Lolly Willowes is a top favourite of mine. Try “One a thing Leads To Another” as well. A collection of short stories by Sylvia Townsend Warner. I’m heading to Dartmoor at the beginning of October.
Thank you for the full and candid review of the Comyns biography. I’d like to read it, but I have so many books TBR, including a few by Comyns I haven’t read. My favorite of hers so far is Spoons.
Thank you for the lovely mention, June! Such a beautifully illustrated and interesting post & I am intrigued by that biography of Barbara Comyns. Which of her novels would you recommend starting with?
Start with Sisters by a River - it's not too mad. Then try Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead, which is quite mad. They will give you a feel for her at her most macabre and gothic. For a bit more 'realism' try Our Spoons Came From Woolworth's or Mr Fox. Both have a lot of her own experiences in them (as I now know). Honestly, I wish I'd read the biog before the books but it hadn't been written!!
Thank you for transporting me back to Devon, June! Lucky you to be exploring Dartmoor.
Lolly Willowes is a top favourite of mine. Try “One a thing Leads To Another” as well. A collection of short stories by Sylvia Townsend Warner. I’m heading to Dartmoor at the beginning of October.
Ohh, thanks!
It was re-published by Virago ages ago but I’m sure you might find it somewhere
I'll look tomorrow....too many books, too many books.
I hope the weather holds up for you, although I also think mist and drizzle on Dartmoor is exactly its real character!
Thank you for the full and candid review of the Comyns biography. I’d like to read it, but I have so many books TBR, including a few by Comyns I haven’t read. My favorite of hers so far is Spoons.
I loved Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead. Also A Touch of Mistletoe.
Thank you for the lovely mention, June! Such a beautifully illustrated and interesting post & I am intrigued by that biography of Barbara Comyns. Which of her novels would you recommend starting with?
Start with Sisters by a River - it's not too mad. Then try Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead, which is quite mad. They will give you a feel for her at her most macabre and gothic. For a bit more 'realism' try Our Spoons Came From Woolworth's or Mr Fox. Both have a lot of her own experiences in them (as I now know). Honestly, I wish I'd read the biog before the books but it hadn't been written!!
Barbara Comyns! Always wanted to try her so this is v useful and inspiring
I've said before that I think I need to live to about 350 to get everything read.... but she really does sound intriguing.
Gorgeous Devon images, thank you!
Looking forward to trying some of the books
So excited about the same books.