reading

[gfrancie]

I just finished reading, "Henrietta's War" by Joyce Dennys. It is a spare but hilarious book. Henrietta lives in Devon and the story consists of letters to her friend Robert (her childhood friend) who is in the army. She relates assorted stories of life out on the coast, during the phony war (before the Germans began to bomb England) and ends at the beginning of 1942. I said that it initially reminded me of EM Delafield's Provincial Lady books. The main character being very human and never quite coming up with the right come-back until much too late. I think one of my favorite characters in this book is Lady B. who is so astute in her observations and wickedly funny. (The kind of person to aspire to be like in one's old age) Henrietta tells of pasting windows, hoarding food, admiring people's gardens, Mrs. Savernack who is absolutely irritated that she can't join the home guard so she starts her own patrol that is on horseback, black outs, people from London, her husband Charles (a doctor) who becomes irritated when she becomes sick, and the anxiety of impending invasion.
This is classic comfort reading and it goes quick. There is a sequel which I will have to pick up. (which follows from 1942 to the end of the war)

I am looking over the pile. I think I have things lined up for the next few weeks. There is one book I checked out from the library that I am of two minds about. It has received some good reviews but some of the reviews are from authors who aren't very good. Though who knows, some people can be terrible writers with good taste.

Comments

[cusackam.livejournal.com]

I have that on my Kindle, someone must have recommended it to my mom since she is a Henrietta also hahaha

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

of course. It is funny and does capture rural village life well. Maybe your Mom might like it -not taxing at all. (how is your Mom doing?)

[cusackam.livejournal.com]

She is ok, gets her port on Friday and starts chemo next Thursday.

I am reading The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Just started but good so far.

[particle-person.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I read TBWHTW (that title is a mouthful), and it was hard to put down. Kind of depressing until about 3/4 of the way through, though, because of the part about the TOTALLY PREVENTABLE famine. Also, the book was a little weird in that the two parts, the life up till the wind turbine, and then after, weren't very well connected. It felt a little strained. Overall a good read though.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Is that the one about the guy who made a windmill out of spare parts in his village in Africa?

If you need any suggestions for light/happy easy reading for your Mom, let me know.

[particle-person.livejournal.com]

What did you mean by "spare"? Is that English English?

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Brief.

[debodacious.livejournal.com]

I loved the Henrietta books and the wonderful Lady B too - I think they have been reissued by Bloomsbury so it shouldn't be too hard to find the sequel.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Bloomsbury has done a nice job with the re-issue.
Lady B. makes me think of a few old ladies I knew growing up. Her whole thing about her birthday had me in stitches.