Retro Reads discussion

& we return to Thirkell's world.

I am getting my copy from Faded Page & I haven't downloaded it yet. This will be my first read of this title. I'm a little behind with my reading but I hope to start by Thursday my time.

Please no open spoilers (you can use spoiler tags though) We don't want to spoil a first read for anyone!

I dived in this morning and am enjoying it so far. There’s been a mention of the Morlands and I’m hoping they appear; Mrs. Morland is a favorite of mine.

I have the book (1939 hardback, no dust jacket, alas) and I've just dipped my toe in to test the waters. I should be ready to start reading tomorrow or Wed.

This is the dust jacket my edition would have had. I like the bit about Thirkell being the author of "delightful novels". However, the roses are rather bland.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "I have the book (1939 hardback, no dust jacket, alas) and I've just dipped my toe in to test the waters. I should be ready to start reading tomorrow or Wed.

This i..."

Oh I dunno - I think they are pretty! Looking forward to joining you for this read soon.

I read my paperback with this cover , and treated myself to the Audible , because Thirkell is one of my favorites and I find the audiobooks quite amusing!

I couldn’t resist starting last week, and it was just the entertaining pick-me-up I needed! This was my second read, and I am so glad to be revisiting Barsetshire with you all! Great to meet the Brandons and catch up with old friends like Lydia Keith, Noel Merton and Laura and Tony Morland!

Nice that you have a first edition, Barb! About half of my Thirkell books are hardcover first American editions (my grandmother was a fan and I inherited them), but I have The Brandons only in a cheap 1970s paperback on acid paper. Not as much fun to read, sigh.

Abigail wrote: "Nice that you have a first edition, Barb! About half of my Thirkell books are hardcover first American editions (my grandmother was a fan and I inherited them), but I have The Brandons only in a ch..."

Abigail-- Ha! my American first edition is courtesy of the Enoch Pratt Library of Baltimore, one of the many libraries in Maryland where I have borrowing privileges. I love having access to a large city library where the early to mid-20th century popular fiction is still in the circulating collection!

Regardless, the pages, the white space, the type are all very pleasing!

I got my copy from Faded Page & the cover is the same as Barb's. Really loving the frothy innocence.

However we have lost our internet (we had a bad storm last night)

Im going to one of my volunteer jobs soon & Ill have to figure out what's wrong when I get back. 🤪

I read this only last year but am pleased to read it again. The time span of forgetfulness between rereads of the same book is shrinking. It used to be about ten years, then five. Perhaps it will get to the point where I’m just reading the same book over and over, I’m going to add LOL so you know I am not really losing the plot.

Elinor wrote: "I read this only last year but am pleased to read it again. The time span of forgetfulness between rereads of the same book is shrinking. It used to be about ten years, then five. Perhaps it will g..."

Lol, Elinor, I’m right there with you! I was afraid it was my brain surgeries a few years ago, but now I think it’s just enjoyable books I’m rereading are reliable pleasures! Trying new books is nice, and sometimes you get a winner, but you never know…