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Mariana
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
17 posts | 13 read | 28 to read
Funny and poignant. . . . This book is written with verve and exuberance.The Sunday TelegraphMonica Dickens, the great granddaughter of Charles Dickens, published Mariana in 1940 when she was only twenty-four years old. A bestseller in its time, Mariana is the often-comical story of a typical English girl growing up in the 1930s.A lively young woman who has no idea what to do with her life, Mary is often at loose but happy ends: going to school and vacationing in Kensington; a hilarious failed attempt at drama school; a year in Paris learning dressmaking and getting engaged to the wrong man; and finally her romance with the right man.They nearly all had short hair. She wondered whether they had gone through these pangs before they bobbed it, or whether their husbands had laughingly clapped a basin over their heads one fine Putney day and run a pair of scissors round as casually as they would trim a garden hedge.Monica Dickens was born in London in 1915. Her father was Henry Charles Dickens, the eighth son of Charles Dickens. She was an active humanitarian and is the author of numerous novels and children's books. Despite her privileged upbringing, Dickens volunteered in the service and worked in an aircraft factory repairing Spitfire fighters. This, and her work as a cook and servant, informed much of her writing.
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elkeOriginal
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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This is one of the few #PersephoneBooks I have with the color cover instead of dove grey - on purpose.
I just love this cover.
And want to get to know these people.
So now it is time to finally read it for #PersephonePick with my #buddyread partners. We will post here as usual, but will be testing out the #StoryGraph buddyread feature.
We will report back on how it goes!
#persephone

Mitch That‘s such a beautiful cover. 3y
Ruthiella I have that cover too. 😃 3y
LeahBergen I love this cover, too. I have several of the Persephone Classic editions, instead of the dove grey, just cuz they‘re so beautiful! 3y
See All 8 Comments
Kimzey I‘ve see Litsy posts of Persephone books with grey covers. What‘s the story with the uniform book covers? Is it an option? The norm? Why? Just curious. 3y
elkeOriginal @Kimzey @LeahBergen can correct me but the dove grey covers are the more common covers for Persephone books. I just googled and it seems the publisher did this because she ‘likes grey‘. But more recently they began publishing their Classics line of bestsellers with color covers. They say these are more ‘bookshop-friendly‘ editions. And because these color versions do not have the full color endpapers or matching bookmark, they cost a few £s less. (edited) 3y
Kimzey @elkeOriginal Thanks, Good to know. I‘ll go to their website for more info. 3y
elkeOriginal @Kimzey For reference: they have more than 140 titles in the grey covers vs 14 of the color Classics. Grey is the standard by far! 3y
Andrea313 Yay, I'm so excited to see what you all think of Mariana! And curious about feedback on the Storygraph feature, too. ❤️ 3y
44 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Jess_Read_This
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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My #PersephonePick amongst all the terrific titles discussed in the hashtagged posts.

Seeing as @elkeOriginal knows I‘ve had this one sitting on my shelf since Christmas 2020.. I better join in on that buddyread.

My Storygraph is jessreadthis. Please add me if the buddyread is happening there and when do we start! 💃🏻

elkeOriginal This is one way to force us to read xmas gifts! 3y
LeahBergen Lovely shelf! 😍 My eye is drawn to that Tattered Tartan book. I must investigate! 😆 3y
catebutler Excited to read this one with you! 3y
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Jess_Read_This @LeahBergen I‘ll post a photo so you can see the cover! It‘s the sequel to “The But and Ben” which I haven‘t read but is about a female doctor in the Highlands 3y
Jess_Read_This @catebutler I am excited as well. I haven‘t read Monica Dickens yet! 3y
Jess_Read_This @elkeOriginal Ha! Quite right! 3y
55 likes6 comments
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quietjenn
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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Have been spending lots of time with Mary this weekend and loving every minute of it.

LeahBergen I did, too! 3y
54 likes1 comment
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Andrea313
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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Pickpick

Loved, loved, loved this book! There was so much rich, exquisite detail of the everyday business of growing up- the scenes of Mary as a child in the country, her days at drama school, and, my favorite, the way she remembers her wedding day in very specific snapshots. As soon as I finished, I wanted to go back to the beginning again. I will definitely be re-reading this one. #Persephone #PersephonePick

Palimpsest Great review! 3y
LeahBergen I loved it, too! 3y
27 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Andrea313
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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Hoo boy, I was not expecting this very specific flashback to my own years in drama school! As an aspiring actress with a slight case of femoral anteversion (a fancy way of saying my legs turn inward, or that I'm "pigeon-toed"), I heard many variations on this comment. ? Mary, I feel you, girl! #CurrentlyReading #PersephonePick

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Andrea313
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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Been on my TBR forever and finally digging into it! It's my #PersephonePick of the month and I can't wait. #PersephoneBooks

rockpools Lovely picture! 3y
EvieBee Yes to everything in this photo. 😍 3y
30 likes3 comments
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LeahBergen
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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I‘m just starting this 1940 novel and it‘s LOVELY.

