Category Archives: anglophilia

Robert Galbraith, “The Silkworm”

Posted on July 2, 2014 by carolwallace

Only you’re not fooled, are you? You know that Robert Galbraith is J.K. Rowling’s nom de plume. So you’ll probably be entertained by the conceit of The Silkworm, which is all about the true authorship of a novel. Oh, wait, … Continue reading →

Posted in anglophilia, best seller, mystery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Susan Hill, “The Various Haunts of Men”

Posted on June 2, 2014 by carolwallace

Actually this is a three-fer because I’ve just whipped through the first three of Susan Hill’s Simon Serrailler novels. You might remember that last time I said I was slowing down the posts, and would share only what delighted me. … Continue reading →

Posted in anglophilia, mystery | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Anne de Courcy, “The Fishing Fleet”

Posted on March 3, 2014 by carolwallace

Do you know what “The Fishing Fleet” was? We’re not talking about sou’westers and cod here. Beginning in the early nineteenth century, young Englishwomen who had trouble finding husbands at home often traveled to India in search of an eligible … Continue reading →

Posted in anglophilia, nonfiction | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Anthony Trollope, “The Duke’s Children”

Posted on February 16, 2014 by carolwallace

The Duke’s Children wraps up the Palliser series of Trollope’s novels and, though I doubt Trollope planned it this way, unites the emotional and political story lines. We meet some of our old friends like Madame Max Goesler, now Mrs. … Continue reading →

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Dorothy Whipple, “The Priory”

Posted on February 5, 2014 by carolwallace

The problem with giving people books for Christmas is the “one for you, one for me” principle.  As I was doing a little gift-wrapping back in December I found myself flipping through several alluring volumes, this among them, and beetling … Continue reading →

Posted in anglophilia | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Olivia Manning, “The Balkan Trilogy”

Posted on January 3, 2014 by carolwallace

The Balkan Trilogy first came to my attention via the 1987 BBC series starring Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. Did you remember that they were once married to each other? They met while playing husband and wife in the series. … Continue reading →

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Catherine Bailey, “The Secret Rooms”

Posted on December 31, 2013 by carolwallace

Historian Catherine Bailey arrived at Belvoir Castle in the summer of 2008 to research a book on the effect of World War I on the Belvoir estate, which belonged to the Duke of Rutland. Some 1,700 men, at the urging … Continue reading →

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Eva Ibbotson, “Magic Flutes”

Posted on December 19, 2013 by carolwallace

From time to time, I like a meringue, and when that’s what you want, there’s no substitute for its insubstantial sweetness. But given the choice, I will always opt for floating island instead. You’ve had it, I hope? It’s more … Continue reading →

Posted in anglophilia, funny | Tagged | 3 Comments

Hilary Mantel, “Giving Up the Ghost”

Posted on December 16, 2013 by carolwallace

Well, a lot of things have become clearer since I read Hilary Mantel’s memoir Giving Up the Ghost. It comes as no surprise to realize that Mantel is really, really smart. It seems that her academic career could have been … Continue reading →

Posted in anglophilia, memoir | Tagged | 4 Comments

Hilary Mantel, “Fludd”

Posted on December 7, 2013 by carolwallace

Well, we knew Hilary Mantel to be brilliant, right? The research, the sweep and scope and humanity of Wolf Hall bring English history to life and makes Thomas Cromwell a fascinating character. But here’s my news for today: Mantel is … Continue reading →

Posted in anglophilia, funny | Tagged | 4 Comments