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Table Two
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
15 posts | 12 read | 14 to read
"It's awful to think that there are nine of us here to-day at this table and in six months' time we may all be dead," said Miss Purbeck. "There were thousands killed last night, so the bus conductor told me." "You certainly are our little ray of sunshine," said Elsie scornfully. Marjorie Wilenski's only novel, as biting and funny as Barbara Pym at her crankiest, follows an office of women translators at the fictional Ministry of Foreign Intelligence in London as they bicker, manoeuvre, and shift allegiances just before and then in the thick of the London Blitz. Its two main characters are sharply contrasted--the clever, efficient but terminally bitter middle-aged Elsie Pearne and the cheerful, pretty young newcomer Anne Shepley-Rice, whose once affluent family has fallen on hard times. Their colleagues include a fresh air fanatic, a busybody, an inept supervisor and her trusty deputy, the dithering, chatty Mrs Jolly, and a former lady's companion who delights in bad news and disaster. The cast of Table Two are instantly recognizable to any office worker of today. But this portrayal of a 1940s office is a rare treasure for modern readers, showing, with vivid detail and dark humour, how a group of independent, capable women experienced some of the darkest days of World War II. 'The most striking novel about women war workers this war has produced' Elizabeth Bowen
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Cathythoughts
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Look what‘s happened since I started hanging out with the #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub .... and there‘s more on the way. ❤️💫

squirrelbrain Lovely! ❤️ 2y
Ruthiella It‘s a byproduct of club membership! 😂 2y
Tamra Delightful! 2y
See All 17 Comments
Cathythoughts @Ruthiella It sure is 😂 2y
Cathythoughts @Tamra 💫💫💫 2y
elkeOriginal Lovely! 2y
Kimzey This looks like fun. I just looked up Dean Street Press. Are you reading your way through the list? 2y
LeahBergen And it just gets worse! I have two more on the way. 🤣🤣 2y
Cathythoughts @Kimzey I think that‘s the way we are heading 😁.. if you look up our hashtag #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub you will see our posts , and you‘d be very welcome to join us. We read a book every 2 months. The next book is being voted on , a book by Margery Sharp .. I hope you will join in if you can 👍🏻😃 2y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I love it 😍 I must try to find a proper spot for my ones. 2y
batsy Look at that 😍 I'm getting there, too, and I don't want to be cured! 😂 2y
Cathythoughts @batsy I know ! No cure for these books 😃💫 2y
Kimzey @Cathythoughts Thanks for the invitation. I remember Margery Sharp‘s Miss Bianca books from childhood. I‘ll look forward to joining you! 2y
Cathythoughts @Kimzey Oh good ! I was just looking at the post for next book .. it‘s either Four Gardens or Rhododendron Pie … ( looks like Four Gardens got more votes ) and we will be reading in March to discuss for March 15th approximately 2y
Kimzey @Cathythoughts My copy of Four Gardens has arrived! Just confirming that is the March book. How does discussion work? 2y
74 likes17 comments
blurb
catebutler
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Encouraging autumn to make an appearance with a pot of homemade chicken soup. It‘s been bubbling away in the crockpot all afternoon, so I hope my efforts pay off and autumn shows up! 🍂 I‘m pairing it with sunflower seed toast and a new read. I always try to add a Furrowed Middlebrow title to my monthly TBR. This one has been sitting on my nightstand for two months - high time to pick it up!