The title character looks back on her childhood in the interwar years as she awaits news of the fate of her young husband, whose ship has struck a mine at the onset of WW2.

#PersephoneBooks

MsMelissa I like that cover 😍 4y
HardcoverHearts I have often wondered how this was so I will be follow! I‘m glad you are off to a good start. 4y
quietjenn This has been on my TBR forever! 4y
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Ruthiella @quietjenn Ditto! I have the very same copy and have been meaning to read it...and yet.😅 4y
LeahBergen @MsMelissa It‘s a beauty, isn‘t it? 😊 4y
LeahBergen @HardcoverHearts I‘m really enjoying it so far. 👍 4y
LeahBergen @quietjenn @Ruthiella I‘ve had it for ages, too. 😆 4y
BarbaraBB Seems perfect 4y
Cathythoughts Looks & sounds lovely ! Stacked 4y
erzascarletbookgasm Lovely cover 😍 4y
Reviewsbylola On my shelf! Can‘t wait to see what you think. 4y
rubyslippersreads Just like so many other Littens, this has been on my TBR list for ages, so I eagerly await your review. 😊 4y
102 likes2 stack adds12 comments
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BookNAround
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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It‘s been a crazy two days of work so I was delighted to find the #justabookswap in my mailbox. @LeahBergen outdid herself with this gorgeous Persephone title, hot chocolate, tea, and adorable bookmarks. And yes, I‘m more than happy to buddy read this with you, Leah! @TheBookKeepers

Cathythoughts Gorgeous 👍🏻♥️ 6y
LeahBergen Yay!! I‘m glad it arrived! ❤️❤️ 6y
TrishB Lovely 💕 6y
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TheBookKeepers Wow!! So generous!! Love it!! 6y
batsy Gorgeous! 6y
LeahBergen Aww! Thank you so much for the thank you card. It just arrived and made my day! 😘😘 6y
BookNAround @LeahBergen And since I wrote that, I‘ve had that yummy tea. I‘ll have to look for it this summer on my annual pilgrimage over the border when we go up north! (edited) 6y
77 likes7 comments
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andrew61
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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Pickpick

After a spate of serious and demanding reads i wasn't be surprised that i liked this story of a yng woman growing up between the wars. It was very of it's period as our heroine mary toys with potential suitors from a childhood cousin, a French rich boy, + her future husband - scenes in English countryside fox hunting , pri schools, drama school, paris fashion houses make it an engaging read. Some slightly dodgy racial references but overall 👍

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andrew61
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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#NoFemmeber #screwed
I was scratching my head until i hit upon this sentence, changing your library book for something very....., definitely would cause you to screw up your face as if a bad smell - it doesn't explain however what book she got (noontide youth sounds quite racy)
After the joys of Dorothy whipple i am now enjoying more pre war english drama courtesy of persephone and monica dickens.

Billypar I feel like "screwed up her face" is a phrase that you only read. If someone ever said that in conversation, I'd probably have to ask them to repeat themselves! 6y
Aimeesue I remember liking Mariana very much when I read it, but I can't remember a thing that happened besides her falling off the ha-ha. 😂 6y
26 likes2 comments
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batsy
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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Went into town for a work appointment today... Casually popped into Kinokuniya "just to have a look, NO BUYING"... See a #Persephone book in the wild, the first I've ever seen in a local bookshop... Get very excited, hold it close to me, receive strange looks... Tell myself to walk away... Small, evil voice says, "But you've always wanted a Persephone book?? TREAT YO SELF"
...

#treatyoself #alwaystreatingyoselfmightbeaproblem #weak

erzascarletbookgasm Love these #Persephone covers! 7y
LauraBrook Hah, I would‘ve done the same thing! That is one gorgeous cover. 😍 #alwaystreatyoself 7y
rubyslippersreads I'd have done the same. 😊 7y
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rockpools You couldn't have left it all on it's own, out in the wild. It needs a good home! 7y
PurpleyPumpkin Yup, good call!👍🏽 7y
EvieBee Nice!!! 7y
Ms_T Not buying it would‘ve been criminal 😂 7y
Kalalalatja Well done you! 7y
Mimi28 Good for you! 😊👍❤️ 7y
LeahBergen No one would‘ve appreciated it like you!!! I have this one ... buddy read? 😂😂 7y
readordierachel 😂👍 7y
batsy @LeahBergen Now I feel better! 😘 Yes, let's... I'm making a note in my Litsy file 😂 7y
whimsy I am automatically intrigued because yas that's my first name but can you enlighten what a Persephone book is? :D 7y
batsy @whimsy Lovely name ☺️ Persephone is a UK publisher that reprints sort of lesser-known works by women writers. All of their books seem right up my street! https://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/ 7y
whimsy @batsy aw thanks! :D learned something new today! Thanks for bringing this to our attention. (I miss Kinokuniya so muuuuuch) 7y
63 likes4 stack adds16 comments
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Reviewsbylola
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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@emilyhaldi recently posted a review for Someone at a Distance and @batsy 's comment inspired me to post my collection of Persephone Classics. Persephone Classics is a selection of 12 of Persephone's "classic", most popular books. They feature beautiful covers but I believe you can still get all 12 titles in the signature gray cover if you prefer that. And apparently Amazon Prime offers the Classics at a great price!

