Madam, want to talk about author Mary Stewart? discussion

This is the non-spoiler discussion thread, so please use spoiler tags with any comments discussing events in the latter part of the book that would spoil any surprises for others who haven't gotten to that part yet. (If you don't I may delete your comment, with or without warning.)

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I think it would be a good idea to have a spoiler thread. I'm not sure if it's long enough to need more than one other thread for people to record thoughts while reading.

Thanks for the input, HJ. That's what I'm thinking.

That sounds right to me with it being so short. A spoiler thread should be enough. Haven't started yet, but getting excited...my first "new" Stewart in many a year.

Let's do two threads, then: the "as you're reading"/general discussion thread and the spoilers thread.

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With the non-spoiler thread (which will be this thread here), please use spoiler tags with any comments discussing events in the latter part of the book.

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I actually found an inexpensive little hardback to read!

Kathy wrote: "I actually found an inexpensive little hardback to read!"

Oh, lucky you!

Kathy wrote: "I actually found an inexpensive little hardback to read!"

jealous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can hardly wait for us to start this. Getting so excited! I've missed getting lost in a good MS.

Right - as always I am loving her descriptive powers. Immediately, she creates a world I can inhabit, characters I can like and with whom I can identify and a situation which is believable and real. With just a few words she paints a picture, invites me in and I am transported to the world she has created. Her ear for dialogue is as always really acute. She reflects the world she knew so does not attempt characters outside that milieu. Looking forward to the rest!

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Right - as always I am loving her descriptive powers. Immediately, she creates a world I can inhabit, characters I can like and with whom I can identify and a situation which is believable and real..."

yes, I agree. I love her characters and settings like no other.

Kathy wrote: "I actually found an inexpensive little hardback to read!"

Used and it smells a little musty, but so nice to have this sweet little copy.

Kathy wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I actually found an inexpensive little hardback to read!"

Used and it smells a little musty, but so nice to have this sweet little copy."

Aaaahhh! I'm very jealous!

Did anyone else notice that the playwright in this story, James Blair, was writing his play Tiger Tiger for Julian Gale?? An Easter egg for those who've read This Rough Magic!

Oh that's cool Tadiana. I have barely started this. I will look for that. I should get to read tomorrow.

Mary Stewart writes characters that are very attractive to me. We've barely met Mike, and I'm a little bit in love with him myself. And Perdita is great, even though I can't divorce her name from 101 Dalmatians. :)

Tadiana ✩ Night Owl☽ wrote: "Did anyone else notice that the playwright in this story, James Blair, was writing his play Tiger Tiger for Julian Gale?? An Easter egg for those who've read This Rough Magic!"

Yes, I did like that connection.

I only managed to start it today and am enjoying it so much, I'm torn between devouring it quickly or taking my time to slowly savour it :) I find the writing as good as in her best novels.

Tadiana ✩ Night Owl☽ wrote: "Did anyone else notice that the playwright in this story, James Blair, was writing his play Tiger Tiger for Julian Gale?? An Easter egg for those who've read This Rough Magic!"

Yes, coincidentally, I was reading TRM and so got the connection. Might not have done so otherwise as I am awful at names!

Perdita's employer mentions that she's a "dish", which cracked me up, just as it did in Stormy Petrol. Isn't it odd how some things just stick in your mind?

Chapter 2 starts out with the Julian Gale reference which I find
terribly sweet. I think she meant for us to know that he's alive and doing well!

absolutely love the characters and the setting which, as always, seems to be one of the characters. maybe the main one.

I have the same problem with the name Perdita, Tadiana! and it's a shame, being a beautiful name.

Did you know that in the original The 101 Dalmatians book, Pongo is married (in a doggie sort of way) to Missus, and Perdita is a different dog who comes to stay with their family?

I just started WotSI tonight and had to smile at the love at first sight with the young couple in the 1800’s. They were both struck speechless. Typical Mary Stewart. 🥰

I’m having fun reading this a little more slowly and attentively this time. It’s cute (view spoiler)[ how quickly smitten Mike is with Perdita (hide spoiler)].

There are some really delightful descriptions and literary references here. “Eve of St. Agnes” by John Keats is a lushly written poem about two secret young lovers that was one of my favorites when we studied it in an English lit class. I’m pretty certain MS is also referencing this same poem when she describes (in great detail) that luxurious dinner at the restaurant in Madam Will You Talk?

I remember reading a book in my teenage years called These Lovers Fled Away, although I don't recall anything about it or who the author is. The name obviously stuck, though, proving once again the importance of a Good Title!

Karlyne wrote: "Perdita's employer mentions that she's a "dish", which cracked me up, just as it did in Stormy Petrol. Isn't it odd how some things just stick in your mind?

Chapter 2 starts out with the Julian G..."

The term “dish” makes me remember an interview with Gloria Stuart. In the movie “Titanic,” when they find the portrait of Rose, James Cameron’s script originally called for Old Rose to say, “Wasn’t I a hot number?” Gloria felt that term had a rather naughty connation, and changed it to “Wasn’t I a dish?”

Peggy wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Perdita's employer mentions that she's a "dish", which cracked me up, just as it did in Stormy Petrol. Isn't it odd how some things just stick in your mind?

Chapter 2 starts out w..."

I love it!

