Which day is it? At the moment it seems very hard to keep track of the passing time. One thing is for sure: if it is the first Saturday of the month, then it is time for Six Degrees of Separation, hosted by Kate over at BooksAreMyFavouriteAndBest.
This month we are starting with Stasiland by Anna Funder, a fascinating-sounding collection of stories about life for people in the former East Germany. I have particularly been encouraged to add this to my To Be Read pile after listening to a recent episode of one of my most favourite podcasts, the BBC’s A Good Read, in which comedian Angela Barnes picked Stasiland as her book choice.
I was also pleased to hear Amy Liptrot’s recommendation in a different episode of A Good Read, namely Kathleen Jamie’s wonderful Sightlines. This is a compelling collection of essays in which Jamie explores ‘the ‘natural’, the remote, and the human-made’. Gorgeous writing.
Jamie’s most recent book (Surfacing) has been shortlisted for the 2019 Highland Book Prize. So my second link is to another book on this list: The Frayed Atlantic Edge: A Historian’s Journey from Shetland to the Channel by David Gange. This sounds like just my kind of nature and travel writing. Gange writes about his journey in a kayak around ‘the weather-ravaged coasts of Atlantic Britain and Ireland from north to south: every cove, sound, inlet, island’.
Another book in which the UK coastline plays a staring role is Raynor Winn’s The Salt Path. This is an absorbing read about how Winn and her husband walked the 630mile south-west coastline of Britain when after losing their home, their jobs and their mental and physical health. Winn has a lovely light-touch way of writing, even about the most serious of subjects.
Walking is most definitely a feature in my fourth link: Rachel Joyce’s The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. This is a lovely, gentle, yet powerful story; ‘the odyssey of a simple man’ (according to author Claire Tomalin). I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by the gorgeous Jim Broadbent – there could be no better actor to bring Harold vividly to life.
Audiobooks are perfect literary packages when the narrator fits exactly the reader’s idea of the character. Jim Broadbent as Harold is one such example. Another is Meryl Streep reading Nora Ephron’s Heartburn. This is such a brilliant listen – as if you are sitting with Streep/Ephron in a cafe having tea and cake, chatting about marriage, life and recipes. Highly recommended.
And so for my final link, I thought about who else I might like to sit with in a cafe over tea and cake. The answer just at the moment is Hilary Mantel. I have seen a few interviews with her recently about the publication of The Mirror and the Light – it is so interesting to hear her talking about her writing process and of course about what it is like to spend 15 years in the company of Cromwell and the Tudors. I am looking forward very much to reading this trilogy finale and am re-listening to the first two books in preparation.
So this month’s chain meanders around from its start in recent European history, through various examinations of the present, to its conclusion in C16th history.
Next time, in Kate’s words: “Given the current pandemic, the obvious choice for next month (May 2, 2020) is The Road by Cormac McCarthy”. Quite. 🙂
*Featured image: Piles of French Novels, Vincent Van Gogh – from the Van Gogh Museum
Okay, I loved Harold Fry (and it is going into my chain for May), so that Salt Path sounds good. In fact, I wonder how many people will be doing salt paths after this virus is over! Heartburn also sounds good. I’ve never read any Ephron (perhaps I should)! Excellent chain.
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Thank you Davida!
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Oh, and I love the painting you have on this post! Who did it?
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It is by Van Gogh – there is a link to the painting at the bottom of the post if you would like to explore more at the Van Gogh museum. 😀
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Ah… thanks!
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I haven’t read The Salt Path, but it provoked very different responses in one of my readers groups. Some people had read it and really loved it, others had been bored stupid by it. It’s interesting how one book can provoke so many different comments.
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Fascinating! One of the best things about talking about books is everyone’s different perspective.
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I don’t listen to audiobooks but I should probably start as my reading is through the floor at the moment with everything that’s going on. Streep as Ephron sounds wonderful!
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Streep is perfection! I am really finding it helpful to listen to books at the moment. There are lots of free options available at the moment, including some classics via audible, so a good time to give it a try. 😀
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Reading is perfect for now, keep reading and stay safe!
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Thanks Ute, you too! xxx
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What day is it, indeed – I’m tempted to answer Groundhog Day! A characteristically positive chain, Liz. Lovely to see Kathleen Jamie mentioned.
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Haha, so true! And what a great film. Really glad you like the chain, Susan, thank you! x
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I’ve read Harold Fry and I thought it was a lovely book too. I haven’t read any of the others in your chain, but I’m about to start reading my copy of The Mirror and the Light!
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Did you read the sequel which is from the perspective of Queenie? I have seen mixed reviews and am not sure whether to try it.
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Interesting chain. I need to get to The Mirror and the Light.
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Thanks Marg, I suspect there are many in the same position!!
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I’ll have to have a listen to that episode of A Good Read. Oddly, although I listen to lots of podcasts, few bookish ones have made my regular listening list (I think because I follow bookish things through so many other media streams…). That said, I often tune into single episodes where a topic or author catches my eye.
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There is certainly an embarrassment of riches when it comes to online listening choices – a good problem to have!
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Your chain is so interesting and has reminded me that I have The Salt Path and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry in my TBRs – maybe I’ll get round to reading them soon, especially as I see you enjoyed both of them
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Thanks, Margaret – I hope you enjoy them in due course 😀
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Such thoughtful links, thanks for sharing your chain.
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Thank you! 😀
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An interesting selection of writing in your chain, Liz. I am sure I would enjoy The Salt Path ( it has been calling to me for some time now) and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. They will be added to my list. When I saw Sightlines I was immediately reminded of another Sightlines, published almost twenty years ago. A fantastic selection of short stories, poems and excerpts collected together in support of the RNIB Talking Books Appeal. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5919522-sightlines
I hope you are keeping well, Liz?
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Thanks so much for that link, Clare, which looks brilliant, and such an important cause. I will see if I can get a copy from the library when everything eventually opens back up. Meanwhile, we are doing well thanks – I very much hope that you and the family are ok too? X
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Thanks, Liz – yes, we are still fine, though stress levels go up every time we have to go out to shop and deliver goods to Mum. 🙂 xx
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That’s great to hear, Clare – I am sure your Mum is hugely thankful for your help and support. Xxx
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She is, the dear! xx
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Very interesting chain! Harold Fry was good, but I dnf the sequel. Salt Path sounds worth it though-I’ll look for it, Thanks! I’m very late this time. I forgot it was “the week”.
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Thank you – and I know what you mean about the weeks disappearing. I nearly forgot too!
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What a great chain! I have heard good things about The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Heartburn is one I have been meaning to read. Thank you for sharing!
If you want to check out mine: https://www.literaryfeline.com/2020/04/six-degrees-of-separation-stasiland-to.html
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Thanks so much – really pleased you enjoyed it! 😀
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