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The Star of Kazan: Eva Ibbotson, Macmillan, 2004.

I didn’t remember much about this book (only the fate of Rocco the horse, really) so rereading this almost felt like reading a new book, except it had that sense of things proceeding as they ought as so much of Ibbotson’s writing does, and some of that came from some dim memories of first reading it. (This was the my post about it at the time, which also discusses ‘Blue of the Sea’ by L.T. Meade.)

This is the story of ( Read more... )

Madensky Square: Eva Ibbotson Arrow 1998 (reread)

As the title proclaims, this is a novel with a strong sense of place, namely a Viennese square in 1911-12. I first read the book in Paris, which is apt because protagonist and narrator Susanna is a genius dressmaker.

The conceit is ( Read more... )

Magic Flutes: Eva Ibbotson Picador 2009

I didn’t get as emotional this time as I did when first reading this, but there was certainly a moment where Tessa is so giving that made me catch my breath.

When looking up the chronology of Ibbotson’s books to see what came after ‘A Countess Below Stairs’, I discovered it was ‘Magic Flutes’, which I think was one of the last of Ibbotson’s books for adults - although it’s to be found on teenage fiction/young adult shelves now - that I came across, and that this book has won the Romantic Novel of the Year award in the early eighties. Now, I can’t claim to have read all the books in contention, but I can see why.

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I got hold of a Chambers hardback copy of this book (a reprint) - I wasn't struck by anything additional that wasn't in the paperback edition, but I haven't compared page by page or anything. (ETA: My Armada paperback is a 'revised edition' which was first published in 1970. Still couldn't tell you how revised it is, though.)

In this book, ( Read more... )

Edited on 17.1.14.

I happened to read two books about two foundlings recently: Blue of the Sea by L. T. Meade and The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson. The former is an example of a potentially good story, failed by a lack of care and, to a modern day reader, rampant and unsustained snobbishness. The latter I can recommend if you want to curl up to a satisfying read.

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Since last posting more of my books from my parents' house have come to mine, including a Jeffrey Archer that wasn't mine and went straight into the charity shop bag. I hope to finish filling a second bag before the end of the week, as limited space is making me more ruthless. Not ruthless enough for my mother, and when I think of all the books that are still at theirs, I know that she's right with my head. I'm on the hunt for a bookshelf for a nook upstairs as one I was lent has been returned to its owner. I'm planning to get a taller one, which should help a little with the book piles.

Furthermore, I read Never Let Me Go in advance of the release of the film adaptation. It has haunted me and put me off reading school stories for a little. I then read Magic Flutes by Eva Ibbotson, who has passed away (I was alerted by callmemadam). I only started reading her books very recently, but I've loved all of them. In fact, Magic Flutes's Tessa brought me to tears twice and I don't easily cry (or like opera). Something about her selflessness touched me. So, I am saddened at the news of her creator.

On Saturday, having watched the women's French Open final, I wrote up my thoughts about said Championship. I even saved it, on a thingummy that I left at relatives'. Well done, self. Those reactions have now assumed the stature of all my distilled wisdom about tennis, when they were nothing of the kind. I've caught very little of Queen's, it must be said.

Jill's Jolliest School: Angela Brazil

It didn't occur to me at the time, although there was a definite sense of familiarity, as you get with Brazil's copious output, but there's some similarity in set up with The New School at Scawdale ( Read more... )