I am writing this while in a very bad mood – and that’s why I haven’t blogged earlier in the week as I had originally intended and why I am behind in reading and commenting on other blogs. It is amazing how trying to sort out what should be a minor issue can become all-consuming, take over your days, and interrupt your nights. I am so distracted and mithered that I am finding it hard to concentrate. I am already finding writing full reviews more challenging than it used to be, so I didn’t really need this as well.
However, while I am struggling to write properly about books, I am reading them – not in such large numbers as I would like but I am thoroughly enjoying the business of reading, choosing what to read next and sitting quietly for a while with a book. There’s a special kind of comfort in sitting up late in silence while the world slows down a little and entering that world that you have wanted to return to since you last laid the books aside. That never diminishes. A feeling that only the booklover understands.
The book I started November with is the perhaps oddly titled Two Thousand Million Man Power by Gertrude Trevelyan (1937) which I was delighted to receive a review copy of. I will definitely be reviewing it later this month. It’s a brilliant novel – ignored for something like eighty years it is finally being reissued by Boiler House Press at the end of the month. It’s about a man and a woman, ordinary people over several years, against the backdrop of all that was going on in the 1920s and 1930s, their dreams and the slow destruction of those dreams when everyday life is brought into play. I shall say nothing more, but please look out for it; it really is quite brilliant.
Several weeks ago, I suddenly had the urge to re-read Elizabeth Taylor’s A View of the Harbour (1947) – which I did. Re-reading Elizabeth Taylor is always a pleasure and I decided I should give myself permission to do this more often. Then quite coincidentally my book group decided to read an Elizabeth Taylor for November, and after some discussion we settled on Palladian (1946). So, my second read of the month has been that. I found my memory of it to have been rather sketchy – I remembered a few important things but had forgotten others. It certainly isn’t her best book, but there are flashes of her brilliance in it, and while parts are a little over-wrought, her characterisation is as fine as ever. I finished rather sorry there wasn’t just a little more.
That, I suppose is why we keep the books we do. So that we can one day take out an old friend, open up the pages and say – “ah, yes, I remember you.” There is a comfort in familiarity too.
I haven’t bought any books for a few weeks (polishes halo) but a couple have come into my life. Two Christmas themed reads from the British Library The White Priory Murders a mystery for Christmas by Carter Dickson (1934) (aka John Dickson Carr) and from the women writers’ series Stories for Christmas (2022). I am saving both for next month. I have also just redeemed a Persephone gift voucher I had from Liz back in May for my birthday. I have ordered Dorothy Whipple’s The Other Day (1936)– and I can’t wait for it to come.
Speaking of Persephone, I realised I had quite a bit of a Persephone backlog, I received several last Christmas which I still haven’t read. So, while everyone else seems to be reading novellas for novellas in November (I shall try to join in later in the month) I am contemplating starting one of two huge Persephone tomes. I just fancy getting really stuck into a big novel. I have The Oppermanns by Lion Feuchtwanger (1934) and The Deepening Stream by Dorothy Canfield Fisher (1930) to choose between, and I fully intend to settle down later this afternoon and make my choice. There are still a few other Persephones unread in the cupboard, but I have a feeling that I shall probably cheat and read that new Dorothy Whipple before I read them.
That’s all from me for now, I shall endeavour to write properly about something I have read soon. In the meantime, happy reading.
I understand the grump – I hate it when something goes wrong in the house and needs repairing or I have lots of admin to do… especially when you depend on others. But it sounds like you have some good reads to take your mind off things. I do love getting reacquainted with old friends on my bookshelves, you put it very beautifully!
Thank you, definitely trying to relax now and put some things aside.
I’m so sorry you’re going through a hard time Ali, but this is such an interesting post as always! I was quite excited to read your thoughts on Two Thousand Million Man Power, I’m looking forward to it so much. I’ve had a good run with Boiler House Press this year, their titles Gentleman Overboard and Tess Slesinger’s collection of stories Time: The Present are just brilliant. And also, I loved your paragraph on the business of reading, it is spot on!
I will definitely look up those other Boiler House titles, thanks for the recommendations.
Ugh, sorry about whatever you’re dealing with, but glad to have you back! Two Thousand Million Man Power by Gertrude Trevelyan sounds good! Would you say it’s worth the $20 price I’m seeing for it?
Ooh well that is a lot. I would hope you would find it worth it. Probably so expensive because Boiler House are a small independent UK based publisher.
Sorry to hear things aren’t great Ali, but you describe the magic of reading beautifully. I read Palladian a few years back and really liked it, it was my first Taylor and I’ve always meant to read more.
Yes, I really enjoyed my reread. A lesser Taylor in my view is still great. You really should explore more by her.
That first one sounds very interesting and the fact that you have the Christmas Women Writers volume clears up a mystery for me as we saw something being pushed through the letterbox on the video doorbell the other day! I want to read that Dorothy Canfield Fisher and also can’t wait for the Whipple – are we buying it for each other for Christmas or do you already have it earmarked? And yes, I know what you mean regarding reading quietly in your own world – a huge pleasure.
Yes, Two Thousand Million Man-power is great, so glad to see it reissued.
