This was me this afternoon. Try as I might, I just could not get into Love's Shadow by Ada Leverson. Yes, the delicious pink cover looked stunning on my bedside table but past that...nothing. For two days I've struggled and today, in horror, I realized that I was only on page 19. This was supposed to be a read-along with Kristina, I've already sent her an email with the disappointing news that, as they say on Dragon's Den...'I'm out!' (with an apology of course). This is surely a case of right book, wrong mood. On a bright note though, Kristina really enjoyed Dorothy Whipple's, High Wages. Which, as luck would have it, was sitting on my bookcase. What a contrast! In no time at all I was at the end of chapter three with a vivid picture in my mind as to the characters, the shop's interior and the starkness of Jane's bedroom. This story is fitting the bill perfectly and has me thoroughly engaged. It simply wouldn't do to begin a new year reading something less than the perfect book...and Dorothy Whipple has certainly offered that.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Leverson vs Whipple
This was me this afternoon. Try as I might, I just could not get into Love's Shadow by Ada Leverson. Yes, the delicious pink cover looked stunning on my bedside table but past that...nothing. For two days I've struggled and today, in horror, I realized that I was only on page 19. This was supposed to be a read-along with Kristina, I've already sent her an email with the disappointing news that, as they say on Dragon's Den...'I'm out!' (with an apology of course). This is surely a case of right book, wrong mood. On a bright note though, Kristina really enjoyed Dorothy Whipple's, High Wages. Which, as luck would have it, was sitting on my bookcase. What a contrast! In no time at all I was at the end of chapter three with a vivid picture in my mind as to the characters, the shop's interior and the starkness of Jane's bedroom. This story is fitting the bill perfectly and has me thoroughly engaged. It simply wouldn't do to begin a new year reading something less than the perfect book...and Dorothy Whipple has certainly offered that.
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I'm glad that it wasn't just me - I didn't really get into Love's Shadow either which dsisappointed me as pink is my favourite colour and that cover is delicious! But as you say, you can't go wrong with Whipple - I'm glad you are enjoying it! I want to read more of her - I've read all of the Persephones now including the short stories.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I have Love's Shadow to read and now I think if two of my most trusted reading friends don't like it, I won't either! I am very disappointed I didn't get High Wages for Christmas and now I can't buy any books I can't buy it for myself. I shall have to wait for my birthday! I'm glad it's going to be worth the wait!
ReplyDeleteverity, For the time being, our delicious pink covered books will have to be employed simply as 'eye candy'. All the Persephones...you amaze me!
ReplyDeleteRachel, The writing seemed quite affected which may not be bad if it were striking me as funny...but it wasn't. Also, there wasn't enough description of character for me to cement an image, therefore, I found myself daydreaming instead of focusing. There literally was a story going on and I felt out of the loop! I thought it was just me in a mood but Verity seems to me with me on this one.
You are in for a treat with High Wages, defo worth the wait!
Too bad Love's Shadow didn't work out. But I'm so glad Dorothy Whipple came to the rescue! Isn't she wonderful? Unfortunately, I don't own any more of her books and the entire library system has just a single copy of Someone at a Distance. I'll be catching up on my tbr shelves until summer...
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, Isn't it nice to know that your next read is only a walk through the house to your shelves. And you have such an impressive set of shelves if I can say that in a way so NOT in the form of a line from a 'Carry On...' film!
ReplyDeleteI gave it a go last night and completely agree. I didn't make it much past page 19 either. We definitely need a new book :) K x
ReplyDeleteKristina, Phew...I felt just terrible about it! We'll put our heads together in an email to come up with a winner. x
ReplyDeleteTo bad it didn't click but sometimes timing is really everything. Maybe if you come back to it later. There's nothing worse than forcing yourself to read a book you really aren't into at the moment. I need to read something by Dorothy Whipple. (Let's see, I've just visited how many blogs this afternoon and said that same thing--but different books of course). Love the picture by the way--where did you find it?
ReplyDeleteI started reading "High Wages" - my first Whipple - last night. I too got hooked straight away and can picture the characters wonderfully clearly.
ReplyDeleteDanielle, Timing is everything isn't it, I will definitely try Love's Shadow again some other time. The picture is from Google images, I typed in something like reto woman reading...voila!
ReplyDeleteskirmishofwit, Hi there, nice of you to stop by! I'm so glad that you're enjoying High Wages, I couldn't wait to get home from work to dive back in.
Oh no, I loved Love's Shadow! Not quite the same tone as the rest of the series, so I can understand why you might not like it - but I loved the humour. Sharper and more sardonic than the sort of humour you get in, say, Miss Hargreaves.
ReplyDeleteOh, and this is also to let you know I've tagged you in a meme! Have a go if you think it looks fun, and let me know if you do... enjoy!
Info. here: http://stuck-in-a-book.blogspot.com/2010/01/tag.html
Simon
I suppose I cannot put off Whipple much longer. I am so glad she came to the rescue! I have had a couple of those 'right book, wrong mood' and it reminds me of when someone is breaking it off with a significant other and says 'I swear it's not you. It's me'. Only in this case it is true:)
ReplyDeleteI know just how you feel. I've been having trouble getting into an old virago, Jenny Wren, when suddenly I came across a D.E. Stevenson book at the library and it fit the bill perfectly.
ReplyDelete