Greengates | Litsy

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

pick

Muster the courage to make your happiness, take the leap!*Fine print reads: “A leap by its nature is not without risk.”😬

I am going to order Sherriff‘s The Hopkin‘s Manuscript now. 😊

#PersephoneClub
@LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @rubyslippersreads @CarolynM @elkeOriginal @quietjenn

quietjenn @Tamra haha, I opened up the Persephone website last night to see if The Hopkin's Manuscript was in stock. 😅 Trying to resist the urge to place an order - my collection of Persephones is rapidly outgrowing the shelf it is on - but not sure I'll manage very long. (edited) 3mo

Tamra @quietjenn such a sad state of affairs! 😆 I didn‘t order a Persephone edition this time. 3mo

Tamra @quietjenn I preferred Fortnight in September. The ending of Greengates almost seemed like a different book because the emotional temperature was very different from the rest. Fortnight seemed more evenly written. What do you think? (edited) 3mo

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LeahBergen I prefer Fortnight in September, too, I think? 🤔 I haven‘t read Hopkin‘s (although I‘ve heard good things) and only have one other of his books on my shelves to read

Wells of St Mary's

3mo

quietjenn @Tamra I agree. There were a few bits at the end that felt discordant with the rest of it. I think it would've been better if that last chapter were an Afterward, instead of a regular chapter. Overall, Fortnight was more consistently itself. 3mo

Tamra @LeahBergen ohhhh yay, I hadn‘t run across that title. Must investigate - thank you for mentioning it! (edited) 3mo

quietjenn @LeahBergen Oo, that sounds great too! 3mo

Tamra @quietjenn I like the way you describe it! 3mo

CarolynM While I was happy for the Baldwins that the risk was worth it, I was a bit surprised that the money issues apparently disappeared once they'd made the move. How much did a subscription to that club cost, I wonder? I was also a little nonplussed at how easily they discarded Ada. 3mo

Tamra @CarolynM I know! I had the same thought about Ada. 😒 I guess it is part of the frenzy of acquiring the new. Indeed, it seemed liked they were going to have to live like misers to get by with a mortgage and then that seemed to have miraculously become a nonissue. 🤔 3mo

quietjenn @Tamra also, thanks for the non-Persephone tip. I just got the Penguin 😂 3mo

Tamra @quietjenn 👏🏾 3mo

rubyslippersreads Maybe it‘s because I‘ve been watching the new season of #MrsMaisel but I pictured Jason Alexander as Van Doon. 😂 3mo

rubyslippersreads @CarolynM @Tamra I know—poor Ada! (edited) 3mo

Tamra @rubyslippersreads 😆 good one! 3mo

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Cathythoughts

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

pick

#PersephoneClub I loved this book too. When I stopped reading last night I had nightmares about how all this would end ... I finished just now and it feels like a book of two halves ( well, more like 2/3 and 1/3 ) ...
I felt I lived through these times with Edith and Tom. Excellent book 👍❤️

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Tamra

Tamra Agreed, the characters were so well drawn that the middle section was nail biting! 😬 I‘m jealous you have greenery! (edited) 3mo

LeahBergen I agree! I really needed that ‘happy ending‘ for them but found the change of narrative voice in the final chapter a little jarring. I still loved it, though. 😆 3mo

Cathythoughts @Tamra The characters are so good 👍❤️ 3mo

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Oh I loved it too and I can‘t wait to get more by this writer... 3mo

CarolynM I was expecting something to go wrong too and yes, the last third, while flowing from what went before, seemed like a sharp turn from the rest of the story. 3mo

69 likes5 comments

LeahBergen

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

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Oh my God, #PersephoneClub ! I LOVED this book.

How can the story of a retired 1920s English couple, coming to terms with what their future holds, be such a compelling page-turner? 😆

I won‘t say anymore but do let me know what you thought of how their lives ended up (covered with a spoiler, please)!

