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South Riding
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
22 posts | 12 read | 43 to read
The community of South Riding, like the rest of the country, lives in the long shadow of war. Blighted by recession and devastated by the loss, they must also come to terms with significant social change.Forward-thinking and ambitious, Sarah Burton is the embodiment of such change. After the death of her fianc, she returns home to Yorkshire focused on her career as headmistress of the local school. But not everyone can embrace the new social order. Robert Carne, a force of conservatism, stands firmly against Sarah. A tormented man, he carries a heavy burden that locks him in the past. As the villagers of South Riding adjust to Sarah's arrival and face the changing world, emotions run high, prejudices are challenged and community spirit is tested. Anna Maxwell Martin (Bleak House) and David Morrissey lead an outstanding cast in this rich and panoramic portrait of community in turmoil. Winifred Holtby's little-known and hard-to-find literary gem is a magnificent masterpiece, to be joyfully rediscovered by a whole new generation of readers.
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review
Sophronisba
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Pickpick

I really loved this portrait of a town in the 1930s. It's a political/social novel so not all the characters are as developed as I would have liked them to be, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

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MaureenMc
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Pickpick

I loved this sweeping, well-written, complex multi-character study of a Yorkshire town and its inhabitants. Love, loss, vice, virtue - Holtby covers it all and then some. I enjoyed my time with these characters. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #50in50

Cathythoughts Lovely review! I really enjoyed this one too 👍🏻♥️ 12mo
LeahBergen I must get to this one soon. It has been on my shelves for ages! 12mo
batsy Yes! Love this book. 12mo
See All 6 Comments
mabell Lovely cover! 😍 12mo
MaureenMc @mabell It is a lovely cover. Too bad it‘s on my Kindle. 😆 12mo
mabell Well shoot 😆😆 12mo
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Dilara
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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That was a fantastic book - very modern in its outlook.

(picture of Bridlington Town Hall - as a stand-in for Kiplington - from Wikipedia)

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Dilara
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Oh Lydia! I‘m so worried for you! You‘ve just started school again on a scholarship, but if your mum stays pregnant, you‘ll have to leave high school to help her and say goodbye to your dreams. I hope that plot gets resolved soon because I couldn‘t bear to be strung along for another 350 pages. My heart couldn‘t take it. I‘m rooting for you!

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Dilara
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Have started South Riding and enjoying it very much so far! This is my second early 20th-century small-town (gentle) social satire this month (the other being Ces dames aux chapeaux verts).

batsy I love this book! And a reminder to myself to read more Holtby. 2y
Dilara @batsy I've heard so many good things about this book ! It's such a shame Holtby died so young. 2y
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review
Cathythoughts
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Pickpick

A very moving book, set in the 1930‘s. I enjoyed the local politics too, as other Litsy reviews have mentioned. I loved the brilliantly written characters that drew me into their minds and lives, the school, and the development of Sarah Burton‘s character ... I‘m left with a rich & contented feeling have just finished this book. Inspiring

rockpools Lovely review Cathy. It‘s on my ‘one day‘ list 😊 2y
erzascarletbookgasm Yes lovely review. And pretty photo too! 2y
Cathythoughts @rockpools Thanks Rachel for this book , you sent it to me over 2 years ago now 😃 2y
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Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm Thanks Jessie 😁 2y
TrishB Lovely review Cathy ♥️ 2y
squirrelbrain I read this *many* years ago when I was probably too young to appreciate it… about time for a re-read I think! 2y
Tamra Such a lovely review & pic. Sounds like a warm hug of a read. 🤗 2y
batsy Great review, Cathy! So glad you liked it. And yes to the rich and contented feeling 💕 2y
andrew61 Great review, glad you enjoyed. 2y
LeahBergen What a lovely review and photo! 🥰🥰 2y
Cathythoughts @TrishB Thanks Trish 👍❤️ 2y
Cathythoughts @squirrelbrain It‘s definitely one I might reread someday too 👍❤️ 2y
Cathythoughts @Tamra A warm hug is right 😁❤️ 2y
Cathythoughts @batsy Thanks Suba ❤️ 2y
Cathythoughts @andrew61 Thanks Andrew, yes I really did enjoy! 2y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Thanks Leah! I think you would like this one 2y
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Cathythoughts
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Great idea #WeekendReading
I‘m going to try and make some serious progress with tagged book. I‘m loving it & feel like I should be nearing the end by now 👍🏻 Happy Reading Andrew and everyone ❤️👍🏻