BarbaraBB That soup looks delicious! 3y
LeahBergen This was such a good read (and your soup looks delicious!). 3y
catebutler @BarbaraBB Thank you, Barbara. It‘s just a simple recipe, but so good! 🥣 3y
See All 9 Comments
catebutler @LeahBergen Thank you! I‘ve been trying to follow along with the #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub when I can, but this one got away from me. Everyone‘s reviews made me stick it on my nightstand so I‘d get to it sooner than later though! 3y
CarolynM Enjoy! 3y
Cathythoughts Oh that looks so good ! Yes , bring on the Autumn 🍂… it‘s so good this book 👍🏻❤️ 3y
catebutler @CarolynM Thank you, Carolyn! So far, I‘m loving it! 3y
catebutler @Cathythoughts Thanks Cathy! It must have worked, because we have a significant dip in temps starting next week, huzzah! And so far, I‘m loving this book!! 🧡 3y
BiblioLitten That‘s a cosy autumnal meal🥰 Enjoy! 3y
36 likes9 comments
review
erzascarletbookgasm
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this novel, it gives a very interesting insight of women war workers in London during the Blitz. The characters are very realistic and relatable even to-date. They‘re a bunch of fascinating women from all walks of life. I admire their resilience and spirit even though working under straining conditions. I‘m glad of the ending, I hope things work out well for Elsie. Brilliant pick, Jenn!
#FurrowedMiddleBrowClub

LeahBergen Great review! 😘 3y
Ruthiella I hope things worked out well for Elsie too. Despite all the times she frustrated me! 3y
Cathythoughts Great review! It was a brilliant pick 👍🏻 3y
See All 7 Comments
quietjenn So glad you liked it! I'm choosing to believe things get better for Elsie. 3y
erzascarletbookgasm @Ruthiella She is quite a spoilsport, and rude! But I understand what drives her to become like that. You‘re right about the mental illness thing..I worry about her mental health. 3y
erzascarletbookgasm Thanks. Our club picks are all very engaging! 👍 Looking forward to Apricot Sky. @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @quietjenn 3y
CarolynM Lovely review🙂 Must be my innate cynicism, but I'm not at all sure we left Elsie in a good place☹️ 3y
65 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
Cathythoughts
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Pickpick

Table Two is another winner 👍🏻❤️… and look at all the books we‘ve read so far. I say we don‘t stop until we‘ve read them all. I ordered Apricot Sky this morning…. And on we go ….. #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub

Tamra I‘m so jealous - I wish I had time to join in! Some day, hopefully next fall. 3y
Cathythoughts @Tamra I hope you join in too … hopefully soon 🤞🏻❤️ 3y
batsy "Don't stop till we've read them all" ... I like this ? 3y
See All 26 Comments
Ruthiella That‘s so cool to see them all stacked like that! 😍 @tamara I hope you join us when you can. 😀 3y
Cathythoughts @Tamra we are reading one book every two months & they are not long books .. ❤️ 3y
Tamra @Cathythoughts oh, that is doable, though I can‘t make promises when I‘m in the midst of a grad class. But that schedule is enticing! What is next? (edited) 3y
LeahBergen Just look at our pretty book club stack! 👏🏻👏🏻 3y
LeahBergen @Tamra Our September read is 3y
Cathythoughts @Tamra @LeahBergen has chosen the next book & we will read in September & discuss for September 15th ish …see how you go .. 🤞🏻 the book is 3y
LeahBergen @Tamra Feel free to read along whenever you find time! 😊 3y
LeahBergen @Cathythoughts Oops! We were both typing to @Tamra at the same time. 😆 (edited) 3y
Cathythoughts @batsy @Ruthiella @LeahBergen We are on a roll ladies 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️👯‍♀️ 3y
Tamra Yay!! 3y
quietjenn How nice they look all together 😍. It's a fun group, @Tamra ! 3y
CarolynM I'm in for the long haul🙂 Looking forward to September and Apricot Sky. I'd love you to join us @Tamra (edited) 3y
Cathythoughts @quietjenn @CarolynM Yes , It is a fun group , & yes to the long haul 😍😍 3y
sarahbellum Fun small world moment: I‘m coworkers with the husband of the man behind Furrowed Middlebrow! I‘m going to try and join you all for the next one 🙂 3y
quietjenn @sarahbellum oh, how neat! Do come along for Apricot Sky 🙂 3y
CarolynM @Sarabellum That's amazing! Do join us, and do let your coworker know we appreciate his husband's commitment to mid C20 women writers🙂 3y
rubyslippersreads @sarahbellum Please join us, and please let your coworker know how much we enjoy these books. 😊 3y
LeahBergen @sarahbellum Well, how cool is that? 👏🏻👏🏻 Yes, do join in and tell Scott‘s husband that I “love” his husband. 🤣🤣 (edited) 3y
Cathythoughts @Tamra , Sorry, I meant to tag you too , so you can read about the latest exciting news from the #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub @sarahbellum will hopefully join us too for Apricot Sky … 💫 (edited) 3y
erzascarletbookgasm What a lovely growing stack 😘. I‘m probably the last to finish the book. Life has been a bit busy but I‘m thoroughly enjoying it! 3y
erzascarletbookgasm @sarahbellum that‘s cool! You‘re most welcome to join us! 3y
Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm It‘s a great stack we have 😘 3y
62 likes1 stack add26 comments
review
LeahBergen
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Pickpick

