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Original poster

Anyone read the Cazalet saga?

42 replies

GwenaelleLaGourmande · 01/01/2015 17:29

By Elizabeth Jane Howard? Just coming to the end of the first and after being a bit meh about it am really enjoying it.

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Lilymaid · 03/01/2015 18:12

She was married first to Peter Scott, the naturalist and son of Captain Scott (he appears thinly disguised in the Cazalet Chronicle) and later married Kingsley Amis. Martin Amis got on very well with her.
The autobiography is called Slipstream.
The TV series was very good but was axed after the first few episodes so is incomplete.

Squeegle · 03/01/2015 12:42

I loved hem too, lily, what is the name of her autobiography? I know she was v interesting, wasn't she married to Kingsley Amis?

MaudantWit · 03/01/2015 12:39

I don't recall the telly series but enjoyed the radio adaptation. Santa brought me the books - for anyone who hasn't got them, they are incredibly cheap (something like £7 for all 5) at the Book People.

Lilymaid · 01/01/2015 20:51

I have now read it twice (apart from Book 5 which I've only read once). Can't wait to read it for the third time. If you read EJH's autobiography you will see where a lot of the story comes from.

Inmyownlittlecorner · 01/01/2015 19:54

Yes, I love them! I saw the tv show years ago, but have only just got around to reading the books. I'm about to start book 3!

clary · 01/01/2015 19:46

I loved them.

User name inspired by Cazalet Chronicles.

Not read them for years tho. May need to dig them out now. Agree EJH is actually a really good writer which is why they are worth reading.

Original poster
GwenaelleLaGourmande · 01/01/2015 19:43

Just about to go to bed early with book 2.

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agoodbook · 01/01/2015 19:01

Yes _ i read them when they first came out , and re -read them when number 5 was published. I loved them , but I hope I don't put people off, but number 5 was not so good

highlandcoo · 01/01/2015 18:53

I loved the Cazalet Chronicles when I read them years ago and have number 5 waiting to be read but, like House, I might have to reread the original four first.

I think they're so appealing because they are an absorbing family saga, but much better than usual because written by a "proper literary author" IYKWIM

Original poster
GwenaelleLaGourmande · 01/01/2015 18:19

Am ok with spoilers though I know others might not be.

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HouseBaelish · 01/01/2015 18:17

I'm in two minds about the televsion series. It was good what they did, but it finishes in a really odd place (before the end of book 3 IIRC). I liked it up to that point.

Shall be interested to read number 5 now

DuchessofMalfi · 01/01/2015 18:12

Read the first one a few months ago, plan to read the rest of the series this year.

magimedi · 01/01/2015 17:56

Yes - loved it but would agree about the fifth - added nothing to the other four & some of it was a bit odd & out of character for the characters, IYSWIM. Won't say more as don't want to spoil any of it for you.

fuctifino · 01/01/2015 17:55

I heard it on Radio 4, which prompted me to get the books.
Am part way through 2, really enjoying them. It's not the sort of genre I would normally choose to read.

Original poster
GwenaelleLaGourmande · 01/01/2015 17:52

I heard there was a tv drama. Did you see it? Any good?

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Original poster
GwenaelleLaGourmande · 01/01/2015 17:52

i heard the 5th lets the series down and she should have stopped at 4. But looking forward to hearing if it is good. I have 2-4 waiting...

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HouseBaelish · 01/01/2015 17:37

Yes, YES! I absolutely adore them. I have read and re-read them repeatedly.

I got the fifth one for Christmas - trying to decide whether to re-read the first four Grin

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