This time I decided to spend $7.00 and buy the audible version. I thought it would be fun to hear the narration. And she is a really good narrator by the way. I listened to the 5 min sample first. There is N added treat in that Mary Stewart’s niece ( I think that’s what she said) gives an intro. about traveling with mary to the settings. That was a nice surprise.

Also, there seems to be another book discovered that also has the main character, Perdita, in it. That cane later. Audible recommended it to me. Or said, “you might also like” so... I’ll have to back and look up the name. I’m on my phone app. I’ll come back and add the title. I had never heard that. Have any of you. I’ll
Prolly get it. It’s only $6.00. I love to listen to a good audiobook when I walk.

It’s called The Lost One

It was a short story published in the Women’s Journal 1960.

debbicat ☮~Traveling Sister wrote: "It’s called The Lost One"

It's included in the Kindle version, though I haven't read it yet.

Is it worth reading as a buddy read?

Oh I hope so!!!

I’ll be buying the kindle version I think. That’s great news, Peggy.

Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ wrote: "Is it worth reading as a buddy read?"

I’d love a buddy read, since I’ve never read it.

debbicat ☮~Traveling Sister wrote: "It’s called The Lost One"

I have been wanting to read that but since I have a copy of WOTSI I hated to buy the copy just for the short story. I will check Kindle to see how much it is there. I was hoping to see a used copy somewhere.

Also, I missed the reference to Julian Gale, glad to have it pointed out.

I am enjoying this reading just as much as the first time, even though I seem to remember it quite well. I would have read longer last night but got too sleepy, but got about 2/3 through.

Finished today! It was better this second time. And I loved it the first hime!

I often wish MS would provide a map with her books. I try hard to visualize the scenes she writes so beautifully, but without orientation details I get frustrated

I’d be in for that buddy read! I’ll purchase the kindle.

How long is The Lost One compared to TWotSI? Maybe I will purchase it.

Does The Lost One come before or after The Sea Raven? I haven’t yet read either one, so it would be nice to read them in order.

I haven’t been on in a while and noticed that you were doing wind off the small isles! I remember years and years ago when I joined this group some wonderful Stewart fan sent me the PDF of the short story from the magazine. I’ve never forgotten that wonderful Gesture, As I was just dying to read the story!

Since then of course I got the re-issue of the book in hardback. And then of course it came out again with the lost one in it and i bought that on kindle. And then when Annabel finished the trilogy with the sea raven I was a happy camper!

My question for this buddy read is are we just doing wind off the small isles or all three? I’ve read all of the stories at least a couple of times but this is a great excuse to read them all again!

We’re doing WotSI and The Sea Raven, and trying to figure out how The Lost One fits in, and whether we should do a buddy read of that one as well. Can you illuminate that for us? :)

Yes! Here is a bit of an intro from The Lost One that would help:
“THE LOST ONE

♦

Read on for a recently rediscovered short story by Mary Stewart that was first published in Woman’s Journal in 1960, and is available in print here for the first time since. Set against the backdrop of unfenced country and dark winding valleys at night, the aptly named ‘The Lost One’ features the same young heroine named Perdita, who brings no less amount of pluck and courage to this classic Mary Stewart tale of suspense and intrigue …”

Excerpt From
The Wind Off the Small Isles and The Lost One
Mary Stewart
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-w...
This material may be protected by copyright.

As far as the timeline this definitely takes place prior to wind off the small isles. Perrdita and her mom are driving on a remote country road in England at night. The car breaks down. They see a farm house in the distance and go there for help. After that it’s all adventure and tenseness with a tiny bit of humor thrown in! It is definitely short story in length. The entire story takes place the evening after the car breaks down and what happens afterwards at the house. Perdita in this story seems to be an adult probably around 20 years old?

Wind off the small isles would be the next story in the trilogy and Concludes with The Sea Raven.

In my opinion you don’t need to read the The Lost One to fully enjoy wind off the small Isles and the sea Raven. What the Lost One is is another plucky adventure and near escape by .Perdita

Thanks, Teaqueen!

Yes, that's incredibly helpful!

Thanks Teaqueen. I’d still love to buddy read all 3. It’s just more fun to talk about. I’d be willing to purchase the kindle to have both. I do have the pdf from Tadiana. And the audible version now. Highly recommend it. Wonderful narrator. I hope we do all three.

Oooh. I am very excited about this. (Sorry, I am late to the party, have been away from GR for a month or two.) I haven't read Wind Off The Small Isles for a year or so and would love to read it with you, as well as The Lost One - I have the print edition with both in.

And of course I am really thrilled if anyone is including The Sea Raven in this read and very happy to answer any questions about it!

Annabel xxx

Nice to meet you Annabel. I just went to the link to read your sequel. I’m quite excited about that. I also want to look into your other books. Thanks for joining us. 🤗🙏📚

Annabel wrote: "Oooh. I am very excited about this. (Sorry, I am late to the party, have been away from GR for a month or two.) I haven't read Wind Off The Small Isles for a year or so and would love to read it wi..."

Annabel! Would be wonderful to have you join us on this discussion. I absolutely love your story The Sea Raven. To me it totally completes the trilogy.

Also would be fun as a group to discuss these three stories and how they interconnect.

Wonderful background w/ pics about these stories.
https://marystewartreading.wordpress....