Retro Reads discussion

#3 Susan in NC

Book #4, Dear Hugo by Molly Clavering

Absolutely delightful, charming, funny, full of heart and decent characters, and swoony descriptions of the Scottish village where our heroine settles in the early 1950s - 4.5 stars, finished 2/9/22. Here’s a link to my review in case you’re interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ooh, sounds like a good one, Susan! Right up my street.

Abigail wrote: "Ooh, sounds like a good one, Susan! Right up my street."

It was delightful, Abigail, charming, funny, old-fashioned without being sentimental or mawkish.

that does sound good! and the author was a friend of D. E. Stevenson which is interesting.

Jackie wrote: "that does sound good! and the author was a friend of D. E. Stevenson which is interesting."

It was lovely, Jackie, and I did see the two were friends in the author’s biography.

Susan in NC wrote: "#3 Susan in NC

Book #4, Dear Hugo by Molly Clavering

Absolutely delightful, charming, funny, full of heart and decent characters, and swoony descriptions of the S..."

Added this one Susan.

Sorry I have been MIA!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "#3 Susan in NC

Book #4, Dear Hugo by Molly Clavering

Absolutely delightful, charming, funny, full of heart and decent characters, and swoony d..."

Thanks, Carol!

#17 Katy Lou

Book #5
Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier
4 stars
Go into this one as an escapism adventure, the characters are very shallow as far as real world, but DuMaurier writes well as usual, just don't expect to sympathize with the characters. Otherwise a fun romance/adventure story.

Added for you, Katy.

That is one of the books on my list.

I'm making very slow progress with Gaudy Night. I think this is in part because I'm reading on my kindle. I just enjoy the dead tree experience more!

Gaudy Night is very dense and sometimes baffling, but the ending is magnificent! Slog on.

Abigail wrote: "Gaudy Night is very dense and sometimes baffling, but the ending is magnificent! Slog on."

Love that one!

Katy wrote: "#17 Katy Lou

Book #5
Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier
4 stars
Go into this one as an escapism adventure, the characters are very shallow as far as real world, b..."

Good point about the shallow characters, wish I’d seen your comments before I read, wouldn’t have been so bored with the characters!

Susan in NC wrote: "...Good point about the shallow characters, wish I’d seen your comments before I read, wouldn’t have been so bored with the characters! ..."

Yes, if you try to take the characters seriously it goes against all I believe about commitments.

Katy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "...Good point about the shallow characters, wish I’d seen your comments before I read, wouldn’t have been so bored with the characters! ..."

Yes, if you try to take the charact..."

Same here.

#1 Carol

#3 Book Gaudy Night This book took me a long time to read but was well worth the time invested. More a study of female academia in the 1930s than a mystery. Finished 25/2. 5★

So glad you enjoyed it!

#15 CindySR

Suds in Your Eye

My second Book Pool book but it was a DNF for me.

review of sorts: I could only find the play version of this and I just can't read it in that form.

CindySR wrote: "#15 CindySR

Suds in Your Eye

My second Book Pool book but it was a DNF for me.

review of sorts: I could only find the play version of this and I just can't read it in that form."

Sorry it was disappointing, but good on you for pulling the plug if it was becoming a chore! That’s been one of my reading goals the last couple years, only read what brings pleasure or enlightenment - I’ll give it 25-75 pp to see if it’s working, but if not, put it aside and move on.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "#1 Carol

#3 Book Gaudy Night This book took me a long time to read but was well worth the time invested. More a study of female academia in the 1930s than a mystery. Finished 25/2. 5★"
One of my favorites in the Lord Peter mysteries- a fascinating world, and a chance to know Harriet better.

#20 Tania.

My first book pool read was Dear Hugo by Molly Clavering. I've been wanting to read her since reading about her on the Furrowed Middllebrow blog, so I'm very pleased that they've decided to re-publish some of her novels. 4*s. My (rambling) review here, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Tania wrote: "#20 Tania.

My first book pool read was Dear Hugo by Molly Clavering. I've been wanting to read her since reading about her on the Furrowed Middllebrow blog, so I'm..."
So glad you enjoyed it, I found it delightful!

Tania wrote: "#20 Tania.

My first book pool read was Dear Hugo by Molly Clavering. I've been wanting to read her since reading about her on the Furrowed Middllebrow blog, so I'm..."

Great review- I rambled and gushed, you were much more succinct! ;)

Thanks Susan. I'm looking forward to exploring more of this list, and there are a few on here that have been languishing on my kindle or bookcase for too long.

Elinor, #12…Just finished my first book in the pool on February 28, a long and complex and highly enjoyable reread of Gaudy Night. Gee, that Dorothy L. Sayers knew how to wield a pen (or was it a typewriter?) I went through a period in my youth where even I had a mad crush on Peter Wimsey. My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I see that I inadvertently copied your term “tour de force,” Abigail, but that surely describes it.

Five stars for Gaudy Night.

Elinor wrote: "Elinor, #12…Just finished my first book in the pool on February 28, a long and complex and highly enjoyable reread of Gaudy Night. Gee, that Dorothy L. Sayers knew how to wield a pen (or was it a t..."

Great review, Elinor, might be time for a reread when I finish my current backlog of books. I love mysteries, but after reading Sayers, so many come off weak by comparison.

Oh my gosh, I had a crush on Peter too! But we were in good company, I believe Dorothy herself was rather fond…in my defense, I think I was in high school when PBS Masterpiece Mystery broadcast the Lord Peter mysteries here with Edward Petherbridge, so helped my crush along! ;) I actually bought the DVDs of those shows several years ago, it was Strong Poison, Have His Carcase and Gaudy Night - great scenery and acting.

