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Farthing
Farthing | Jo Walton
29 posts | 27 read | 54 to read
Eight years after they overthrew Churchill and led Britain into a separate peace with Hitler, the upper-crust families of the ?Farthing set? are gathered for a weekend retreat. Among them is estranged Farthing scion Lucy Kahn, who can't understand why her and her husband David's presence was so forcefully requested. Then the country-house idyll is interrupted when the eminent Sir James Thirkie is found murdered - with a yellow Star of David pinned to his chest. Lucy begins to realize that her Jewish husband is about to be framed for the crime - an outcome that would be convenient for altogether too many of the various political machinations underway in Parliament in the coming week. But whoever's behind the murder, and the frame-up, didn't reckon on the principal investigator from Scotland Yard being a man with very private reasons for sympathizing with outcasts and underdogs - and prone to look beyond the obvious as a result. As the trap slowly shuts on Lucy and David, they begin to see a way out - a way fraught with peril in a darkening world.
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review
Tonton
Farthing | Jo Walton
Pickpick

Farthing, Ha‘penny, and Half A Crown makes up the Small Change trilogy. Alternate history as a coup d‘etat turns Britain into a fascist state, an ally of Hitler who‘s camped across the Channel. This trilogy is a primer perfectly illustrating how excuses made will compromise people just trying to survive, and how those compromises will result in loss of integrity, morality, and actual lives. Tiny fires of resistance vs greed, power, racism. So now.

Bookwomble Starting to not feel very 'alternate' 😕 4y
Tonton @Bookwomble you‘re right just looking at the newsfeed in real life 4y
26 likes2 comments
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kristenm
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Pickpick

The author herself warned me off of reading this trilogy a couple of years ago, telling me I might find it too hard to read in the current political climate. I thought I was more ready now, less shocked and helpless, more defiant. Wow. Still a tough read because it‘s not at all difficult to imagine the alternate history of creeping fascism actually coming to pass. Things have to change before we are doomed.

kristenm You‘ll note that I used my ACLU bookmark as a talisman to remind me that there is still hope! 5y
bookishnerd I read this a few years ago but I could never get the sequels. I got them for Christmas in an Audible sale, so will be curious to see what I think 5y
kristenm @bookishnerd I bought all three together used, I think. So I have them here. I just need to get the courage to read what will probably be an even bleaker second book! 5y
10 likes3 comments
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rretzler
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Pickpick

Powerful. It‘s 1949, and Germany is still at war with Russia, but in 1941, young Sir James Thirkie brokered peace for Britain with Hitler. Now, 8 years later, Sir James has been murdered during a country house party and it‘s up to Inspector Carmichael to solve the case. Signs point to David Kahn, the Jewish son-in-law of the house‘s owner, but Carmichael isn‘t convinced. Love Walton‘s style. Powerful subject matter. Highly recommend. 5/5🌟 #2019

Libby1 I really liked Dominion, which also imagined a Britain that had made peace with Hitler. 5y
rretzler @Libby1 Thanks! I wasn‘t aware of Dominion-putting it on my to read list. 5y
61 likes3 stack adds2 comments
blurb
esurient
Farthing | Jo Walton
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tournevis
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Jo Walton explaining maple syrup buying secrets to the American guests at the Scintillation opening dim sum.

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Susannah
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Pickpick

Given the current political climate, this was probably not the best book for me to pick up. But it was very good. Jo Walton doesn't abuse her use of alternative history. Nothing is so far from the truth that it seems absurd, which makes the novel effectively chilling. I'm looking forward to the rest of the books in this trilogy, though not right away. 😬 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

batsy The books are somewhat uneven in quality but I enjoyed the series as a whole 👍🏽 6y
Susannah @batsy Thank you. I liked the Carmichael character a lot, so I'm glad he's the one who's persistent throughout the books. 6y
21 likes2 comments
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tournevis
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Unofficial review of The Scintillation Collection.

