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Jan Egan's avatar

I love this, sharing as I do, your love for the literature of this time. Some of these I have read (many times in the instance of the Provincial Lady) but am delighted to now have a list of To Be Read, although I was trying to reduce that ever-growing pile and list!

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The Unhurried Reader's avatar

I'm so pleased you found some new books to investigate. Thank you for reading and commenting. x

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Sarah Harkness's avatar

Thank you so much, this is an amazing resource for me as I am working on a project researching a group of women who came of age in 1939. There are some favourites of mine on your list, including The Village, but lots of new names!

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The Unhurried Reader's avatar

You’re very welcome, and I’m pleased to have introduced you to some new names. Your project sounds fascinating.

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A. M. Palmer's avatar

Thank you for this helpful and fascinating resource!

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The Unhurried Reader's avatar

You’re very welcome. I had fun compiling it.

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Lucienne Boyce's avatar

Thanks for this great list of writers to look out for!

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The Unhurried Reader's avatar

It's my pleasure. I had fun compiling it.

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Deborah Vass's avatar

Such a excellent selection, some favourites and lots to discover - perfect! I loved Nicola Beauman's A Very Great Profession, bought when I was a student and much treasured.

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The Unhurried Reader's avatar

Thank you. It makes me happy that I'm able to introduce my subscribers and followers to new books, which I hope they will enjoy. Do let me know! x

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Deborah Vass's avatar

I have the Jean Lucey Pratt and had forgotten about it so thank you! I loved Nella Last's books too.

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The Unhurried Reader's avatar

I didn’t include Nella, only because I’ve never heard that she was a Time and Tide reader. Do put me straight on that if I’ve got it wrong! The JLP is a hefty tome, isn’t it! x

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Deborah Vass's avatar

No, I am sure you are right but the JLP made me think of her! It is hefty which is why I have never got round to it...but I do remember an enchanting photo of her walking her cats when it was published! X

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Simona B.'s avatar

What an amazing post, that one... Thank you!

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The Unhurried Reader's avatar

It’s my pleasure!

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Victoria K. Walker's avatar

Thank you for this fantastic list. I'm in love with the art and literature of this time, and really enjoyed reading your recommendations! With tea, but sadly no biscuits! :)

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The Unhurried Reader's avatar

Thank you! I’ve been fascinated by the Home Front for as long as I can remember. I think it’s partly growing up in Kent, with its strong Battle of Britain associations -- another book I love, but which did not qualify for this list, is H. E. Bates’s A Moment In Time. And Evelyn Dunbar’s painting of Land Girls pruning apple trees at East Malling is one of my favourite works of art!

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Victoria K. Walker's avatar

Two more greats! :)

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fiona jeferies's avatar

Oh my, such a lot to add to my tbr list, thanks! I recently heard Westwood on BBC 4Extra, without realising who the author was, and thoroughly enjoyed it. As a result of this list, I 've just borrowed Diary of a Provincial Lady as an audiobook via the Libby app, although at 22hrs, it's slightly daunting. I certainly don't remember it taking anywhere as long to read when I was a teenager.

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The Unhurried Reader's avatar

I hope you will enjoy some or all of them. In the introduction to the Virago omnibus, Nicola Beauman says it does the Provincial Lady a disservice to read her straight through, but honestly I’ve never been able to stop once I’ve started.

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Lynn Turner's avatar

What a wonderful list! There are some of my favourites there especially Westwood by Stella Gibbons. I also loved the two Carola Oman books on your tbr.

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The Unhurried Reader's avatar

Thank you. That’s good to hear re. the two Carola Oman titles, too.

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Yasmin Chopin's avatar

Thanks for this wonderful list. I have to read ‘The Dancing Bear: Berlin de Profundis’ as my mother lived in Berlin during the war as a young teenager and would never talk about it. So I’m going to honour her memory by reading this when I feel emotionally strong enough.

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The Unhurried Reader's avatar

I know that your mother must have had a very harrowing time. Reading the book seems a good way to honour that. I must invest in a copy as soon as I can. Thank you for your comment.

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