Looking at the calendar to plan ahead for our Book Group weekends, it occurred to me that in order not to get too close to Christmas we ought to have our December discussion slightly earlier in the month than usual, so to allow enough time to fit everything in I thought I'd choose two titles in one go today and give us all a bit of a head start.
For November I've chosen Wallace Stegner, an American writer new to me, and his novel Crossing to Safety, which was first published in 1987 and which is so warmly recommended by Norm.
It follows the increasingly complex and close friendship of two married couples from the 1930s to the 70s, and is, according to the Washington Post, "a magnificently crafted story ...brimming with wisdom". Sid Lang and Larry Morgan are both members of the English department of the University of Wisconsin when their wives meet and find they have much in common. The story is told from the perspective of the now ageing Larry, and is "an exploration of the struggle of four people to come to terms with the trials and tragedies of everyday life."
For December, let's have a complete change of continent, period and mood with George and Weedon Grossmith's The Diary of a Nobody, first published in serial form in Punch in the late 1880s. It "created a cultural icon, an English archetype. Anxious, accident-prone, occasionally waspish, Charles Pooter has come to epitomize English suburban life [which] is hilariously and painfully familiar in its small-mindedness and its essential decency. Both celebration and critique, The Diary of a Nobody has often been imitated, but never bettered."
I've done my usual spot checks and found that both books appear on library catalogues, while of course they are available through retailers. As to dates for your diary, let's talk about Crossing to Safety from Saturday, 21st. November, and The Diary of a Nobody from Saturday, 12th. December. If you haven't taken part before but you like the sound of these books, please join us!
Those both look interesting, can't wait to join you.
Posted by: Jennifer | 15 October 2009 at 04:39 AM
Thanks so much, Cornflower. Norm, who's on a road trip in the USA will be delighted to see this. I'm nearly finished it and am loving every minute. As for the Grossmith, that's going to be fun too. I read it ages ago and though it was terrific. Will be good to revisit.
Posted by: adele geras | 15 October 2009 at 07:54 AM
Fabulous choices. Would love to join in. Is it too late to join for Shropshire Lad too? My copy is meant to be arriving on Monday (fingers crossed)... K x
Posted by: kristina | 15 October 2009 at 08:03 AM
What a great choice for December. Very easy to read in the run up to Christmas One of my all time favourites, introduced to me by my mother a million years ago. November's choice looks very interesting. You have whizzed through Wolf Hall!
Posted by: Claire | 15 October 2009 at 10:30 AM
Hooray! A successful mail delivery! I can't wait to start Diary of a Nobody so I'm going to get cracking today. Will definitely be interested to read what others have to say about the book in December though. Lovely choice.
Posted by: Darlene | 15 October 2009 at 02:04 PM
I am looking in to say I hope you have read "Mrs. Pooter's Diary" by Keith Waterhouse? It catches the tone perfectly and gives the other side of the story!
Posted by: Erika | 15 October 2009 at 04:41 PM
The Wallace Stegner has been requested from the library and is 'in transit' apparently. Diary of a Nobody is on the landing since I bought it earlier this year - note the topical reference! THAT arrived this morning and I've been longing to read it all day but have been too busy. So that'll be the ironing put off for another evening.
Posted by: Mary McCartney | 15 October 2009 at 04:42 PM
I think Diary of a Nobody is a tremendous choice for December, I shall enjoy it immensely. I don't know anything about the other book, but it certainly sounds interesting.
Posted by: GeraniumCat | 15 October 2009 at 06:12 PM
I'm still working on The Tortoise and the Hare--Ack! :) I'd love to read both books. I've got the Stegner and could probably borrow Diary of a Nobody...so we'll see what I can manage. So many good books to read...
Posted by: Danielle | 15 October 2009 at 08:10 PM
Not too late at all!
Posted by: Cornflower | 15 October 2009 at 09:37 PM
This is a new discovery for me! Although I do have a rather large to-read pile in front and to each side of me, I will get onto these two soonest. Very glad I stumbled upon you.
Posted by: Christina Stephen | 16 October 2009 at 09:31 PM
I didn't know about that one, Erika - thankyou!
Posted by: Cornflower | 17 October 2009 at 10:58 AM
Crossing to Safety takes place in Madison where I live. I read it when it came out and liked it, but alas can't remember a thing about it now!
Posted by: LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD | 20 October 2009 at 03:09 AM
Two books that have been on my TBR list for ages.The Stegner I bought years ago and haven't got round to reading it yet, and the ''Diary of a Nobody'' is one of my husband's favourites. Now I'll have to read them - with pleasure, I hope!
Posted by: Delyn Williams | 22 October 2009 at 09:49 PM