Virago Modern Classics discussion

Share with us the titles of VMC books that you found amazing, which exceeded your expectations. Write a few words about why it was so.

This is, first of all, a thread for the books we haven't read yet as a group because, for those we read already, there are separate threads. Nonetheless, if you want to name those we have read - there is no rule forbidding it ;-)

For this particular reader ......so far in 2024......

The Tortoise and the Hare - understated but so poignant - really stood out as I had not come across the author or her work before.

Of course - South Riding - a friend from GR's mentioned this the other day and I must admit it took me quite by surprise.

The Gentlewomen - this punched way above its weight I thought. Especially reading the foreward about the author.

I have read 28 Virago Modern Classics this year. It is difficult to pick a favourite, as there were so many great reads, but I will pick The Stone Angel, which I read with this group. It is a book that has stuck with me, and I hope to read the rest of her Manawaka novels.

Sonia wrote: "I have read 28 Virago Modern Classics this year. It is difficult to pick a favourite, as there were so many great reads, but I will pick The Stone Angel, which I read with this grou..."

Yes - I love Margaret Laurence - I was a student in Canada for 4 years and I was introduced to many Canadian writers - but Laurence is my favourite. I'm prepared to read anything by Laurence including re-reads. I think I've read A Jest of God 4 or more times.

Yes - here it is - the Best VMC books - the problem though is theses are books already read - and members are not keen on re-reads.

Mela's intro at the beginnng is a bit confusing. She would like us to state our favourite VMC books but quite naturally no-one knows what their favourite book is until they've read it.

I think the thread title could be changed to - books that are of interest for future reads and the reasons why. E.g. The Tortoise and the Hare is Carmen Callil's favourite book and it ought to be offered in the nominations once a year - automatically? I don't know?

Or - it loads of people had their eye on Vera - but missed the January read - shouldn't it be offered again? I don't quite understand how to make this work - within the methods and rules of nominations and polls etc. A book can be re-nominated with an interval of one month between - maybe the moderator can regularly re-nominate books from earlier polls?

By the way - what has happened to Cate and Amanda - listed as Moderators on the Home Page - if they are no longer active members - shouldn't they be removed - or a call put out for new moderators?

Laura wrote: "By the way - what has happened to Cate and Amanda - listed as Moderators on the Home Page - if they are no longer active members - shouldn't they be removed - or a call put out for new moderators?"

I've just been through this with Retro Reads. Goodreads won't remove group creators, even if they have left Goodreads altogether. & if you can't remove Cate there is no point removing Amanda.

Goodness me - quite a few Goodreads glitches coming to the surface. Thank you for the info Carol 😊

Laura wrote: "...Mela's intro at the beginnng is a bit confusing. She would like us to state our favourite VMC books but quite naturally no-one knows what their favourite book is until they've read it...."

The point of this thread is to write your favourite VMC books that you have already read. It is a way of sharing the titles with others and perhaps encouraging them to read (not necessarily as a group read).

Mela wrote: "Laura wrote: "...Mela's intro at the beginnng is a bit confusing. She would like us to state our favourite VMC books but quite naturally no-one knows what their favourite book is until they've read..."

Thanks Mela have been mulling over my choices. So many titles that stand out, so here's just a few that have stayed with me:

The Shutter of Snow Emily Holmes Colman -
Intense story centred on the experiences of a young woman in a psychiatric facility, not long after giving birth. Modernist prose, fractured, fragmented stream of consciousness that mirrors the woman’s mental state. Hard to source as a VMC but published in America by Dalkey Archive Press and recently republished in the UK by Faber.

My thoughts:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Bid Me to Live H.D. aka Hilda Doolittle -
Fascinating portrait of literary circles in WW1 Britain and one woman's life and traumatic relationships. Likely to appeal to fans of Woolf and/or Bloomsbury. H.D.’s work recently covered in Francesca Wade’s Square Haunting: Five Writers in London Between the Wars.

Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston -
Powerful account of Black lives in America from respected Harlem Renaissance author Hurston, set in early 20th century American South. Widely available.

A Touch of Mistletoe Barbara Comyns-
I’m a fan of all the Comyns’s titles on the list but settled for this domestic gothic, recently republished in the UK by Daunt Books. A number also republished by Virago and some available via NYRB Classics.

My thoughts:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A Pin to See the Peepshow F. Tennyson Jesse -
A fictionalised account of the life of Edith Thompson executed in England in the 1920s for her alleged involvement in the murder of her husband, recently republished in the UK as part of the British Library Women Writers series.

My thoughts:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Sleepless nights Elizabeth Hardwick -
Beautifully written, semi-autobiographical account of a woman’s life in New York published in the 1970s. Republished by NYRB Classics in US and Faber in the UK.

The Getting of Wisdom Henry Handel Richardson pen name for Ethel Richardson -
Beautifully-realised, Australian boarding-school story set in late nineteenth century. Available in various territories as a Text Classic. Also free via Project Gutenberg.

