Get your Ferney here!

    I have written before about James Long's super novel Ferney. With its sequel The Lives She Left Behind about to be published, Quercus have just brought out a new paperback edition of Ferney and have kindly put aside five signed copies for Cornflower Books readers.

    There's a post on the novel here, but the gist of the story is as follows:

"The book begins with Mike and Gally Martin buying Bagstone Farm, a ramshackle old cottage in Somerset. Gally, plagued by nightmares and seemingly irrational fears, feels that this is the place for her to settle down in - it seems like 'home'. Mike, anxious to please his troubled young wife, agrees despite his many misgivings which are made all the more acute when the couple meet a neighbour, the apparently ageless and mysterious Ferney.

    What then transpires is an enthralling story, and one which James Long pulls off beautifully. The strange attraction of the house, for Gally at least, the even more curious familiarity and ubiquity of Ferney are explained as an extraordinary love affair is described."

    Our draw for a copy of the book is open to UK readers only I'm afraid, but to enter please just leave a comment on this post naming a novel you'd class - as I did Ferney - 'a most enjoyable read', and I'll pull the winners from the hat in a few days' time.

Comments

[sakura]

My most recent enjoyable read is Deborah Harkness' Shadow of Night, the sequel to A Discovery of Witches. It was an excellent romp through Elizabethan England.

[Dark Puss]

When I saw your post on FB I thought it might be about Voltaire's adopted town near Geneva.

"Enjoyable read" - Small World by David Lodge

P x

[craftygreenpoet]

My most recent 'most enjoyable read' was The Taliban Cricket Club by Timeri Murari. An entertaining and insightful novel about putting together a national cricket team in Afghanistan

[Susan Campbell]

Reading "Ruby's Spoon" by Anna Lawrence Pietroni, just started it and loving the dialect, localisms and the qirky cast of characters in the Black Country novel.

[adele geras]

Recently reviewed TOM ALL ALONE'S by Lynn Shepherd and that's most enjoyable. Also: MAINE by Courtney Sullivan is ace.

[Mary]

I seem to have read a lot of sad/gruelling/demanding recently - The Fortnight in September (RC Sherriff) would be perfect antidote.

[Sarah]

I think my most recent 'most enjoyable read' is Lawrence Norfolk's John Saturnall's Feast. It is so lushly delicious.

[AnnP]

Half of the Human race by Anthony Quinn was one of my favourites reads so far this year. And I agree with Mary that The Fortnight in September is most enjoyable.

[Lizziemac]

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. Please put me in the draw.

[Rosie H]

Recent enjoyable reads have included T.H. White's The Goshawk and Edith Henrietta Fowler's The Young Pretenders.

[Julie Fredericksen]

Hi, I'm not in the UK but that's okay as I have read Ferney anyway and highly recommend it. I'm not sure when the sequel will be available in the US. It's not even listed as a pre-order book.

[nicola]

Hi

My most enjoyable read this year has been 'The Innocents' by Francesca Segal. A 're-write' of Edith Wharton's 'Age of Innocence,' I found myself rooting for all of the characters and wishing that I could indulge in all the food at the post-synagogue meets.

[Alison P]

I have just finished The Unlikely Pilgramage of Harold Fry - gentle and hartwarming, it was a most enjoyable read.

[JanetD]

I find any book by Alexander McCall Smith is an enjoyable read.

[LizF]

While I would definitely agree with recommendations for The Fortnight In September (and I am delighted to see Adele's vote for Maine as I have just got a copy!)my most enjoyable read would be either One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downes or Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson - both really lovely books.

[margaret46]

I loved Ferney and was delighted to learn that there would be a sequel. I too would recommend Major Pettigrew's Last Stand.It would be a great film.

[Jill Bending]

I have just finished reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, which was a very enjoyable but thought provoking read, thank you.

[Caroline Parr]

I have just discovered that 'Restoration' by Rose Tremain is a 'most enjoyable read'. I am therefore happily anticipating 'Merivel: A man of his time'!

[Caroline]

If enjoyable is, as it is for me, something that refreshes and entertains, then I can easily recommend any of Barbara Trapido's novels; The Travelling Hornplayer is a good one! I'd love to be included in this draw, please.

[Rebecca]

Hmmmm. Weirdly enough, I found William Kerrigan's critical study of Hamlet, Hamlet's Perfection (now out of print), to be absorbing and page-turning reading.

I'd love to be, as we say in Maine, "a winnah!"

[Rebecca]

BUT my tired teacher's eyes missed the note about UK residency being required. Never mind!

[Nicky]

A most enjoyable read = "A far cry from Kensington" by Muriel Spark. I qualify geographically.

[Sarie]

My most enjoyable read so far this year has been Dark Matter by Michele Paver. Atmospheric and creepy!

[Elaine]

Ferney is one of my all time favourites! I also really enjoyed Ruby Ferguson's "Lady Rose & Mrs Memmary" published by persephone

[Karin]

Something a bit different for me but enjoyable - The Earth Hums in B Flat by Mari Strachan. Ferney sounds an interesting read so would like to be entered in this draw please.

[Mystica]

Sarah Dunant In the Arms of a Courtesan was for me a most enjoyable read.

[karmaperle]

Have just re-read Ferney (obtained from the local library) and can't get past this as one of the most enjoyable books I've read. Also love Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series and Barbara Erskine's Lady of Hay.

[craftygreenpoet]

Just to let you know I'm totally enjoying this book and I'll review it soon on my blog! Thanks for choosing me!

[Cornflower]

Great!