pickHaving opened her short review of English diarists by categorising them as bores, O'Brien proves to be a lively guide to those of us who omit no detail of an anecdote, commenting that those qualities which in person are deadly dull as we have no polite escape, in written form are fascinating as we have the choice of reprieve & of skipping over.
The only diarist I'm inclined to explore further is 19th century governess Ellen Weeton, though her 👇🏼
"Let me begin with the hard saying that the best English diaries have been written by bores."
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
A brief (48 pages) overview of some key diaries and journals from English history up to contemporary (i.e., 1943) times by Irish writer, Kate O'Brien.
It has 8 colour plates and 19 b&w illustrations, and is number 55 in an extensive series of books covering many aspects of English culture and history. Trying *very* hard for this series not to become a collecting "special interest"! ???
pick
I liked this. The story starts out in London, but transitions to a secluded island off of Norway. I really liked the elements of Nordic folklore in play here. The little people were a great addition. I am always fascinated with stories that take place in an isolated area so I loved the setting. There were some great characters here that I was rooting for.
Roadtrip read. Quirky/sad.
Book no. 141 of my 140 challenge, so I have updated my GR target to 144 🤞
bailedI‘m not really a “It‘s not you, it‘s me” kinda bailer. This book was truly poor and, for me, the worst kind of writing: “She did this, then she did that. Then this happened. Then that happened”. It‘s just lists and I bailed because I just couldn‘t take anymore. Also, overly sexualised women and animal masks doesn‘t make a book instantly “folk horror”. I would build a wicker bookshelf and burn this but it‘s an e-book😬
so-soI don‘t think this has ever happened to me but I didn‘t enjoy any of the stories or perhaps I didn‘t get what kind of stories Swift wants to tell?England is the one I liked the most bc of its premise:a coast guard in Exmoor on his way to work in the early morning hours stops to help a driver gone off road because of a deer but how the story evolves&the ending were dissatisfying as I just don‘t understand what it‘s about.Well written but not for me
pickA farcical story about a middle age man Douglas who tells his wife he is going to Scotland fishing but sets of on an artistic groups visit to Moscow with his lover the flamboyant actress Nina, who then appears to be permanently avoiding him. His journey around 1980s Russia with the other members and the authoritive olga makes for a strange tale of misadventures. Enjoyable, strange ending, as ever Bainbridge is a great storyteller but not my fave
As for O'Brien, I really liked her voice and she's also now on my radar.
Overall, a satisfying and decorative little book 🩷📖🩷 (edited) 1mo