rubyslippersreads 😍📚😍 7y
batsy 😍😍 So beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Serious #bookenvy here 😁 7y
quirkyreader I tend to stick with the grey covers. Although I did find Miss Buncle's book in another edition. So now it throws the uniformity off. 7y
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erzascarletbookgasm Oh I love these covers! 😍 7y
Jess_Read_This ❤️🙌🏼❤️I love this pic! Seeing Persephones first thing in the morning just makes me happy! 7y
Emily92Bibliophile These are beautiful covers! 7y
Darth_Kaders When I went to London 2 years ago I made sure to stop at their store. What a perfect place it is! These are just so beautiful! 7y
LeahBergen I love these covers but I also love the uniform grey - it always throws me into a loop of Persephone angst. 😂 7y
minkyb Enabler! 😁 7y
Mdargusch I didn't know I could get those cool covers. I want them. 👍🏼 7y
Reviewsbylola Most of them are $13-15 with Amazon Prime. Much easier to get than regular Persephones. @Mdargusch 7y
Cinfhen This covers are gorgeous 7y
emilyhaldi That Amazon offer is enticing 🤑 7y
ValerieAndBooks I have that Mrs Pettigrew cover, and it's been in my TBR for years! Didn't realize it was a Persephone 😃 7y
90 likes1 stack add14 comments
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MayJasper
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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Calling lovers of #persephone books I need a recommendation for a book gift for my mother. She likes 'clean' books. No sex here please! I was thinking of Mariana but I've not read any Persephone books myself. Thanks ☺ to anyone who can help 😍
@BooksForYears @LeahBergen @EvieBee

BooksForYears Hmmmm...MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY would be a good choice, as would DIARY OF A PROVINCIAL LADY. Both clean, both with not-young women as the protagonists. Good luck picking something, and happy birthday to your mum! 7y
quirkyreader Madame Solario is a good choice. Also try The Blank Wall. 7y
quirkyreader Also, most #persephonebooks are clean. 7y
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Caryl I loved Mariana, and I think that would be a great pick! 7y
VioletBramble The Fortnight in September and Little Boy Lost are very good. I remember Miss Pettigrew as having some sex in it, but it is one of my favorite Persephones. The Hopkins Manuscript is one of my favorites and I'd recommend it if your Mother likes books about a post apocalyptic world. 7y
emilyhaldi @Mdargusch @Reviewsbylola could probably suggest a couple!! 7y
Reviewsbylola I enjoyed Miss Pettigraw Lives for a Day, The Home-Maker, and Flush. Harried was good too and was based on a true story, although it's a pretty horrific story. 7y
LeahBergen And this one was the Queen Mum's favourite book 7y
LeahBergen I don't think you can really go wrong with any Persephone Books. Let us know what you pick! 😃 7y
EvieBee These all sound perfect!! I like this one: 7y
Mdargusch Mariana, the Making of a Marchioness, and Harriet are some that I have enjoyed. 7y
MayJasper @quirkyreader @Mdargusch @EvieBee @LeahBergen @Reviewsbylola @emilyhaldi @VioletBramble @Caryl @BooksForYears thank you all very much for your help. I think I am going to buy Ma for my Mum and Miss Buncle's book for me to start off with. Then I bet I'll be back for more. 7y
MayJasper Supposed to say for my mum and for me 7y
MayJasper No! Typo!!! 7y
MayJasper For my mum. Phew 7y
LeahBergen Nice! I have Mariana on my TBR. 7y
35 likes1 stack add20 comments
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BooksForYears
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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#ReadJanuary Day 5 - Dresses on the Cover

I would love to wear the frock that the girl on the cover is wearing. I'd also love to be at her picnic, but outdoor dining in today's 31F temperatures is probably not advised.

