‘Culture Wars’ conference papers

Culture Wars 1900-1950 14th June 2014 Giacomo Patri, White Collar (1938)   Some of the papers from our collection conference on the 14th June are now online. We had a great day, listening and talking and thinking, and, most importantly, had an excellent lunch (thank you Sheffield Hallam catering)! There were some fascinating papers, particularly … Continue reading →

In the Mountains by Elizabeth von Arnim (1920)

The first edition of this novel was published anonymously, though it must have been obvious to readers familiar with Elizabeth’s style that she was the author. The contemporary Times Literary Supplement reviewer wrote that the novel, ‘by an anonymous but surely by a very practised hand, holds a peculiar quality of surprise. […] Behind the exceedingly careful, … Continue reading →

The Pastor’s Wife by Elizabeth von Arnim (1914)

Review by Sylvia D: The Pastor’s Wife is a joy to read. It is witty, thought-provoking, full of wonderful descriptive passages and a fine study of human isolation. The main character, Ingeborg Bullivant, moves from the tyranny of an unbending, pompous Bishop of a father to being helpmeet to a stolid German pastor for whom … Continue reading →

Elizabeth and her German Garden (1898)

Next we have a run of Elizabeth von Arnim reviews. I’ve now read Elizabeth von Arnim with both my reading groups, because I simply love hearing people’s reactions to reading her. This time was particularly enjoyable as everyone was struck by the quality of the writing and wanted to read more. I was a very … Continue reading →

The Woman in the Back Seat by Marguerite Steen (1959)

 Review by George Simmers The Woman in the Back Seat is the story of a second marriage. It begins in 1946, and the central character, Ellen, is the widow of an artist whom she never really loved. A friend suggests that she gets away from her life to work as secretary to a highbrow novelist … Continue reading →

Young Men in Love by Michael Arlen (1927)

Review by Margaret B: Young Men in Love by Michael Arlen is just as much about old men in lust as young men in love. Interlaced throughout this book are the stories and love lives of  three powerful older men – Serle an MP and  cabinet minister, Vardon an industrialist and Lord Townleigh, a newspaper … Continue reading →

May Fair by Michael Arlen (1925)

Next up is Michael Arlen (real name was Dikran Kouyoumdjian), an Armenian who grew up in Britain. Arlen found fame in the 1920s with his novel The Green Hat (1924), which was one of the first to depict the ‘Bright Young Things’ of post-World War I Mayfair. He followed up this success with this collection, May Fair. … Continue reading →

Finch’s Fortune by Mazo de la Roche (1931)

Review by Mary P: The Jalna series brought Mazo de la Roche fame and fortune with the publication of Jalna in 1927. Eleven million copies were sold, and 92 foreign editions published as well as a film and a TV series. Finch’s Fortune was the third book to be published in the series about the Whiteoak family … Continue reading →

Mary Wakefield by Mazo de la Roche (1949)

Review by Sylvia D: Mary Wakefield (1949) couldn’t fail to appeal to moony 1950s and 60s teenagers dreaming of a handsome young man who will sweep them off their feet and carry them off to live happily ever after! It has all the requisites; a penniless, pretty and inexperienced Mary hired to be governess to … Continue reading →