Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Tuesday Intro: They Were Sisters

Lucy, reading Vera's letter at breakfast, smiled. Vera would come when Charlotte came and they would all be together. Once more, like old times, they would all be together. She must break it tactfully to William. Across the dazzle struck from the cloth and the silver by the sunshine of the September morning, she looked at him. Should she tell him now or later?
They Were Sisters
by Dorothy Whipple

My current read was selected for me by the Classics Club spin and I couldn't be happier. Dorothy Whipple, sometimes referred to as the "Jane Austen of the 20th Century", became an instant favorite in 2009 when I read Someone at a Distance. I am enjoying this 1943 novel immensely.

Summary from Persephone Books:
This, the fourth Dorothy Whipple novel we have republished, is, like the others, apparently gentle but has a very strong theme, in this case domestic violence. Three sisters marry very different men and the choices they make determine whether they will flourish, be tamed or be repressed. Lucy's husband is her beloved companion; Vera's husband bores her and she turns elsewhere; and Charlotte's husband is a bully who turns a high-spirited naive young girl into a deeply unhappy woman.
What do you think of the opening? Would you keep reading?


Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.

34 comments:

  1. Mary (Mrs Miniver's Daughter) sent me a link to the movie last year - it was on youtube. I've tried a few searches and can't seem to find it there now; such a shame, it made for a lovely afternoon. As in most cases though, the book is sure to be even better - enjoy!

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    1. Darlene - I didn't know there was a movie... will search for it after I'm through. Thanks!

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  2. I haven't heard of this, but it sounds pretty good! I'm adding it to my list.

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    1. Kim - I'm just over 100 pages now and love it.

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  3. I haven't heard of this author before but I'm looking forward to your review on this one. She definitely sounds like someone I need to try. It looks like the spin gave you a lighter book this time around!

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    1. Katherine - I learned of her through some of my blogging friends in the UK.

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  4. I haven't heard of Dorothy Whipple before. I'd definitely try it. Here's Mine

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    1. Paulita - She's one of those forgotten British women writers of the 20th century.

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  5. I'm curious about this author...I'm going to take a look at her novels.

    My Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/12/first-chapter-first-paragraph-85-and.html

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    1. Catherine - Persephone Books website is a great place for more information.

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  6. This looks like a winner. I would definitely keep reading. I've never read anything by Dorothy Whipple but I'm going to add her to my list for next year!

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    1. Monica - I still have one more Whipple novel left in my tbr pile :)

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  7. I've been wanting to read this, so yes I would keep reading. Have a nice week. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

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  8. What a gorgeous visual presentation of the book! And the excerpts make me want to plunge right in, even though I don't do many historical books (until lately, which surprised even me!).

    But I am already worried about Charlotte and her bully of a husband.

    Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - This is one of my photos from instagram. I was putting up some decorations and stopped for a tea break :)

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  9. I have two brothers (who I love) but I always wanted to have a sister too. This sounds like a great story that explores the relationship between the women and their husbands. I'm sure I'd enjoy it.
    Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog post today.
    Sandy @ TEXAS TWANG.

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    1. Sandra - I'm lucky to have three sisters (in addition to my two brothers). Coming from such a large family probably got me interested in reading so many books about family and relationships in general.

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  10. It sounds interesting but I'd probably need a little more to be hooked. Hope you enjoy it.

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  11. I didn't really love the first paragraph, but the blurb sounds interesting...I'd especially be interesting to see how domestic violence is handled in a classic.

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    1. Sarah - The first paragraph doesn't really give much of a hint as to what will follow. I'm interested in seeing how a domestic violence drama from that time period will play out, too.

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  12. I haven't read Dorothy Whipple - another author hard to find here - but I hope to one day. I would definitely continue reading.

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    1. Cat - Whipple is hard to find here, too. A couple of stores had Someone at a Distance when it came out in the Persephone Classics edition, but I had to wait for a trip to London buy more!

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  13. The first paragraph might not have caught me, but the 'Jane Austen of the 20th century' certainly did, and the fact that you love the book makes it a slam dunk. :)

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    1. Audrey - The first paragraph doesn't really give a fell for what is to come. I learned of Whipple from my blogging friends and purchased a few of her books on your last trip to London. They can be hard to find here!

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  14. I think I would like this one Joann --I'd read more.

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    1. Diane - I really enjoy Whipple's storytelling.

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  15. I haven't heard of this author. It always surprises me how many classics I don't know. I'm trying to expand my classics list.

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    1. Heidi - I learned about Whipple through my blogging friends and Persephone Books.

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  16. This sounds so good. I've had Dorothy Whipple on my list a long time and I really must get to it. By the way, I love the picture you made with your Persephone book.

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    1. Margot - I hope you get a chance to read Whipple next year. The photo was taken when I stopped decorating and took a tea break... also posted it on instagram.

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  17. I loved that first paragraph. And now you've got me wanting to give Whipple a try.

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    1. Beth F - I hope more readers will discover Dorothy Whipple!

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