Andrew65 Thanks, and hope you have a good weekend of reading. 2y
51 likes1 comment
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Cathythoughts
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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I picked this off my bookshelf @rockpools … and I‘m loving it so far. The development of Sarah Burton‘s character has me intrigued. I‘m not a gossip in real life .. but I love the bit of gossipy feel to this story , (depends on how it‘s told )… it‘s great , nice writing , story telling 👌🏻

TrishB And a lovely pic ♥️ 2y
Cathythoughts @TrishB Thanks! Good book & wine & Christmas lights … 😁happy out ! 2y
andrew61 Great photo and great book Cathy. Bizarrely I really liked the local politics which you wouldn't think could be interesting. Enjoy. 2y
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LeahBergen Ooo, what a cozy pic! I have this book on my shelves, too. 🙄 2y
batsy This is such a good book! I was totally wrapped up in the characters, events, and the local politics as @andrew61 mentions. Hope you enjoy! 2y
Ruthiella I second @batsy and @andrew61 ! This is a great read. 2y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen @batsy @Ruthiella @andrew61 I‘m only on chapter 7 … but I‘m hooked .. I keep thinking about it & looking forward to getting back to it. Yes , a great read 2y
64 likes1 stack add7 comments
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sisilia
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Two titles, the same cover art 🤩 I hope to read South Riding next year 🤞🏻

LeahBergen Yes, I‘ve had it on my shelves for a couple of years. 😬 2y
sisilia @LeahBergen 😬😬😬 2y
Cathythoughts I have this one too … it‘s very long , one of these days 🤞🏻 2y
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sisilia Oohh good to hear @Cathythoughts I love chunky books 😅 2y
batsy I loved both! But love SR a wee bit more. 2y
sisilia @batsy Wow, now I‘m super intrigued haha.. 2y
quietjenn It's been years since I read it, but I remember loving South Riding so much. 2y
rabbitprincess Loooove South Riding, although I think at least part of my affection comes from David Morrissey playing the male lead in the miniseries 😂🥰 2y
sisilia @quietjenn @rabbitprincess 🥰 I‘m so looking forward to this, and I will definitely check out the miniseries 2y
DivineDiana Well, that is unimaginative! 🤔 2y
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Cathythoughts
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Hi Rachel, thanks so much for your lovely card & news ! Do glad you enjoyed Marvellous Ways & Delighted to receive this book from my TBR 😁.... you‘re a star , thanks Cathy X

youneverarrived I want to be in that cover 😍 4y
Cathythoughts @youneverarrived I know 😍! Isn‘t it gorgeous! I‘ll meet you there 👍🏻 4y
Tanisha_A @Cathythoughts @youneverarrived Let's all meet there. I'll bring wine. 😍 4y
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Cathythoughts @Tanisha_A @youneverarrived Great ! I‘ll bring cheese & olives 👍🏻❤️ 4y
batsy It's a lovely book... Hope you enjoy it! 4y
youneverarrived @Cathythoughts @Tanisha_A sounds perfect 💚💚💚 4y
Cathythoughts @batsy thanks! I see a lot of characters listed ... I‘ll have to make a list 👍🏻it looks really good 4y
LeahBergen I have this waiting on my shelf, too. 👍🏻 4y
rockpools Yay! So pleased it arrived before you‘d tracked down a copy 😊 4y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen It looks good 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
Cathythoughts @RachelO yes! I‘m thrilled ! Thankyou Rachel , it‘s very nice of you 4y
BiblioLitten Lovely cover! 4y
Cathythoughts @BiblioLitten yes! It really is 👍🏻❤️ 4y
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andrew61
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Pickpick

#booked2019 @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage
My political intrigue bk was one i've wanted to rd for a while and it did not disappoint as we enter the world of local politics in the South Riding of Yorkshire in 1932. Sarah Burton,newly appointed head of the girls school is centre of a story exploring the changing world socially, politically, +the role of women. My small tribute to Yorkshire from harrogate, Sheffield + Barnsley.

