Welcome to Litsy!

This book had all the ingredients that I should enjoy, but somehow they just didn't work here. Miss Carter is a middle-aged woman, never married, who lives by herself in a small flat in London and works for the censor's office during WWII. Through a series of events, she finds herself in possession of an ifrit (i.e. genie). Part of the reason this book didn't quite work for me was that the ifrit's magic never really made sense to me. Apparently ⬇

I'm rather late with reading this #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub selection, but with its supernatural elements, it was a good choice for #scarathlon. I really enjoyed this story -- great characters and so much fun!

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I was worried that this tale of fantasy might come off twee; a spinster & a genie made me somewhat nervous! But I needn't have worried; the writer is extremely witty & had me laughing out loud from the start. There are tiny bits of Orientalism that are also self-critical & ironic, & Miss Carter's inner thoughts were a treat. As fellow #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub members have pointed out, this would have been delightful escapism for postwar readers.

My state of mind isn‘t ideal for this book, which isn‘t light enough to require no concentration & isn‘t substantial enough to be completely engrossing. It‘s taken a while to get through it. It‘s a charming read, nonetheless, & often amusing. I particularly enjoyed the description of the sons of Satan. What do we make of Miss Carter naming her Ifrit for Stalin? I rather think the author may have come to regret her choice!
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I enjoyed this book (although it dragged a bit for me in spots). I found Joe very endearing, and was glad to see both him and Miss Carter move on to the next phases of their lives. (But what did she do with all the jewels?)

The photo is a glimpse of how Joe might have sometimes decorated Georgina‘s flat.

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A winsome and fantastical read. Humorous and endearing. Perfect for a summer afternoon! When it was released in 1945, this book must have felt like a breath of fresh air and a lovely bit of escapism to its war-weary British readers.

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This was a pleasant slice of domestic fantasy, in which an everyday spinster suddenly finds herself in command of an ifrit, or genie, in the latter days of World War 2. I really enjoyed the relationship between Miss Carter and “Joe,“ as well as the sweet humor. He definitely shakes her life out of the commonplace, in the best of ways. Lovely descriptions, which must have been such a sensory delight to austerity readers.

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Can you imagine?! 😅

But oh the temptations an Ifrit offers. Let‘s just start with unlimited access to books and the luxury to read them……..
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This was really rather charming. Georgina Carter, 47, suddenly finds herself the owner of Abu Shiháb “Joe” the Ifrit, newly released after thousands of years. She had lived her life pre-Joe “quietly and sensibly,” and “had been brought up in the school that believed in self-denial for the sake of self-denial.” Joe shakes things up in all the best ways, becoming a cherished companion and helping her get her happy ending.

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This was a cute story with the occasional touch of a free thinker. Miss Carter frees an Ifrit (genie) she nicknames Joe and is accordingly able to avail herself of his magical powers. The setting is during WWII and middle aged, unmarried Miss Carter up to now has lived a rather drab and romance-free existence. But of course that‘s all about to change!
The limitations on Joe‘s abilities were interesting. He isn‘t all powerful by any means.

I can only imagine how refreshing this fairytale-like novel must have been when it was published in 1945, after the austerity of WW2.

A middle-aged spinster buys some old wood blocks to heat her home. When she throws one on the fire she unleashes a genie (an Ifrit) who suddenly brightens her home with longed-for companionship, scarce foods and other material items (not to mention finding the man she loved in her younger years!). A sweet delight.

“To look at Miss Georgina Carter you would never have suspected that a woman of her age and character would have allowed herself to be so wholeheartedly mixed up with an Ifrit.”

Excited to spend some time with Georgina and Joe the Ifrit this weekend!

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“For Joe had certainly given her a new interest, had stirred things up. Joe, by making things pleasanter, simpler, had left her free to think. For Joe did all the housework. She didn‘t even have to have Mrs‘Oward, the char, once a week. She didn‘t have to prepare meals or wash dishes or dust behind the wireless. She could stay in bed later in the mornings…”

I‘m thinking this book might be a little feminist? 🤔🙊 Maybe too early to say?

repost @Ruthiella
Hey reading friends! Tomorrow is the first of July, which means it‘s time to start our bi-monthly #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub read. The general aim is to be finished by mid month, but no pressure if you need longer. Post your thoughts as you read, if you like.

Any other Littens want to join in, please do! If you want to be tagged for the next title in September, let me know. All are welcome!

Hey reading friends! Tomorrow is the first of July, which means it‘s time to start our bi-monthly #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub read. 😃 The general aim is to be finished by mid month, but no pressure if you need longer. Post your thoughts as you read, if you like. Be sure to tag everyone so we can comment.

Any other Littens want to join in, please do! If you want to be tagged for the next title in September, let me know. All are welcome!