The last eighteen months have been rather odd reading wise, for me at least, as I have found myself taking comfort from re-reading a lot of titles and series. I am currently ploughing, though that sounds as if it is difficult to do so when it is the opposite, the Bill Slider series by Cynthia-Harrod-Eagles which are simply terrific. I have been searching through Random and it seems I have never really written about them so I intend to rectify that mistake soon.
I have recently discovered that the series of The Darling Buds of May which first appeared on our tv screens over thirty years ago now is being remade, or as it is now phrased 'rebooted'. I remember the original very well because for years after reading the books by H E Bates, I did what I quite often do, and cast the characters just in case a film was ever made. Pop Larkin had to be David Jason and I held this view for several years so when the casting was announced and there he was I was simply delighted. Of course, to be honest, his Pop was a country version of Del Boy but it was "perfick" so I was not complaining. It was a huge success so I am hoping the remake is as good.
I first read the H E Bates books when I was about twelve and remembered, little innocent that I then was, asking my sister how Pop and Ma could have so many children when they were not married? She explained...
I love the books and so decided a reread was in order and as my old and battered copies vanished some time ago, decided to treat myself to new ones and they arrived today. I love the covers and am looking forward to reacquainting myself with the Larkins over the next week or so.
I have also received two titles from the Classic Crime series published by the British Library, Murder by the Book and Till Death us do Part and will be reviewing and writing about these later.
On a recent visit to a friend, whose collection of books makes mine look puny, I spotted on a table by her side a book called My Victorian Novel. Well, I could not resist taking a look and after starting to read the first essay decided I had to buy a copy. Price is £25 but managed to find a second hand one and it arrived earlier this week. It contains essays on Jane Eyre, The Duke's Children, Middlemarch, Daniel Deronda, Vanity Fair, North and South, Bleak House, David Copperfield and the Pickwick Papers all of which I have read and loved so this is sheer joy. I have already read the first on Jane Eyre but am saving the rest and eking them out. Just knowing they are there waiting for me is a wonderful thought.
Andrew Lownie, who published a book about the Mountbattens recently, was at the Felixstowe Book Festival this year and I really think we need to ask him back as I would love to speak to him about his latest, Traitor King - the scandalous exile of the Duke and Duchess of WIndsor. It is totally engrossing but honestly the more I read about them the more ghastly they both appear. I can find excuses for the Duchess (more anon when I review) but it is almost impossible to find anything good to say about the Duke. Spoilt, selfish, narcissistic, needy, pathetic and, to be honest, rather dim is all I can think of at the moment. I have been reading this with an horified fascination and have to keep putting it down as the sheer awfulness of their behaviour is simply staggering.
Oh and a few weeks ago I was asked to review a fictionalised account of the Duchess of WIndsor's 'love story'. I had to apologise to the publishers and say I simply could not review it as it was utterly utterly dire and so far removed from reality I had difficulty in not hurling it across the room. It is going to the charity shop though I feel rather guilty in inflicting it on some poor unsuspecting reader.
And in the middle of all this as I felt I needed some light and love I re-read Anne of Green Gables which made me feel much better....