BarbaraTheBibliophage Nice choice! 👊🏻♥️📚 4y
Anna40 Sounds great. I lived in Leeds for a year and went hiking near Sheffield. Loved it 4y
Aimeesue Lovely vintage Virago! 4y
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Cinfhen Well done 💚 4y
youneverarrived I love this post! And the book sounds intriguing. 4y
Leftcoastzen Yay ,Virago! 4y
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andrew61
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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With the booked2020 list out there i am nearing the finish line on #booked2019 with my penultimate read 24 political intrigue with a story of local politics in the south riding of Yorkshire and loving it so far. I'll definitely be planning 2020 soon as this years thread has both stretched my reading and cleared some of that tbr pile.
@Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage

alisiakae I‘m glad you‘ll be joining us in 2020! 4y
saresmoore Well done! 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Yay! Glad you‘re closing the books on 2019 prompts and joining us again in the new year! 👊🏻♥️📚 4y
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batsy I love this book! Glad you're enjoying 4y
Cinfhen So glad to hear you‘ll be back in 2020 📚🎉❣️ 4y
rubyslippersreads Another one I‘ve had on my TBR list forever. 4y
andrew61 @rubyslippersreads just finished so highly recommend ☺ 4y
andrew61 @batsy just finished it, loved it ☺ 4y
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andrew61
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Final stop in pickering for scone and cup of tea to get a quick pic of a steam train ( lots of harry potter references, im nit sure if any of the hogwarts express was filmed here) before a couple of bargain buys in a second hand bookshop- ithad to be winifred holtby and vera brittain.

squirrelbrain One of the stations on the line (Goathland) was used for Hogsmeade station, and I think one of the steam trains was also used... 5y
readingjedi Looks lovely! I love the North York Moors. 5y
Leftcoastzen Yay,Virago! 5y
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andrew61 @squirrelbrain i thought so, thanks. 5y
andrew61 @Leftcoastzen yes there were plenty, i only had £2.50 in my pockets otherwise id have spent loads.☺ 5y
37 likes1 stack add6 comments
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LeahBergen
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Voulez-vous aller a la librairie? (Do you want to go to the bookstore? And excuse my French 😆).

I ALWAYS do (and I got these at my local used bookstore yesterday).

#VoulezVous
#ABBAinAugust

saresmoore Oui! Toujours! 6y
Reviewsbylola South Riding is so beautiful! 6y
Leftcoastzen Yes, always!love NYRB books! 6y
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emilyhaldi That nyrb gem is quite a find!! And I have the tagged book stacked already, I believe due to a fab review from @batsy 🤗 6y
Meredith3 Love this ! 6y
batsy A lovely selection 😍 6y
Cinfhen Pretty photo and oui!!! 6y
Kalalalatja Oui, oui! 👌 6y
Centique Et moi aussi! 😍 6y
Izai.Amorim ABBA “roches” 😂😂 6y
Mdargusch South Riding was a must just for that cover! But it sounds great too! 6y
104 likes1 stack add11 comments
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batsy
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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"I was born to be a spinster, and by God, I'm going to spin."

F-yeah, Sarah Burton ?? I remember picking this up on a whim and it ended up having such a strong effect on me.

#singleladies #aprella @Cinfhen @Mdargusch @emilyhaldi @Reviewsbylola

Tamra Oh, that‘s just a great quote! 🙌🏾 6y
Jas16 🙌🏽 6y
emilyhaldi Love this! 😆💗 #stacked 6y
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Kalalalatja You do you! 🙌🙌 6y
Cinfhen That‘s effin awesome 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 6y
rubyslippersreads This sounds grea, and I think I actually have a copy. 😄 6y
Reviewsbylola I‘ve never heard of this but it sounds fantastic!! 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Love that quote! 👌 6y
Leftcoastzen Green Virago yeah! 6y
AlaMich This sounds fun! 6y
LeahBergen I really need to pick up a copy of this. #SpinsterLit 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
Mdargusch Yes! Great quote 👍🏼 6y
batsy @rubyslippersreads @Reviewsbylola @AlaMich @LeahBergen A great read, I highly recommend. Also a TV show I need to check out :) 6y
Cinfhen Reminds me of Kenya Moore‘s “TWIRL” comment on RHOA 💃🏼💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽 6y
CarolynM I've always meant to read this since she was Vera Brittain's friend but somehow I've never got there. 6y
andrew61 @CarolynM @batsy I don't know if you've read Testament of friendship by Vera Brittain but it is a fascinating picture of their relationship and portrait of winifred holtby. 6y
batsy @andrew61 I've been meaning to read that one! 😊 6y
RaimeyGallant I love this. So empowering. 6y
CarolynM I've read bits of that, but never the whole thing. Another one on the list 6y
Suet624 Stacked. 6y
96 likes13 stack adds22 comments
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saresmoore
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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I‘ve closed the bullet journals & the computer and am finally sitting down with my first fresh read of the year. It‘s high time, I think.

Thanks to @batsy for this beautiful book!

