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Charlotte Brontë: Jane Eyre
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Friday reads

I'm about a quarter of the way through Rumer Godden's In this House of Brede (our April book group book) and am quite enthralled by it - and learning so much. If you're swithering about reading it, do give it a try, if not for the group read then at some point; it's insightful, respectful of its subject matter without being precious, and I'm finding it hard to put down.

What are you reading this Friday?

11 April 2014 in Books - late C20th. fiction | Permalink

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This is one of my favourite books!! Came across it as a young woman and have re read it many times....Kingfishers Catch Fire is another great favourite and incidentally introduced a not very well educated girl to Gerard Manley Hopkins! Aren't books amazing!

Posted by: Di McDougall | 11 April 2014 at 11:50 AM

Yes!
Glad to hear that 'Brede' is such a favourite, Di.

Posted by: Cornflower | 11 April 2014 at 11:59 AM

I also read 'Brede' several years ago and loved it. I just finished Donna Leon's Death and Judgment and am about halfway through Fenny by Lettice Cooper.

Posted by: Pam | 11 April 2014 at 02:33 PM

I very much enjoyed Lettice Cooper's "The New House", and "Fenny" sounds good.
Despite having almost all her books here, I've still to read Donna Leon.

Posted by: Cornflower | 11 April 2014 at 03:27 PM

I've probably said this before but 'Brede' is possibly my favourite book ever and I'm so glad you are enthralled by it.

At the moment I am reading An Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim and I am enchanted by it.

Posted by: Sue | 11 April 2014 at 04:29 PM

Elizabeth von Arnim's is a truly enchanting book!

Posted by: Cornflower | 11 April 2014 at 05:00 PM

Another much neglected author. Must dig out my copy. To my shame (hangs head in much embarrassment) I'm reading a Lee Child potboiler (to counterbalance some of the more heavyweight books I am reading for work)

Posted by: Liz Davey | 11 April 2014 at 09:16 PM

Another book group choice, Alone in Berlin. Having to push through since we meet in 5 days time!!
Am looking forward to Rumer Godden as an absolutely complete change. And a welcome one

Posted by: Martina | 12 April 2014 at 08:24 AM

I'm also reading The Enchanted April, and am also enchanted! And reading Wolf Hall slowly as I keep being seduced away from it by "lighter" books. I love that word, swithering, will have to borrow that one.

Posted by: Sylvia | 13 April 2014 at 09:55 PM

It's always good to have a mixture!

Posted by: Cornflower | 14 April 2014 at 05:06 PM

Good!

Posted by: Cornflower | 14 April 2014 at 05:06 PM

'Swithering' is a good word (early 16th. century, origin unknown, the OED tells me).
Between von Arnim and Mantel you'll have much to enjoy, Sylvia.

Posted by: Cornflower | 14 April 2014 at 05:09 PM

I found This House of Brede too sad in so many ways. I think Rumer Godden was an unusual writer in her day. Perhaps it is because she grew up in India and not the restrictive GB. But so many of her books have a rather negative/ disruptive young girl whose inability or choice not to do the Right Thing brings chaos and pain, mostly to herself. In House the character leaves the world in order to be herself. I fully understand and love this character but I think it reflects the choices women had. It may seem odd to young women today- I wonder what they think of these books.

Posted by: mary lou bethune | 15 April 2014 at 03:50 PM

I wonder, too, but I'm finding the depiction of the religious life fascinating.

Posted by: Cornflower | 15 April 2014 at 08:00 PM

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