Following on from yesterday's post, a little piece on comfort reading in this morning's paper puts it rather well, I think. The writer, talking about the death of Robert B. Parker says she has often turned to his books "because they represent a world where I absolutely know what to expect ... a world where good can triumph." She goes on, "Reliability, grace and moral certainty are, I think, the secret of all comfort reading. You need to know, before you turn a page, that the book you have chosen will distract you from whatever is worrying you - and that everything will turn out all right in the end."
She puts children's novels such as Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Shoes in the comfort read category, and also cites Terry Pratchett, Trollope and Thackeray - "all are endlessly engrossing and strangely wise." That in itself is a comforting thought.
Comfort reading so important - I would definitely concur with Noel Streatfeild.
Posted by: Verity | 22 January 2010 at 09:08 AM
I will, as you might expect, posit the opposite view Verity!
Posted by: Dark Puss | 22 January 2010 at 09:53 AM
Trollope has always been my "go-to" comfort read. At the moment I'm re-reading Miss Mackenzie -- comic, yet poignant.
Posted by: Karen | 22 January 2010 at 02:24 PM
When we say Trollope, should I assume we mean Anthony and not Joanna?
My comfort reading? Lorna Hill's ballet stories (A Dream of Sadler's Wells, et al.) Plus 84 Charing Cross Road (Helene Hanff).
Posted by: Margaret Powling | 22 January 2010 at 03:27 PM
It's Terry Pratchett, Asterix and Anne of Green Gables for me.
Posted by: Sakura | 22 January 2010 at 03:38 PM
My family has been enjoying Terry Pratchett's three Tiffany Aching novels, Wee Free Men, Hat Full of Sky, and Wintersmith--all brilliantly read by Stephen Briggs. We range in age from 13 to 49, but we all enjoy them, and have developed a family tradition of listening to them as we drive to my mother's house for our holidays. We're nearly through Wintersmith thanks to New Year's, and when we're done with it, we'll start over again. Pratchett's wit, his turn of phrase, and his strong focus on the fact that taking care of each other is our purpose in life make those books true comfort reading!
(I also have a list of "fluff reads" of my own that are far less redemptive: Angela Thirkell, anyone???? I did reread most of the Noel Streatfeild ouvre last winter as well!)
Posted by: Becky | 22 January 2010 at 09:04 PM
Add E.F. Benson's Mapp and Lucia series to the comfort read list.
Posted by: Nancy | 23 January 2010 at 01:23 AM
The Miss Read novels are some of my favorite comfort reads. Rex Stout mysteries and anything by P.G. Wodehouse are nice as well.
Posted by: Susan in TX | 23 January 2010 at 01:44 AM
I love Trollope, but don't think he's a writer to be relied on for everting turning out right in the end. For compassion and hummour yes, for sugarcoating reality no.
Posted by: Sarah | 23 January 2010 at 03:39 AM
My avatar is such a give-away (well to fans of Swallows & Amazons) to my being firmly on the side of comfort reading, although not exclusively!
Posted by: Sandy | 23 January 2010 at 11:46 AM
Sandy I'm fond of the Swallows and Amazons books myself, but I am still not into "Comfort Reading" as a personal activity. Many people seem to be, and I have no problem with that, but it just isn't something I do. Lots of people seem to think it "obvious" so I am afraid I sometimes tweak some tails. Apologies to all for my rather childish behaviour!
Posted by: Dark Puss | 24 January 2010 at 11:03 AM
I once likened Miss Read to the literary equivalent of Horlicks and said there were times when only Miss Read would do!
I forgot to add I, too, turn to Mapp & Lucia books but one book I've forgotten to mention is the late Bernard Levin's ENTHUSIASMS. I didn't always agree with what Levin had to say in his twice-weekly Times column, but I loved his writing (not easy to read out loud as he went in for very long sentences! Indeed readers would complain, especially those who read his work out loud to blind relatives, that by the time they reached the end of a sentence, they had forgotten the beginning and had to start all over again!) In ENTHUSIASMS, Levin tells of various passions, such as his love of opera, Mozart, Schubert, Wagner, then Spakespeare, and even walking - especially the London Bridge walk.
Posted by: Margaret Powling | 24 January 2010 at 07:02 PM
I enjoy your posts Dark Puss and the humour that underpins them. I should have known that someone with an interest in the dark skies would know about 'Signalling to Mars'.
Posted by: Sandy | 25 January 2010 at 09:40 AM
Heyer. Also children's books - Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Little House on the Prairie. Anything I've read before and know that it has a happy ending. Romance novels (see Ending, Happy).
Posted by: Ros | 26 January 2010 at 04:36 PM
When I was a university student I would sometimes feel overwhelmed by all my studies - books to read, papers to write, etc. If I was in the library I would go to the fiction stacks and pull out "The Secret Garden". An hour or so later I would be refreshed and ready to go back to serious work.
Posted by: Julie Fredericksen | 27 January 2010 at 12:31 AM