Persephone Give-Away

Posted on | May 3, 2010 | 34 Comments

I posted the above pile of Persephone Books a couple of weeks ago as those that were tempting me most for Persephone Reading Week. Of course, I’m a fickle thing and I have been tempted by others since … Both of the Spring/Summer Persephones were awaiting my return from Glasgow last week so I have both Still Missing by Beth Gutcheon (for which you can read a glowing pre-Persephone Reading Week review of here) and Dimanche and Other Stories by Irène Némirovsky to look forward to. I also met with Teresa of Shelf Love on Friday for her first visit to the Persephone shop whilst she was in London (she twisted my arm) and succumbed to the temptation of Brook Evans, a Persephone that has been whispering to me seductively for the longest time and which I am now currently immersed in. With three new Persephones and a further TWENTY-FOUR unread on my grey shelf (which is double-backed these days) I have the biggest dilemma -of the loveliest kind- of what to read this week… That’s where you come in. Not only will you, I am sure, persuade me to spontaneously pick up a Persephone based on your compelling reviews and recommendations but I thought I would open up to ask you which Persephone you would most like me to read and review this week. The most persuasive suggestion wins a Persephone book of their own choice. You have until Thursday 9pm BST to leave a suggestion in my comments and the irresistible offer is open worldwide (P.S. Those books already mentioned by me in this post and those in the photograph can be included as long as you back it up with a reason why).

Category: Challenges, Competitions, Persephone Reading Week
Tags: Persephone Books

Comments

34 Responses to “Persephone Give-Away”

Rachel
May 3rd, 2010 @ 1:28 pm

My favourite Persephone is The Home Maker, and I would love you to read it and be as moved and delighted by it as I was when I first read it. I got it for Christmas a couple of years ago and was so enthralled by the story that I didn’t move from the sofa for a good three hours on Christmas Day afternoon until I’d read it. I get very easily bored by reading in long stretches and other than a brand new Harry Potter, that was the first time I had been so excited by a book that I read it in one sitting. That’s how good it is!

Briefly it’s about a housewife, Eva, and her husband, Lester, who have three children and a largely miserable existence in early 20th century rural New England. Lester hates his job and Eva hates hers; she is ground down by the endless household chores and while she adores her children, is short tempered and irritable with them, so unhappy and unfulfilled by her role as a housewife that she cannot find the patience or good humour to spend time with them and enjoy them as people. As a result her children are alternately rebellious and withdrawn, either defiant towards their fractious and demanding mother or so frightened of her temper that they dare not speak. The home is an awkward and uncomfortable place to be due to Eva’s attitude. When tragedy strikes and Lester injures himself, becoming unable to work, Eva must go out to work in his place in order to keep the family afloat. Surprisingly, both Lester and Eva flourish in their new roles and their lives are revolutionised. Eva finally finds personal fulfilment and the opportunity to use her own strengths in her job, changing her whole outlook on life and helping her to find true happiness amongst her family for the first time. Lester is a wonderful father and manages to draw out the best from his children, and with both parents finally happy, the children are free to enjoy their lives too. It’s such a beautiful novel and so daring too, for the time, in suggesting that not every woman is best off at home, and that men can be just as good at taking care of children than women. I can’t recommend it highly enough and I beg you to give it a go sooner rather than later!
Darlene
May 3rd, 2010 @ 1:53 pm

You’ve placed my choice for you firmly on the top of your stack! While turning the pages of this book, I wondered what you would think of certain characters and situations. The fact that someone writing ‘F**k you, Marghanita Laski’ in a review for Little Boy Lost, promptly had you ordering a copy was an indication of the emotion you like a story to evoke. This book had me running a dialogue, sometimes silently and sometimes not, with several characters as their actions would really have me ticked off! I’ve been dying to know your thoughts on To Bed with Grand Music for months, Claire. Put me out of my misery!
Mae
May 3rd, 2010 @ 2:03 pm

‘The Montana Stories’ by Katharine Mansfield. It can be a small dedication and consolation for us poor folks down here that we don’t have a lovely Persephone store here where we can peruse those lovely grey volumes at our leisure. Stores rarely stock them either.

