'1943 My Favourite:
Books: "How Green Was my Valley", "Witch in the Wood".
Authors: T.H.White, Hugh Walpole
Poems: "Christabel", "Lotus Eaters"
Writers: Shaw, Shakespeare'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding Print: Book
'I like good modern books - I'm very fond of American books - or Dorothy Conyer's - good racy stories. I hate detective stories, I like Naomi Jacobs' early ones. I read 'props' three times - I do like well written books. I hate anything in the first person....I won't read war books...I like 'How Green was My Valley"...and 'Conflict' by Faith Baldwin - it was really interesting: I read it about the time China came in the war with us.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: anon Print: Book
'Oh, I like all kinds of books - historical, semi-biography, well written. I liked "How Green was My Valley": and "All this and Heaven Too" ....I must say I can't read novels when I'm all upset. Now what have I read lately? Oh, I loved "Portrait of a Village", Brett Young: it was enchanting - "Royal Escape", "Spanish Bride", Georgette Heyer; Frankau's "Royal Regiment', oh and "Elizabeth of Bohemia". I loved that.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: anon Print: Book
'Meeting held at School House. 13th March 1944
J. Knox Taylor in the chair.
1. The minutes of the last meeting were read and signed.
[...]
4. The chairman informed us that the committee had decided that Kenneth
Nicholson’s discourse on ‘The Novel’ was likely to be sufficiently provocative, with
interruptions and comments, to occupy the whole evening. They had therefore
arranged a few readings from novels but no other 5 minute essays or speeches.
5. Kenneth Nicholson, protesting that he had most unwillingly, had this greatness
thrust upon him, proceeded to expound the most interesting theory that the novel,
as a form of literature, had been born in the middle of the 18th Century, flourished
through the C19th and declined in the C20th. He held that although a great number
of novels are still being written, they are of little worth and are being read less
and less by persons of culture & discernment. For the rising generation, the
wireless and the cinema have taken the place of the novel in providing such
entertainment, & what reading they do, is of a much less serious nature.
A lively discussion took place both during and after Kenneth Nicholson’s discourse,
in which many members both criticised and opposed his theories.
6. Frank Knight read from Wm. de Morgan’s “Alice for Short”. Although this book
was written in 1907 the reading was much enjoyed, & many members confessed to
a great liking for De Morgan’s novels.
7. Elsie Harrod read from “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier – an even more recent
publication — and again our interest was caught and held.
8. It was getting late, and asked to cho[o]se, for the last reading, between “How
Green was my Valley”, “Precious Bane” and “The ordeal of Richard Feverel”
members chose the latter. By request, Knox Taylor read the well known love
scene entitled ‘Ferdinand and Miranda’. This novel was written in 1859 when the
art of novel-writing was (according to the theory laid down this evening) at its
height. But somehow it touched our sense of humour instead of our deeper
emotions, and Knox Taylor finding himself unable to finish the chapter, the
meeting dissolved amid general laughter.'
Century: Reader/Listener/Group: [unknown member of the XII Book Club] Print: Book