I can definitely buy you the Dorothy Whipple for Christmas but you can’t get it for me for obvious reasons lol.
Commiserations with the added aggravation which you obviously didn’t need. If it’s anything to do with officialdom, I share your pain having finally resorted to writing to my MP about an HMRC problem which had been dragging on for most of the year. Now sorted. Glad to hear that you’re happily reading!
Argh! How aggravating. It shouldn’t be so hard to get these things sorted out.
I feel your pain! Fighting with the Ohio Unemployment office over my check. All because the person taking down the details was likely on his phone. GRRR
Oh dear, that does sound horribly frustrating. Always so frustrating when we’re trying to sort issues not of our making.
Best of news today! Two unemployment checks and, on Monday, I’m back to work. Way low pay but back to work!
Oh dear, I’m sorry life is grump-inducing Ali and hope things improve. At least you have had the compensation of some wonderful books – I have not only the same BL books on the TBR as you but also the Trevelyan which does sound excellent. Totally get what you say about the quiet reading when you can escape from the world – such a special time.
I am sure you will enjoy the Trevelyan. Looking forward to those BL books too. Very happy to escape from the world from time to time.
Hope that annoying issue is going to be resolved shortly for you. Everything seems to take a lot longer and involve far more effort than it used to – getting hold of someone in an organisation is the first challenge. No-one ever seems able to answer the phone without telling me that they are experiencing unprecedented demand!
What a wonderful way to describe the pleasure of re-reading. Something I would love to do but seldom get around to it, too much drawn by the lure of the new
Dealing with organisations has become so difficult, and frustrating. No one ever calls you back!!
Rereading is a pleasure we should allow ourselves more often.
I did not click “like” because I do not like that you are agitated. But I DO like that you have been enjoying reading; I might even admit I am a wee bit jealous of the “staying up late while the world quiets down” part. I wonder how you feel about Christmas-themed novels – I usually avoid them in every genre. Maybe I need to rethink this?
There are definitely some kinds of Christmas themed novels I would avoid as not being for me. However, some are nice and I do enjoy those Golden Age mysteries like those the British Library publish that are set around Christmas.
I’m glad you’re still finding the time, energy and concentration to read with everything else going on in your life – that’s something to hold onto for sure. As others have said, you describe the joy of reading (and re-reading!) so well, and it’s especially lovely to hear how much pleasure you’re getting from revisiting Elizabeth Taylor. I have just one of her books left to read for the first time (a short story collection, I think), so it won’t be long before I’ll be joining you in the occasional re-read!
(Coincidentally, The Trevelyan and the two BL titles are also in my TBR pile thanks to the generosity of the publishers. I was especially pleased to be offered a copy of the former as it sounds right up my street!)
Elizabeth Taylor short stories are wonderful I think so hope you enjoy those. The Trevelyan is excellent looking forward to hearing what you think.
I know how you feel – I feel very much the same. It doesn’t affect my reading but now I’ve got a big backlog of books to review. I’d love to get back into writing as well as reading.
It does often feel difficult to sttle down to write about books. Very glad your reading isn’t affected.
I agree, sit down with a huge Persephone tome and lose yourself in the reading, I hope you enjoy whichever you choose.
Thank you, I decided to go for The Deepening Stream though not got far yet.
I’m sorry to hear things have been trying and I hope they improve. I have a Persephone backlog too so I may join you in reading a couple, as well as those British Library titles.
[…] to writing after finishing a book, either because I’m too eager to read the next book, or like Heavenali I’ve been so distracted and mithered by other things going on in my life, mostly minor that […]
Palladian was the first Elizabeth Taylor that I read. I loved it and the rest was history for me. This was about 11 years ago and no one was writing about it. Then Harriet posted a review and I was able to “leave a reply” for the first time!
I think I started reading Elizabeth Taylor about that long ago too. Then suddenly lots of people seemed to be reading her.
I loved your paragraph about rereading. It’s wonderful to have those “old friends” around to comfort us, even if just by their presence.
I’ve only read four novels by Elizabeth Taylor so far, but have a couple unread on my shelves and would like to suggest that we do one for book club.
Hope the irksome issue and your health allow you more time for reading and writing soon.
A really lovely post Ali, but I’m sorry to hear about your trials. I hope it’s all sorted now.
Thanknyou. Somewhat sorted I think.
This blog resonated so much with me today! Everything is upside down lately and all very exhausting. I am in place where I can barely write a comment, let alone a review. But I am reading. reading quite a bit though not with any plan like I used to. And enjoying reading more than ever. I too have Stories for Christmas waiting for December. I hope the month brings you peace and joy and a lot of good readings!
I have realised so many people have been feeling the same. So glad you’re enjoying your reading, I am grateful for books. I hope December is s good month for you too. Take care of yourself.
Books can be such a comfort. I think Palladian is quite clever, but it isn’t necessarily the Taylor-i-est of the lot, so I can see where it might not be one’s first choice for rereading. Hopefully your book chat was enjoyable nonetheless.
We had a very good chat about Palladian thanks. Generally it was really enjoyed by most of the group.