One of the fun things about Paperback Swap is that when I think of a book, I can mosey on over and either put it on my Reminder List or Wish List (or maybe even order it if I have the rare gift of actually owning a credit to my name at that moment, grin) A recent conversation about Jean Plaidy/Philippa Carr/Victoria Holt reminded me of a long lost favorite Miracle of St. Bruno’s. I ordered a copy, and it is sitting in my “to read” pile. I was probably 11 or 12 when I first read the book – it was my introduction to Gothic Romances, that fabulous author (I’ve read most of her books) and most importantly (this is to answer the fabulous medievalist Gina) my introduction to Tudor History. Since that first book, I have read most books about the Tudor timeframe that crosses my path and have strong opinions about the personalities , the decisions, and the moral issues that arose during that turbulent time.
I’ll let you know what I think on my re-read. And, always curious to know what book started one of your obsessions?
(photo credit)
posted by Mimi @ 10/11/2007 01:44:00 PM
12 Comments
12 Comments:
Wrinkle in Time began my obsession with Fantasy/SciFi books and Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey began my obsession with Brit.Mysteries.
I tried Romance Novels when I was young (probably 13 as well) but I just didn't like them.
Isn't Philippa Carr a pen name for Victoria Holt (or vice versa?)
I remember reading a few of Holt's books in my early-teen years.
I *loved* Victoria Holt when I was a late teen, which I think is when she first came out ("Bride of Pendorric," I think, was her latest back then!).
What started my obsession with, let's say, Russian culture (those who've read my own books know what I'm talking about) was reading "Firefox," about an American fighter pilot who went into Russia to steal their stealth MiG, Firefox. The antagonist, a KGB officer, was working the case, and had come up against an anomaly which puzzled him. And, as the author put it, "He was a cop like any other, and he hated the drug dealers who were ruining Soviet culture." Now, we can debate the notion of the Soviets having any kind of "culture," but I have more cops in my family than some local forces have cops, and that sentence caught my attention -- and my imagination. I've never seen the KGB in quite the same evil light as everyone else, ever since then...
there is a series of books by Diana Gabaldon, about a nurse (naturally) who goes back in time through some stones, to Scotland. In the age of braew men in kilts. Its both romance, and sci-fi'ish. (she did time travel). The first book is called Outlander. I loooooooove those books, and re read them over and over and over and over. . .
well, you get the picture.
Steven Nolt's A History of the Amish started my obsession with (and obscenely comprehensive reading on) Anabaptist history.
I also discussed which book brought hermeneutics into my life here.
PS: I just remembered that I haven't answered your kind e-mail. Oops! I'll try to write back tonight.
"King of the Confessors" by Thomas Hoving sparked my serious interest in art. It is an account of how Mr Hoving, then a junior curator at the Met, acquired the 11th century ivory cross of Bury St Edmunds for the collection at the Cloisters. It is my absolutle favourite work of art, and if you are in New York City, you should go to the Cloisters (the Medieval Department of the Met in Upper Manhattan (not at the main building on 81st and Fifth)) and see it. The intricate carving is stupendous. I can just stand in front of its case and stare at it in awe for AGES.
Of course, do not forget to visit the main building of the Met, as well. I remember my parents taking me there as a child, and I recall skipping up the grand staircase to the European painting galleries.
Vara
Oh, I remember Miracle at St Bruno's with great affection !
I read almost all of that series..... and all her Victoria Holt ones too :-)
Enjoy !
what enjoyable comments:) reading Elizabeth Goudge's books, including her _scent of water_, _green dolphin street_ deepened my understanding of spiritual realities that i found later on in the Orthodox church... so her books have been life changing...
i love British things and i think A Christie's books were a huge influence! and i love mysteries... i could go on for pages on that one too... :)
This is a fab idea, I'm going to have to look into a UK version of PaperBack Book Swap. Cool!
Oh, I feel your pain. If ever I read a book I LOVE, I seek out everything the author ever wrote. Once upon a time, I read the complete Madeleine L'Engle; more recently it has been Jasper Fforde and Laurie R. King (my faves being _The Beekeeper's Apprentice_ and _O Jerusalem_).
I would not say that books lead into 'obsessions' for me... but rather they lead into a tangent for me that I then want to read all sorts of stuff about that period/topic/whatever; and then I move on to something else... but I usually will swing back around eventually to that topic again.
Ayn Rand...Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead
Edith Hamilton...Greek Mythology
...peppered with a lot of Ferlinghetti and e.e.cummings
Sigh! I am such a child of the 60's!
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