The editors chose well, and I have no doubt they chose short stories that Jo would like. The stories converge very tightly. I would say the theme here is displacement and slippages. If it ever becomes an official publication rather than a zine you talk about at a con panel, I strongly recommend it.

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tournevis
Farthing | Jo Walton
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For those few rare of you who are wondering what this super secret Scintillation convention anthology is, here is the cover. As I said, you have to be registered to get it. I've read through to Gladstone. Reading Wilde and further tomorrow. All are previously published short stories.

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tournevis
Farthing | Jo Walton
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You can't see it, neither can I, but I can feel Igrec's facial muscles twitch as he is dreaming resting on my knee. It's been a long day with little reading. I'm going through the Scintillation Collection, not in the database because not officially a published book.

vivastory I'm currently reading her informal history of the Hugos. I can't imagine a better guide! 6y
tournevis @vivastory Jo is a great author and a marvelous person. I am lucky to know her and honored to call her a friend. 6y
59 likes2 comments
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tournevis
Farthing | Jo Walton
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I'm really looking forward to this writer-centric convention in Montréal. It's the daughter con to the much-missed Farthing Party con* and I cannot wait. I'll be on two panels, including one the convention's anthology, which is not in the database. Right now, a few of us are sorting out who will be bringing which boardgames. Wanna come?

*Originally organized by Jo Walton for the tagged book launch that just went on annually until 2014.

Lindy Sounds like fun! 6y
tournevis @Lindy Wanna come up? 6y
tournevis @writerlibrarian Will you swing by? I have a Thursday pm and Friday am and early pm free, we could have a meetup? 6y
See All 19 Comments
Lindy @tournevis Thanks for the invitation. 😊 It isn‘t possible this year, but my sweetie and I are talking about a trip to Montreal next spring. 6y
writerlibrarian @tournevis Friday might work. Je suis en achat de livres am, debut d‘après-midi pourrait être possible. 6y
llwheeler Sounds fun! I was thinking of maybe going to Can-con in ottawa this year, have you ever been? 6y
tournevis @llwheeler I have been and might swing by on the Saturday. 6y
tournevis @writerlibrarian Être en achat de livres... Merveilleuse phrase, ça! On pourrait se retrouver quelque part dans un café. Je voulais aller à Bonheurs d'Occasion s'ils ne sont pas déjà fermés. C'était pas librarie préférée à Mtl. Quelque part pas loin du métro Mont-Royal vers 13:30, genre? 6y
tournevis @writerlibrarian Oh! Ils sont à l'allée des bouquinistes! Voilà, on pourrait se retrouver à Juliette et Chocolat sur Saint-Denis vers 13:30? 6y
writerlibrarian @tournevis Ils sont derrière la BANQ? Si oui super il y a du stationnement habituellement a la BANQ 6y
writerlibrarian Ma librairie d'occasion préférée est Librairie Henri Julien sur le Plateau près du conservatoire de musique 6y
tournevis @writerlibrarian Près de la BanQ oui. Ça se marche. 6y
tournevis @writerlibrarian Je ne la connais pas celle-là. Ou peut-être que oui, mais le nom ne me dit rien 6y
tournevis @writerlibrarian Je vois où c'est. Je n'y suis jamais allé mais jr connais bien la coop artistique pas trop loin de là sur Saint-Laurent et bien sûr le Valet d'Coeur. 6y
tournevis @writerlibrarian Donc, je mets vendredi 3 octobre à 13:30 à Juliette et Chocolat dans l'agenda? 6y
tournevis @writerlibrarian _5_ octobre. Cinq octobre. 6y
writerlibrarian @tournevis oui, si un empêchement survient, peu de risque mais possible je te préviens. 6y
tournevis @writerlibrarian 👍👍👍👍👍 6y
42 likes19 comments
review
shanaqui
Farthing | Jo Walton
Pickpick

Basically all round heartbreaking after you think it's just a standard murder mystery. I love Carmichael, but damn I hope I'm braver -- brave enough to say no if I'm offered personal safety in exchange for silence about an atrocity.

