Ruminations

[gfrancie]

A number of years ago when I was working in a book shop (not the behemoth B&N) I found a copy of Reader's Delight by Noel Perrin. I looked at the first essay and knew it was just the thing my Mother would like and gave it to her as a birthday gift. She is a super keen fan of Noel Perrin's writing. He wrote a whole series of books referred to as the Person Rural books. Those books were many essays (originally written for various publications in the 70s and 80s) about Perrin's life in Vermont as a part-time farmer. His "day job" was teaching at Dartmouth. When he wasn't teaching he was making maple syrup, battling rocks and weeds, raising lambs and growing potatoes. Obviously some of it was quite bucolic but he also spoke honestly about the "real farmers" who had been doing this for decades, the uphill battle that they faced every year and the slow death of that particular lifestyle. But most of his stuff was incredibly upbeat and made a person want to harvest sap to make gallons of syrup and raise some cows. But then he would also talk about winters there and that would kind of sep. the serious folks from everyone else. Absolutely fantastic books. He was equally self-deprecating and proud of his home. My Mom introduced me to these books and they proved to be some of my favorite bath-time reading. It made perfect sense to return my Mother the favor by finding her more of Perrin's works. (which she deeply appreciated and was also driven mad by -which I will elaborate more later)
Reader's Delight is another series of essays that originally appeared in the Washington Post Book World. In the prologue Perrin explains that this collection had its humble origins in 1960 when he first came to teach -the librarian at Dartmouth would occasionally invite a senior member of faculty to pick five of his favorite books, with a short paragraph about each book and they would be on display in the case. Everyone would stop by and have a look. Perrin recalls one professor of Chemistry who had on display two children's books. The significance of one book was that it was by Laura Ingalls Wilder who he had never heard of. But he immediately went to the town library to check out those books and they became a part of his life. Perrin also had in his head his list of books he would pick for when he might be an old professor one day. Alas the librarian was replaced and this special treat of 5 books in the case was discontinued. Years later after a long career and some side work as a book reviewer he was invited to write for the Post. For him it was even better than having five books in a case with a short paragraph for each book. He could talk about favorite books, minor classics and over-looked books that aren't as beloved as they ought to be. He touches on books that were best-sellers at the time but now linger in the background. As he said,

"This book has no over-arching pattern or grand design. Its simple purpose is to steer people toward a winter's worth or a summer's worth of unusually pleasing reading, as John Wolfenden steered me to Little House on the Prairie."

A very personable book list indeed. I had only read about a quarter of the copy I gave my Mother and I wanted my own copy. (My Mom and I aren't good about sharing our Perrin books.) I got my greedy paws on a used copy via Powell's and it even had a bookplate signed by the man himself. Even more exciting. Of course after reading the entire book I wanted to read most of the books he spoke about. He was dangerous that way. I ended up getting a copy of The Semi-Attached Couple by Emily Eden. I just finished reading it last night. Perrin said this is the book to read after you have read Jane Austen and you need more to read. While Miss Eden isn't as good and as sparkling as Miss Austen -she was definitely worth reading if you like this sort of book. It is quick-witted and Eden created some hilarious characters. Mrs. Douglas who is cynical and doesn't initially hold many people in high esteem but offers some of the most deliciously sarcastic and astute commentary on peope's characters and what is genuinely going on. I didn't like her initially but I soon warmed to her. A woman after my own heart in some ways I loved how she could lay a verbal smack-down all while being incredibly civil and proper. Especially when her smack-downs were thrown into the direction of one Lady Portmore who was the original sycophant and fool. Lady Portmore is the sort of character that would drive you to murder but in the best way. Her constantly changing opinions, claims to know everyone and anyone long before they were in fashion and her overly-familiar manner with all men -a total riot. Then of course there are the young people who should be in love, want to be in love and are in a state of love. They are all well and good but it is the supporting characters who really hold this book together. I also enjoy how they delve into politics and the author offers a historical glimpse into how local elections were once done. I can't wait to read Eden's next book The Semi-Detached House. (original titles eh?)


Yesterday in the post two fun things arrived. The latest issue of Gourmet magazine AND a package filled with jaffa cakes from mockduck. Oh thankyouhankyouthankyou. We are happy bunnies at Chez Anglo-America. Senor Onion knows exactly jaffa cakes are just by looking at the packaging and he was begging for them immediately. When I had a cupboard open and he saw the boxes he began to weep and moan because I wouldn't let him have any. He also tried to steal other people's cakes. I owe you big.

Comments

[nc-bookworm.livejournal.com]

I am coveting your jaffa cakes.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Hot jaffa cake action. I should take pictures.

[mockduck.livejournal.com]

Oh my word, they certainly got there quickly!

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I was incredibly impressed. As of late many trans-atlantic mailing has gone fast. Maybe they are sending things on a direct flight?

[mockduck.livejournal.com]

They are just lobbing them over on an enormous catapult.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

An even better approach. Someone I know ordered some books from England via surface mail -so she expected it to take some time and they were here super quick.

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

Your character descriptions are reminding me of Mr. Collins, who takes Pride and Prejudice to the next level.

I have added Ms. Eden's book to my list of things to read. I could really use some lighter reading these days--I've been stuck in the middle of a somewhat dreary work of nonfiction for about the past six months (Small is Beautiful, by E.M. Schumacher--on economic theory). I'm trying to read as fast as I can so I can finish the thing and move on to more exciting material. I picked up two books at Powell's after we finished riding our bicycles there, and they're tempting me like nothing else.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Lady Portmore makes Mr. Collins seem down-right modest. She is too interested in other people's husbands and tells everyone how she is BFF with every woman but then slags off the chick in two seconds.
You can usually find a copy of this book in combination with "Semi-Detached House". At the moment it is out of print but you can find a copy via powell's for less than 10 dollars.

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

Nice! I will also inquire at the local libraries, because I am a library fiend.

jaffa cakes

[wendolen.livejournal.com]

Have you tried LU's Pim's Orange? I think they are essentially the same as jaffa cakes, and then they come in other flavors (although most of the other flavors weird me out).

Re: jaffa cakes

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Yeah I have had those. They are pretty good but there is something so delightful about genuine jaffa cakes. Maybe it is the packaging?

Re: jaffa cakes

[wendolen.livejournal.com]

Possibly. I do know that the second thing I said, upon having them for the first time, was "Om nom nom." (The first was, "Oh! They're like Pim's!")