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Original poster

If I love AS Byatt and Iris Murdoch..

49 replies

LadyPoncenbyFroglett · 05/08/2023 16:20

Any other, similar women writers might I enjoy?

Looking for writers with a similar prose heavy academic style. Angela Carter a tad too 'magical-realism' for my tastes but I did love the non fiction work of Marina Warner. I am also fond of Sylvia Townshend Warner (Lolly Willowes is my heroine!) and Katherine Mansfield, although would prefer something from the AS Byatt era, I think.

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Philandbill · 05/08/2023 17:18

@Songlines your copy of "The Battle for Christabel" looks as well read as mine. Wonderful book.

I'll add Penelope Lively and Carol Shields (especially "Unless" ) to the list, and for something a bit lighter and more modern Anne Tyler.

RenoDakota · 05/08/2023 17:16

Anne Tyler. All of her books (there are many), in chronological order.

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LadyPoncenbyFroglett · 05/08/2023 17:12

Just so, so much here, am going to compile a reading list, thank you all again:)

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Phineyj · 05/08/2023 17:08

Dorothy L Sayers? Strong Poison, Murder Must Advertise and Nine Taylors are my favourites.

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LadyPoncenbyFroglett · 05/08/2023 17:07

I could give Woolf another chance? Although I started 'the mark on the wall' last year and had to put it down. No idea why. I have no issue with her writing style.

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LadyPoncenbyFroglett · 05/08/2023 17:06

heldinadream · 05/08/2023 16:57

Plus - you must have read Woolf? Tell me you've read V Woolf?
If you haven't - get thee at it!

I love the entire Bloomsbury group era (from film to painting to writings on bohemian life), although can't put my finger on why I don't jive with VW.

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Songlines · 05/08/2023 17:05

Isn't it fabulous when you discover a prolific new author?

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LadyPoncenbyFroglett · 05/08/2023 17:03

Thanks songlines, and everyone else, this is like walking into a toy shop for me!

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Songlines · 05/08/2023 17:02

I'm going to have to re-read those Margaret Forster now! Thank you for the reminder.

I loved Diary of an Ordinary Woman, Lady's Maid and Shadow Baby, in particular

Songlines · 05/08/2023 16:59

Yes. I'd recommend both her fiction and her non fiction.
Hidden Lives
Precious Lives
Plus her biographies of Daphne du Maurier and Elizabeth Barrett Browning

If I love AS Byatt and Iris Murdoch..
heldinadream · 05/08/2023 16:57

Plus - you must have read Woolf? Tell me you've read V Woolf?
If you haven't - get thee at it!

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LadyPoncenbyFroglett · 05/08/2023 16:53

Margaret Forster's 'keeping the world away' looks like my cup of tea - anyone read this?

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LadyPoncenbyFroglett · 05/08/2023 16:52

Cusk looks very interesting.

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Songlines · 05/08/2023 16:51

Margaret Forster
Hilary Mantel
Margaret Drabble (AS Byatt's sister)

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LadyPoncenbyFroglett · 05/08/2023 16:48

No I have never sampled Drabble! Might be time to take a look!

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LadyPoncenbyFroglett · 05/08/2023 16:47

Any particular books?
I am looking for something that I can get lost in, reminiscent of Byatt's short stories but perhaps longer, I lived The Matisse Stories and Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye.
Something ponderous, prose-y, with a bit of dreaminess and realism combined.

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MoonLion · 05/08/2023 16:45

Have you tried Margaret Drabble? She's AS Byatt's sister (although not as prose heavy).

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton.
Hilary Mantel
Rachel Cusk as mentioned above.

MatthewBroderick · 05/08/2023 16:43

Margaret Forster
Elizabeth Taylor
Mary Wesley

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LadyPoncenbyFroglett · 05/08/2023 16:40

Gosh, such a lot here to look through, thanks everyone, much appreciated! Smile

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Songlines · 05/08/2023 16:38

Rose Tremain
Marge Piercy
Pat Barker
Isabel Allende
Sarah Waters

hettiethehare · 05/08/2023 16:33

Doris Lessing?

heldinadream · 05/08/2023 16:32

Anita Brookner.
Edna O'Brien.
Rose Tremain.
Penelope Fitzgerald.
Rachel Cusk.

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LadyPoncenbyFroglett · 05/08/2023 16:32

Ooh new to me! Thank you, will have a look.

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DisplayPurposesOnly · 05/08/2023 16:25

Helen Dunmore