2/28/2012 - Farrar, Straus and Giroux
(description)
Coral Glynn arrives at Hart House, an isolated manse in the English
countryside, early in the very wet spring of 1950, to nurse the elderly
Mrs. Hart, who is dying of cancer. Hart House is also inhabited by Mrs.
Prence, the perpetually disgruntled housekeeper, and Major Clement Hart,
Mrs. Hart’s war-ravaged son, who is struggling to come to terms with
his latent homosexuality. When a child’s game goes violently awry in the
woods surrounding Hart House, a great shadow—love, perhaps—descends
upon its inhabitants. Like the misguided child’s play, other seemingly
random events—a torn dress, a missing ring, a lost letter—propel Coral
and Clement into the dark thicket of marriage.
A period novel observed through a refreshingly gimlet eye, Coral Glynn explores how quickly need and desire can blossom into love, and just as quickly transform into something less categorical. Borrowing from themes and characters prevalent in the work of mid-twentieth-century British women writers, Peter Cameron examines how we live and how we love—with his customary empathy and wit.
A period novel observed through a refreshingly gimlet eye, Coral Glynn explores how quickly need and desire can blossom into love, and just as quickly transform into something less categorical. Borrowing from themes and characters prevalent in the work of mid-twentieth-century British women writers, Peter Cameron examines how we live and how we love—with his customary empathy and wit.
The cover suggests an ominous situation - a hovering shadow over a sleeping girl, but the book description suggests otherwise. Hope you get and enjoy this interesting novel!
ReplyDeleteOh wow this sounds really deep and emotional!
ReplyDeleteGiselle
Xpresso Reads
This definitely sounds like a book that I need to read when it comes out! Thanks for sharing it. I had not heard of it before.
ReplyDeleteI like the sound and "look" of this one. From one of our most repressed periods in the 20th C. (IMO), this one could be uniquely captivating.
ReplyDeleteI like the reading about the period of the 40s and 50s lately...this one is definitely going on my list!
Thanks!
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That sounds great! I love the title and the cover too.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds pretty interesting to me too!
ReplyDeleteThe cover looks intriguing. I like the description as well, it sounds like a book in the realm of Mary Stewart or Victoria Holt. I love their 1960's novels!
ReplyDeleteThis does sound good Diane. I hadn't heard of it before but I'll be watching for it now.
ReplyDeleteWow, this sounds very unusual. I'm intrigued, and looking forward to your review!
ReplyDeleteThis caught my eye would love to read it, thanks! for sharing.
ReplyDeletehttp://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2011/12/waiting-on-wednesday.html
This sounds really intriguing. I hadn't heard of this one previously, either.
ReplyDeleteSounds like another fascinating book.
ReplyDeleteI like period novels every once in a while...sounds good.
ReplyDeleteI do not know this author but Farrar Strauss is a publisher I trust. Good tip.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I haven't heard of this one, but it sounds so interesting (and a perfect winter read). What is it about winter that makes me crave books set in the European countryside?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not something I would've come across on my own, but I like the premise behind it!
ReplyDeleteHave an amazing reading week!
- Asher (from Paranormal Indulgence)
Have you looked up Peter Cameron's website? He lists his "Pantheon" of writers who've inspired him, including several female English novelists. Some of the writers have been forgotten, but wrote terrific books worth reading today. And obviously they were an inspiration for Coral Glynn!
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