Victorians! discussion

Victorian Village up for sale - lock stock and barrel.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/80...

The entire contents of a Victorian life museum in Gloucestershire are set to be auctioned off.

From shop signs to the contents of a doctor's surgery, everything from The Shambles in Newent will go under the hammer.

Straight jacket anyone? Or perhaps a human skeleton?

What fun Bettie, thanks for posting this.

How cool is that? That straight-jacket made me shudder though; that would be my worst nightmare being restrained in that thing! (well, that and burning alive!)

I know, just thinking about being confined in a straight jacket is terrifying.

I know Newent quite well as I used to shag step out with a gentleman from those there parts. What!?

Lucky him!

Bettie (Goodreads Reader!) wrote: "

I know Newent quite well as I used to shag step out with a gentleman from those there parts. What!?"

He will be purchasing the strait jacket today as he is still in a rage for having lost your company.

I saw this website posted in another group and thought someone here might like it too.

www.dailylit.com

You can sign up and read small sections of literature sent to your email address.

Bettie, step out? LOL!! How very victorian :P

I am reading The Alienist at the moment, which comes under the heading Victoriana rather than pure Victorian but what does that matter here in this chit chat section. It is roof-top serial killings and the the emergence of perp' profiling.

I'd never heard of this one but it sounds great! Let us know how you get on with it.

I'd be interested in your thoughts on my latest blog about Victorians. See http://theobsessedwriter.blogspot.com/

Ha ha, I love the fact that there was a "Bare Assed Beach"! And that they covered piano legs with bloomers (I would love to see how that looks) but I've long since thought that the Victorians weren't as prudish as we sometimes think. Thanks for the link, Gabriele.

When does the July poll begin?

We won't be doing an official group read in July, Rebecca, as we felt that a classic a month (with them generally being slower reads) may be too much.

I was going to ask, though, does everyone want to do one in August or wait until September?

Oh yeah that is a great idea and great thinking they are definatley slower reads.

I would be OK with either August or September.

I'd definitely like to have a read for August or Sept.

I vote for August.

Boof wrote: "How cool is that? That straight-jacket made me shudder though; that would be my worst nightmare being restrained in that thing! (well, that and burning alive!)"

What about being in a straight jacket whilst being burnt alive, now that would be horrible!

I'm very interested in the group reads, either or sounds good to me, July is FULLY packed.

Mandy wrote: "Boof wrote: "How cool is that? That straight-jacket made me shudder though; that would be my worst nightmare being restrained in that thing! (well, that and burning alive!)"

What about being in ..."

If I had to be burnt alive and there was no possiblity of a Houdini moment where I could cunningly escape from my captors, then I think I would prefer to be in a straight jacket actually. If not, I would have to watch my own arms flapping and flailing around with my own flesh dripping off them.

......who started this conversation????

True, good point there.

For the next group read I'm good for August or September.

OK, so shall we go for August? Not everyone has to join in if they haven't got time but I think August gives us enought time to prepare :o)

The nominations will start on July 1st and in the meantime I have reorganised all the books on our shelves at the bottom. If you click on more books it lists all the books already added by people in this group. I have now put each one under inspiration for group reads and also under the author name so that we can get some ideas of what to nominate.

If you notice any books missing please feel free to add them under the to read tab and under the author name.

Wheeee! I can't wait to see what gets nominated this time. And we have to wait a whole 9 days before we start nominating. *Sigh*

The bookshelves look great Boof. I just added another Edith Wharton I want to read.

YAAAY! I'm excited for our next vote!

Time for some surgical instruments - be very pleased that you are alive now:



Skull Saw (1830s-60s)
This hand-cranked saw's blades were used to cut through sections of the skull, allowing for access by other instruments.

More delights here:
http://www.surgicaltechnologists.net/...

I don't know whether to laugh or faint at those things. I particularly loved the machine that blows tobacco smoke up your ass to resusertate someone who has amost drowned! Genius!

Boof wrote: "I don't know whether to laugh or faint at those things. I particularly loved the machine that blows tobacco smoke up your ass to resusertate someone who has amost drowned! Genius!"