And another thoroughly enjoyable read for our #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub!

Table Two consists of a group of female translators working for the Ministry of Foreign Intelligence in the early days of WW2 and no other novel that I‘ve read about this period has so thoroughly described what it must have felt like, from the early “oh, no bombs will fall HERE” to being Blitzed every night.

Great pick, Jenn!

LeahBergen It looks like it is my pick for our September selection. How about I offer up two and let the rest of you vote? 😁 3y
See All 24 Comments
Ruthiella Excellent pick @quietjenn ! There were so many complexities to discuss and think about for such a short book 😀. @LeahBergen I vote for The Foolish Gentlewoman, purely based on the title! 😆 3y
CarolynM I'm happy with either but probably leaning towards Apricot Sky. 3y
BookNAround I bought this one (but haven‘t started it) thanks to all of you. 🤪 3y
batsy Both choices are really appealing @LeahBergen but I'm going to vote for 3y
quietjenn So glad you liked it! I agree that it‘s an excellent portrait of life during wartime. As for the next pick, both are tempting and I‘m sure I‘ll read them both eventually, but I‘ve never read Ferguson, so would opt first for Apricot Sky. 3y
erzascarletbookgasm Haven‘t read both authors. My vote goes to Apricot Sky. Let‘s quickly decide on our next read just because I have a BD discount voucher expiring soon 😛 3y
Cathythoughts Yes, excellent pick Jenn! I loved this book 👍🏻❤️ 3y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I‘ll go with Apricot Sky too 👍🏻🧡( I don‘t know either book. ) I‘ll probably get both for myself 😁. 3y
LeahBergen @BookNAround Feel free to join in for discussions whenever you like. Or join “the club”… we have a rotation for choosing a Furrowed Middlebrow to read every two months. 😊 3y
LeahBergen @Ruthiella @CarolynM @batsy @quietjenn @erzascarletbookgasm @Cathythoughts @rubyslippersreads Okay, with five votes… Apricot Sky wins it for September! 👏🏻👏🏻 3y
rubyslippersreads Sorry I missed the voting, but Apricot Sky sounds great (and I already own it. 😄) 3y
quietjenn Woohoo! We'd love to have you @BookNAround and I hope you enjoy Table Two! 3y
LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads I thought you owned it! 3y
rubyslippersreads You should definitely join us @BookNAround 😊 3y
rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen I actually own both. 😄 3y
Centique I have stacked this, it sounds so good! Have you read Black Out and All Clear by Connie Willis? Those are the first books that made me feel the claustrophobia of bomb shelters and the chaos of trying to keep working during the Blitz. They are time travel novels though which might not be your thing? 3y
LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads Obviously. 🤣 3y
LeahBergen @Centique I haven‘t read those but my husband has! I really liked The Doomsday Book so I‘m definitely not averse to a little time travel. 😄 3y
71 likes1 stack add24 comments
review
CarolynM
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Pickpick