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, CarolynM, elkeOriginal, Tamra, Cathythoughts

BarbaraBB As always, you sold it! #stackedandonmywaytobuy 3mo

CarolynM I kept expecting disaster to strike, probably financial disaster. Although I was very glad it didn't, I did wonder at the way the money problems just disappeared. And the cost of a live-in maid was never raised at all! 3mo

LeahBergen @BarbaraBB I hope you like it as much as I did! It‘s a quiet story, but lovely. Have you read his

The Fortnight in September

3mo

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LeahBergen @CarolynM I was TOTALLY expecting some horrid disaster to strike… shady builders or poor health or something! As to the maid issue: from what I‘ve read in other books, one maid was a given in the pre-WW2 period for middle-class families and their pay was pretty minor in relation to household expenses. There WAS that bit about the new neighbour “showing off” the fact that he had more than one maid, though. 😆 3mo

Cathythoughts I‘ve only a small bit to go .. looking forward to chatting about it. I agree , it‘s so moving ❤️ 3mo

Cathythoughts When they banged the door shut of their old house ... I was in horror at what they‘d done. I was scared for them. A bit of a fairytale ending , but I‘m so glad it worked out. Not a chance that I would take myself, I can‘t imagine selling our house at this time in our lives. The writing was superb 👌 3mo

quietjenn @CarolynM @LeahBergen Yep - I was so nervous for them, thinking it would all fall through and that they'd be left with nothing and nowhere. So happy to be wrong about that. (edited) 3mo

Tamra I loved the writing, it was so perceptive! I didn‘t enjoy the ending; the final chapter felt like a tag given the tension and suspense that had ramped up. The two racist passages were disappointing even though I understand the context. (edited) 3mo

Tamra @LeahBergen I thought for sure they were being taken by the builder! 3mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts not in this economy! 😅 But it‘s such human nature to see the grass as greener on the other side. I thought Sherriff captured that so well. (edited) 3mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts I was so scared for them! 😆 And, like you, it was probably because I was putting myself into their shoes and imagining it for myself at his time. 😆😆 3mo

LeahBergen @quietjenn I felt that I really needed that happy ending for them after all the anxiety I‘d felt. 😆 3mo

LeahBergen @Tamra Yes! The use of those racist terms was so jarring and slammed me right out of the narrative (as it always does in books from this era 😬). And I agree about that final chapter: I appreciated the happy ending but the change in narrative voice was a little odd for me. 3mo

Mitch Sounds like something I should read! 🤣🤣 3mo

LeahBergen @Mitch Ha!! It IS you! 😆😆 They move to the country from the outskirts of London. (edited) 3mo

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CarolynM

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

pick

Who would have thought that the retirement of a "bowler-hatted man of the Banks and Insurances Offices" 100 years ago could form the basis for such a delightful novel? I marvel at a writer who can keep me engaged in such a modest story. An excellent first book for the #PersephoneClub. Can't wait to chat when we have all finished reading.

@LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @quietjenn @Tamra @rubyslippersreads @elkeOriginal

LeahBergen Wonderful review!! And exactly what I thought of it. 😆 3mo

BarbaraBB If I hadn‘t already ordered it based on @LeahBergen ‘s review I would have now 🤦🏻‍♀️. Your Persephone book club scares me - I‘ll probably end up buying all your choices too 🤣 3mo

Ruthiella @BarbaraBB Me too!😆 3mo

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LeahBergen @BarbaraBB @Ruthiella 🤣🤣 You two need to read along with us! 3mo

Cathythoughts I‘m nearly finished! Very powerful book , can‘t wait to chat about it 3mo

quietjenn I couldn't agree more 🙂 3mo

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quietjenn

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

pick

A quiet, simple story, told in lovely, evocative language. Very much in the same spirit of Fortnight in September. Looking forward to hearing what the rest of the #persephoneclub thought and chatting about it! #persephonepick for February.

Tamra 😊 Such lovely writing! I wish he had been more prolific. 3mo

quietjenn I know! Looks like there are a few currently only available in the U.K., but I have some ebooks by the publisher, so hopefully they‘ll get the rights to sell them in the U.S. 3mo

LeahBergen I finished today, too, and loved it! 3mo

Cathythoughts Nearly there .. I‘m loving it too 3mo

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Tamra

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

This novel has the same life reflective quality that I loved in Fortnight in September. 😊 Lots of quotable passages in it.