#5--Barb in Maryland

Book #2--Dear Hugo
What an absolute delight! 4 shiny stars.
Review to come--but it will probably read a lot like Abigail's and Susan (NC)'s.

Ok - list updated - let me know if I have missed anyone!

Barb in Maryland wrote: "#5--Barb in Maryland

Book #2--Dear Hugo
What an absolute delight! 4 shiny stars.
Review to come--but it will probably read a lot like Abigail's and Su..."

Oh, Barb, so glad you enjoyed it! This Book Pool is great fun, but my TBR pile is getting more ridiculous by the day…;)

#9 Jenn

Book 3: Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade

Like others, I've long been a fan of the filmed version of this, but had never gotten around to reading the book. It's been on my shelf for ages, but I think I was a little concerned that I might not find Mame on the page as enchanting. Totally worried for nothing! It was tons of fun and read so quickly. Very funny and completely enjoyable.

Jenn wrote: "#9 Jenn

Book 3: Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade

Like others, I've long been a fan of the filmed version of this, but had never gotten around to reading the book. It's been on my..."

I've added this to your total. Jenn!

#12 Elinor -- Just finished Dear Hugo by Molly Clavering, number 10 on the list and #2 for my reading.

Sweet and often humorous, this novel was filled with pathos as a plucky young woman with lots of grit struggles to overcome her grief after the death of her lover in the Second World War. I gave it four stars. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Elinor wrote: "#12 Elinor -- Just finished Dear Hugo by Molly Clavering, number 10 on the list and #2 for my reading.

Sweet and often humorous, this novel was filled with pathos as a plucky young..."

Added to your total Elinor. :)

#2 here, clocking in book #3: Village School by Miss Read. 3 stars. Made me more sad than comfy; reviewed here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Abigail wrote: "#2 here, clocking in book #3: Village School by Miss Read. 3 stars. Made me more sad than comfy; reviewed here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...."

Added yours Abigail, as well as mine.

#1 Book 4 An Episode of Sparrows. Had a lot of charm 4.5★ Finished 9/3

I just ordered An Episode of Sparrows! Hope to get to it soon.

Abigail wrote: "I just ordered An Episode of Sparrows! Hope to get to it soon."
that looks good!

#10 Véro
Book 02 - Lost Horizon - 3.5* (read 13 Mar)
Finally read this 1933 adventure that brought the notion of Shangri-la to the world. Old style and entertaining (apart from the few sexist and racist comments, sadly often found in older texts). I’m pleased I finally read it. It all comes down to the question: “would you stay in Shangri-la?” :O)

Review

Veronique wrote: "#10 Véro
Book 02 - Lost Horizon - 3.5* (read 13 Mar)
Finally read this 1933 adventure that brought the notion of Shangri-la to the world. Old style and entertaining (apart from the ..."

Added to your tally, Vero!

I'm hoping to get to this title later in the year.

Thank you :O)

#1
Book 5 The Maltese Falcon Can see why this is a classic of the genre. In spite of the racism & sexism I really enjoyed this! Finished 21/3 4.5★

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "#1
Book 5 The Maltese Falcon Can see why this is a classic of the genre. In spite of the racism & sexism I really enjoyed this! Finished 21/3 4.5★"

I have watched the movie (with Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade) a goodly number of times, but have never read the book. Did the movie makers change a lot or stick pretty close to the book?

I've never seen the movie, but a friend of mine has told me that a significant amount of the (excellent) dialogue from the final chapter made it to the movie.

thanks to everyone who posted about it, I am currently reading
Dear Hugo and am not only enjoying it, but really excited to have found yet another author I love. I hope she wrote a lot more books!

Jackie wrote: "thanks to everyone who posted about it, I am currently reading
Dear Hugo and am not only enjoying it, but really excited to have found yet another author I love. I hope she wrote a..."

Don’t you love when that happens? :O)
Haven’t heard of this author but shall definitely have a look.

Jackie wrote, “I hope she wrote a lot more books!”

Molly Clavering has about ten novels of this type, I believe, and one nonfiction about the area where she lived, plus some serialized fiction of novelette length that may not be currently available. Like you, I am excited to read more!

Jackie wrote: "thanks to everyone who posted about it, I am currently reading
Dear Hugo and am not only enjoying it, but really excited to have found yet another author I love. I hope she wrote a..."

Oh, I love when that happens- when I came across the description of the book, I thought it sounded delightful and something I’d enjoy, that’s why I threw it in the pool! 😂

Especially lately, I feel the need for comfort and humor reads…

#4

Book #2 Ross Poldark
4 stars

I liked this a lot and have Demelza, so will definitely continue with the series.

Carolien wrote: "#4

Book #2 Ross Poldark
4 stars

I liked this a lot and have Demelza, so will definitely continue with the series."

I've added to your score Carolien!

I've just finished Jeremy Poldark (third in the series) and found the series was still compelling. I'm intending to get to Warleggan this year.

#2 here, recording my 4th book read: Dear Hugo by Molly Clavering. Like other readers in the group, I loved this book and am excited to find a new beloved author, though I took issue with the ending. Four stars, my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

#15

3rd pool book:

The Moffats (The Moffats, #1)
by Eleanor Estes, Louis Slobodkin (Illustrator)

4 stars
short review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Dear Hugo sounds really good, found it online so will go for it soon!