Some years ago I went thoroughly into Margaret Irwin's Tudor novels, and liked almost all of them. This month I read, possibly for the first time since I was a teenager, her Stuart novels, and liked only one of them. Royal Flush (1932) is an absolute cracker. The story of the youngest sister of Charles … Continue reading Margaret Irwin’s Stuart novels
Shocking Life. The Autobiography of Elsa Schiaparelli
Most cleverly the V&A began some years ago to bring out new editions of memoirs by figures from the fashion world. I had no idea about this at the time, which is silly because that was my business, but I wasn't looking for contemporaneous memoirs. I snapped up Shocking Life in a museum shop last … Continue reading Shocking Life. The Autobiography of Elsa Schiaparelli
Visa for Avalon, by Bryher
I like Bryher. She was a novelist, a poet, a ludicrously rich heiress (born illegitimate but she was still her father's heir) who used her wealth for good, and for the support of the arts. She saved over 100 refugees from Nazi Germany up to 1940 by receiving them in her house in Switzerland from … Continue reading Visa for Avalon, by Bryher
A brief advertising break
Some of you will remember that I write fiction: it's all on the Peachfield Press page, if you're interested. I've just begun a new project, self-publishing my new novel RADICAL MAGIC, and you can join the throng of interested observers by following the link below. It'll come out in the autumn. RADICAL MAGIC is a historical … Continue reading A brief advertising break
Of Monsters and Mainframes, by Barbara Truelove
How did I get this? Let me count the ways. Did I buy it? If yes, what was I thinking? Was it a favour to the bookseller? It might have been at a science fiction convention when I was distracted or had few other choices. Maybe it was a present. Trouble is, it's an American … Continue reading Of Monsters and Mainframes, by Barbara Truelove
Mouthing, by Orla Mackey
This novel blew my socks off. Or stunned me rigid. Or nearly made me cry but didn't quite make me laugh. It certainly made me furious about the behaviour of at least one of the characters (little Joanne Henderson's appalling grandmother) but not many others because the cleverness of this novel, told in very brief … Continue reading Mouthing, by Orla Mackey
The Author List
I've written about many authors in the past 15+ years, and you can search for the writer you're interested in using the search bar. But in case you haven't thought of an author, here's the complete list. A C Wann, A D B Sylvester, A G Macdonell, A S C Ross, Adam Nicolson, Adam Roberts, … Continue reading The Author List
A Bullet in the Ballet, by Caryl Brahms and S J Simon
This is not the fizziest 1930s detective novel I've ever read, but it's worth keeping, and I enjoyed it. It has an appreciable quality of whodidit, making me read on for the unmasking. Caryl Brahms and S J Simon were both keen ballet fans (balletomanes in their contemporary slang, but I cannot work out how … Continue reading A Bullet in the Ballet, by Caryl Brahms and S J Simon
Hester, by Mrs Oliphant
I have been trying to find a really good Mrs Oliphant novel that reaches the heights of Miss Marjoribanks, and I haven't got very far. I was quite enjoying Phoebe, Junior until Mr May the vicar started to forge signatures and play the class card to deal with his spendthrifty debt. I liked the female … Continue reading Hester, by Mrs Oliphant
On the Calculation of Volume, I and II, by Solvej Balle
I finished Volume II late last night at a gallop. I did not want to read it: it's been moving forward balefully towards the top of my TBR queue for some months, and I've been avoiding it. 'Here I am. I am Literary. Knausgard has said that I am "absolutely, absolutely incredible" (note the significant … Continue reading On the Calculation of Volume, I and II, by Solvej Balle
Kate Macdonald 