I‘ve finished, but I don‘t want to write more until others have wrapped up and we can chat.

#PersephoneClub

@Cathythoughts @quietjenn @LeahBergen @CarolynM @rubyslippersreads @elkeOriginal

quietjenn They feel a bit like companion novels to each other, even though they aren't the same characters. Really lovely. I've only a wee bit left, so hoping to finish this afternoon. 3mo

Tamra @quietjenn yes they do! In fact I thought it was a continuation of Fortnight before I started. Enjoy your remainder. 😁 3mo

CarolynM I've finished. Looking forward to chatting 3mo

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Tamra @CarolynM 👏🏾 I‘m anxious to know what you thought. 3mo

elkeOriginal Such a good quote! Brilliant. 3mo

Tamra @elkeOriginal so many in it! 💚 How are you getting on with it? 3mo

elkeOriginal I only just got my copy in the mail yesterday so will be running behind 🙁 Looking forward to it though based on these posts! 3mo

Tamra @elkeOriginal you have the pleasure of all the anticipation. 😁 3mo

Cathythoughts Great quote ! I‘m almost finished. Hopefully today 🤞 I love it 3mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts 😘 3mo

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CarolynM

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

Sixty-one next Saturday and suddenly, unbelievably, a gambler.

I'm getting very worried for the Baldwins🥺

#PersephoneClub

@LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @rubyslippersreads @quietjenn @tamra @elkeOriginal

Tamra I couldn‘t stop reading and finished today! 🤞🏾 3mo

CarolynM @Tamra Well done! I'm just past the halfway mark. 3mo

Tamra @CarolynM it was totally compulsive. Enjoy! 3mo

quietjenn I relate, but can't figure out if I've been conditioned by my usual reading to expect disaster 🤨 3mo

Cathythoughts Very good ! I‘d say this passage will be coming up for me soon. I‘m a bit freaked out for them ... not sure where this will all end. @Tamra For such a ‘ simple ‘ story it is a compulsive read. 3mo

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Cathythoughts

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

But before he could reply she hurried on with a desperate eagerness:

shy wings of memory went fluttering through the tips of the larch woods, over bramble hedges and rutted fields :
they descended abruptly and breathlessly to anticipate one of the objections he was certain to make ———

#PersephoneClub

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Tamra

Tamra 😍💙 3mo

TrishB Beautiful ♥️ 3mo

LeahBergen ❤️❤️ 3mo

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Tamra

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

“It was funny how Tom seemed to think that because he has retired, she had retired,too.” Edie

I keep coming back to this quote from chapter 4. Conveys so much in so few words. 💙

I‘m not doing a very good job holding back on this gem. Reading with toast & tea.😅

#PersephoneClub

quietjenn Sounds like a lovely morning! 3mo

Tamra @quietjenn I‘m trying to ignore things that “should” and “must” be done. 😏 Have you started yet? 3mo

LeahBergen I loved that line! 3mo

Cathythoughts Great quote. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3mo

quietjenn @Tamra I have, but only just. Finishing up a few others this morning, then planning to devote myself to it this afternoon and evening. When I can convince myself to ignore my own Shoulds and Musts! 3mo

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Tamra

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

So, what is up with these initials every so many pages at the bottom left of right hand pages? They are in alphabetical order. Is this a Persephone trademark? 🤔

#PersephoneClub

@rubyslippersreads @quietjenn @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @CarolynM @elkeOriginal

LeahBergen I believe they are used by the bookbinder to collate or order the signatures of the book. A ‘signature‘ is the bundled stack of pages bound into a book. 3mo

Tamra @LeahBergen Thank you for the explanation. I don‘t recall ever seeing it before. My lesson of the day! 🤓 3mo

LeahBergen You‘ll see them a lot in older books (and especially antiquarian books from the hand press era). Oh, and I should also mention that they‘re called “signature marks”. You‘ll probably notice them more now that you‘ve spotted them. 😁 3mo

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Tamra @LeahBergen I‘ll now be spying them everywhere! 🕵🏾‍♀️ 😆 3mo

Cathythoughts I‘ll be spying too 🕵️‍♀️😁 3mo

batsy That's fascinating @LeahBergen didn't know that! 3mo

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LeahBergen

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

Okay, #PersephoneClub … I have cracked it open and started to read.

