Erica
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Reading 1900-1950
http://reading19001950.wordpress.com/
The special collection of popular fiction at Sheffield Hallam University
LATEST ARTICLES ( 392 )
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Now Voyager (1941), by Olive Higgins Prouty
“Oh Jerry, don’t let’s ask for the moon! We have the stars!” (Hodder and Stoughton edition, 1943, p.222). If you love classic movies, these words will resonate. Read more
Posted on 14 May 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Review of Descent into Hell (1937) by Charles Williams
Review by Mary G Thecla W pointed me to the comment on the dust jacket as she lent me her copy of Descent into Hell: ‘These novels have been constantly asked fo... Read more
Posted on 09 May 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Out of the Silent Planet (1938), by C S Lewis
Review by Val H., picking up some points about changing attitudes to religion in the recent post Religion in the middle-brow novels by margaretbennett72. Read more
Posted on 27 April 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
All Hallows’ Eve by Charles Williams (1945)
All Hallows’ Eve is the last of Williams’ strange, supernatural thrillers and for me it is his most successful, the one in which plot, characterization and... Read more
Posted on 26 April 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Religion in the Middle-brow Novels
One of the recurring themes in the middlebrow novels I have read as part of the Reading 1900-1950 project is religion, church teachings and theological in... Read more
Posted on 25 April 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Many Dimensions by Charles Williams (1931)
Many Dimensions (1931) was reprinted as a green Penguin in 1952; it must be oddest and least typical book ever to appear in that series. Read more
Posted on 16 April 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
I’ll Be off Now…
Just a little post to say that this is my last day before I go on maternity leave! I won’t be administering the reading 1900-1950 blog but I am delighted to... Read more
Posted on 18 March 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Just Like Aunt Bertha by W. Pett Ridge (1925)
Review by Helen N: The book centres round Aunt Bertha, a woman of resource who deals with both a professional life and sorting out all of her friends and... Read more
Posted on 18 March 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Juan in China by Eric Linklater (1937)
This Linklater novel is a sequel to his first big success, Juan in America (1931). Review by Helen C: Our young hero, Juan, has been persuaded to accompany his... Read more
Posted on 17 March 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Middlebrow Goes to the Movies (again)
Review by Val H After posting on the 1933 film Christopher Strong (based on Gilbert Frankau’s novel), I have done more research on middlebrow novels and the fil... Read more
Posted on 12 March 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Miss Mannering by W. Pett Ridge (1923)
Review by Sylvia D: I enjoyed W Pett Ridge’s Miss Mannering (1923) for three reasons. First, the novel had an unlikely theme, focusing as it does for much on... Read more
Posted on 09 March 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
The Sailor’s Holiday by Eric Linklater (1937)
Another damning review of Eric Linklater! Oh dear! Review by Sophie H: The Sailor’s Holiday is made up of a series of short vignettes relating the adventures... Read more
Posted on 09 March 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Mike and Psmith, by PG Wodehouse (1953)
Review by Val H. Mike and Psmith is a hugely enjoyable, old-fashioned school story, with mischievous boys, bamboozled teachers and heroic stands at the... Read more
Posted on 08 March 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
‘Thanks to Sanderson’ by W. Pett Ridge (1911)
Review by George Simmers: The Sandersons are an upper-working-class family with aspirations. The father is a ticket collector at a railway station; the mother... Read more
Posted on 06 March 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Ripeness is All by Eric Linklater (1935)
Review by Thecla W: The novel opens with the funeral of Major John Gander. We are introduced to various Gander relatives: his half-sister, Hilary; his nephews,... Read more
Posted on 02 March 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Christopher Strong – the Movie, Not the Novel
Review by Val H. Movies are new on this blog but there are strong middlebrow links. In 1933 Hollywood released Christopher Strong, based on Gilbert Frankau’s... Read more
Posted on 24 February 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
The Merry Muse, by Eric Linklater (1959)
Review by Val H ‘Eric Linklater’s Latest!’ proclaims my copy of The Merry Muse (Jonathan Cape, 1959) in large letters. Bloomsbury, which publishes it as an... Read more
Posted on 23 February 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
The Heart of a Goof by P G Wodehouse (1926)
Review by Jane V: The Heart of a Goof consists of nine stories related by the Oldest Member of a golf club. He sits aside from the action puffing a cigar and... Read more
Posted on 16 February 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Eggs, Beans and Crumpets by P G Wodehouse (1940)
Review by George Simmers: This collection of short stories features several familiar Wodehouse characters. Four centre on Bingo Little, familiar from stories... Read more
Posted on 04 February 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE -
Piccadilly Jim by P. G. Wodehouse (1917)
Review by Sylvia D: Piccadilly Jim (1917) was a suitable choice for Christmas reading – easy to read and very light-hearted. It does though have an extremely... Read more
Posted on 02 February 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE