I am currently reading what will probably be my last book of the month – started too late to make my December in review post the other day. It is a re-read of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark – for my book group. Contemplating re-reading that, reminded me how much I had loved my year of reading Muriel Spark for her centenary in 2018, and my years of Virginia Woolf, Barbara Pym, and Elizabeth Taylor. I realised I really wanted to do another one – but with as little pressure as possible this time. I cast around for a woman writer who began writing sometime in the twentieth century – who I hadn’t read much of – Margaret Drabble ticked all those boxes – she’s very much the kind of writer I would read, but have badly neglected so far.
I shall aim to read at least one novel or collection of stories a month – I know Drabble has also written several works of non-fiction but I read so little non-fiction, I probably won’t get to those this time.
Many of you will be aware of how my blogging has changed – as my life has changed, so has everything I enjoy doing – it’s what comes with chronic illness. I want to reignite my enthusiasm, not for reading, happily my joy in that has not waned, even if my rate of reading has rather – but for blogging, that has been more of struggle this last year or two. In the past when reading an author’s work over a year – I have split the available titles into groups – having a monthly or bimonthly schedule, at the end of which, I would write a roundup including comments from social media from others joining in, links to other bloggers reviews. I won’t be doing that this time – although I am obviously happy for anyone to join in where and when they wish.
I will start with Margaret Drabble’s first novel A Summer Bird-Cage – and continue largely, chronologically, missing out those I have read. I know Conongate has published some nice editions of her novels and I have ordered two to start with, and I am fairly sure I have one older edition on the tbr already – I need to dig it out of the piles. No doubt there will be further purchases although I may buy some on Kindle too.
There are nineteen novels and three collections of short stories – according to Wikipedia – plus several works of non-fiction. I have already read: The Radiant Way, The Needle’s Eye and The Red Queen some years ago – my memory of them is sketchy if I’m honest, but I know I enjoyed them all.
So, if you feel like joining me, whether it’s reading one book or many – then you will be very welcome. I am keeping it light – no rules, I aim to review as I go – but we’ll see how that goes – there may be the occasional combined post of shorter reviews.
My books of the year post will be coming out in a day or two – and then I shall try to get some reviews written.
Great idea Ali! I’ve never read Drabble, I’m not sure why. I’ll look forward to hearing about her work throughout the year. I don’t have any Drabble in the TBR but I’m sure the library will oblidge!
I really don’t know why I have read so little of her, looking forward to finding out more. I hope your library can oblige.
Excellent idea, and I, like Madame Bibi below, have never read Drabble and am not sure why—especially as I adore the work of her sister AS Byatt! I’ll follow this project with interest.
I have only read 1 A S Byatt! I have a feeling that Margaret Drabble might be more in line with what I like to read.
Interesting! I do know they quarreled and took a long time to patch it up again—perhaps the writing differences represented personality differences too.
A shame they fell out, my sister is so important to me.
Totally–they do seem to have patched it up eventually but it’s sad that it happened.
Will look forward to this Ali, as I do have at least one Drabble in the pile and I’ve not read her!
Oh that’s good. I don’t know why I have read so little.
I really like this plan Ali. Coincidentally only today, inspired by a post by Jacquiwine this week and also you mentioning that you were going to read Drabble in 2024, I decided to borrow A Summer Bird Cage from the library, so hopefully we can compare our experiences in January. I always appreciate reading your reviews.
Oh that is timely, I will be starting A Summer Bird Cage soon, possibly today or tomorrow.
I will probably read The Radiant Way at some point this year, so I’ll be joining in, in a haphazard way! She has so many titles I don’t know anything about, so I look forward to learning more.
The Radiant Way is a popular title I think and as it’s part of a trilogy, I just found out, I may be rereading it.
I have six unread Drabbles
For some reason my comment isn’t coming through. I have six unread Drabbles on my shelf and this will give me the opportunity to finally read them.
Cynthia
Both comments appeared. 😊 Thank you for making the effort. I hope you enjoy reading your unread Margaret Drabble books.
Excellent, that’s a great start.
I have a few unread Drabbles on my shelf including A Summer Bird-Cage and would love to join you. I really enjoyed your Reading Muriel event a few years ago. Grier
Yes I have been reminded how much I loved doing Muriel Spark while reading The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie again for my book group. So glad you will be keeping me company.