Invitation to the Waltz Rosamond Lehmann
Coming-of-age story centred on the lingering impact of WW1, loose sequel The Weather in the Streets. Both currently available from Virago, and from other publishers in America.

My thoughts:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Love Lessons : A Wartime Diary Joan Wyndham -
Gripping, entertaining, coming-of-age memoir set during WW2 that reads like a novel. Recently reissued by Virago.

My thoughts:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I loved the two Rosamond Lehmann books; Invitation to the Waltz was my favourite of the two, but The Weather in the Streets had more bite.

I have Their Eyes Were Watching God, and plan to read it this year.

I have found many favourites on the list. I recently reread The Enchanted April, which I love. I agree with all the comments that it is saccharine and the like, but the weather here had been utterly bleak for so long that I just loved travelling vicariously to Italy, and imagining the sunshine and wisteria. Definitely a case of right book at the right time.

Or we could just state our favourite Authors? Then if others like the same author we can compare - read/want to read.

Tania wrote: "I loved the two Rosamond Lehmann books; Invitation to the Waltz was my favourite of the two, but The Weather in the Streets had more bite.

I have [bo..."

I really enjoyed [book:The Enchanted April|398352] too, great comfort read. Would shelve it alongside books like The Diary of a Provincial Lady, Miss Mole with its fairy tale ending, and I Capture the Castle

Agreed. Loved those 3 too. Comfort reading is where it's at for me at the mo.

Best of 2025:

Not So Quiet... - thought this was brilliant but so so sad.

Big thank you to Alwynne and her themed list otherwise I might have overlooked this novel.

I remember reading Invitation to the Waltz- when I was about 16 - and then choosing it for a book review - first year at uni - '85. So - that particular book struck me as something special - 40+ years ago. It's due a re-read. I did go on to read several others by Lehmann - Dusty Answer, The Weather in the Streets etc - but I can't say now what I remember of those, however, scenes from Invitation are still in my head.

Similar experience with Their Eyes Were Watching God - a library copy on a return to UK break - in the summer, before GR. I remember being 'blown away' by that one. I don't think I had read anything so raw, so exposed before.

Barbara Comyns - a more recent read - in Goodreads times. I didn't enjoy it, but would return to it. A Touch of Mistletoe.

I was actually thinking of The Juniper Tree- 1985 - I enjoyed it very much. Unfortunately not in VMC.

I've also read Our Spoons Came from Woolworths - which works, I think because of the humour.
my review here

I can't name just a few favourites, it is too hard. For sure I should list a few books by Daphne du Maurier, Elizabeth Taylor, Angela Thirkell, Rosamond Lehmann, E.H. Young, Margaret Laurence.

Besides them, I would like to prize especially (mostly because of they touched me deeply):

I Capture the Castle ---> my review
The Shutter of Snow ---> my review
Frost in May ---> my review
O Pioneers! ---> my review
Our Spoons Came from Woolworths ---> my review
The New House ---> my review
The Tortoise and the Hare ---> my review
Crewe Train ---> my review
Round About a Pound a Week ---> my review
The Seventh Cross ---> my review
The Ante-room ---> my review
The Birds Fall Down ---> my review
The Story of an African Farm ---> my review

I have rated more VMC books with 5 stars, but I think those above touched me the most.

Laura wrote: "Similar experience with Their Eyes Were Watching God - a library copy on a return to UK break - in the summer, before GR. I remember being 'blown away' by that one. I don't think I had..."

I love Barbara Comyns. A Touch of Mistletoe was good, but I had to be in the mood for it, I took over a month to read the first third, then read the rest in two days. My favourite by her is Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead, followed by The Skin Chairs; I seem to prefer her more macabre output.

Cphe wrote: "Not So Quiet... - thought this was brilliant but so so sad.

Big thank you to Alwynne and her themed list otherwise I might have overlooked this novel."

I hope to pick this one up in the next month, definitely inspired by the two of you.

Hi Mela - that's very helpful to have a list of your reviews. It means those ones have been done and I can go check the ones I would like to read - Shutter of Snow; Crewe Train; The Seventh Cross - nice to know they've read and approved.

Have you seen the film of - I Capture the Castle. Tara Fitzgerald in the part of wife - she's very good !

Tania -

Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead - the title is irresistible.
The Skin Chairs - ditto.

They need to go to the top of my tbr. !!

Tania wrote: "Laura wrote: "Similar experience with Their Eyes Were Watching God - a library copy on a return to UK break - in the summer, before GR. I remember being 'blown away' by that one. I don..."

@ Tania,

Not So Quiet... this is a dark and gritty novel but it really struck a chord with me.

Thanks. I'll pick it up soon. My grandmother drove an ambulance on the front. I wish I had asked her about it, but I don't think she would have wanted to talk about it. I know she went through France and ended up near the German border.