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shanaqui
Farthing | Jo Walton

Everything is so ridiculously busy at the mo, but when it isn't I'm pretty much devouring this. It's a reread -- way back when, it was the first of Jo's books I ever read, and after that I couldn't understand how I hadn't found her work before!

I'm getting to the part of the book that's just emotionally destructive, though. Ugh. Compromising with fascism -- all too relevant to think about, lately.

llwheeler Hm i don't remember any of that, maybe i should reread. This is the first one, right? I remember i liked the first and didn't really like the 2nd (ha'penny, I think?). Still the only two Jo Walton books i've read, though many of her others are on my to read list. 6y
shanaqui @llwheeler The compromising with fascism bit is most of the book really -- if you remember, it's alternate history where the UK made peace with Hitler's Germany. But it gets really personal towards the end. The trilogy as a whole shows Britain going the way of Nazi Germany. Not my favourite of Jo's works (that's probably Among Others), but it's the first I read. 6y
shanaqui Of the three, I think I like this trilogy in descending order! 6y
llwheeler @shanaqui Oh right, wow... i completely forgot the larger context, how weird is that. All i remembered is like an impression of Carmichael himself, and the country house murder investigation aspect. I can definitely see how reading it now would feel very different to reading it in 2008 or so when I first did. 6y
17 likes4 comments
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ReadingEnvy
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Pickpick

I was not feeling so patriotic so I read an alternate history about England after "the Farthing Set" brokered a truce with fascism/Hitler rather than winning a war. Mostly it is a murder mystery when the man who led the deal shows up dead and the one Jewish man around is looking to be set up to take the fall. Jo does more with the crime than the alt history, with alternating chapters between Lucy (married to the Jewish man) and the inspector.

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Minervasbutler
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Pickpick

First in a trilogy set in an alternate 1949 where England has made peace with Nazi Germany and is sliding into fascism itself. Brilliantly narrated crime novel (the Lucy chapters are particularly well done), often darkly funny and a grim reminder of how easily it could indeed happen here.

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Minervasbutler
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Don't give Jacob Rees-Mogg any ideas woman! Lol

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tournevis
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Boréal!!! Look at all these (actually very good) Jo Walton translations!

GatheringBooks ooohlala! i have yet to read her books! 6y
tournevis @GatheringBooks They are all good, some SF, some Fantasy, some alt-history, and one slipstream. All amazing. My favorite: 6y
48 likes2 comments
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grass
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Pickpick

Holy cow. What a book to freak a fellow out. You're just bumbling along, enjoying a friendly, familiar detective story, when a detail reminds you that the state of democracy is at stake. The book takes place in an alternate history where England negotiated a treaty with Hitler so that "The Reich stops at the Channel." Highly recommend this insidious read.

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vlwelser
Farthing | Jo Walton
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I found a good book quote! We need a hashtag for this. Does anyone know one or have any suggestions? 💖📚

DivaDiane #metaquote ? Being a quote about books. 7y
14 likes1 comment
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Velvetsun
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Holy guacamole! Thank you so much @emtobiasz . I absolutely love everything. Your book picks were steller...and the bookish treats are wonderful. The Discworld stickers made me squee more than a little. 💙💜💛💚
Thank you @BookishMarginalia for organizing such a fun project.
#summersantagoespostal #summersolsticebookexchange

emtobiasz Hooray! I'm so glad you liked it!! 7y
BookishMarginalia 💜💜💜 7y
40 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Mariliel
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Nothing feels as well earned as wine and cheese and a book in the backyard after mowing the lawn.

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Mariliel
Farthing | Jo Walton

And this was true of course, there is a sort of comfort in being with people who think exactly as you do because they've been brought up exactly the same way and share all the same jokes. It's a feeble kind of comfort and doesn't last beyond seeing that you've nothing truly in common except that kind of upbringing and background.

