A thread on Twitter the other day, started by US literary agent and former editor Sarah Bowlin, asked which "quiet" novels people love. Publishing is so often focused on books which are "not quiet", she said, but she loves the "quiet" ones too, and so do many others, for it won't be a surprise to readers of this blog that the response to her question showed clearly that there are many, many fans of novels which are understated, unshowy, unhyped, but which in their more intimate scale, often concerned with the domestic, the mundane, the still, small voice of calm, are every bit as immersive and as satisfying to the reader as their louder, bolder, counterparts, and often become true long-term friends, turned to in all moods.
Click the link above to see the full range of recommendations. Among those I offered or seconded are JL Carr's A Month in the Country, Mollie Panter-Downes's One Fine Day, Dorothy Whipple, Elizabeth Goudge, William Trevor, Jane Gardam, John Williams's Stoner, Barbara Pym, Anita Brookner, All Passion Spent by Vita Sackville-West, Elizabeth von Arnim's The Enchanted April. Lots of Persephone books fall into the quiet category, as do some delights from Dean Street Press. If you can add to the list via a comment below, please do!
The author that comes immediately to mind is Anne Tyler. Her
A Spool of Blue Thread, French Braid, Redhead by the Side of the Road & Accidental Tourist are just a few examples of her 'slow' but oh so good reads.
Posted by: Cathy | 24 July 2022 at 03:14 PM
Agreed, Cathy!
Posted by: Cornflower | 24 July 2022 at 03:25 PM
for sure O Douglas ! My favourites are The Proper Place and The day of Small Things. Elizabeth Strout and her Oh William! D E Stevenson is always a delight. And where Elizabeth von Arnim is concerned do take a look at In the Mountains.
Posted by: diana | 24 July 2022 at 07:00 PM
Elizabeth Strout. Leonard and Hungry Paul. Winifred Holtby. Jane Austen. A Man Called Ove. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Elizabeth Goudge. Anthony Trollope. Joanna Trollope. Margaret Forster.
Posted by: FEO | 24 July 2022 at 10:07 PM
I have a large collection of books that I turn to when I need to be absorbed in a world. Top of the list for an emergency is Rosamunde Pilcher - specifically Coming Home and Winter Solstice. I think it is because the narrative arc is so clearly defined, the detailed descriptions of houses very satisfying, and a reassuring distinction between good and bad. Avoid The Shell Seekers which is full of unpleasant characters but, mysteriously, is 'much-loved'.
Posted by: Alice C | 24 July 2022 at 10:10 PM
Pretty much all I read!
Posted by: Nan | 24 July 2022 at 10:27 PM
How could I have forgotten Rosamunde? Winter Solstice is one of my December reads every year. It's like coming back to old friends. Do you think The Shell Seekers is so popular because of the Hallmark movie tie-in from years ago?
Posted by: Cathy | 25 July 2022 at 12:25 PM
Hmm bit of a challenge for me I think (not entirely sure what people mean by quiet if I am honest), but perhaps My Mother's House by Colette might be one?
Posted by: Dark Puss | 27 July 2022 at 08:52 PM
O Douglas and DE Stevenson definitely! I’ve read Olive Kitteridge but not Oh William, so that’s one to look out for, likewise In the Mountains. Thank you, Diana.
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 July 2022 at 04:17 PM
Some excellent suggestions there. Thank you, FEO.
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 July 2022 at 04:18 PM
I must go back to Rosamunde Pilcher - I re-read The Shell Seekers most recently and I know what you mean about the unpleasant characters, but Coming Home and Winter Solstice I can barely remember. Thank you, Alice!
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 July 2022 at 04:20 PM
Another vote for Winter Solstice - my 'to buy’ list is getting longer!
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 July 2022 at 04:23 PM
I think so, DP.
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 July 2022 at 04:26 PM
That sounds like an excellent 'diet' to me, Nan!
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 July 2022 at 04:29 PM
I think Angela Thirkell would often fall into that category (but is 100% an acquired taste); I'd also offer Sarah Winman's Still Life, which a good friend just shared with me, and Tayari Jones's An American Marriage.
Posted by: Rebecca Leamon | 29 July 2022 at 11:05 PM
Yes, I’d include Angela Thirkell - I did enjoy the handful of her books I’ve read. Many thanks for the other recommendations, Rebecca.
Posted by: Cornflower | 30 July 2022 at 11:38 AM
Anything by Barbara Pym.
Enjoying all the other suggestions--though I've read many of them. Would add 'September' to the Pilcher list.
Posted by: Mary | 30 July 2022 at 03:31 PM