What a fascinating glimpse into the reality of London in the early days of the Blitz! Nothing glamorous here, just a group of women from a variety of backgrounds doing what they believed to be essential war work (but I doubt much of import crossed their desks) for pitiful wages & less thanks. The class & gender dynamics were interesting & angering. I felt sorry for Elsie, she had some reason for her paranoia. #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

batsy Nice review! Yes, I agree about Elsie and now would like to read a sequel focused just on her 🙂 3y
rubyslippersreads Yes, Elsie is very difficult, but fascinating. 3y
Ruthiella I found the final bit about the Portuguese document so frustrating! How the big brass used both Elsie and Anne as scapegoats without any thought to how it might affect them personally and professionally. 3y
LeahBergen I‘m with @batsy here. Elsie was the most vividly drawn character in this book. 3y
CarolynM @Ruthiella Yes! Infuriating! Protect the high ranking man who has genuinely stuffed up, make an example of the women whose mistake is exacerbated by the inadequate equipment they've been given.😡😡😡 3y
55 likes5 comments
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CarolynM
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Text message from the Health Department first thing - get tested immediately! So I spent more than 2 hours in a queue😬 Luckily I had the ladies of Table Two to keep me company and to remind me that these are not the worst of times. I don't think I'd have coped well with the terror of the Blitz (or the lack of sleep, which is not something I'd ever really thought about).

Ruthiella I‘d be a nervous wreck! The depiction of the Blitz in Atkinson‘s Life After Life terrified me. It‘s interesting that in this book written during the war, the characters are more nonchalant. Glad the book helped make a long line more palatable. 😀 3y
mjtwo I thought that when reading The Splendid and the Vile - how did anyone function with the severe lack of sleep (let alone the fear of bombing, invasion, etc)? 3y
Lizpixie This pandemic is bad enough, the Blitz I‘m not sure my nerves could‘ve handled. I‘m sorry about your close call lovely, are you ok? Hitting week 4 of lockdown here in Sydney with no end in sight soon. Lucky I have so many books and a working postal service so far!🙌 3y
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CarolynM @Lizpixie I'm fine thanks, Liz😘 I went to the rugby last Tuesday and they've just widened the risk area around the positive case who was also there. I would have to be really unlucky to have been infected but you never know. Fingers crossed🍀 3y
LeahBergen Oh no! When do you think you‘ll get the results? 🤞 3y
batsy I thought the same! I wouldn't have been able to handle it as well as these ladies did, with the disturbed sleep & sense of anxiety. Fingers crossed for your test 🤞🏾 3y
CarolynM @LeahBergen 24-48 hours is the usual turn around time, I believe. Hopefully it won't be any longer because I have to isolate until I get a negative result😷 3y
CarolynM @batsy Thanks😘 I knew about the sleeping in the shelters and on the underground platforms, obviously, but I just hadn't thought about how much the noise and vibrations would disrupt sleep. I feel a bit foolish😑 3y
erzascarletbookgasm 🤞on the test results 💕🍀 3y
Cathythoughts Take care Carolyn 😘 3y
rubyslippersreads I‘m sure you‘ll be fine, but at least you don‘t have to isolate with Elsie. 😏 3y
Tamra 🤞🏾🤞🏾 3y
Centique Hope the result is negative and best wishes to all of you 💕 3y
CarolynM @Lizpixie @LeahBergen @batsy @erzascarletbookgasm @Cathythoughts @rubyslippersreads @Tamra @Centique Thank you all for your concern. As expected the result came back negative 👍 3y
Tamra 👍🏾👍🏾 3y
LeahBergen Yay!!! 👏🏻👏🏻 3y
66 likes1 stack add16 comments
review
batsy
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Pickpick

This 1940s novel of women working as translators for the Foreign Intelligence in London during the Blitz was intriguing & unexpected. The focus is on Elsie & Anne; both from different age groups & class backgrounds, & thus operating differently on the social scale. Elsie is older & jaded, a "spinster" who's had to work for her living all her life, while Anne is pretty, privileged, & has just recently come into working life. With bombs raining down

