Shortly before Christmas, I appeared in the Bookseller's weekly column that features librarians and booksellers highlighting a pair of books from a similar genre called I'm loving/I'm not loving. As I don't see The bookseller, I had to wait for a copy to be posted to me, which took forever due to the snow, but I finally saw myself in print last week. I chose to feature reprinted books and chose to love Miss Buncle's book, recently republished by Persephone Books, and decided that I didn't love Miss Hargreaves, recently republished by Bloomsbury.
Here's what I wrote:
Miss Buncle’s Book (D.E. Stevenson)
Persephone books specialise in reprinting neglected classics by 20th century authors, and my favourite of their recent reissues is this story of a spinster who tries to augment her income by writing a novel about the village where she lives. The villagers are incensed by the caricature made of their lives and try to work out who is responsible. Miss Buncle is a charming heroine and this book is a wonderful light read, perfect for the holidays.
Miss Hargreaves (Frank Baker)
Bloomsbury are also reprinting “lost novels”, and although this particular title was recommended to me by several friends, I was ultimately disappointed. Miss Hargreaves, an imaginary character created in a game played by two young men, mysteriously comes to life and causes havoc by her appearance. The unsettling premise of the story felt implausible, and I did not warm to the character of the querulous and somewhat interfering Miss Hargreaves at all.
That's wonderful that they published your views on these books! I'm just about to start Miss Buncle's Book...really excited now!
ReplyDeleteOh no! How could you *publish* that about Miss H! I think it's so very much better than Miss Buncle's Book... but I must calm myself... (Oh Verity!)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry Simon, but all publicity is good publicity surely?! I saw the first Miss Hargreaves in a charity shop at the weekend...
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you. I love DE Stevenson and particularly this one. I've tried Miss H and, because it was recommended by so many people, thought I ought to like it a lot more than I did.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, thanks for popping in! I'm glad that you are a DE Stevenson fan too - have you read any of the Miss Buncle sequels? I loved the second one, although was a little disappointed by the third one.
ReplyDeleteYou're famous! Well done! I have both of these on the TBR pile...which to try first?!
ReplyDeleteNo contest Rachel - Miss Buncle all the way!
ReplyDeleteRight you are Verity! Miss Hargreaves will have to languish on the TBR pile a little longer...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It is always great to see yourself in print!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Lovely to read it in print (I read what you said from the photograph). Like Rachel, I have both, and I look forward to reading both and making up my own mind (I don't want to take sides between you and Simon ;)!)
ReplyDeleteExciting for you Verity! I've read Miss Buncle's Book and really enjoyed it. I'd also had my eye on Miss Hargreaves but can bump that a little lower on my book buying list even though I still want to know if I'll like it :-)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your article! 'Miss Buncle's Book' was one of my favourite reads in 2009. I've since purchased 'Mrs Tim of the Regiment' (published by the Bloomsbury Group :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the article! Miss Buncle's Book was one of the best books I've read recently and definitely deserving of more attention.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame you...that you didn't like Miss Hargreaves. Perhaps because it came highly recommended and expectations were high? I LOVED the book. And bought two copies as gifts for two of my friends.
ReplyDelete