Forgotten Classics and Other Lesser Known Books (or No One Has Read this but Me!) discussion

Our group read for October is carissa's nomination, . Who's joining? Share your thoughts here before, during and after your read.

I'll start with, I love the cover of the 2015 Tramp Press version and am looking forward to reading Luke Gibbons' Introduction tonight or tomorrow.

I will join you. Have it sitting here waiting.

Best-laid plans and all that as they say, I've gotten precious little reading done this week, and am now committed to a Toppler with another GR group, which will put me off beginning The Uninvited until next weekend. In the meantime, however, I enjoyed this review from The Irish Times, which starts:

After the Irish Constitution was introduced in 1937, the writer and activist Dorothy Macardle wrote to her good friend, Éamon de Valera, to tell him what she thought of it. “As the Constitution stands,” she wrote, “I do not see how anyone holding advanced views on the rights of women can support it, and that is a tragic dilemma for those who have been loyal and ardent workers in the national cause.”

Macardle, like many other Republican feminists, was appalled by the decision to enshrine the domestic role of women in the Constitution. So perhaps it’s not surprising that, a few years later, she wrote an excellent novel that shows just how unhealthy it can be to idolise women as pure domestic goddesses.

First published in 1942, Uneasy Freehold has been reissued as the second in Tramp Press’s brilliant Recovered Voices series, The Uninvited (its American title). In it, two Anglo-Irish siblings, Roddy and Pamela Fitzgerald, find an enchanting house for sale in Devon called Cliff End. But when they make enquiries about purchasing it, the owner tells them that it’s been empty for 15 years. . .

After that, spoilers are discussed, which you all may want to avoid.

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/bo...

and another from The Independent, also circa 2016, which concludes:

But perhaps the greatest pleasure in the book is its evocation of pre-war life, with effortlessly perfect portraits of intelligent, civilised people fighting to preserve an intelligent, civilised way of living that has nothing to do with wealth, and everything to do with values.

https://www.independent.ie/entertainm...

carissa wrote: "I'm glad you've delayed...me too...want to read it closer to the 31st!"

Perfect! That gives my failure a purpose! Lol

I ordered a copy through Borrow Direct at the library -- hopefully it won't take very long and I can join you :)

Danada wrote: "I ordered a copy through Borrow Direct at the library -- hopefully it won't take very long and I can join you :)"

Excellent, Danada!

It arrived! The gentleman at the circulation desk seemed excited that there was a book -- he had seen the old film and enjoyed it :D

Danada wrote: "It arrived! The gentleman at the circulation desk seemed excited that there was a book -- he had seen the old film and enjoyed it :D"

That’s always fun — when my librarian is excited about a book I’ve ordered in. Good deal!

Yes! :D

I'll be late in joining but I ordered a copy and am just waiting for it to be delivered!

Kerri wrote: "I'll be late in joining but I ordered a copy and am just waiting for it to be delivered!"

That’s great, Kerri!

OFF-TOPIC POST:

For those who like to read creepy overlooked or forgotten classics, whether in October or otherwise, I just bumped into and ordered a used copy of The Black Spider by Jeremias Gotthelf. The reviews of my GR German lit friends are intriguing. If anyone’s interested in a buddy read in 3-4 weeks, DM me or otherwise let me know.

carissa wrote: "Carol wrote: "OFF-TOPIC POST:

For those who like to read creepy overlooked or forgotten classics, whether in October or otherwise, I just bumped into and ordered a used copy of [book:The Black Spi..."

Yay!!

carissa wrote: "Carol wrote: "carissa wrote: "Carol wrote: "OFF-TOPIC POST:

For those who like to read creepy overlooked or forgotten classics, whether in October or otherwise, I just bumped into and ordered a us..."

how about November 11 (Sunday)? I'm fine with later, too, if you prefer. just trying to avoid the Thanksgiving holiday impeding getting off to a good start. What's your pleasure, madame?

carissa wrote: "Carol wrote: "What's your pleasure, madame? ..."

Anytime in Nov works for me.

I'm about to begin The Uninvited tonight! If it really is scary, I'll have to wait until the morning though..."

Well - I am an idiot. I can't find a record of my order, know I wasn't lying or mistaken above, and I don't have the book yet! So I ordered it again, but won't have it until Nov. 4 or so. I'm trying to get to The Uninvited but have had less reading time than normal recently. Wah! Let us know what you think ....

I'm about 100 pages into it and there hasn't been anything too spooky/creepy/scary IMO.

And I,m enjoying it very much!

Danada wrote: "And I,m enjoying it very much!"

Wonderful. Anything in particular that is moving it into the “enjoying” column for you, Danada?

I started today and read almost half in one sitting. The atmosphere and narrative voice are very compelling and have drawn me right in. The characters are relatable and sympathetic. There is definite mystery and intrigue! I have a few theories and wonders but I’m on the app and don’t think it will let me do spoilers so I will save them. I am interested to see what everyone thinks!

Carol wrote: "Danada wrote: "And I,m enjoying it very much!"

Wonderful. Anything in particular that is moving it into the “enjoying” column for you, Danada?"

As I said, I'm only about a third of the way into the story so....
I hope I am not giving away spoilers, but:

I am enjoying getting to know the main characters, I quite like them. I love the premise that the two siblings are escaping the confinement of the city and discovering the freedom of the countryside. Don't we all dream of abandoning the "old grind" and pursuing our dreams regardless of the need for a steady income? In some ways it reminds me of The Moving Finger but so far I think that is a superficial resemblance - two siblings, moving into a strange house in a rural village, a mystery.... but the association is probably part of my being drawn in. I quite admire Pamela's attitude toward the haunting, her pluck, practicality, her.... compassion....

There is as Kerri said the mystery and intrigue and Gothic/Ghost story aspect. We have a mystery in the past, a young girl/woman and the house associated with that mystery, and a haunting.... So far, to my modern sensibilities, the haunting is rather tame, but it does seem to be building up to more as time goes on.

Plus the extended cast of characters! Some are a hoot :D

I haven't been able to read much since Sunday but I am really into this book!

Theories!! Following is merely what I am guessing so far; we'll see how close I am :)

(view spoiler)[
1. I think that Mary and Carmel are somehow related to Roddy's play of Barbara. But I think Mary is the Barbara character while Carmel is the innocent!!

2. Stella is Carmel's baby, the mimosa scent was Carmel's favorite and that is why the Commander doesn't like it. But how many people KNOW that Stella is Carmel's baby? Was it just the three of them: Mary, Carmel, and the dad who's name I forget? This is why they went to Paris with Carmel and tried to leave her there. And why she came back and was distraught and crazy.

I thought I had more than that, but I am at work and haven't really been able to read very much so it is now slipping my mind. I will probably finish tomorrow. Can't wait :)
(hide spoiler)]

Man - both of your comments are highly enticing. You may even persuade me to DNF the book I need to read for an in-person book club on Saturday in favor of reading what I really want to read -- this one....

Kerri wrote: "Theories!! Following is merely what I am guessing so far; we'll see how close I am :)

These are some interesting theories!

I hope I have a chance to read more soon. I haven't had much of a chance to read and no paper books, just kindle the last several days. I can't wait to see if your theories prove to be correct :D

carissa wrote: "Interesting, predictable read. Hard to stay interested after finishingThe Haunting of Hill House just prior to starting this. They are not in the same league.
I am watching the film a..."

Oh, that’s a bummer. I was hoping for a thumbs up. Do report back on whether the movie is worth watching...