batsy on them, Elsie & Anne & the other women they work with try to get on with life as much as they can. I found the atmosphere sharply drawn & appreciated the details of how the ladies clung to normal habits & came in to work after a night of bombing, having spent it with the ceiling caving in & being flooded in sooty water, or in random people's houses. The resilient spirit of the 1940s British working woman is on display here. I really liked this. 3y
rabbitprincess Ooh, a books about translators? I‘ll have to track this down 😊 3y
See All 25 Comments
batsy @rabbitprincess That aspect of their work was not depicted in too much detail, unfortunately. But the office vibes & politics were really interesting :) 3y
Ruthiella The unexpectedness of the story was a plus! There was something about the volatility of Elsie‘s relationship with reality coupled with the random possibility that any character could be killed in a bomb attack on the next page that kept the tension taut. 3y
LeahBergen I had such a sense of foreboding for much of this read! I even thought that all of Table Two might be hit by a bomb. 😬 @Ruthiella 3y
LeahBergen Lovely photo and review, @batsy ! 3y
Ruthiella @LeahBergen Me too! I thought for sure either Anne or Elsie were going to die that way. The actual end was anticlimactic! 3y
quietjenn @Ruthiella @LeahBergen I was so sure that Elsie and Seb were going to be killed when they went off together in the taxi! 3y
quietjenn Wonderful review! So glad that people are liking it. I always with when it's my pick ? These book did a great job, I thought, of depicting characters who were "keep[ing] calm and carry[ing] on" 3y
Cathythoughts Excellent review Suba & that “ get on with it “ “ no nonsense “ vibe was certainly the order of the day 👍🏻 i agree It really did show resilience and @LeahBergen @Ruthiella @quietjenn I thought some of them would be struck down too, Very nervous there for awhile. What a great read , very enjoyable ! (edited) 3y
batsy @Ruthiella @LeahBergen @quietjenn @Cathythoughts I had that sense of foreboding throughout, as well. And I was convinced that it was going to end badly for Elsie; I'm so glad it didn't! 3y
batsy @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @quietjenn Thank you! 💜 This was a great pick, though I get the sense we can't quite go wrong with most books by this publisher 😊 3y
CarolynM Can't wait to finish so I can read the spoilers😆 3y
nathandrake1997 Brilliant review ❤️ Also, how charming is that cover ❤️ 3y
Cathythoughts @batsy I‘d say you‘re right there … that we can‘t go wrong by most books with this publisher 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 great 😊 3y
CarolynM @Ruthiella @LeahBergen @quietjenn @Cathythoughts I'm not entirely sure it did end well for Elsie. She tells Anne she's got that job, but how much can we rely on he word? After all, she's not telling the truth about the gas. She would have missed the interview, did they want her that much? And even if she did get it, she'd have been out of work again once the men came back from the war and reclaimed the jobs. 3y
batsy @nathandrake1997 Thank you! And yes, these covers are so lovely 💕 3y
batsy @CarolynM That's true. All is not rosy, in that sense. I do hope things work out for her though. I expected the book to end with her death whilst reading the gas incident; that's probably why I felt like she was given a second chance. 3y
Ruthiella @batsy @CarolynM Maybe I was reading the ending with rose colored glasses! It didn‘t occur to me that Elsie could have been lying about the job. 😬 3y
LeahBergen @Ruthiella @batsy @CarolynM I never suspected she could be lying about that job! I think I was just totally invested in the idea of her ‘happy ending‘ after thinking that she was for sure going to die by that suicidal attempt. 3y
LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @batsy I have certainly liked some titles more than others but I can definitely say that I‘ve enjoyed every Furrowed Middlebrow book I‘ve read. So far! 🤞 3y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen @Ruthiella @batsy @CarolynM Oh no , I never thought that job wouldn‘t happen .. I thought she had the job 😢. Oh Elsie . I thought she was like Cinderella dressed up for the ball after her makeover & just before she met Benno for the first time .. only not with Cinderella ending. She stands out in my mind though .. 3y
Tanisha_A Sounds very interesting! ❤️ 3y
batsy @Tanisha_A I think you'll like it 💕 3y
93 likes5 stack adds25 comments
review
Ruthiella
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Pickpick

