China Court – how can I describe this novel which has overtaken In This House of Brede as my favourite book by this author? This gem has languished on my shelves until the other day when I decided I need to be more serious about reading the books I already have. I joined in with … Continue reading China Court by Rumer Godden (1961)
The Battle of the Villa Fiorita written by Rumer Godden (1907-1998) is partly autobiographical. When her first marriage ended in divorce and she later remarried, there were difficulties between her two daughters and her second husband. This situation was fictionalised in The Battle of the Villa Fiorita. In this book, the two children of Fanny … Continue reading The Battle of the Villa Fiorita by Rumer Godden (1963)
Kingfishers Catch Fire was published in 1953 and was ‘compounded of three years’ living, thinking and perhaps dreaming in Kashmir.’It is said to be Rumer Godden’s most autobiographical novel and if you’ve read anything of her life you can find similarities between that and parts of this story. It’s interesting that Godden took the first … Continue reading Kingfishers Catch Fire by Rumer Godden
Although there are some similarities between Rumer Godden’s books, In This House of Brede (1969) and Black Narcissus (1939), the settings are poles apart. Both depict a community of nuns; the former in a traditional setting in a convent in England, and the latter, a small group in Mopu, a remote village in the Himalayas. … Continue reading Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden
The majority of my reading in 2023 was fiction but the non-fiction books I read required quite a bit of brain. I took most of them slowly, especially the history tomes. The most memorable of these were Seeking God by Esther de Waal – a book that needed lingering over, Mary Queen of Scots by … Continue reading End of Year Bookish Wrap-up
M.M. Kaye is well-known for her historical novels but I was unaware that she also had written six crime novels which are set in various locations. Kaye’s marriage to a British Army soldier meant that she travelled extensively and was able to use her experience of living in different locations in her writing. Death in … Continue reading Death in Berlin by M. M. Kaye (1955)
I’m very annoyed with myself that I didn’t keep track of everything I read last year. I was just slack. My reading was fairly wide, a bit more nonfiction than usual and also more lighter books than I normally read. I felt a little run down after some bouts of flu, throat & ear problems … Continue reading My Reading in 2022
I hope those of you who have been reading For the Family’s Sake either for the first time or like me, re-reading it, have found it worthwhile. Feel free to add any thoughts on any of the chapters. Thanks to those of you who have commented here or have let me know your thoughts in … Continue reading For the Family’s Sake: Ch 14 – the end
2022 Art Book Reading Challenge Rebecca @ a humble place is hosting a 2022 Art Reading Challenge with seven categories. I’ve chosen the four options below: Rebecca has studied Art History and has written articles for the Common Place Quarterly. Check out her blog for details about the Challenge, information on the other categories, and … Continue reading Bookish Destinations 2022
Next month Brona @ This Reading Life will be hosting a Rumer Godden Reading Week to mark the author’s birthday. It will take place from Saturday 4th December to Sunday 12th December 2021. Two of her books I’m thinking of reading are ‘China Court’ and ‘The Black Narcissus.’ I especially liked her novel In This … Continue reading November Notes
journey & destination 