We’re reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as our Christmas classic for December!
Seeing The Dubliners on this list surprised me. I had such a hard time with that collection. You are right about it removing all pretense. The dark shadows of reality in his short stories gave me such a sinking feeling. I don’t think I ever made it to “The Dead”!
I love Mistletoe Malice! A family gathering where everyone is truly vile to each other over the holiday. It is perfect. I like to re-read Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising in the lead up to Christmas too, and Masefield's The Box of Delights. And I'll often get one or to of the British Library Classic Crime series that come out over Christmas. I look for Christianna Brand or John Dickson Carr.
Of course! The Dark is Rising is so brilliant. Did you listen to Simon McBurney's BBC version, adapted by Robert Macfarlane, music by Johnny Flynn, starring Toby Jones and Harriet Walter. It's amazing! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvp7
No I didn't but I will. Thanks for the link. I'm not a big fan of Robert Macfarlane, but I love Johnny Flynn and Toby Jones and Harriet Walter! I look for that this afternoon.
Thank you so much Susan! I'm afraid I can't take credit for the blurbs, which I take from the publisher's write-ups online. I'm so glad you like the look of these!
You've reminded me that I once read Nancy Mitford's 'Christmas Pudding'. I remember really enjoying it, but can't remember anything about it. It could be one to revisit - although it may count as a bit tinselly (although I doubt it).
We’re reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as our Christmas classic for December!
Seeing The Dubliners on this list surprised me. I had such a hard time with that collection. You are right about it removing all pretense. The dark shadows of reality in his short stories gave me such a sinking feeling. I don’t think I ever made it to “The Dead”!
I love Gawain! Great idea. And you must try 'The Dead' - it's a novella really - and the best story in Dubliners.
I love Mistletoe Malice! A family gathering where everyone is truly vile to each other over the holiday. It is perfect. I like to re-read Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising in the lead up to Christmas too, and Masefield's The Box of Delights. And I'll often get one or to of the British Library Classic Crime series that come out over Christmas. I look for Christianna Brand or John Dickson Carr.
Of course! The Dark is Rising is so brilliant. Did you listen to Simon McBurney's BBC version, adapted by Robert Macfarlane, music by Johnny Flynn, starring Toby Jones and Harriet Walter. It's amazing! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvp7
No I didn't but I will. Thanks for the link. I'm not a big fan of Robert Macfarlane, but I love Johnny Flynn and Toby Jones and Harriet Walter! I look for that this afternoon.
Henry, you make all these book sound wonderful and enticing.
Thank you so much Susan! I'm afraid I can't take credit for the blurbs, which I take from the publisher's write-ups online. I'm so glad you like the look of these!
Ha ha, don’t give your secrets away…
A Maigret Christmas was my advent read last December. Wonderful!
Why, thank you ! So pleased you put in both the Alice Thomas Ellis and Mistletoe Malice, which I just finished reading. And very much recommend
It's a pleasure! I'm a great fan of yours. I'm glad you approve of those other two titles. Mistletoe Malice is fabulous, isn't it?
picking up The Evenings through the library - thanks for all the great recs!
Thank you for sharing!
You've reminded me that I once read Nancy Mitford's 'Christmas Pudding'. I remember really enjoying it, but can't remember anything about it. It could be one to revisit - although it may count as a bit tinselly (although I doubt it).
Great suggestion!