I recommend The Return by Victoria Hyslop which I’ve just finished reading. It features a family torn apart during the Spanish Revolution, of which I knew little, told through the eyes of an old cafe owner who was lived through it. You’ll not put it down
I really, really hope your new radio show will be encapsulated into a podcast of some sort. Can’t really listen to the radio too easily in Australia given the time difference but your recently departed podcast was a staple of my day.
Abit late reading this, a shame as I’m in Tokyo waiting for the typhoon to strike so lots of time to read, maybe I’ll get to the Japan one when I’m back (if I make it through!} You may find Waugh’s ‘Scoop’ more to your taste about newspaper rivalry or if you’re up for a rough ride George Gissing’s depiction of a struggling young journalistic writer in Victorian England ‘New Grub Street’ is a stark illustration of how times have changed for the better. Get your hanky ready for that one!
So glad you enjoyed Cold Comfort Farm. I'd meant to read it for years but only managed recently on holiday. I laughed out loud so much and wallowed with glee in the language. Glad Stig recommended it too - someone I would greatly admire if it wasn't for his plastic lawn.
I married into a Sussex farming family. It is pretty much Cold Comfort Farm. And I speak as a Somerset native from a farming family.
I recommend The Return by Victoria Hyslop which I’ve just finished reading. It features a family torn apart during the Spanish Revolution, of which I knew little, told through the eyes of an old cafe owner who was lived through it. You’ll not put it down
Scoop, Evelyn Waugh.
I really, really hope your new radio show will be encapsulated into a podcast of some sort. Can’t really listen to the radio too easily in Australia given the time difference but your recently departed podcast was a staple of my day.
It will definitely be available to listen again on BBC Sounds, but no immediate plans for a podcast atm
Abit late reading this, a shame as I’m in Tokyo waiting for the typhoon to strike so lots of time to read, maybe I’ll get to the Japan one when I’m back (if I make it through!} You may find Waugh’s ‘Scoop’ more to your taste about newspaper rivalry or if you’re up for a rough ride George Gissing’s depiction of a struggling young journalistic writer in Victorian England ‘New Grub Street’ is a stark illustration of how times have changed for the better. Get your hanky ready for that one!
If you are still in Kefalonia try Captain Nikolas family tavern.
So glad you enjoyed Cold Comfort Farm. I'd meant to read it for years but only managed recently on holiday. I laughed out loud so much and wallowed with glee in the language. Glad Stig recommended it too - someone I would greatly admire if it wasn't for his plastic lawn.
Cold Comfort Farm is the funniest book I've ever read, I just love it. The asterixed passages of purple prose to flag that one's coming - so brilliant
Oh yes I LOVED the asterisks. Mainly because it was used so sparingly