Also – Katharine Mansfield is a ripper of a writer. How she evokes such senses and emotions in such small amount of words escapes me. And I’ve never heard of this title before.
Michelle N
May 3rd, 2010 @ 2:05 pm

I think you should read There Were No Windows because there’s a character by the name of Claire!
Coops
May 3rd, 2010 @ 2:09 pm

Hi Claire, I’d like you to read Saplings by Noel Streatfeild. I think it’s fantastic, a very powerful and moving book about the impact of adult behaviour upon four children, set in the context of WWII.

In contrast to another excellent Persephone title, Doreen, the “saplings” here are part of an outwardly happy middle-class family, but as in that book the children’s world is disrupted by war but permanently scarred by the decisions that adults make for them.

I knew Streatfeild only as a children’s author (Ballet Shoes et al) and this was a revelation.
Amy
May 3rd, 2010 @ 2:33 pm

Well, phooey. I’ve read no Persephone books so can’t give a good argument for any one of them in particular. But I think you should read one and then persuade me to read it. Because then I might order more Persephone books and talk about them on my blog, and that would be good for publishers, readers, and bloggers, right?
Steph
May 3rd, 2010 @ 2:37 pm

I’d love it if you read and reviewed The Home-Maker, because I have that one in my stack too, and I think it would be great for us to compare and contrast our thoughts on it. Maybe even do a joint post, conversation style (or a Q&A)! I’m all for promoting the heck out of Persephone Reading Week as much as I can!
Verity
May 3rd, 2010 @ 2:45 pm

What a wonderful idea for a giveaway Claire! I won’t enter but I think I’d most like you to read Still missing as it is one of the best books I’ve read this year and I think you’ll enjoy it! (Not very persuasive, but hey…)
Kate
May 3rd, 2010 @ 4:27 pm

Mine is a purely selfish request. I should like you to read and review Bricks and Mortar, if you have a copy, because I’ve been wanting to read it myself for ages but have never once seen a review of it on any book blogs. That sad omission should be corrected!
Thomas at My Porch
May 3rd, 2010 @ 4:30 pm

The Home-Maker. Without question. Not only is it great but it is the one you got for me for the Persephone Secret Santa. Would love to have your insight on it.
kimberly
May 3rd, 2010 @ 4:57 pm

Hello! I didn’t realize The Homemaker was so popular. None of my friends had ever heard of it here in the US. I, too, choose The Homemaker. A couple of years ago, I joined a book group composed of ladies who are all at least 20 years older than me. I am an ‘early 30′ and the ladies range from their 50s-80s. We only read books from around the 1860-1920s. I was so scared to recommend a book for the group (we have some feisty discussions!), but when I read The Homemaker, I couldn’t put it down. It made me think so much about gender roles and I couldn’t believe it was written in the 1920s…many ‘truths’ in the book are still ideals we struggle with today. Needless to say, EVERYONE in the book group fell in love with it. Many members say it is their favorite of all books the group has read (the book group started in 2002). We had an amazing discussion about not only the book, but about men and women’s roles at home, Montessori education and family dynamics. I know you will enjoy it!
Bellezza
May 3rd, 2010 @ 5:10 pm

I concur with Rachel, Steph and Thomas. The first Persephone I read was Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day; I found it whimsical and charming, but that’s all.

The Home-Maker, however, is a novel I’ll never forget. I still find myself thinking about it as I move through every day tasks at home: preparing a meal, cleaning the floor, all those various and sundry jobs which are less than fulfilling to me.

The female character here reminds me of my mother. She is a woman who is discontent with her role as home-maker; her distress trickles down to affect the entire home. How ironic then, the lesson that she learns from her husband, in which they both find joy and meaning in their lives.

Not to mention running a perfect home.
Paperback Reader
May 3rd, 2010 @ 5:25 pm

I’m loving reading everyone’s comments and some have been very persuasive… I think I was right to have The Home-Maker as a choice for this week!

Kate, here’s a review of Bricks and Mortar written by Verity last Persephone Reading Week: http://cardigangirlverity.blogspot.com/2009/08/persephone-reading-week-bricks-and.html (it’s not a book I own to be able to read this week).
Simon (Savidge Reads)
May 3rd, 2010 @ 6:37 pm

Ooooh I would love for you to read To Bed With Grand Music by Laski because i have read her other two (and loved them for being so different from each other) and would really like to hear what this one is like. I can’t really say farer than that. Don’t enter me for the drawer though as there are more people much more deserving who dont have six lovely grey covered gems in their house already.

I am not sure which Persephone book I will read this week, the jury is still out. Will see which one grabs me after book group and next part of The Passage.

I am debating which Persephone to give a go this week
Joan Hunter Dunn
May 3rd, 2010 @ 6:40 pm

William An Englishman by Cicely Hamilton would be my request. I so nearly bought it and I’d like to know more about it. Really enjoying the thought and reality of this week. Thank you for organising.
A Bookish Space
May 3rd, 2010 @ 8:03 pm

I haven’t read any Persephone’s yet, so can’t really recommend one for you to read. However, I would love for you to read and review Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day because this is the Persephone I have chosen to read for the Reading Week and I would love to see how our opinions on the book compares.
Rebecca Reid
May 3rd, 2010 @ 8:14 pm

oh my, I wish I’d read some so I could persuade you to read it. As is, I’ll just have to enjoy reading about whatever you post about!
Simon T
May 3rd, 2010 @ 8:27 pm

How to pick, how to pick!
I am going to say The Home-Maker, because it was ahead of its time in the idea of women going to work, and is *still* ahead of its time when it comes to the destigmatisation of the househusband. Also very moving.
C’mon, I must win, I used the word ‘destigmatisation’!
vivienne
May 3rd, 2010 @ 9:19 pm

Well I have just read The Victorian Chaise-Longue by Marghanita Laski and found it so enthralling and very scary. So I definitely want you to read the Marghanita Laski book, so I can decide whether I should buy that one next. Her writing is so enticing, and all I could think of whilst reading it was the quote ‘Come inside,’ said the spider to the fly’ She scared the pants off me and I don’t think I want to put time travelling at the top of my list of things I want to do before I am forty anymore!
Stujallen
May 3rd, 2010 @ 9:23 pm

oh the laski i love know what she is like read her bio on persephone such a interesting charcater all the best stu
JoAnn
May 3rd, 2010 @ 9:51 pm

If I could just sign my name at the bottom of Bellezza’s comment, I would. Miss Pettigrew was my first Persephone, too – whimsical, charming, utterly delightful. But The Home-Maker is an another league altogether. You simply MUST read it!
Katherine
May 3rd, 2010 @ 10:20 pm

I’d love to see you review Still Missing–I received my copy in the mail today and I’m eagerly waiting to read it (am in the middle of They Were Sisters right now). I’d love to know what you think.
m
May 3rd, 2010 @ 10:42 pm

As some titles seem to come up again and again, and are clearly favourites with everyone, maybe you should pick whatever comes bottom of Simon’s poll and persuade us all to discover a ‘forgotten’ Persephone. Predictably, Miss Pettigrew is way ahead at the moment – but there’s a few that (as yet) don’t have any votes at all.
Ellen B
May 4th, 2010 @ 2:34 am

I have to agree with the many who have voted for The Home-Maker. It is my favorite of the 40 or so Persephones I have read. The ending is amazing. Happy reading whatever you choose.
Sasha
May 4th, 2010 @ 9:16 am

I don’t have anything to recommend, as I have not read any Persephone book. I am dying to, though–but Persephone Books aren’t the easiest things to get where I’m from. I’ve put stars on the posts for the Persephone Week, though, and I try to follow what I can of the conversation, but, of course, the knowledge would be secondhand.