I'm just wanting to try it out to see if it works - perhaps a loiter around the Svanesund Riviera bathing rocks... hahahaha

I was listening to the Newsweek magazine weekly podcast this morning, and in their new issue they have a list of suggestions for summer reading. Number one on the list is Trollope's "The Way We Live Now." Of course the tie in with current financial shenanigans is probably the reason, but still--another Victorian is rising.

Hello all, I'm going on holiday tonight (to the Greek Island of Kefalonia.........ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!) so I have set the Aug read disucssion threads up a few days early.

I have also moved the Villette discussions to the Previous Group Reads thread and it will remain open there for discussion for as long as anyone needs it so please feel free to still post on there for those who are still reading (sorry it's a few days early).

When I get back I will set up a thread for nominating a neo-victorian read for those who want to join in.

Keep those discussions going and I will catch up with you all in a week ♥

Kefalonia? No fair! It looks lovely there - were you inspired by Captain Corelli's Mandolin?

He he, I know it does look lovely doesn't it? I can't wait.

I have Captain Corelli's Mandolin all packed in my suitcase ☺ I have been meaning to read it for years so now seems like the perfect time.

Jack wrote: "I was listening to the Newsweek magazine weekly podcast this morning, and in their new issue they have a list of suggestions for summer reading. Number one on the list is Trollope's "The Way We Li..."

Yes, I have the issue, and in fact had just ordered the DVD from Netflix. I know that is getting my culture on the cheap, but, oh, well...

Heidi wrote: "Jack wrote: "I was listening to the Newsweek magazine weekly podcast this morning, and in their new issue they have a list of suggestions for summer reading. Number one on the list is Trollope's "..."

Cheap is the only way to go, Heidi, when we all devour at quite an alarming rate. Any which way rather than RRP.

Hello everyone!

I have created a new section for all neo-victorian book discussions (found further down the page). As per popular request we are nominating for a group neo read in September for those who want to join in. The nominations thread is now open and will stay open until Monday 10th Aug and then we will vote. If you fancy joining in, please don't forget to cast your vote.

Boof wrote: "Hello everyone!

I have created a new section for all neo-victorian book discussions (found further down the page). As per popular request we are nominating for a group neo read in September for ..."

How do you define neo-Victorian? What is included?

I have put the original neo-victorian thread (started by Darcy, I think) in that section which gives a good definition. Basically, any book that is set (or partly set) in victorian times but not actually written then.

Boof wrote: "I have put the original neo-victorian thread (started by Darcy, I think) in that section which gives a good definition. Basically, any book that is set (or partly set) in victorian times but not actually written then."

Thanks. Would this include biographies of Victorians? For example, there's a biography of Thomas Hardy by Claire Tomalin that I've been wanting to get to, but haven't found the impetus to move up my TBR list yet.

I don't see why not, Everyman. There are some on the Brontes I want to read too that were written later so go for it.

Found this book . Looks good- don't know if you've heard it- what do you think?

Just finished reading "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin. It is absolutely beautiful, even with a certain sad thng that happens. Gorgeous language, and an 1899 take on the emancipation of women.

I read this book decades ago, and it really struck a cord. I thought I had discovered a long-forgotten gem. Glad to see it's still available.

Vikz wrote: "Found this book . Looks good- don't know if you've heard it- what do you think?"

Vikz, never heard of that one. Do you have it?

Seena wrote: "Just finished reading "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin. It is absolutely beautiful, even with a certain sad thng that happens. Gorgeous language, and an 1899 take on the emancipation of women."

I have been wanting to read this for ages. Must get to it soon.

Seena wrote: "Just finished reading "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin. It is absolutely beautiful, even with a certain sad thng that happens. Gorgeous language, and an 1899 take on the emancipation of women."

I cannot agree more - I loved this book - very profound. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't yet had the pleasure of reading it.

Ally

Victorian toilets get restoration



The toilets in the Hayes were opened to a fanfare in August 1898


It has been one of Cardiff city centre's most popular Victorian buildings for more than a century, if only for the shortest of visits. Now the underground toilets in The Hayes, first opened in 1898 and Grade II listed, are to get a facelift.

full story here : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wa...

I was at University in Cardiff so I know exactly where this is! Infact, almost where the photo is taken from is a massive Waterstones (the biggest bookshop in Cardiff). ☺