Two books by Lissa Evans.
I came across this author on a recommendation by India Knight – (in the paper, I’ve never met India) – and I advanced cautiously as I often find that even seemingly sensible people can rave about the weirdest books.
And when those weird books are personally recommended you end up looking at the person like, god, you really don’t know me at all. A bit like being set up on a blind date with someone really ghastly and you think “Wow… is that who you think of as a my equal? Just… wow.”
Anyway where was I – oh yes these two very good books by Lissa Evans, both set in wartime.
The first is Crooked Heart, which is about a precocious evacuee who goes to live in St Albans with a down-on-her-luck chancer called Vee.
It is darkly funny and describes life on the Home Front with such clarity and almost extra-sensory vision that it’s like she is describing another country, rather than an entirely historical situation.
The second is Their Finest Hour and a Half, which has recently been turned into a film (which I haven’t seen). Another corker.
She has just brought out a new novel, Old Baggage, which is a sort of prequel to Crooked Heart. So if you like these, you will also like this.
Ooh these look excellent.
If you’re interested, I’ve just started a rather self-centred instagram account @thebookpervert where I review books I’ve read in brief. Pretty much exclusively contemporary literary fiction. Useful if you never know what to read next!
Thanks Emma! Yes I’m always on the lookout xxx
These look good thanks. I’ve been reading a few old Monica Dickens at the moment, they are deliciously detailed and the comedy is edgier than you’d expect for the period.
MD sounds like she was a hoot and would have been a brilliant friend.
Yeeesss, except there are some anti-Semitic references here and there, and a very blasé attitude to giving a woman a bit of slap that makes me feel like we wouldn’t get on *quite* so well as all that…
I really enjoyed Mariana for example, very well written and funny, but feel I should mention the above infelicities because of the aforementioned judging a person by their book recommendations thing – it’s all fun and games and then suddenly everyone thinks I’m a Nazi. So easily done!!!
SO easily done
Oh fab I will investigate xx
Oh..lovely Monica Dickens. Haven’t read hers in years.. Follyfoot!! Great memories of being absorbed in those books as a child x
Yes I only knew her from Follyfoot as a child, have enjoyed discovering her adult novels. Great characters and observations.
I loved Monica Dickens, devoured everything she wrote in my 20’s. Thank you for the reminder………..off to Amazon x
I’ve read Crooked Heart also because of India Knight’s recommendation. Thanks for the other recommendations. Love your The Spike has been reading….
I’m on a massive reading binge at the moment
Mattie and Noel were very affecting. A great read.
Thank you for these, right up my street. The film is completely charming, actually, I enjoyed it. Perfect for a Sunday evening IyswIm
Lissa Evans us a star, And though normally I’m wary of film adaptations of novels I love, the film THEIR FINEST manages to be funny, poignant and charming all at once. Lisa xx
I have a totally unrelated question about espadrilles. How do you keep them on your feet? My lovely black suede ones would not stay on my feet, and now the backs have got all trodden down 🙁 Is the answer to buy a size too small?
Katy where are they from?
They are from Reiss. Not so much of a platform as yours, but I love them and they make every summer outfit I have work. But the trodden down backs makes them a nightmare to walk anywhere in
Katy you may be blessed/afflicted with very slim ankles and narrow heels, which makes for a very aesthetic foot but fucking useless for keeping shoes on. Have you experienced this problem with other shoes/other espadrilles? Or are these the first espadrilles you have owned?
I love those books, too – and the film. I saw Lissa Evans being interviewed and she is a joy all round.
Just bought a 900+ page chunkster in Oxfam that India Knight recommended when I went to a book thing she was at (my new hobby, can you tell?), called Belle du Seigneur by Albert Cohen. Looks fab but will have to ‘clear the decks’ first. Keep the book posts coming!
Cindy this is the MOST incredibly weird and spooky coincidence… Giles pulled a book randomly off our shelves this morning – RANDOMLY – in order to weigh something down and it’s still sitting on the kitchen table and, Cindy, I think you know what book it is don’t you … SCREAM EMOJI FACE
I like the idea of telepathic Spikers! Thanks too for the recommendations.
😱😱😱
She’s also recently released Wed Wabbit; a kids book about a despot dictator stuffed rabbit which is really excellent.
How do you find time for all this reading Esther?!
I don’t watch TV!