A Model Childhood
This is one of those novels that seem to haunt you upon finishing.
Initially gave it 4 stars but on reflection upped it to a deserving 5 stars.
Seem to be drawn to the grittier/darker stories.
An interesting author but it seems that her novel availability is as rare as hens teeth.
Back to eBay I go........

I've just finished The Sugar Mother by Elizabeth Jolley - published by Virago in 2000, the original date was 1988. I've now read it three times - the first was so long ago I just don't remember - but a re-read in November 22 and again just now. Here is my review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

It reminds me of Elizabeth Taylor's Angel not for the story but for how it is possible to utterly dislike the main character only to experience a complete about turn by the end. Jolley does the same - but you have to admit to yourself how you feel about her character Edwin. I loathed him for about 90% of the book, but then right at the end something happens to make you realise that he's not completely at fault. It's quite beautiful.

Has anyone here read Women in the Wall

It's around the $19 mark on amazon Aust.

I've read the reviews and the sample but I'm hesitant to spend that much money on one book (I've spent quite a bit lately as it is).
It does look interesting though.

Cphe wrote: "Has anyone here read Women in the Wall

It's around the $19 mark on amazon Aust.

I've read the reviews and the sample but I'm hesitant to spend that much money on one book (I've spe..."
Sorry, no. Not heard of the book or the author. Checked the people I reliably follow and can't see it read by them either.

It's a Virago book written in 1970's I think.

Don't think the author is prolific by any means and it's difficult to judge by the sample on Ammie.

If it was great you'd think more people would know about it.

Cphe wrote: "...If it was great you'd think more people would know about it."

Yes, it is often true, but for years, I have read more than a few gems that aren't commonly known.

About "Women in the Wall": I have checked it out now (different sources on Internet), and it looks like this is not light entertainment (the prose is dense and poetic), but it’s a good novel that prompts reflection on power, religion, and the role of women in history.

But I don't know if I would buy it.

PS It is available on archive.org, so I would not buy it ;-)

Yes - I've read a couple of novels by Julia O'Faolain - it's probably a good idea to explore other books by her fire - I certainly wouldn't spend $16 - on an historical/nun type book.

Strange but there is a TV series set in Ireland "The Woman in the Wall," with a very good performance by Ruth Wilson - it begins slow, but then the issues of snobbery and nosiness versus kindness/compassion are developed in an intriguing plot.

Thanks all

Hi all,
I’m new to the group 👋
My favourite Virago titles are anything by Mary Webb. She’s such an under-rated writer.

Hi Petra - glad you have joined. Is it the June read - another Mary Webb? I'll have a look and see if I can get the book on Internet Archive 😊

Going on holiday to Cornwall in a few weeks. Don't want to take a du Maurier, but does anyone have any other suggestions. Looking for something cheerful.

I’d recommend The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher, Sonia. She was from Cornwall.

Antoinette wrote: "I’d recommend The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher, Sonia. She was from Cornwall."

I read that a long time ago, and loved it. I still have my copy, sounds like a perfect book to pick up for a reread. Thank you.

Antoinette wrote: "I’d recommend The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher, Sonia. She was from Cornwall."

I love Rosamunde Pilcher's books. I have read all of her novels except "September" and one collection of short stories. I am keeping them as the last one. I don't want to feel I have read all her books. But sooner or later, I am going to read them too ;-)

Sonia wrote: "Going on holiday to Cornwall in a few weeks. Don't want to take a du Maurier, but does anyone have any other suggestions. Looking for something cheerful."

How about The House in Cornwall by Noel Streatfeild or China Court by Rumer Godden

Thank you Tania. So glad I asked this question.

Do let us know how you get on. 😊

Mary Wesley's The Camomile Lawn partly draws on her childhood in Cornwall, I have a friend with a house near Fowey and I've seen it locally, it's actually not bad if you like family sagas. Not a Virago though.

Alwynne wrote: "Mary Wesley's The Camomile Lawn partly draws on her childhood in Cornwall, I have a friend with a house near Fowey and I've seen it locally, it's actually not bad if you like family..."

My Mum and I read all Mary Wesley's books back in the 80s. I still have them, so maybe. Lucky friend to have a house near Fowey.

Sonia wrote: "Thank you Tania. So glad I asked this question."

Coincidentally, we are going to read China Court next month (in July) ;-)

@Mela or Alwynne,

I recently finished Girl, Interrupted and was surprised to find it wasn't on the VMC (717 books) that the group read from.

Is that because the VMC finish at a specific year and if so how many
books exactly make up the complete list???
'
I'm also wondering if they update every couple of years i.e Boxall 1000 combined editions.

Just curious......

I assumed it was a closed list, but I have checked a few last titles on the website, and they have to be new because I added all titles on our shelf two years ago, and they are not there.

I will add the new ones today. Thank you, Cphe, for a suggestion :-)

PS If someone sees that there are titles on the Virago website that are not on our shelf, please write to me.

Daddy Was a Number Runner another 5 star read for 2025. Poignant coming of age story.
Whoever recommended this.....thank you!