Persephone Readathon Open Post Days 8-10

Welcome back, readathoners!

Here’s where you can share what you’re up to on days 8-10 of the #PersephoneReadathon.

I’ll be updating this post, so make sure to check back often.

(Don’t forget to check out the previous open posts for days 5-7 and days 2-4)

February 10th Update: I can’t believe it’s the penultimate day of the readathon. I hope you’ve enjoyed these last ten days as much as I have!

February 9th Update: We’re entering the final stretch of the readathon! Have you accomplished as much reading as you’d hoped?

Day 9 Recap

Here are the latest posts from our fellow participants:

-At the Captive Reader, Claire has ranked her Favourite Persephones (So far)

-Chris from The Book Trunk reviewed Making Conversation by Christine Langford

-Another Ranking Persephones post, this one from Annabel of Annabookbel

-Melody of Melody’s Blog has written a review of The Young Pretenders by Edith Henrietta Fowler

–Fran from Fran Laniado- Author and Nirmala from Red Lips and Bibliomaniacs have both reviewed The Shuttle by Frances Hodgson Burnett

(Day 10) Reader’s Request: Name a book or author you wish Persephone Books published

Although it’s not in danger of being out of print, I’d love to see a Persephone edition of The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery.

As for a neglected work I’d love to see reprinted, I browsed some of Scott of Furrowed Middlebrow‘s book lists for ideas.

Here are a few of the books I would love to see in Persephone grey*:

-War on Saturday Week by Ruth Adam (1937)

“Follows a group of siblings from childhood during World War I to the outbreak of World War II.”

–A Wreath for the Enemy by Pamela Frankau (1954)

“It’s a gorgeous novel about a young girl’s life-altering experiences one summer in the bohemian Riviera hotel owned by her parents.”

-The Town House by Norah Lofts (1959)

“The first of three novels comprising Lofts’ Suffolk Trilogy, The Town House traces 500 years in the life of a 14th century house, including both romantic and supernatural elements.”

–The Love-Child by Edith Olivier (1927)

“A delightful fantasy about a lonely thirty-something spinster whose childhood imaginary friend, lost for years, seems to return, gradually becoming flesh and blood. Funny, charming, and melancholy at the same time, it belongs with Lolly Willowes and Lady Into Fox among the fantasy-themed classics of the 1920s.”

–Cousin Harriet by Susan Tweedsmuir (1957)

“Set in the Victorian period and written in a typically Victorian, epistolary style, Cousin Harriet reads like a lost 19th century classic—undoubtedly too scandalous to be published in its time. Following the difficulties of a smart, moral young woman living at home with her father as she tries to help a female cousin pregnant out of wedlock, the novel’s style lends it a sense of immediacy and gives the reader a feeling of having glimpsed a reality hidden from public view.”

*All synopses written by Scott and quoted from http://furrowedmiddlebrow.blogspot.com

 

---

Day 8 Recap

Some recent posts by readathoners:

-Simon at Stuck in a Book decided to rank all of the Persephone Books he has read

-Audrey shared some Lovely Endpapers over at Books as Food

-At She Reads Novels, Helen has reviewed The Crowded Street by Winifred Holtby

-Ali of Heavenali discussed The Journey Home and Other Stories by Malachi Whitaker 

(Day 9) Beautiful Endpapers: Show us a photo of your current book’s endpapers/your favorite Persephone endpapers/or design your own endpapers

Here are some of my current favorite endpapers:

 

 

 

From L to R: Cheerful Weather for the Wedding, Mariana, The Montana Stories, Few Eggs and No Oranges

 

 

From L to R: Making Conversations, The Village, Good Evening Mrs. Craven: The Wartime Stories of Mollie Panter-Downes, The Far Cry, The Winds of Heaven

Do you spy any of your favorites here?

---

 

Day 7 Recap

It’s hard to believe it’s already day eight! How’s your reading going? What are you enjoying most about your current read?

I’ve just started Guard Your Daughters by Diana Tutton and am already in love with the entire Harvey family.

Here are a few of the latest posts published by lovely readathoners (plus a couple I hadn’t shared from earlier in the week):

-Karen at Books and Me!!! has posted a review of Still Missing by Beth Gutcheon

–Lady Rose and Mrs. Memmary by Ruby Ferguson has been reviewed by Karen at Books and Chocolate

-Helen at She Reads Novels shared a roundup of past Persephone reviews

-Over at Red Lips and Bibliomaniacs, Nirmala reviewed William- An Englishman by Cicely Hamilton

 

(Day 8) Page to Screen: Share the Persephone title you would most like to see adapted for the screen. Include your dream cast if you’d like.

Having just finished Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski, I think it could make for an interesting and engrossing film. There is plenty of drama and suspense as well as quieter thought-provoking moments and emotional gut punches.

As for casting, I could see James Norton as Hilary Wainwright. I think he could pull off the wide-ranging emotions the character experiences. He would also make for a very sympathetic but flawed figure.

According to the book’s afterward, Laski did sell the rights to the film only to be incredibly upset when it was turned into a musical featuring Bing Crosby. (And who can blame her, that sounds like a terrible fit!!)

 

 

Other books I’d love to see adapted include:

High Wages by Dorothy Whipple- I haven’t yet read this one, but I am always here for period dramas set in the fashion world and featuring women entrepreneurs/creators/designers.

I think a dramatized TV series loosely based on London War Notes by Mollie Panter-Downes and/or Few Eggs and No Oranges by Vere Hodgson would make for fascinating viewing. I can’t get enough of stories set on the home front during WWII, and am still mad that Home Fires was canceled.

What about you? Would you watch any of these adaptations?

And here’s my post about the adaptations that have actually been made From Page to Screen: Persephone Book Adaptations

 

Header Image Credit: Jo Copestick http://www.veryenglish.co.uk

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave