The book dialog game

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by issybird

French Lieutenant's Woman?

Indeed correct! I figured the Lyme Regis mention would be the give-away!

It is an odd book (as are most all of Fowles' books) - with much narrative meditation/intrusion into the story.

[poohbear_nc]

...briefing is not reading. In fact, it is the antithesis of reading. Briefing is terse, factual and to the point. Reading is untidy, discursive and perpetually inviting.

Oh good one! From one of my all time favorite books! I'll sit this one out and let everyone else take a crack!

Spoiler:

[The mental images this book gave me were deliciously wickedly comic! Especially apropos this year!]

[issybird]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Oh good one! From one of my all time favorite books!

I love this. A comic gem.

[issybird]

More:

'You remember Oklahoma?'
'Yes. We saw it when we were engaged.' Extraordinary to think of it, the dashing blond boy he had been.

Not initially did she discuss her reading with anyone, least of all in public, knowing that such a late-flowering enthusiasm, however, worthwhile, might expose her to ridicule. It would be the same, she thought, if she had developed a passion for God, or dahlias. At her age, people thought, why bother? To her, though, noting could have been more serious, and she felt about reading what some writers felt about writing: that it was impossible not to do it and that at this late stage of her life she had been chosen to read as others were chosen to write.

[issybird]

More:

Previously she wouldn't have cared what the maid thought or that she might have hurt her feelings, only now she did and coming back tothe chair she wondered why. That this access of consideration might have somethng to do with books and even with the perpetually irritating Henry James did not at the moment occur to her.

[poohbear_nc]

All readers should read this book! It's wonderful!

Spoiler:

Every time I see coverage of the Jubilee events, I closely observe Elizabeth to spot her tucking a book behind a cushion!

[issybird]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

All readers should read this book! It's wonderful!

Spoiler:

Every time I see coverage of the Jubilee events, I closely observe Elizabeth to spot her tucking a book behind a cushion!

I've put off quoting it as it will give the show away, but that's my favorite bit of all. And yes, I think this book is marvelous, too. Any reader should love it

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by issybird

I've put off quoting it as it will give the show away, but that's my favorite bit of all. And yes, I think this book is marvelous, too. Any reader should love it

Agreed.

Spoiler:

My other favorite visual is corgis running amok in the bookmobile!

[issybird]

Walkies:

Whereas in the past walkies had meant a noisy and unrestrained romp in the grounds, these days, once she was out of sight of her house, [she] sank onto the nearest seat and took out her book. Occasionally she threw a bored biscuit in the direction of the dogs, but there was none of that ball-throwing, stick-fetching and orchestrated frenzy that used to enliven their perambulations. Indulged and bad-tempered though they were, the dogs were not unintelligent, so it was not surprising that in a short space of time they came to hate books as the spoilsports they were (and always have been).

[badgoodDeb]

Sounds like it should be called "Queen Elizabeth, the secret bookworm"! But no, I have no idea ......

[orlok]

It definitely rings some bells, but I'm not quite there...

[issybird]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

Sounds like it should be called "Queen Elizabeth, the secret bookworm"! But no, I have no idea ......

On the contrary! You have the right idea, just not the right title..

I'll be back in a bit with the giveaway quote.

[WT Sharpe]

I know! I know! Queen Elizabeth, the Secret Glowworm!

I'll take my prize by mail.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I know! I know! Queen Elizabeth, the Secret Glowworm!

I'll take my prize by mail.

Here it is:

One of the Queen's recurrent royal responsibilities was to open Parliament, an obligation she had never previously found particularly bothersome and acrually rather enjoyed: to be driven down the Mall on a bright autumn morning even after fifty years was something of a treat. But not anymore. She was dreading the two hours the whole thing was due to take, though fortunately they were in the coach, not the open carriage, so she could take along her book. She'd got quite good at reading and waving, the trick being to keep the book below the level of the window and to keep foused on it and not on the crowds. The duke didn't like it one bit, of course, but goodness it helped.

[Bilbo1967]

Is it that book by the woman who wrote the Adrian Mole books? I've not read it, but the premise is that the royal family are sent to live on a housing estate like normal people.

I wish I could remember the author and book name though