Friday, January 04, 2008

On Angela Thirkell

The New York Times has published a nice piece on Angela Thirkell, who between 1933 and 1961 wrote 29 books set in fictional Barsetshire, England.

I read a couple of Thirkells many moons ago and enjoyed them; this article makes me want to get back to reading more. They reminded me a bit of books by Miss Read, with a dash of Betty Neels thrown in on the side.

If you like cozy books set in Britain, Thirkell might be up your alley.

5 Comments:

Blogger Irene said...

This is an author I was not acquainted with so thanks for the link. What caught my eye in your blog was the name Betty Neels. I was a huge fan of hers and miss her books now that she has passed away. They were certainly different from other romance novels, very chaste and pure with the man (usually a tall, older Dutch doctor declaring his love on the last page or two to the more often than not homely, slightly overweight girl, usually a nurse). I loved it!

County of Los Angeles library lists her books but shows all but one as unavailable. So I have requested the one they do have to give it a try. Long Beach library has 27 of them.

6:59 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Fun to discover another common interest, Irene! Betty Neels books are my "comfort reading." I love them, especially all the British lingo ("hoovering" the floor and taking a break for "elevenses"). A friend of mine discovered that some of her books had the British terms changed when they were reissued, which we found rather horrifying...takes a lot of the character out of the books. (As I recall, the same thing happened with at least some of the Harry Potter books.) I have a longing for an Aga stove as a result of Neels' books (grin).

You described the Neels books well! I have collected all but a handful of her oldest titles. Although they are all very similar, they are also all so delightful -- real treasures.

Enjoy trying Thirkell!

Best wishes,
Laura

7:30 PM  
Blogger jau said...

She sounds wonderful!! I'll have to take a look. I love Miss Read (and Jane Austen), so I might like these too. Thanks!!!!!

10:39 AM  
Blogger Laura said...

Hope you enjoy them! :)

Best wishes,
Laura

2:49 PM  
Blogger Magpie said...

I just discovered her - through the Klinkenborg piece - I'm reading the first one - it's charming.

11:17 AM  

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