No diary last week because I had covid, and it hit me unexpectedly hard. I was hiding in bed. Puppy curled up at my feet. Trying and failing to read. It was all deeply frustrating. One of the few things keeping me bright were the bouquets. All week the house has been full of spring flowers from our local florist. A riot of colour, mimosa, irises, tulips, alstroemeria and not a sad red rose in sight.Â
Books & Things This WeekÂ
Prior to going down sick, I read Jillian by Halle Butler. This was, ironically, recommended by a colleague after I’d been complaining about all the novels about people without jobs. First published in 2015, Jillian is about what it really means to have a colleague and a job. To have someone in your life, not of your choosing, in your space, every damn day. To fill your hours with tasks set by others. It’s short, spiky, miserable and ever so good. I am however, glad I read it when I happened to be content in my life, both at home and work. Also, I want to point out that nothing horrible happens to the dog.
Then covid hit me, and I couldn’t really read. I watched Modern Family, and started and tossed aside several books before turning to my failsafe. I adore Jilly Cooper, and don’t think that will ever change. The Rutshire Chronicles were my entry point, and I have since read all of her published novels, non-fiction and journalism. All that I have left to finish are her early romances, which I’ve been rationing. This time I treated myself to Prudence by Jilly Cooper. There’s no point talking about plot, you either enjoy being swept up in the Cooper world or you don’t. Having not read one for a while, I was blown away by how funny this was. Jillian was amusing in a wry way, but Prudence is packed with proper laugh-inducing gags, which is so rare. Cooper is always happy to play in her fiction, to have elements of frivolity, while maintaining the firm conviction that the decision which ultimately has the largest impact on your life is your choice of partner, which I suppose it is.
I also love how the ebook editions of these romances all have been given such modern covers (below). It’s a smart bit of publishing, and I’m tickled by the idea of people downloading these unawares, expecting something Dolly Alderton-esque. They’re in for an enormous surprise.
When I started to feel better, I read two books in tandem. Both about the practice of that beautiful mystery, women’s history, so still well in my comfort zone.
The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne Sykes by Kate Strasdin is a newly published history of middle-class, female, English life in the nineteenth century. It’s based on the chance discovery of a scrapbook, kept by Sykes from her marriage, of 2000 swatches of fabric, all neatly labelled in copperplate. You can see some of the fabric samples here. Strasdin uses this rare artefact as the starting point for an investigation into the history of so many things, textiles, empire, slavery, technology, etiquette, trade, design, labour relations, communication and more. There are lots of surprises in this book, not least where Anne Sykes goes in her life, and I particularly enjoyed how thorough Strasdin’s research is, into the life and times of an entirely ordinary woman. This is fashion history of the very best kind. Wide-ranging, inventive, and not focused on the aristocracy. The Dressed: History of Fashion podcast have released two episodes discussing the book with Strasdin. They’re well worth a listen, but only once you’ve read the book as they’re full of spoilers (and relentlessly chipper American adverts).
HISTORY. A MESS. by Sigrún Pálsdóttir, translated by Lytton Smith is an Icelandic novel, worth buying for that title alone, with a blurb that seemed to be written specifically for me. It’s described as the story of a young academic who discovers the first professional female artist in British history, while pouring over an old manuscript. From the jacket:
It’s a discovery that could transform her career and reputation. However, in her haste to break new ground, she has made a simple mistake which threatens everything – and she won’t acknowledge her error until it’s far too late. As she goes to ever greater lengths to protect her work from the truth, she begins to lose her grip on her thesis, her life and ultimately her sanity. History. A Mess is a remarkable exploration of intellectual integrity and denial, and a gripping and satirical portrait of academic ambition.
So I was expecting a cross between AS Byatt’s Possession and A Ghost In the Throat by Doireann Nà GhrÃofa. Unfortunately, it’s not that. Only a very small part of the book is about being an historian and the politics of archives. This story is far more concerned with the narrator’s descent into madness once back in Iceland, and her relationship with a domineering, jealous mother. That said, it’s masterfully structured, and keeps you guessing until the final pages. I found myself disproportionately concerned to find out what was on the page missing from that manuscript.
Because I didn’t write last week, I didn’t get to discuss Valentine’s Day, of which I am a huge fan. It’s the only holiday in this country not devoted to religion/families/children. It’s a glorious excuse to go out and be romantic in an otherwise dreary month. And for the fools who say it’s a commercialised, greetings card creation, don’t be dense. All holidays have been pillaged by capitalism, but that doesn’t stop you enjoying Christmas. Don’t be cynical about love. It’s the rarest, most incredible thing and that’s always worth celebrating in my mind. As part of our celebrations, we went to the Soho Theatre to see John Kearns: The Vanishing Days. The show is superb, and it’s on tour now, so do go see it if you get a chance.Â
Finally, I talked about the importance of pre-ordering books a little while back, and recently put my money where my mouth is. Wary of the ongoing warehouse issues at Waterstones, I decided to support an independent. I don’t have one near me, which is a source of ongoing sadness, so I contacted Maldon Books to ask if they could take an order via email. They were incredibly sweet, processing my order immediately and efficiently. So, over the coming months, I’ll receive a series of packages, forgotten pre-orders, a little gift to myself in the future.
Coming Up on Books & Things…
I’m reading The Other Side by Jennifer Higgie and have no idea what I make of it yet.
Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes, translated from the Italian by Ann Goldstein, just landed on my doorstep and looks mighty enticing.
I also start a new job this week (still in editorial, at the same publisher). Who knows how it might impact my reading...