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Original poster

Please can you help me find this book?

31 replies

PinkysEars · 02/09/2019 19:06

I'm driving myself mad with frustration because I can't remember a book/author. Please can you help me?

It's about a woman who moves to a small English village (possibly because her marriage is over, not sure about that bit) and starts to do up a house. She finds some sort of household book that is contemporaneous with the house and follows a few of the instructions. I don't remember many examples, but one is definitely making tallow dips.

To start with the villagers are quite interested in her "finds" but then she creates a ruckus/offends them by making them feel as though she's actually patronising them.

I read a few books by this woman and liked them all, but I'm damned if I can remember her name.

Please help me: I've googled the hell out of it and I'm getting nowhere.

OP posts:
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Crockof · 06/09/2019 23:21

Off to try the book, but amazed by gaviscon having guessed it.

Chickoletta · 06/09/2019 23:16

I love this book!
Aunt Margaret’s Lover is another brilliant one of hers.

Original poster
PinkysEars · 04/09/2019 19:17

Oh that's interesting Ton. I think it's Janice Gentle Gets Sexy that I meant (also Mavis Cheek) but it shows, at risk of cliche, that there's nothing new under the sun.

I've not heard of Delphine de Vigan so I'm off to look her up. Thank you!

OP posts:
TonTonMacoute · 04/09/2019 17:44

Glad you found it OP.

The book about the author who sends someone else off on a book tour sounds like Based on a True Story by the French writer Delphine de Vigan, just FYI.

Orangepear · 02/09/2019 22:43

Great result! I'm off to look it up now!

64sNewName · 02/09/2019 20:59
Halo
Original poster
PinkysEars · 02/09/2019 20:26

And thank you 64 for sticking with me. Grin

OP posts:
64sNewName · 02/09/2019 20:25

Oh I’m so pleased you have it! Well done gaviscon Smile

Original poster
PinkysEars · 02/09/2019 20:23

Mumsnet is a marvellous place isn't it? All questions answered, no matter how obscure.

I really recommend Mavis Cheek (now I can remember her name...) Screaming, really good reads.

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ScreamingValenta · 02/09/2019 20:20

I want to read it now, too Grin.

gavisconismyfriend · 02/09/2019 20:20

My pleasure! That might be the single most useful thing I’ve done today Grin

Original poster
PinkysEars · 02/09/2019 20:19

Oh my god Gaviscon you complete genius. That's it!! Thank you.

Thank you everyone for helping me. I can sleep tonight.

OP posts:
Original poster
PinkysEars · 02/09/2019 20:18

Yes 64, you've got completely the right feel there I think.

I've just been through the Costa prize short-lists (back when it was the Whitbread) and it's taken me back in time in a rather alarming way. Isn't it amazing how books do that? Remembering where you were when you read something, or a particular phase in your life when you read groups of authors together.

So I've completely narrowed it down (Grin) to when I was reading Margaret Atwood, Anne Tyler and Kate Atkinson. But I still can't remember the name of the bloody book.

OP posts:
gavisconismyfriend · 02/09/2019 20:16

Mrs Fytton’s Country Life by Mavis Cheek?

gavisconismyfriend · 02/09/2019 20:12

Ooooh, I remember the tallow candles - think they made the house smoky? - and the neighbours thinking she’s off her head! Think the woman in the book was called Elizabeth? Off to do some searching....

64sNewName · 02/09/2019 20:05

I think people are suggesting these authors because the sketched-out plot sounds like a typical commercial fiction story, but op is sure it’s not someone like that, so ... hmm. I’m just trying to think of authors to suggest.

Penelope Lively
AS Byatt

umm ...

Original poster
PinkysEars · 02/09/2019 20:05

None of the above I'm afraid. Although enjoying (and understanding) the confusion between Lucy Diamond & Lisa Jewell.

OP posts:
Frouby · 02/09/2019 20:03

Could it be Lucy Diamond maybe? I think at one point I got the 2 confused and it would be the 90s as that's when I first read Lisa Jewell.

Original poster
PinkysEars · 02/09/2019 20:02

No, definitely not Trollope.

Driving myself potty, but comforted slightly by tormenting you as well Whoops. Misery loves company.

OP posts:
NoHummus · 02/09/2019 20:01

This particular story isn't ringing any bells, but could it be something by Jill Mansell?

ScreamingValenta · 02/09/2019 20:00

It sounds a bit like Victoria Clayton but if so it isn't one I have read (recommend her though if you like that kind of story).

Frouby · 02/09/2019 20:00

I know this book I think, it's someone who I read because it sounded like another author I liked, but wasn't but was OK.

Am trying to think.of the author ahe sounded similar to, possibly Lisa Jewell, off to google.

Whoopstheregomyinsides · 02/09/2019 19:56

Or what’s she called? Driving me mad now

Whoopstheregomyinsides · 02/09/2019 19:55

Rings a bell with me but more of a modern novel- women’s fiction like Catherine Alliot or similar

64sNewName · 02/09/2019 19:52

I haven’t read Joanna Trollope, so I don’t know how literary (or not!) she is - but she is quite 1990s and village-settings-y. Could it be her?

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