Cornflower Book Group 2010: Volume 7

   

   "When one long, hot summer, young Leo is staying with a school-friend at Brandham Hall, he begins to act as a messenger between Ted, the farmer, and Marian, the beautiful young woman up at the hall. He becomes drawn deeper and deeper into their dangerous game of deceit and desire, until his role brings him to a shocking and premature revelation. The haunting story of a young boy's awakening into the secrets of the adult world, The Go-Between is also an unforgettable evocation of the boundaries of Edwardian society."

    L.P. Hartley's The Go-Between - have you read it? I have, but so long ago that other than the vague gist of the story I can remember nothing of it (though it does have a very good cricket scene - as Simon happened to mention in a comment on Mr. C's recent post!). The film version may be more familiar to you, directed by Joseph Losey and starring Alan Bates and Julie Christie, but I thought the book might make a good read for the Cornflower Book Group and I am really looking forward to it - I hope a lot of people will join in.

     We shall be discussing Willa Cather's Death comes for the Archbishop from next weekend (Saturday, 19th. June), so let's have The Go-Between as our July book, getting together here to talk about it from Saturday the 24th. (will our weather be as stifling as that of July 1900, when the book is set, and the temperature - in Hartley's story at least - rose to 84.7 degrees?).

    The group is open to anyone who would like to read the book, and as you can comment any time after the post goes up on the set day, you can have your say even if holidays or other commitments mean you're not around that weekend. As to availability, libraries should have copies, bookshops should be able to get it easily, Amazon US and UK stock it, and The Book Depository can supply it with free worldwide delivery.

   Oh, and even if you haven't read the book, you may already know its very famous first line!

Comments

[Mrs.B.]

I love this book! Not sure I'll have time to reread it this but I'll certainly try.

[Ros]

I read this at school. I remember writing an essay about the cricket scene (which I think was supposed to be full of all kinds of symbolism) arguing that it was an attempt at regaining the reader's interest in an otherwise utterly tedious novel. I didn't get a very good mark but it was a wonderfully cathartic essay to write!

[Danielle]

Hey, I am reading this book right now as a matter of fact. Maybe for once I'll have finished it before your discussion rather than long after it! :)

[Julie Fredericksen]

I've never heard of this book. I'm looking forward to it. Off to read Death Comes for the Archbishop.

[Harriet]

Good choice. I read this ages ago and loved it -- and just recently read another LP Hartley, The Shrimp and the Anemone. He is an excellent writer and I think everyone will enjoy it!

[Sarah]

Yes I've read it, and have good though vague memories. Tine for a re-read!

I've also got his Shrimp and the Anemone trilogy, so am glad to see Harriet mention it above.

[Lisa Guidarini]

I've read it, but not for ages. It's a fantastic book!

[claire (kiss a cloud)]

If I get a copy in time, will read with you. I've been wanting to read this. :)