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| Narcissus (1912) - John William Waterhouse |
Persephone Reading Weekend is fast approaching and I have gathered the only unread Persephone Books that I have with me and thought that I'd share them with you. I hope to make a start on the first book tomorrow so that a review will be ready by Friday.
My first selection is Cheerful Weather for the Wedding by Julia Strachey. This is a short novel (novella?) and should hopefully be a quick read to help jump-start the reading weekend. It is described as a domestic comedy and revolves around a couple's wedding day. I absolutely love these end-papers with the butterflies and subtle tones.
Next, I hope to read Dorothy Whipple's High Wages and, being my first Whipple, I am really psyched about it. I have heard such good things about this title from fellow bloggers so I look forward to following in the protagonist's footsteps in setting up her own gown shop.
And if there's still time, I might finally crack open my 1950 copy of Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski, which I was lucky to spot last year in a second-hand book shop. It's a Persephone title that people have raved about and that deals with a man's search for his son who was lost in France during WWII. It sounds like quite an emotional ride but I'm sure it'll be worthwhile... as long as I don't start blubbing.
So those are my selections and I hope I will get through most of them this week. I look forward to seeing you all over at Claire and Verity's blogs to exchange thoughts, opinions and recommendations.
For those of you new to Persephone Reading Weekend, please do visit these blogs for more information and to participate... it's always so much fun and there are 10 Persephone books to be had as prizes as well as a special prize for Persephone first-timers.
What will you be reading?
15 comments:
I love reading about what people are planning to read this weekend! I haven't read Cheerful Weather for the Wedding or High Wages - but I've read two other Whipples and loved them, so I hope you enjoy this one! I've read Little Boy Lost and I don't recall whether it had me in tears or not, but the last scene has stayed with me...
Really hope that you enjoy your first Whipple!
Cheerful Weather for the Wedding is a very quick read -- I finished it easily last fall during the Readathon. I also have a copy of Little Boy Lost and it's at the top of my shortlist for the week. I haven't read High Wages but I hear great things about it -- I have a copy but I'm rationing out my Whipples.
High Wages is on my TBR list so I'll be really interested to see what you think about it. I'm planning to read Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.
I've just started Maud Pember Reeves Round About a Pound a Week.
High Wages and Little Boy Lost were both excellent reads. I envy you for getting to read them for the first time. Enjoy!
Isn't so difficult to choose! I'm divided between The Homemaker and The Making of a Marchioness. I haven't read any of your picks, but I have heard wonders about all.
I would love to reread Cheerful Weather at the Wedding at some stage. Little Boy Lost was a rollercoaster for me. High Wages is tempting me... but then Whipple always does.
Such great choices!
bookmarksandteacups and Verity: Whipple has a lot of fans so I'm sure I'll enjoy this one :-)
Karen: I was surprised at how short 'Cheerful Weather' is as the typeface doesn't take up much of the page. Ah well, more time for Whipple :-)
motheretc: 'Miss Pettigrew' is delightful so I hope you'll enjoy it. I loved the illustrations. A nice, light, frothy read.
Joan: I found that title very interesting and would like to read it someday so I'll look forward to your thoughts on it.
Darlene: Thank you! I have only read three Persephones so far (shocking, I know!) so I have so many to look forward to.
Nymeth: Choosing is tough! I haven't read your picks but I'm interested in both of them. I'm looking forward to your reviews.
Claire: Thank you! 'Cheerful Weather' should be a quick re-read. I was a little afraid of the rollercoaster of 'Little Boy Lost' but I think I'm ready to get on now :-)
I'm going for Consequences (EM Delafield) and if I can, Dimanche and other stories (Irene Nemirovsky). Normally I'd be confident to manage two but have my parents coming to stay so there'll be a bit more chatting, culture and scrabble than normal...
I'll be interested in reading about your experiences with Delafield. I've only read 'Provincial Lady' and wondered how 'Consequences' compared as I understand that not all her books were as light.
Enjoy the weekend with your parents! Sounds like fun :-)
I meant to ask, what is the beautiful painting at the top of the posting? Is it a pre-Raphaelite? I love the artwork on your blog title also -- I wish I knew more about art!
Karen: I very much like it and found it whilst searching for Persephone paintings. Sadly, I have no idea of the artist or title as there was no such information and further searches have been in vain. I would have thought that it was a bit more modern than that but I am not an art buff :-)
Thank you for the compliment! The painting in the blog title is called 'The New Novel' by Winslow Homer - he painted such beautiful watercolours. I wish I knew more about art too but at least we know what we like :-)
I found it! It's by John William Waterhouse and it's called Narcissus. Technically he's not a pre-Raphaelite but was very influenced by them. And thank you for letting me know about the Homer -- it's just beautiful and I'll have to look for it. I only knew about his seascapes so this is a delightful surprise. I had a little art history back in undergrad and I so regret not taking more.
Oh well done! Thank you for letting me know. His paintings are quite beautiful and sensual and I've always admired the 'Lady of Shalott'. 'Narcissus' and others appear to be done in a different style so I never connected it to 'Shalott'.
Homer also painted one of a girl reading in a hammock which I find quite charming. http://www.paintingall.com/homer-winslow-girl-in-a-hammock.html
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