How about those endpapers?? 😍

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, CarolynM, elkeOriginal, Tamra, Cathythoughts

Tamra Beautiful! 💜 I‘m loving every word so far, I hope you do too. 3mo

CarolynM I'm enjoying it very much too❤ 3mo

Cathythoughts Lovely endpapers & lovely mug ❤️. I‘m really enjoying too 3mo

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rubyslippersreads 😍😍😍 I hope to start it today. 3mo

UwannaPublishme 😍😍😍 3mo

merelybookish The endpapers are so pretty!! (Is it sacrilege to say I wish Persephone covers were pretty too? 😬🙈) 3mo

LeahBergen @Tamra @CarolynM I‘m thoroughly enjoying it! And (I kid you not) I just came downstairs and told the dog he was sitting in “my” spot. 😆😆 I‘m really feeling for poor Mrs. Baldwin! 😆 3mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts Thank you! The mug is from a local pottery. The artist is a very young potter and calls these “Granny Mugs”. She can‘t keep them in stock as they sell out immediately. 😆😆 3mo

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads I read a good little chunk today! I‘m on chapter 5 now, I think? 3mo

LeahBergen @UwannaPublishme 😘😘 3mo

LeahBergen @merelybookish Yes, it is. 😂😂 No, I actually find people love or loathe the uniform dove grey covers. I love them for some reason? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Maybe it‘s the pop of colour surprise on the inside? 3mo

Tamra @LeahBergen hahaha That‘s a dog for you! Ours does the same with the chair & bed. 🐶 Poor long suffering Edie. 3mo

Tamra @merelybookish I‘m with you. 3mo

CarolynM 🤣 I'm currently engaged in à running battle with the cat for the best spot on the couch. 3mo

Cathythoughts I like the covers too.. I love dove grey, also the print in the books is the perfect size .. not too big , not too small 👌 3mo

Cathythoughts @CarolynM @Tamra and Leah , I‘ve given up with my dog Lisa ... she has her own chair now , little princess 💕🙄 3mo

Tamra @CarolynM 😽 3mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts I do like the contrast & delight of the end papers! 💙 3mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts they don‘t believe they belong on the floor. 😹 3mo

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CarolynM

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

Hooray! My Persephone order is here at last. I'll get stuck in to Greengates this afternoon. #PersephoneClub

@LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @Tamra @quietjenn @rubyslippersreads @elkeOriginal

Tamra I‘ve been holding back…..just a bit. 😆 3mo

LeahBergen Yay! 👏👏 I‘ll be starting tomorrow! 3mo

quietjenn Woohoo! 3mo

Cathythoughts Oh that‘s great. I‘ll be starting mine tomorrow. Our first Persephone book together 😁 3mo

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andrew61

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

#PersephoneClub
@LeahBergen
https://www.stuckinabook.com/tea-or-books-31-lists-yes-or-no-and-the-fortnight-i...
I know many of you are going to be enjoying Greengates so I thought I'd share a link to the Tea or Books podcast where I first heard about the book and also Fortnight in September. Simon and Rachel provide a gentle discussion about many pre war novels and it is worth catching this episode.