Table Two is where most of the characters sit as they work on translations for The Ministry of Foreign Information at the start of the Blitz in London. The focus is on bitter, lower middle class Elsie Perne and upper class, naive Anne Shepley-Rice. Class conflict is a major theme, as well as misunderstandings due to limited knowledge of the facts. Elsie was an interesting character, possibly suffering from mental illness. #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

LeahBergen Yes! For a moment there I was afraid Elsie was going to go all “Single White Female”! 🤣 3y
Ruthiella @LeahBergen Totally! And Anne loved PUPPIES too! 😱 Seriously, though, while I often felt for Elsie, she had a tenuous grasp on reality it seemed. (edited) 3y
batsy I thought the class differences were really well depicted. Elsie was an intriguing character & and I wish Anne had a bit more personality 😆 3y
See All 18 Comments
Ruthiella @batsy Yes, Anne was a little limp at times. I definitely understood the distinction the author and characters were making about how Anne (and those in her class) always had someone to fall back on, whereas for Elsie and Co. , there was no back up or support if they lost their job. (edited) 3y
CarolynM I'm dragging my heels again ☹️ I have started, but I've only read the first chapter. 3y
Ruthiella @CarolynM I‘ll be interested to hear what you think of it! 😀 3y
erzascarletbookgasm I‘ve just been introduced to the staff of Table Two 😊 3y
Ruthiella @erzascarletbookgasm Excellent! Carry on. 😀 3y
Cathythoughts I have to say I felt for Elsie .. she had no clue how to be with others, Aunt Minn has a lot to answer for ( even though Elsie seemed to turn into a kind of Aunt Min herself) I felt her loneliness though , Her fantasies over a relationship with Benno & then Anne .. my heart went out to her in the end. , Still, a difficult woman to be around I imagine 3y
Ruthiella @Cathythoughts Every time I felt sorry for her, she then did something that exasperated me. The Benno interlude was very revealing and pathetic. Who knows what might have been different if she‘d been allowed to take her scholarship? 🤔 3y
Cathythoughts I agree maybe mental health was not good.. living on nerves maybe. Her scholarship 🤔 not even sure about that .. she seemed to have a way of ‘muffing‘ everything up … she exasperated me too.. but looking back on the book now I do feel for her 3y
quietjenn @Ruthiella that's exactly how I felt. I'd start to feel for her and then she'd do something that made it difficult. I do think it's unfortunate about the scholarship - like that's the moment when everything started to go wrong. Elsie could've for sure used some therapy! 3y
Ruthiella @quietjenn Indeed! Some deep breathing exercises and perspective on how others saw her (usually not as critically as she imagined). 3y
batsy @Cathythoughts I agree; that mainly sums up my thoughts on Elsie. If only she had made some good friends along the way, I think. 3y
Cathythoughts @batsy Yes , she really needed a pal , if only she had known how to make one 3y
rubyslippersreads I think it was hard for Elsie to make friends because she thought everyone was beneath her, whether in intelligence or class. Anne met both criteria, but Elsie tried too hard (just like she did with Benno). 3y
Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads I agree she tried too hard, but she also missed obvious signals or misinterpreted them. And she bore grudges. To have friends, one has to learn how to forgive. 3y
rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella Yes, she seemed unable to understand social cues. She also couldn‘t manage to just get along with her coworkers, I think because she had trouble hiding her feelings of contempt for them. 3y
41 likes18 comments
blurb
Cathythoughts
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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…The three dogs followed them in and at a severe glance from their mistress, retired to their baskets …
What ?!!!! Really ?
I need to work on my ‘ severe glance ‘

