Amazing how much marriage defined women's lives in those times. My maternal grandmother was born into a nouveau-riche family in 1900 and married the son of a successful florist. My paternal grandparents originally, in the 1910-20s, lived next door to each other in a working class area of Battersea but had to move a few years after my father was born because the whole area was bombed during WWII. War. Gender. Class. Marriage. Forces like that defined their lives.
My mother was born in 1920 to servants on a big estate in Essex. She met my father working in the Air Ministry in 1938, he had come from a wealthy family fallen on hard times. Public school educated. His mother took my mum out to lunch to try to stop the marriage. 'You'll be a Millstone round his neck.' She wasn't....class, marriage...
Yes I loved her. Seems to me there are two key, & incredibly visual, tableaux in that book: the face-off betw adult Catherine & child Hester, every fibre of Hester alert & on guard - I can just see the two faces in the dark - & then that scene with Hester clinging to Catherine’s arm & primevally needing to be with her & give to/ join with her. With all the rest of the novel tevolving around those two confrontations.
It was brilliant. The awful Edward’s hysteria, incl. his sexual hysteria, all suggested, not stated; and dear Harry, and his decentness. I loved the open ending as well.
A lovely post, Sarah. Like Laura Thompson I've long been intrigued by the idea of Dorothy Whipple's novels so your post has encouraged me to embark on The Priory. So exciting about the audiobook! Do let me know if you have a free moment for a cup of tea in the UL if you're coming to Cambridge.
Much looking forward to publication of your book - (already ordered but will have to listen to your very own audio book too!) and meanwhile hugely enjoying your sub stack
Thank you for yet another recommendation, Sarah. I’ve just finished Hester on your recommendation (I would probably never have read it but for you), & now another enchanting recommendation. Bravo! And your own book is obviously going to be great. What riches. Thank you!
Amazing how much marriage defined women's lives in those times. My maternal grandmother was born into a nouveau-riche family in 1900 and married the son of a successful florist. My paternal grandparents originally, in the 1910-20s, lived next door to each other in a working class area of Battersea but had to move a few years after my father was born because the whole area was bombed during WWII. War. Gender. Class. Marriage. Forces like that defined their lives.
My mother was born in 1920 to servants on a big estate in Essex. She met my father working in the Air Ministry in 1938, he had come from a wealthy family fallen on hard times. Public school educated. His mother took my mum out to lunch to try to stop the marriage. 'You'll be a Millstone round his neck.' She wasn't....class, marriage...
Still so shocking to hear stories like that. Great to hear that your parents resisted the pressure to break up though.
Your book looks gorgeous. (And how superb reading your own audiobook.)
Thank you! It is all extremely exciting. I feel like a six year old waiting for Christmas
Love all Dorothy Whipple’s books, so glad they are still available.
Yes I loved her. Seems to me there are two key, & incredibly visual, tableaux in that book: the face-off betw adult Catherine & child Hester, every fibre of Hester alert & on guard - I can just see the two faces in the dark - & then that scene with Hester clinging to Catherine’s arm & primevally needing to be with her & give to/ join with her. With all the rest of the novel tevolving around those two confrontations.
It was brilliant. The awful Edward’s hysteria, incl. his sexual hysteria, all suggested, not stated; and dear Harry, and his decentness. I loved the open ending as well.
A lovely post, Sarah. Like Laura Thompson I've long been intrigued by the idea of Dorothy Whipple's novels so your post has encouraged me to embark on The Priory. So exciting about the audiobook! Do let me know if you have a free moment for a cup of tea in the UL if you're coming to Cambridge.
I will. The immediate reason for coming to Cambridge has disappeared, but I'm still thinking about some archives that might need visiting
Wonderful!
Wow - recording your own audiobook, that's quite something!
I am genuinely, massively excited!
Thank you for the introduction to Dorothy Whipple. The passage you quoted is stunningly vivid in its grimness.
This is fascinating and congratulations on the audiobook.
My husband is watching it!! Also, how neat that you will read the audio version of your book. I love this.
It's not really my thing. I close my eyes and block my ears whenever the planes are over Germany pursued by fighters...but I liked that line...
Much looking forward to publication of your book - (already ordered but will have to listen to your very own audio book too!) and meanwhile hugely enjoying your sub stack
Pists
Thank you for yet another recommendation, Sarah. I’ve just finished Hester on your recommendation (I would probably never have read it but for you), & now another enchanting recommendation. Bravo! And your own book is obviously going to be great. What riches. Thank you!
That's lovely, thank you! Did you like Hester? I was amazed to read a Victorian novel about a successful businesswoman! Good old Mrs Oliphant.