Firstly, thankyou for the many very supportive comments re. the choice of The French Lieutenant's Woman for the book group. I haven't replied to each one, but I'm glad to know lots of people are willing to read it, and even my husband has been persuaded!
Next, and about time too, I've drawn a winner for the copy of William Boyd's new novel Waiting for Sunrise - and it is Susie (and do pop over to Susie's blog to see the pictures of lovely Otto!). Thanks to everyone who put their name in the hat, and to Bloomsbury for the book itself which will be on its way to Susie very soon.
Still speaking of all things Bloomsbury, in association with the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook, they've just launched a crime writing competition with a difference: Short Sentence is about writing a crime story in fewer than 1000 words. Click on that link for the rules and submission and prize details, and you'll also see there that this month's theme for entries is 'Deception'. If you need inspiration, you might like to look at the crime list, one of which - James Runcie's Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death
- I've just finished and recommend thoroughly (post on it coming soon).
Crime fiction fans may also like to know about Bloody Scotland, Scotland's first international crime writing festival, taking place in Stirling in September. Here's the 'rogues' gallery' of participating authors, and from the home page you can sign up for the email newsletter.
If history is more to your taste than crime, how about the Chalke Valley History Festival which is to be held in Wiltshire at the end of June and will feature some impressive speakers.
Oh I love The French Lieutenant's Woman! Particularly the scenes set in Lyme Regis. Look forward to reading this, good choice.
Posted by: Nicola | 03 March 2012 at 07:17 PM
Currently playing catch-up with the best part of a week's worth of blogs!
Like you I read The French Lieutenant's Woman a very long time ago (even longer than you because my copy pre-dates the Meryl film!)and I will be interested to see how different my take on it is now from that of my teenage self!
However I am not doing well with this year's Book Club reads, having only just finished Lady Audley, so I will probably end up reading it in June!
Posted by: LizF | 05 March 2012 at 09:15 AM
I went to Lyme once and was disappointed that looking back to the town from the Cobb there were chip shops and bucket and spade emporia which rather took away from the imagined Victorian scene!
Posted by: Cornflower | 06 March 2012 at 11:49 AM
Better late than never, Liz, and comments are always welcome, even long after the post has first gone up.
Posted by: Cornflower | 06 March 2012 at 11:50 AM