Claire and I are bowled over by the enthusiasm for this year's Persephone fest, and both also hugely touched by the huge numbers of very kind comments on our blogs. The event really does foster a fabulous sense of community worldwide.
After resting my fingers yesterday (but reading the posts on my ipod) I am back with the next roundup for you!
Rebecca Reads provides us with a wonderfully complete review of one of my favourite's; Round About A Pound A week which gives a real insight into early twentieth century British social history. Rebecca didn't have access to any Persephones herself but managed to download this onto her e-reader! Fantastic!
Joan Hunter Dunn's quotes for the day also come from this book which she is really enjoying reading too.
Vivienne at Serendipity shares with us which Persephone books she is currently coveting. and also announces the winner of her very generous giveaway.
Cristina at Rochester Reader talks about the aesthetics of Persephone books; I think she speaks for almost all Persephone fans in finding that a "beautiful Persephone boosts the reading experience".
Sarah read Whipple's Someone at a distance and concluded "The writing is really something out of the ordinary. I feel almost compelled to thank Whipple for stabbing me in the heart…!" - you'll have to read the rest of her review to find out why.
Harriet writes about They knew Mr Knight, describing it as "witty, perceptive, and brilliant in its depiction of people and their complex relationships"
The capricious reader is incredibly enthusiastic about her first Persephone experience (Miss Pettigrew): "And the story! The story! It’s utterly charming! Can I say delightful one more time? Because it IS! It IS delightful! I love it!"
The missing needle found that PRW was happening just as she had concidentally started reading Good evening Mrs Craven. I love those sorts of coincidences!
Karen at Books and Chocolate has read an amazing THREE Persephone books over the weekend; her third was Flush.
Rose joined in by reading Consequences which she describes as "profoundly sad".
Jo at The Book Jotter read The home-maker for the weekend, and today she tells us a bit more about Dorothy Canfield Fisher, the author behind the book which was fascinating!
Poor Nymeth has been struck down with fever and really wanted to review her book; she promises one in due course, but says of The making of marchioness in the meantime: "“Book…good…you…should…read”. Hope you feel better soon!
The Boston Bibliophile mentions that she is reading Reuben Sachs as part of her participation.
Don't forget to catch up with Jodie's live blogging post as she reads her way through Dimanche and other stories.
Please see the comment from Geraldine at the bottom of my "IS this your first time" post yesterday here; Geraldine doesn't have a blog but she joined in by rereading Tell it to a stranger this weekend.
And finally, it must have been known more widely that it was PRW this weekend - The Guardian/Observer chose today to post a list of the 10 best neglected classics. And not just one but TWO Persephone books feature in the list: The blank wall and The Victorian chaise-longue.
I hope I haven't missed anyone out...
There's still time for you to enter the competitions which close at midnight tonight (GMT); shortly after this I'll post the answers to my VERY popular photo competition which so many people have had fun entering. Winners will be announced on Monday evening.
Glad your fingers are rested and feeling better Verity. Huge thank you to you and Claire!
ReplyDeleteAnother great roundup! Thanks Verity :-) Glad to hear your fingers are better. Looking forward to reading some more lovely posts.
ReplyDeleteWell round up, well organised and thank you for putting the link to the 10 Best neglected classics post.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for organizing this weekend -- I would absolutely help you and Claire next time around, anytime!
ReplyDeleteAnd I must blushingly admit that I didn't actually read all three books this weekend -- I finished Someone at a Distance last week and A Woman's Place last week and saved the reviews. But I may keep my Persephone momentum going and check out some more from the college library today, I am so inspired by all the fantastic reviews!
Thank you for the roundup, Verity! I have written another review for the weekend. Though I have already commented with the link over at Claire's blog, I thought I would put here, too, in case you do the last roundup: http://aliterarywayfarer.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/lady-rose-and-mrs-memmary-by-ruby-ferguson/ .
ReplyDeleteLovely round up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting the weekend, both you and Claire.
Just discovered your blog and love it. It is too late for me to enter the reading weekend, but I hope to do it next time. I love the Persephone books also, and had the opportunity to go to the store in London last summer. I am currently rereading "Excellent Women" by Barbara Pym. I know it is not a Persephone title, but it is a wonderful book, and many people do not seem to know of it. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI've been having a wonderful weekend discovering Dorothy Whipple. I'm about half way through Someone At A Distance and I'm almost confident in saying this will be a favorite book of the year. It's just so good.
ReplyDeletethank you for hosting a wonderful reading weekend!
Thank you, Verity, and Claire, of course for hosting this most enjoyable Persephone weekend.
ReplyDeleteVerity and Claire, thank you for hosting this super event. I have reviewed Katherine Mansfield's Journal (Persephone #69) over at my newish blog Under Melbourne Skies http://umskies.blogspot.com/. I hope you will host this event again next year so that I will have another excuse, as if I needed one, to read more of these excellent books.
ReplyDeleteI know lists are always subjective -- but I look forward to reading those two books even more knowing that they were recognized as an under appreciated classic!
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