Simon Parkin's extensively researched book on the the Isle of Man's WWII Hutchinson internment camp, The Island of Extraordinary Captives, explores an often overlooked area of wartime history about which I knew a very little. It is truly eye-opening.
In In Other Words, Jhumpa Lahiri examines - briefly but yet in depth - the barriers and boundaries inherent in acquiring another language, and chronicles her long-term immersion in Italian which led her to write this book in that language itself.
Rumer Godden's novel A Fugue in Time overlays past and present in a multi-generational story, the technique she used later to great effect in China Court. These and many other books are discussed in her second volume of autobiography A House with Four Rooms which blends the personal and professional in charmingly anecdotal, discursive style. I loved it.
As ever something to look for and Rumer Godden is always a joy. Don’t think I will ever tire of her.
Posted by: Fran H-B | 01 July 2022 at 11:21 AM
Rumer Godden an author I really enjoy. Jhumpa Lahiri is another. Simon Parkin is new to me. Thank you for the updates.
Posted by: Mystica | 03 July 2022 at 02:21 AM
My mother was interned in The Isle of Man for 6 months. She was Lithuanian and had entered England preWar on my father's American passport as his wife. She was stateless because she was born when Lithuania was under Germn rule and her parents, like many others, refused to register her birth.He died in 1941 and thus she was interned. As a rather privileged prisoner she had a very nice time, making several friends--among them the painter, Kurt Schwitters. He kept every one in gales of laughter because this was where he began his later famous collages. Here He made them from left over food, when this was too dreary to contemplate eating. I wonder if he is mentioned in this book? When his work began to smell and mildew it would be taken down and thrown away!
Posted by: Erika W. | 10 July 2022 at 10:31 PM
My goodness, Erika! I am glad your mother’s experience was a good one, in the circumstances, but how dreadful that she was interned at all.
Kurt Schwitters is indeed featured in the book, as are his collages!
Thank you for giving us that very personal link to that time and place.
Posted by: Cornflower | 11 July 2022 at 10:10 AM
I enjoyed the Beatrix Potter exhibit at the V&A last month, particularly that she wrote her journals in code so her domineering mother wouldn't read them. She was a little like Vera Brittain in yearning for more education than she was getting, although liked her governesses and simply marched off to the Natural History Museum when she needed some science.
Posted by: Constance | 21 July 2022 at 01:41 AM
I’m hoping to see that exhibition next month, Constance. Beatrix Potter was a true scholar!
Posted by: Cornflower | 21 July 2022 at 02:01 PM