What a great way to start the month – with some Persephone books! I don’t pretend to think I’m going to read all of these in a week. I’ll be honest, I may just finish one in the month as I tend to juggle several books all the time. Still, I’m excited about the Persephone Readathon because I’ve been neglecting my beautiful gray stacks.
I actually thought I had more and I do but those have been read. I have eight other Persephone books in my collection. Now I do need a little help because I’m not sure which book to start with for this readathon so let me know what you think.
Patience by John Coates. A story about a proper girl, improperly in love. Sounds a bit risqué. Check out the original cover and isn’t the end paper beautiful? I wish I could get my hands on that paper for my own bookbinding projects.
Good Evening, Mrs Craven by Mollie Panter-Downes. These stories explore aspects of English domestic life during the war, they are about separation, sewing parties, fear, evacuees sent to the country, obsession with food, the social revolutions of wartime.
Little Boy Lost by Margharita Laski. Hilary Wainwright, poet and intellectual, returns after the war to a blasted and impoverished France in order to trace a child lost five years before. The novel asks: is the child really his? And does he want him?
The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I loved The Secret Garden as a child and I may have had this book at one time but I don’t believe I ever read it.
Thanks again to Jessie of Dwell in the Possibility for hosting the readathon. Hope everyone has a great time reading.
Now, off to plan the weekend because I have some stuff I want to do and I promise I’ll tell you more about that in my next post. Have a fabulous weekend and more book talk soon!
Good Evening, Mrs Craven might be good to start with – bitter sweet short stories, set during the Second World War, very English, very quiet and understated. There is little in the way of action, but Mollie Panter-Downes captures the thoughts and feelings of her characters, and gives us little portraits of particular moments in time.
I think I would start with Good Evening, Mrs. Craven too! At least, that’s the one that appeals the most right now. Good luck and have fun!
I agree with Christine and Kay that the collection of Mollie Panter-Downes’s short stories sounds like a great place to start. Although, I have read and enjoyed The Making of a Marchioness and plan to read Little Boy Lost during the readathon myself. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these picks!
Happy Persephone reading, Iliana!
It’s unanimous – I’d begin with Good Evening, Mrs. Craven, too! Enjoy your Persephone reading. Would love to join in, but all of my beautiful grey-covered books are back in NY…
A great selection–I’d be hard pressed to decide. 🙂
I don’t think you can go wrong with a Persephone pick. I’ve read the last two of your choices, and the other two are on my wish list 🙂 Making of a Marchioness, a Cinderella story about a middle-aged Victorian era companion, would be fun if you’re in the mood for a romance. But, Little Boy Lost is one of my all time favorite Peresphones (and not too long) so that would be my recommendation. Enjoy your reading!
I haven’t read any of these. I’ll be keeping an eye out for your reviews.
Nice stack of books!
I just found out about the event, but it sure sounds like fun. I’m glad it’s inspired you to pull the Persephones off the shelf and give them an airing!
I’m not a big fan of short stories, but Good Evening, Mrs Craven sounds wonderful!!
I always wanted to read The Making of a Marchioness but I could never find a copy. I’d vote for that one, but they all sound like good reads. 🙂
I read another book by Laski and enjoyed it. I would start with Little Boy Lost!
All the books sound good; I’d have a hard time choosing one too but I think I’ll go with Good Evening, Mrs Craven. 🙂
Enjoy the Persephone Readathon! Your books all look good, especially Good Evening, Mrs Craven.
Hey Friends – Thank you so much for your suggestions. I actually did go with Good Evening, Mrs. Craven. I’m loving it! 🙂
I own a few Persophones (bought them for their lovely covers LOL) but, I’ve yet to read any. Must remedy that soon. Hope you had a nice weekend.
I hope you had a great time with the readathon! I don’t think I have any Persophones books, sad to say. These all sound good though.
I’m sorry I have been so out of the loop and missed this! I like these readalongs as they get you thinking about books on your shelves that deserve more attention, right?!