#DogsofLitsy #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub

rockpools Ha! 3y
erzascarletbookgasm 👀 😂 3y
Tamra 😂 me too! 3y
See All 17 Comments
BookInMyHands Yeah, I definitely don‘t have that 😬😆 3y
Cathythoughts @Tamra @BookInMyHands Maybe there‘s a course or something 😂😂I have no hope otherwise 3y
BookishMarginalia 🤔🤔🤔 3y
batsy 😂😂 I need that course on severe glances, too! 3y
Cathythoughts @batsy .. I‘ll investigate, let‘s sign up 😂😂🤣 3y
rubyslippersreads You should try it with cats. 😹 3y
Ruthiella Yes! I‘ve never had a dog that obeyed my severe glances! 😆🐶 They do occasionally work on humans, however ! 3y
Cathythoughts @rubyslippersreads oh no 🤦🏼‍♀️😂😂 3y
Cathythoughts @Ruthiella I know a few humans I would like to give a severe glance to 🤣 3y
RedxoHearts Yeah my dogs could care less about my severe glances 🤣 3y
Cathythoughts @RedxoHearts I know !! My dogs too .. I have no control 🙄😂 3y
LeahBergen Ha! My Johnny would give you a severe glance to get off “his” couch. 🤣 3y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen pets rule these days 😂🐶❤️ 3y
49 likes17 comments
blurb
quietjenn
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Doing some #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub reading on my commute today. I'm afraid I neglected Elsie and company over the weekend, but it's so easy to sink back into it!

MaureenMc “Thirkellitish” - love it! 😁 3y
batsy I'm enjoying this a lot. I love how it goes back and forth between the everyday, almost banal concerns of daily life with the horror of the bombs in the background... Feels very immediate and real. 3y
Cathythoughts I‘m loving it .. such an engaging read .. I‘m afraid of the ending though , don‘t know what will happen with the war .. 3y
quietjenn @batsy @cathythoughts so happy that everyone seems to be enjoying! It's for sure a tricky balance, but I think Wilenski is doing a masterful job of it. Definitely so much potential to see how things will play out still (I think I'm about halfway through). 3y
52 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Cathythoughts
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Titian‘s Man With A Glove ( I can‘t find YOUNG Man with a glove …. Maybe this is the wrong painting , I‘m sure we‘ll get to the bottom of it 🤓🕵️
Anyway a glimpse of what Benno might have looked like ❤️… I‘m dying to hear the Benno story..only on page 44.

#FurrowedMiddleBrowClub

LeahBergen Thanks for sharing! I‘m dying to hear about him, too. 3y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen 👍🏻❤️I don‘t know how much we‘ll hear about that story …. 🤞🏻Loving the book so far 😍 3y
batsy I just got to this bit and put it down to come here to say the same thing ? A bit of a mystery to our Elsie! I love the whole passage describing the intricate care with which she decorated her "not so little" room. 3y
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Cathythoughts @batsy I know !! Our Elsie indeed ! And Hello Benno 😂❤️ @LeahBergen 3y
Ruthiella 😂 I totally googled this picture as well! 3y
Cathythoughts @Ruthiella 😂😂we are having so much fun with these books 👍🏻❤️ 3y
Cathythoughts @Ruthiella your ‘ Lean avay from the hill ‘ picture from Mrs Martell stays in my memory & makes me laugh 😂 ⛷ (edited) 3y
quietjenn Nice internet sleuthing! I love how we are slowly uncovering bits of Elsie's life! And Anne's too, really. I'm trying to pace myself so I don't read the whole thing in a big gulp. 3y
Cathythoughts @quietjenn Yes , it‘s a very enjoyable read … I‘ve had a busy week painting our house , so I‘m not in danger of the big gulp… I can see how it could happen though 👍🏻😁 3y
Michael_Gee Cute! 3y
Cathythoughts @Michael Very handsome ! The clothes are so beautiful… looks like velvet 3y
quietjenn Nice! Hope it's been going well. 3y
rubyslippersreads @quietjenn I gulped it down today. I just couldn‘t resist. 😄 3y
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LeahBergen
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Okay, #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub … I‘ve officially cracked this one open tonight and the first chapter has sucked me right in. 👏🏻

Who else has started?

