Madam, want to talk about author Mary Stewart? discussion

Elizabeth wrote: "Julie wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "This Rough Magic is one of my favourite Mary Stewart novels, so when I travelled through the Corfu Channel by ferry at the end of March last year, naturally I was up..."

Thanks very much for those Elizabeth, it worked perfectly this time!

Seeing the videos I can’t help but think what a terrifyingly large expanse of water it is, (view spoiler)[ both Spiro and Lucy to end up in. I can’t recall how close Godfrey supposedly went to the shore, but even so… I got the impression he was still well out, given the risks. (hide spoiler)]

Julie wrote: "Thanks very much for those Elizabeth, it worked perfectly this time!"

Excellent, thanks for letting me know! We'd better watch ourselves, though, Julie, we may be venturing into spoiler territory . . . Although it's an interesting point you're making. Chugging along in broad daylight, it all looked very peaceful and harmless, and I mostly thought how absurd it was for this to have been an iron-hard border until quite recently.

Elizabeth wrote: "Julie wrote: "Thanks very much for those Elizabeth, it worked perfectly this time!"

Excellent, thanks for letting me know! We'd better watch ourselves, though, Julie, we may be venturing into spoi..."

Oh, good point! Sorry, will tag.

So enjoying this! As a longtime fan, I feel sure I must have read this before, but I seem to remember this one so little I have most of the fun of a first read. I’ve had a few guesses that seem to have been on the nose ( good guys vs. bad guys etc.) but that could be due to general Mary Stewart- isms. Thanks to this group for motivating this fun re- read! I wonder at the frequency of her main characters being actresses. I also feel like I should read the Tempest now!

Regarding heroines being actresses, I think Stewart is implying a certain type of personality as well as a certain background. In her era, there weren’t a lot of options for women: most “ordinary” girls became office assistants or shopgirls, waitresses, teachers, librarians. But a bright, educated, adventurous young woman without independent means might aspire to a career in the arts—hence actress.

Interesting; thanks Abigail! Funnily I was watching a movie last night that was set in Greece.

I only remember Lucy being an actress. Other heroines included a model, a teacher, a PA, a governess etc.

I think Abigail’s comment about a certain type of background is very accurate. All of her heroines tend to be middle class, (probably upper middle class). I think MS wrote what she knew.

Ellen wrote: " I also feel like I should read the Tempest now!"

See it on stage if you possibly can! Oddly enough, I was looking up Derek Jarman yesterday and found that he'd made a film of The Tempest that came out in 1970. Could that be the film for which Max is writing the music? When was This Rough Magic first published, Abigail? (I know I could look this up, too, but it's more fun asking you.)

Elizabeth wrote: "Ellen wrote: " I also feel like I should read the Tempest now!"

See it on stage if you possibly can! Oddly enough, I was looking up Derek Jarman yesterday and found that he'd made a film of The Te..."

It was published in 1964 so I doubt he was writing music for Jarman’s film of The Tempest! I didn’t like the film I’m afraid.