In a way, winter is the real spring, the time when the inner things happen, the resurge of nature. Edna O'Brien
As a short story writer, I'm ashamed to say that I hadn't heard of O'Brien before I spied this quote, attributed to her, in this morning's paper, but I've added one of her collection, A Fanatic Heart, to my Amazon cart. While she also has a number of novels out there, I think I might enjoy getting to know her as an author via short stories first. I've found that collections of stories are a handy way to break up a long read and try on new authors. I keep a few on my reading tables for just such occasions.
I'm frustrated that I didn't get another post done since last Monday, but it's been a busy time in our family and in my reading life.
Almost done with Why Shoot a Butler, just in time for Heyer month on the Classics Circuit. I'm finding this novel so much better than Envious Casca, the only other Georgette Heyer mystery that I've read. There's actually a protagonist, Frank Amberley, in this one, and I may be old-fashioned, but I like having a central character to focus on, cheer for, care about, and empathize with.
Almost done with Fever Pitch, and the movie at Netflix is waiting in the wings, and I'm evaluating which Nick Hornby to go with next. I will be really interested to see how they extract a screen play from this book.
On a mini-break from New York: The Novel, by Edward Rutherford. It's really good--much better than the last Rutherford tome I read, The Princes/Rebels of Ireland--but I didn't want to inhale it. We're taking a week long trip to New York later this month, and I plan to be done with it before I get on the plane, so I need to resume reading it this week.
More futures. I really need to get a copy of Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho. I need to have it read before our April JASNA meeting. Of course, my backup plan is to read the graphic version in Gothic Classics, Vol 14, which I bought because of its terrific version of Northanger Abbey. Personally, I think the next adaptation of NA should just use this version as its storyboard.
Busy indeed, Jane! Lot's of good reads. I can't wait to read your reviews. You know, I love Nick Hornby but i've never read Fever Pitch. My favourite among his novels are About a Boy (I also loved the film with Hugh Grant) and Slam. I've also read How to Be Good and A Long Way Down and ...I didn't mind them. Take care. MG
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any Edna O'Brien for ages but I remember really enjoying her writing. I think I've only read her novels though. I'm sure that writing short stories must be more difficult as you have so little time to get the feeling across.
ReplyDeleteEdna O'Brien is someone I've been wanting to get to for a while. I like the idea of reading stories as a way to get to know an author. I usually jump to the novels, but there's no need to do that. Enjoy The Mysteries of Udolpho!
ReplyDeleteI am interested in reading Why Shoot a Butler. I also have The Mysteries of Udolpho on my wish list. I remember that we discussed this book briefly in one of our Gothic Fiction lectures at the university. So I am looking forward to reading it in the near future.
ReplyDeleteThe Mysteries of Udolpho has long intrigued me--can't wait to hear what you think!
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