Claire’s Corner

Posted on | April 21, 2010 | 20 Comments

Have you seen Nymeth’s 1930s Mini-Challenge? I require no additional encouragement to read from the time period (I love inter-war literature) so I shall definitely be participating, especially when all that is required is to read one book during a three month period (beginning this week), which helpfully overlaps with Persephone Reading Week. Excluding those Persephone Books that easily meet the requirement, I hope to pick up some Jean Rhys, Colette, and Virginia Woolf novels from that decade and also view it as the ideal opportunity to finally read my copy of Save Me the Waltz by Zelda Fitzgerald, published in 1934. The Thirties is such a rich setting and period for literature and it is hardly surprising that my favourite imprints -Virago, Persephone, Vintage and Penguin Modern Classics- all broadly publish novels and short stories from that era.

Colette’s Claudine novels don’t fit the time period as they come from earlier in the century but I could not resist the photo-op of four beloved book covers of mine. In 2001 Vintage Books reissued a selection of Colette’s literature with Ian Bilbey illustrations gracing the covers; I think that the bright images capture the vibrancy of Colette’s work and they are by far some of my favourite books in my collection (and contribute greatly to a number of my coloured bookshelves). Often books you buy hold a cherished memory or significance and my Claudine novels have a story attached to them; in the year they were published I bought the four above for a friend’s 21st birthday but shortly after we went our separate ways and I inherited four beautiful novels as a result (every cloud has a silver lining). As it is I have only read the first two in the series (and some others written by Colette) but have always been meaning to immerse myself more deeply in her writing. The stars aligned and this post by Eva of A Striped Armchair prompted part of this post by me and now this current one; expect more Colette on my blog in the future, both rereads and continuation of the Claudine novels and those from her oeuvre that may fit into Nymeth’s challenge.

The above is a fitting decision because recently I have been reflecting on why I have been neglecting those authors on my bookshelves whose entire back catalogue I have sought out but not yet fully read. I struggle between the desire to devour a writer’s work or to exhibit restraint and ration it, eking the books out over a long period of time. I am enjoying new, contemporary fiction but I’m also anxious to return to my roots of classic -mainly twentieth century- literature. It’s a cheery thought but I could easily be hit by a bus tomorrow (or plummet to my death in an aeroplane whose engines shut down due to volcanic ash, the day after that) so I shouldn’t deprive myself of the books I have been hoarding for a rainy day. The rainy days are here and I am going to submerge myself deeply in authors that I already know, whilst still -but less often- discovering new ones.

As for trusted presses, time period and authors, Persephone Books have published their two newest choices for spring and summer, which are available to order in time for forthcoming Persephone Reading Week. I am particularly excited about Still Missing by Beth Gutcheon, which Rachel of Book Snob reviewed today.

Comments

20 Responses to “Claire’s Corner”

Sakura
April 21st, 2010 @ 5:22 pm

I couldn’t resist The 1930s Mini-Challenge either, although I’ll probably be reading mysteries set during this period. It will be interesting to see everyone’s selection. Your collection of Collettes reminded me of my collection of Anthony Powells and C.P. Snows…I must start on them one day.
Jenny
April 21st, 2010 @ 5:31 pm

I LOVE those covers. I covet those covers. (Had to say that!) I haven’t been very inclined to read Colette in the past, but now I kind of want to love her just so I’ll have an excuse to order those books.
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
April 21st, 2010 @ 6:03 pm

I’m a big hoarder of books from my favourite authors. I am actually scared to read a lot of them, fearing that they won’t live up to my expectations.
Simon T
April 21st, 2010 @ 6:33 pm

Too easy – I’m always reading books from the 1930s! But I will pick one specifically, and I got it from the library yesterday – Images in a Mirror by Sigrid Undset.
tea lady (the glittering burn)
April 21st, 2010 @ 6:55 pm

I was so thrilled when Vintage republished these as they seemed to be out of print for a while (UNbelievable…)

I am particularly fond of the old orange-spined penguin editions too.

Colette is wonderful.
JoAnn
April 21st, 2010 @ 6:56 pm

That’s a challenge I could complete without even trying! I’ve been thinking of reading Colette, too..
vivienne
April 21st, 2010 @ 7:38 pm

I just love those book covers, they are awesome. I have joined Nymeth’s 1930′s challenge too. I plan to read Nightingale Wood by Stella Gibbons for it.
Rachel
April 21st, 2010 @ 7:48 pm

Thanks for the mention Claire! I will be after the Irene Nemirovsky for my birthday – I love her writing.