rubyslippersreads I have, and I‘m really enjoying it. 3y
Ruthiella I‘ve started as well. I‘ve just met Anne and am curious to see if the story will focus on Elsie and Anne or will we learn more about the others at Table Two? 🤔 (edited) 3y
quietjenn Just starting it now! 3y
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Cathythoughts I started yesterday… just met Anne Shepley-Rice… I‘m enjoying it too. 3y
Cathythoughts There are a lot of girls at the table … I think I‘ll make a list of names 😁 3y
batsy I hope to start tonight! 3y
erzascarletbookgasm Oh good to know! Haven‘t started.. 3y
rubyslippersreads @Cathythoughts Soon after I started reading I thought, there ought to be a chart. 3y
quietjenn @Cathythoughts @rubyslippersreads definitely found myself wishing for one of those at the beginning of the book. As it is, am glad to be reading on Kindle so it's easy to remind myself. 3y
CarolynM I haven't started yet. Glad to hear you're enjoying 3y
LeahBergen @Ruthiella @Cathythoughts @quietjenn @batsy @erzascarletbookgasm @CarolynM Yes! I‘ve just met Elsie and Anne but I‘m now trying to keep all the Misses and Mrs straight. 😆 The ones with only first names are somehow so much easier (Elsie and Anne and the childlike Bobbie)! 3y
batsy @rubyslippersreads @Cathythoughts Yes, I need a chart as well :) 3y
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Ruthiella
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Hey reading friends! This is a reminder that we will be reading Jenn‘s pick, Table Two, in July for the #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub Let‘s plan to start discussing by mid-month on July 15. Okee Dokee? 😁

If any other Littens would like to join us, please do!

Cathythoughts Thanks Ruth 👍🏻❤️Okee Dokee , must save my copy from disappearing in a pile of books we are putting aside while we do some painting … looking forward to it 3y
CarolynM I was just thinking about this and the fact that the copy I ordered back in May hasn't arrived☹️ I've downloaded it to my kindle now. Look forward to getting started and discussing with everyone. 3y
Ruthiella @Cathythoughts I‘m looking forward to it too. I love that I can jump in and start reading knowing virtually nothing about the book! It makes it an adventure for me! 😃 3y
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Ruthiella @CarolynM I hope your print version arrives soon! Lucky we have the ebooks to fall back on. I‘ve taken to buying them only on Kindle since it is significantly less expensive. 3y
LeahBergen Thanks for the reminder! I‘m ready to go. 😄 3y
erzascarletbookgasm 👌 I am ready too! 3y
batsy I am looking forward to this! Thanks for the reminder 🙂 3y
quietjenn Thanks for posting the reminder! I hope it's a good one, but know I will have a fun time discussing it with you all no matter what! 3y
rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella @CarolynM Less expensive, plus I‘m running out of shelf space! 😆 3y
Ruthiella @quietjenn @LeahBergen @erzascarletbookgasm @batsy This little once every two month ritual is a lot of fun.🥳 3y
Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads Shelf space is also an advantage. Plus I get a little thrill still about the availability - within minutes, I have the download. 😀 3y
rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella I know—instant gratification. 😄 3y
quietjenn @rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella I find FMB on Kindle hard to say no to, for all the reasons you've mentioned. 3y
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LeahBergen
Table Two | Marjorie Wilenski
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Since @batsy has officially “joined the club” I thought we‘d better add her to our selection rotation. 😉

Forgive my handwritten laziness and not making a nicer graphic. I already had this list written out for myself after @Ruthiella so wisely took the bull by the horns and organized us. 😆

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub
#FurrowedMiddlebrow

BarbaraBB Love your handwriting and this wonderful group! 3y
rubyslippersreads Thanks for posting this. 😊 3y
quietjenn Such organization! You've inspired me to start a spreadsheet 🤣 3y
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Ruthiella Excellent! Thank you. 😊 3y
Cathythoughts Well done 👍🏻Thankyou X 3y
LeahBergen @BarbaraBB Feel free to jump in and read along with us at any time when one of our picks catches your fancy. 😘 3y
LeahBergen @quietjenn Ooo, a spreadsheet! 😍😆😆 3y
erzascarletbookgasm 👍❤️ thank you 3y
batsy So exciting! Thank you 💜 3y
BarbaraBB @LeahBergen Thanks, I will 🤍 3y
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