My favourite writing discovery over the past year has been the now largely forgotten mid century novelist Helen Ashton. Her early novel, Bricks and Mortar, about the life of an architect from the 19th to the early 20th century, has been republished by the wonderful Persephone Books, but everything else she has written has gone out of print. I’d like to say that I can’t imagine why, but sadly many of us keen readers of middlebrow fiction are all too familiar with the fate of many excellent female novelists whose focus is on the more domestic, ‘uneventful’ end of the fictional spectrum.
Lovely to read about all of these in one place, after hearing about them from you! I have to say People in Cages was the title that grabbed me, so I'm sorry to hear it's the weakest among them - it sounds so fascinating. (A Man in the Zoo by David Garnett is another to add to a zoo list!)
Having been an avid reader in my youth, when the time between sessions of hastily scribbled homework seemed almost endless, I miss the opportunity to get into a good read - not because I have no free time, but more because I have too little time to look for books I would enjoy. For this reason I particularly appreciate your reviews and have on more than one occasion enjoyed an author following your recommendation. So many thanks for this - just have to see what eBay and co can do by way of supply!
Thanks David - I'm glad that I helped you find authors you've enjoyed, and here's hoping I can keep that happening. I'm sure you'll find some Helen Ashtons on eBay - I hope you love her as much as I do!
Lovely to read about all of these in one place, after hearing about them from you! I have to say People in Cages was the title that grabbed me, so I'm sorry to hear it's the weakest among them - it sounds so fascinating. (A Man in the Zoo by David Garnett is another to add to a zoo list!)
I'll lend it to you and see what you think!
Having been an avid reader in my youth, when the time between sessions of hastily scribbled homework seemed almost endless, I miss the opportunity to get into a good read - not because I have no free time, but more because I have too little time to look for books I would enjoy. For this reason I particularly appreciate your reviews and have on more than one occasion enjoyed an author following your recommendation. So many thanks for this - just have to see what eBay and co can do by way of supply!
Thanks David - I'm glad that I helped you find authors you've enjoyed, and here's hoping I can keep that happening. I'm sure you'll find some Helen Ashtons on eBay - I hope you love her as much as I do!