This sounds like an excellent plan, Ali, especially your desire to keep things light – there’s no point in putting unnecessary pressure on yourself by having fixed schedules and round-up posts, otherwise there’s a danger it’ll turn into a chore, and that’s the last thing you want. I’m going to make a big effort to read from my own shelves next year as my TBR has ballooned out of control since the pandemic. Luckily, I already have The Millstone, so I’ll definitely read that (and maybe one or two others, depending on how 2024 goes). I’m so glad you’re doing this. 🙂
Yes, definitely no pressure. I need to reignite my enthusiasm, not make everything more of a chore.
It would be great if you could read The Millstone Jacqui, would love to hear your thoughts. Reading from your tbr sounds like a good plan.
I read her book “Pure Gold Baby” back in 2014. It was okay, but… hm… not sure she’s an author for me. Now, I might have picked up the wrong book, but there was something distant in her writing style that made me feel like she was pushing me away from the story. But I know she has TONS of fans, so enjoy this challenge.
Oh that’s a shame, proof that we can’t all like the same things. It may well have been just the wrong book.
I’d be willing to give her another try. What do you recommend?
I’m not really the person to ask, as I have only read 3 quite a long time ago. Perhaps find one with a premise that appeals or try one of her earlier books.
👍🏻
I don’t know much about your reading taste Davida, but I can say that, if I were to recommend a Drabble novel, the last one I would suggest would be Gold Baby (although I didn’t dislike it as much as you did either).
Ah, so I got the ARC of a lemon? It happens. I’ll keep trying, then.
I had Margaret Drabble phase in my 20s, which I can still vaguely remember, and enjoyed Pure Gold Baby, published in 2013. She’s an interesting, perceptive writer.
That’s good to know. Interesting and perceptive sounds good to me.
I enjoyed many of Margaret Drabble’s novels decades ago and was delighted to read about your project for 2024. I have 10 on my shelves and bought and read one of them „The Millstone“ only this year but „A Summer Birdcage“ is not among them! I have now ordered it and look forward to reading this, her debut novel and to many rereads! Thank you for choosing this author and for your reviews in advance.
Oh I am glad you like Margaret Drabble. I look forward to hearing any thoughts you wish to share about any others you read.
I’ve read seven by Drabble and own a couple that I haven’t read. Most recently, I read The Garrick Year with my women’s classics book club subgroup a few months ago. A Summer Bird-Cage was my favourite of what I’ve read so far, so you’re starting off with a corker. I’ll be sure to join you for at least one of her books next year. Will you have a schedule, or just as and when?
No definitely no schedule, as I said no round up posts or schedule or rules. Keeping it light, aiming for at least one book a month but putting no pressure on myself.
I was wild for Drabble in my twenties and thirties – much the age her heroines were in the books. I don’t know how many I read since I didn’t keep a list then, but it seems like a lot. Her later stuff didn’t appeal to me enough to read. But I’m delighted you are doing this, and maybe I’ll join you sometimes. It was great just reading her name on a blog.
I’m so glad you have enjoyed reading so many Margaret Drabble novels in the past. I am looking forward to discovering her work fully.
I really enjoyed The Millstone and then read a few in the maybe 90s or 2000s. I will enjoy you enjoying your reading and light blogging (I think it’s a great idea not to get involved in round-up posts and lists, having helped run or run two challenges in two months!!) and learning more about some of her books. None on my TBR so will resist joining in (for about a week, knowing me!). Have fun!
Yes of course, your tbr challenge, I will watch that with interest and predict you do well with it. All those round ups and pages of links are often what makes a reading challenge not so much fun for the person running it.
I’ve read about half and would love to reread them and to read the others too. All depends on how your timing turns out…and maybe you’ll have a better sense of that once you begin…but hopefully I can aim to coincide with your project through the year.
Well as I said, no schedule or anything like that, keeping it easy for myself. I am starting with her first novel, which I just finished and staying fairly chronological at least the first few months of the year. So really you can read as when it suits. Glad you’re a fan.
Ahhh, I see, thanks for clarifying. I’d assumed something different, thinking it would still be a book each month but without the trappings of hosting, but it’s even looser than that, so I am fairly sure I’ll be able to join in, maybe post on multiple titles all at once after some time’s passed and some reading’s been done.
Yes nice and easy, is necessary for me these days.
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