P.S. I‘ll be starting on my #litsyclassics challenge soon. For those who‘ve started theirs, how‘s it going?

Tamra What a cover! 6y
BooksForEmpathy Yay!! Also, that pillow you asked about a while ago is I think from Anthropologie! It was a Christmas present! 6y
rubyslippersreads Gorgeous book! I've had this on my TBR list for awhile. 6y
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Moray_Reads I've had this on my tbr for So. Long. 🙃 6y
saresmoore @Tamra Isn‘t it stunning? I had a Tina Fey “I want to go to there” moment. 6y
saresmoore @BooksForEmpathy Of course, Anthro! I‘ve spent some time browsing pillow covers lately, so I‘ve started noticing them. 🤓 6y
saresmoore @rubyslippersreads @Moray_Reads I‘ll be sure to make you feel lots of #readingenvy as I go. 😬 6y
batsy I hope you like it! Looking at that cover makes me want to go there, too! 🌳🍃(I just finished my first read for litsyclassics, also doubling up for this month's readaroundtheworld for Iceland... Independent People. Maybe my first 5 star read of the year!) 6y
saresmoore @batsy Your posts about Independent People have made me want to read it, too! 6y
Sarah83 I have finished my first #litsyclassics and I have already started the second one. 🤗 6y
LeahBergen This looks like I need it. 😬 How are the girls liking their new school? 6y
Suet624 I just looked up other books by this author and many of them have beautiful covers. I actually looked it up to see if there was a print of the cover available to purchase. It‘s beautiful. 6y
93 likes2 stack adds12 comments
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saresmoore
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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While I am riveted by this literature review on turfgrass & agroecology that I'm editing for my dad (😝), I seem to keep getting distracted by these GORGEOUS and ever-so-intriguing books that the beautiful and brilliant @batsy sent my way.

For those who don't follow her, @batsy has the most varied and consistently interesting book recommendations and she writes a helluva good review!

Thank you, thank you to my favorite rude lady reader. ♥️🤓🔥📚

Ericmanciniwriter Adding this turf grass review to my stack... 7y
saresmoore @Eamann I mean, it's specific to Florida, so I think it would be great for inducing sleep. Also, turfgrass is a real thing. 7y
batsy Sara, you are the best. Right back at you, my friend 💜 Literature review on turfgrass sounds soothing? 😁 I was surprised by how much I enjoyed South Riding and hope you do, too! And I haven't read that one by Sackville-West but I loved another one of hers that I read 7y
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Jess_Read_This I completely agree with you. When @batsy recommends a book, I usually take note! ❤️ 7y
HippieChickHomeschool Those covers are to die for! 7y
batsy @Jess_Read_This That's so kind ❤️ Likewise, I love your book choices! 7y
LauraBrook Wow, those are gorgeous! And I wholeheartedly agree, @batsy is a wonderful, dangerous (to pocketbooks), generous, smart lady with excellent taste! ❤️ 7y
rabbitprincess South Riding is excellent! Enjoy! 7y
batsy @LauraBrook You are too sweet, thank you for the kind words! ❤️❤️ 7y
vivastory I agree. @batsy is an insightful and funny reader & reviewer. 7y
batsy @vivastory No, that's you! 😆 thank you 💙 7y
BooksForEmpathy Agreed!!! 7y
LauraBeth @batsy is one of my favorite Litsy reviewers 😀 7y
Moray_Reads I loved All Passion Spent and Vita's The Edwardians is great too ❤ 7y
76 likes14 comments
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laytonwoman3rd
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Why have I waited so long to read this?

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awonderinglife
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Pickpick

A perfect read for me - the English countryside between the world wars with a selection of funny, flawed and delightful characters!

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quirkyreader
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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kspenmoll Thx. Wonderful article- confess i have not heard of her - the detailed view/information paints a picture of an incredibly active, intelligent, vibrant woman esp given the time- imagine what she might have accomplished had her life not been cut so short. Learning so much from #Litsy- 😍 (edited) 7y
32 likes1 comment
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rabbitprincess
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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My "romance novel" pick for #augustofpages. I nearly broke a rib sighing over this book. It may help to know that David Morrissey plays the main male character in the miniseries ??

LauraBrook Whoa, he does?!? Will have to get my hands on a copy of the book, and soon, so I can watch that movie! 8y
rabbitprincess @LauraBrook He sure does! I found my second reading that much better because I was able to picture him 😉 8y
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LibrariansGuide
South Riding | Winifred Holtby
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Lunch time reading.

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