#DressOnTheCover #PersephoneBooks

CocoReads Then I really don't want to dine outside--I think it's like 11 here. I don't even want to leave to go to work. 8y
[DELETED] 3517561138 It's -37 (with wind chill that is, -17 base temp). Here's hoping my car starts. I forgot to plug it in last night!! Doh! 8y
quirkyreader That edition of a #persephonebooks classic is lovely. But I plan on sticking with the grey covers to keep everything uniform. Which version of the covers do you like? (edited) 8y
See All 9 Comments
mom2bugnbee Feel your pain... I live in "The South" (TN) & I've got 28°F! Lovely cover! 8y
mom2bugnbee @Prairiehomelibrarian Where in the world are you? Yikes! 8y
RealLifeReading Lovely! 8y
BooksForYears @quirkyreader That's a really tough question. The dove grey covers are lovely in their uniformed simplicity. Yet I like the artwork on the covers of the Classics. Not sure I can choose! 🤔 8y
[DELETED] 3517561138 @mom2bugnbee I'm in the very, very northern central part of North Dakota. And it has been quite the winter so far. At some point here it will get even get down to 50 below zero. It's crazy cold! 8y
BooksForYears @Prairiehomelibrarian That's some serious cold! Here in the mid Atlantic, it rarely ever gets below -10F. Brrrrr 😬 8y
167 likes3 stack adds9 comments
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BooksForYears
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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#SeasonsReadings2016 Day 29 - 2017 Most Anticipated Reads

Although only one of them is released in 2017, I'm eagerly anticipating reading all four of these in 2017!

#winterofwomen2017 #mostanticipatedreads

Penny_LiteraryHoarders I have The Barrowfields on my TBR too ! 8y
Zelma Salvage the Bones is waiting on my shelf too. 8y
Betty Finally got confirmation from #persephonebooks. Your token has been shipped for winter solstice 8y
See All 6 Comments
BooksForYears @Betty Thank you for the update! 8y
quirkyreader Lucky you getting a book token. 🐸🐙 8y
BooksForYears @quirkyreader Very lucky indeed! 8y
137 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Wilkie
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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Someone or something is telling me to buy more books......
#persephonebooks #bookmail

LeahBergen ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
16 likes2 comments
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Reviewsbylola
Mariana | Monica Dickens, Harriet Lane
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Fun Photo Friday: what books do you constantly return to? I am a bit ashamed to say it, but I cannot reread books. I did it incessantly as a child. Now I simply can't and don't like to reread. So for comfort, I buy books instead. 😂 This is a glimpse of my Persephone collection.

Coleen I don't reread books either. There are too many unread books out there that are just waiting for me! 8y
BooksForYears I own a few Persephone books, and I do find them to be comforting! 8y
Heatherine I don't reread books either. My TBR pile is too big and my free time is too short to spend time rereading books. Lol! 8y
See All 19 Comments
Twocougs I went to the Persephone store in London. Oh my, it was a slice of heaven😊. 8y
raelaschoenherr I'm not a re-reader either. Too many other books to get to! 8y
Reviewsbylola Glad to see there are other non rereaders! I agree, there are already too many new books I want to read! @Coleen @Heatherine @raelaschoenherr 8y
Reviewsbylola I want to go there someday. For now, I have to live vicariously on my sister, since she lives in London. @Twocougs 8y
Livelovebark Oh this makes me feel better. I could count on a single hand how many books I've re-read in the last 15 years. I dunno, it's just never been my thing as an adult. 8y
Reviewsbylola It's so odd to me because up until college, it was not uncommon for me to reread books at least 3-4 times. But I agree, I can only think of one book that I have reread in the past 10-15 years. I have tried to reread my favorites, like Gone with the Wind, and I just can't do it. @Livelovebark 8y
Laura317 If I re-read, I tend to read my old Nancy Drew books. Sometimes Mark Twain. But mostly I don't. 8y
Twocougs @Reviewsbylola have your sister go for you. It's tiny but very sweet. 8y
Reviewsbylola She offered to go next month before she comes to visit again. I just have to put together a wishlist! @Twocougs 8y
Twocougs @Reviewsbylola make sure she bring you one of their tote bags 8y
Caryl @Twocougs & @Reviewsbylola - Yes, the tote bag! I'll post a photo of mine here someday. I love it & use it all the time. And oh, how I loved Monica Dickens's 8y
LeahBergen Aaah! I love Persephone books. I just posted a pic a few days ago of some of my collection. 😀 8y
Reviewsbylola You have a great collection! @LeahBergen 8y
DivineDiana Agree! When your TBR lists over 800 titles and growing, there is no time to reread! If only, I were a vampire and could read forever! 😉 8y
Gleefulreader This sounds familiar! I just don't have time to re-read very often with how many books I want to read. (And I love your collection of Europa books!) 8y
Reviewsbylola Thanks! I have an obsession with Europas too. @Gleefulreader 8y
49 likes1 stack add19 comments