’t matter if it’s a bit late.
[…] love being introduced to new-to-me authors, so when Heavenali announced she was hosting a “Remember Mary Hocking” event, I was glad to join in. I decided to start my exploration of this prolific twentieth-century […]
[…] love being introduced to new-to-me authors, so when Heavenali announced she was hosting a “Remember Mary Hocking” event, I was glad to join in. I decided to start my exploration of this prolific twentieth-century […]
[…] love being introduced to new-to-me authors, so when Heavenali announced she was hosting a “Remember Mary Hocking” event, I was glad to join in. I decided to start my exploration of this prolific twentieth-century […]