Ruthiella I love this podcast. ❤️ 3mo

LeahBergen Thank you, Andrew. I love this podcast! ❤️ 3mo

Cathythoughts Thanks Andrew, you are very good 👍 3mo

quietjenn Looking forward to listening to this! Thanks for sharing. 3mo

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Tamra

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

Up next! I really enjoyed Fortnight in September so I have high hopes. 😃

#PersephoneClub

Tamra Beautiful first chapter! 💙 3mo

LeahBergen I can hardly wait! 👍 3mo

Tamra @LeahBergen I couldn‘t. 😏😉 3mo

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Cathythoughts Exciting! 3mo

Cathythoughts @Tamra @LeahBergen @Carolynm @quietjenn @elkeOriginal @Rubyslippersreads My copy of Greengates just arrived 💚👍 (edited) 3mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts yay!! 🎉 3mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts Oh, I didn‘t get this notification for some reason! Yay! I think I‘ll start it tomorrow. 😊 3mo

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I know sometimes that happens 🤷🏼‍♀️ so looking forward to it X 3mo

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quietjenn

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

My copy of our inaugural #PersephoneClub title arrived today. I thought I'd just read the first page or two, to get a sense of things, and had to *make* myself stop about ten minutes later. I think we're in for a good time, friends!

@LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @CarolynM @rubyslippersreads @elkeOriginal

LeahBergen Oh, good to hear! 👏👏 3mo

CarolynM 👍 3mo

Cathythoughts Yay !! Exciting..... still no sign of my copy 🤷‍♀️, I‘ll post as soon as I get it. C‘mon Greengates , get here ! 3mo

Cathythoughts Lovely picture 💫 3mo

elkeOriginal Great news! I hope mine arrives soon… 3mo

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LeahBergen

Greengates | R. C. Sherriff

Well, here it is at last … a #PersephoneClub !

Six of us have come together and chosen our club reads until the end of this year (in order of the above months): @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @CarolynM @rubyslippersreads @elkeOriginal @quietjenn

Feel free to read along with us at any time; discussions are very low key and consist mainly of comments on each other‘s posts and reviews.

mklong Oh I‘ll definitely read along! Is it too late to join the club? 4mo

CarolynM 👏👏👏 I'll repost on @LitsyEvents 4mo

LeahBergen @mklong Great! Please do read along with us! We closed off the voting on picks as we had six and therefore enough to carry us to the end of the year (and it made it easier to do the graphic 😆). We‘ll shuffle our names again in December and you can most definitely join us then for our next round of voting. Is that okay? 4mo

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LeahBergen @CarolynM Wonderful! Thanks, Carolyn! 😘 4mo

mklong Sounds good to me 😊 4mo

tenar How fun! I‘m going to mark my calendar to read along in April. I‘ve not yet read a Persephone, as I‘d assumed they didn‘t have ebook editions, but I‘ve lately realized a good number actually do! 4mo

Tamra Ohhh, Greengates is on my TBR! 4mo

LeahBergen @mklong 👍 4mo

LeahBergen @tenar Good to hear! I‘m glad you‘ll be joining us. Yes, all of their books aren‘t available as ebooks but they‘re getting more and more. 4mo

LeahBergen @Tamra We are planning to start reading this one towards the end of the month as we‘re waiting for everyone‘s copies to arrive. I do hope you can join us! 4mo

Tamra @LeahBergen I‘ll see what I can do! 😄 3mo

Cathythoughts Leah, what an elegant post ✨ Well done. 3mo

Cathythoughts @CarolynM That‘s great Carolyn 👍🏻 we an official Litsy happening 😁💃🏾📚 3mo

CarolynM @Cathythoughts 👍🙂😎 3mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts Thanks, Cathy! I was really trying to make it look like a Persephone cover. 😆 3mo

BarbaraBB That is so cool! I‘ll definitely chime in on discussions and books maybe too. 3mo

andrew61 Looks great. I will try and dip in and I like the look of a few of the books especially the wintered Holtby and duff Cooper. Hope you all enjoy greengates and look forward to seeing the comments. 3mo

LeahBergen @BarbaraBB Please do! 😘 3mo

LeahBergen @andrew61 Yes, please read along with us whenever you like! 3mo

Suet624 How wonderful, Leah. A great group of readers and a great selection of books. Have so much fun!!! 3mo

LeahBergen @Suet624 I hope you jump in for one of our discussions, if you ever feel so inclined. 😘 3mo

Suet624 Thank you! 3mo

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