What gorgeous covers! I’ve never read any Colette – I must find out more. I am so the same as you – I’m a terrible hoarder. I have practically everything Margaret Atwood has ever written and I’ve only read about three of them. Why? I don’t know. Same with Elizabeth Taylor. At least I’m now starting to get through some of my backlog!
Nymeth
April 21st, 2010 @ 8:28 pm

Thank you for the mention, Claire! I so love those Colette editions. And I completely understand wanting to both consume everything a favourite author has written and wanting to ration yet. I do the latter too much, and like you I think I should rethink that.
Aarti
April 21st, 2010 @ 10:20 pm

Gah, I have NEVER read Collette! Can you believe it? Travesty, I know. I hope to, especially when with such an excellent cover on it!

I also sometimes get many books by one author and then take forever to read them. For example, I have almost every book Heyer has ever written, but haven’t read all of them yet. And I have tons of Sayers I haven’t read, either!
Claire (The Captive Reader)
April 21st, 2010 @ 10:59 pm

I loved the Claudine novels when I was in school and read and reread them countless times. Perhaps it’s time to finally buy my own copies because those covers are wonderful and had somehow escaped my notice until now. Yes, a purchase and a reread sounds like just the thing…
Becky from Page Turners
April 21st, 2010 @ 11:39 pm

I love those covers, and I have never heard of the author so I will definitely keep my eyes out for them.
Paperback Reader
April 22nd, 2010 @ 12:20 am

Sakura, I don’t read crime novels often but I have been tempted by Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries and they would fit the challenge.

Jenny, they aren’t the most readily available books/covers any longer but when one covets a cover (hee), one must have it.

Jackie, I feel likewise and fear being disappointed by favourite writers so I procrastinate over reading more by them just in case.

Simon, not so much of a challenge for you! I’m not familiar with Sigrid Undset so will be interested in your thoughts.

tea lady, I also own some of the old Penguin Colette editions. She is indeed wonderful and her work should be more well-known and read than it is.

JoAnn, it should be an easy challenge for us… yet still fun.

Vivienne, aren’t they funky? Nightingale Wood will be perfect for the challenge; it evokes the period particularly well.

Rachel, I haven’t read any Nemirovsky yet but love the endpapers to the Persephone edition of her stories.

I’m the same with Margaret Atwood; have practically all of her work and read five of her novels. I need to make some headway on my backlog now!

You’re welcome, Ana. It will be good to create some balance, I feel, between the new and the old (authors).

Aarti, I haven’t read any Heyer or Sayers! There are always gaps, no matter the reader. When there’s a great cover though, it really is a travesty…

Claire, that definitely sounds like just the thing! I couldn’t keep these fabulous covers to myself.

Becky, you simply must look out for Colette; her books are growing a little hard to come by but are so completely worth it.
Eva
April 22nd, 2010 @ 1:54 am

I’m jealous of those editions! I’ll be picking up Claudine in Paris this week, and I can’t wait to catch back up with her.

This’ll be my 4th Colette book, and I love working through her oevre too! Definitely books I want to own one day, when I have my ideal library.
Mark David
April 22nd, 2010 @ 4:34 am

Oooh, very pretty covers! Though I must say they’re not exactly the kind of covers I’d want to be seen holding outside the house, hehe.

I haven’t read a Colette before, but you’ve got me interested. Thanks
bybee
April 22nd, 2010 @ 4:41 am

Those covers are tasty. Down, inner biblio-monster! Down!
Literary Kitty
April 22nd, 2010 @ 11:26 am

I love the covers too. I’m a bit of a 1930s style-fiend. Loving the idea of the mini-challenge!
Andreea
April 22nd, 2010 @ 11:33 am

I have these books on my wishlist and hopefully, I will read them in the near future.
Verity
April 22nd, 2010 @ 12:38 pm

These are beautiful books!

I’m so excited about the new Persephones – let’s hope that Royal Mail don’t strike or do anything silly before they arrive
Stujallen
April 22nd, 2010 @ 3:51 pm

great choice claire ,love the bright covers on these so cheerful