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StaceyKondla
Farthing | Jo Walton
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GASP!! Even MORE book mail!! I was very bad last week placing a few too many book orders 😬This stack is from Book Outlet and I just couldn't argue with free shipping

twohectobooks I still haven't read one of Jo Walton's books, but every single one I've encountered has a more fascinating premise than the last. Need to get my act together and read some of her work. 7y
kwmg40 Great choices! I love Jo Walton's writing. 7y
38 likes1 stack add2 comments
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kspenmoll
Farthing | Jo Walton
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#bookhaul #giftstack #surprise #Bookmail
Look what my wonderful son sent to me in today's mail! 📚📚❤️❤️ Just because.

BarbaraTheBibliophage That is fabulous!! 👏🏻👏🏻🎉🎉📚📚 8y
kspenmoll @BarbaraTheBibliophage Felt loved. Big surprise. He checked my Amazon list. 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Smart kid. 😎 8y
See All 8 Comments
Jas16 You clearly raised him right! 8y
Gryffindorian What a sweet son! 8y
LeahBergen Aww! 💗 8y
Caroline2 Ohhh After Birth is a great book! 👍🏻 8y
kspenmoll @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Jas16 @Gryffindorian @LeahBergen @Caroline2 He is a thoughtful kid; I am lucky. Loves books & loves giving them, finding them inexpensively. I heard on Litsy, of course, about (edited) 8y
64 likes8 comments
review
Oblomov26
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Pickpick

Have had this one in my Audible library for a long while. Part alt history part detective story, set in an England where the Hess mission was successful and England made peace with Germany in 1941. Set years later in 1949 at the country house of the set who forged the peace, where a murder has occurred and suspicion falls on the daughter of the house and her Jewish husband. A tale of deceit, social conventions and betrayal of values.

kspenmoll Nice review! Intriguing! 8y
Cinfhen Sounds good ~ nice review 8y
DrexEdit Alt history mystery. 👍 8y
64 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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Pagesflutter
Farthing | Jo Walton
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My #24in48 reading stack. First up will be Farthing, because I've already started reading it, and the intrigue is just beginning! #mightneedagraphicnoveltoo

12 likes2 stack adds
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Pagesflutter
Farthing | Jo Walton
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This week's commuting read. I'm liking it so much I missed my train stop- that has not happened in years! #alternatehistory #murdermystery

8 likes3 stack adds
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bluebard
Farthing | Jo Walton
Pickpick

Loved this so much, I tore through this and the two sequels in about four days. Who needs sleep, right? Alternate history + post-WWII = WIN. Plus a genuinely interesting murder mystery.

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Yossarian
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Pickpick

Have you ever loved the first book of a series, but had no desire at all to read the second? Alt-history where Britain signs a peace treaty with Hitler. The tension from the creeping anti-Semitism was so intense that I give the book 5 stars, but can't even imagine starting the next one.

acg This sounds amazing! I've been wanting to give Jo Walton a try, so I think I'll start with this. 9y
Joe_Jones I have done that more when there is a big gap between books so that by the time the next one comes out I have no interest in continuing the story. 9y
Anita Walton is one of my favorites. Looks my forward to this. 9y
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mattgodfrey Yes, totally. I loved In The Woods by Tana French but didn't want to read the others for some reason. 9y
AmyI @mattgodfrey - I thought most of Tana French's other books were really good. They're a bit unique in that each of the following books follow a minor murder squad character from the previous book. 9y
mattgodfrey @AmyI Maybe I'll have to go back and check them out. Is order important? 9y
heikemarie Me with Dune. 9y
FirstOfAutumn That was also my reaction to Farthing. I have read other books by Walton since then but have had no desire to go back and read the others in this series despite enjoying the first book. 9y
43 likes12 stack adds8 comments
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HardcoverHearts
Farthing | Jo Walton
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Only 10% into this but am getting a really interesting Gosford Park vibe from it! Intrigue, class drama and race relations amongst the upper crust in preWW2 England.

Xxxxx Initially misread title; 14-year-old in me is crestfallen. 9y
HardcoverHearts @jonbartlett 😂😂😂Trust me- I had to triple check that I wrote it as it was published!! 9y
7 likes3 stack adds2 comments