Let me tell you what I do want to read: Dorothy Whipple, and now this book everyone is talking about: The Home-Maker. Something about Persephone just draws me, a trip back to the past, writers I have never heard of before but I know offer so much.

It almost kills me knowing I’m technically disqualified from the contest, haha.

Good luck to everyone!
Paperback Reader
May 4th, 2010 @ 9:51 am

Keep those suggestions coming!

I would like to clarify though (especially for Sasha and Rebecca etc.) that this comp is open to EVERYONE, whether you have read a Persephone or not. I have asked which Persephone you would most like me to read and review this week, which doesn’t mean you have to have read the Persephone in question. Be creative! Is there a Persephone you would love to read yourself but want me to read first of all?
claire (kiss a cloud)
May 4th, 2010 @ 4:23 pm

I won’t recommend The Homemaker because that’s what everyone’s done. And now I want to read it too! But I do want to recommend you read William an Englishman because I’m DYING to know if it’s any good or not. It’s been enticing me for months but I haven’t heard anything about it at all. I’m scared that if I bought it I’d regret it, because maybe the lack of popularity denotes something? But then it sounds so interesting, and why would Persephone pick it as its very first book if it wasn’t that good?
Stephanie
May 5th, 2010 @ 12:33 am

May I please recommend Reuben Sachs by Amy Levy. I bought this book for a beloved friend. I’ve been unable to share and delve into the intracies and many facets of the characters with her as I haven’t read it myself.
Pershone Round-Up #4 | Paperback Reader
May 5th, 2010 @ 12:57 am

[...] Lady of Glittering Burn. This is the Persephone that everyone seems to want to read this week and suggesting for me to read in my [...]
Lisa Almeda Sumner
May 5th, 2010 @ 2:45 am

Dear Claire, will you read with me? I’m reading my first Persephone title, The World That Was Ours by Hilda Bernstein. It is a beautifully written account of an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa. The book begins in 1963, when the writer learns that her husband has been arrested at a political meeting. The Persephone challenge is my first reading challenge ever; I had to choose from the few titles available here in the US, but I’m content with my choice. Still, when I look at the dove-grey volumes stacked up in your photo, I’m envious. I’d like to hold one of those books in my hand. Would it be unfair to ask you to ship it all the way to the US? I would take whichever title you think I’d like best, but the Laski sounds intriguing. If a person could own only one Persephone hardcover, which do you think it should be?
Merenia
May 5th, 2010 @ 1:24 pm

Hi Claire, thank you for such an enjoyable Persephone Week. I am fairly much in lurking mode this time, due to demands of family but am most grateful for the rich pickings…
I would love you to read A House in the Country by Jocelyn Playfair. The title is deceptive, it is far from cosy, it has excellent meta-commentary on the ‘meaning’ of WW2, the main character is perhaps too good, the writing is at times poignant and exquisite and other times really amateur. I would love to hear what you would make of this unusual novel, as your reviews are always astute and eloquent. So far this one hasn’t been on the Persephone Week radars, which adds to my suspense… I would love to hear it discussed.
heather
May 6th, 2010 @ 6:40 pm

I haven’t read Lady Rose and Mrs Memmary by Ruby Ferguson yet and I’d really love for you to pick it up and review it. I’m planning on placing an order with Persephone to restock my supply and this one will be on the list. Just seems such a charming tale and it was a favorite of the queen mother afterall.
Paperback Reader
May 6th, 2010 @ 6:45 pm

Hi Heather, I reviewed Lady Rose and Mrs Memmary last Persephone Reading Week:

http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/2009/08/26/old-lace-without-the-arsenic/

It’s my favourite Persephone too and I highly recommend that it’s included in your order.
Paperback Reader
May 6th, 2010 @ 9:22 pm

***This give-away is now closed***