winifred holtby - how did it take me so long to discover her?

[mercibucket]

just that really

read South Riding last year and loved it. just finished Land of Green Ginger and it is one of those amazing books that reaches out and speaks to you, and lingers long after.

how is this author not more well known? anyone else a fan?

I agree. I read her 'The Crowded Street' through Persephone Books and it's excellent. See www.persephonebooks.co.uk/winifred-holtby/.

Yes I read South Riding after watching the TV adaptation and really enjoyed it. Reminded me a bit of Arnold Bennett who I also think is a great writer .. the northern industrial setting, small town life and also the vivid depiction of the emotional lives of ordinary people.
Must look out for her other two books mentioned above.

I came across her through reading Vera Brittain's Testament of Youth and Testament of Friendship - both worth a read in themselves but they (the second in particular) explore how she and WH met and started their writing careers.

sounds another good read

3 holtby books for 4.99 atm on book people for anyone interested

Thanks for the tip mercibucket. I wonder if there's a free delivery around too (or would that be greedy).

often free delivery, codes go up on hotukdeals quite iften. not sure if any are around atm tho

I discovered her by accident after being lent a book. I am off the The Bookpeople, as that is the only book I have read ...

The Vera Brittain books are great. Testament of Experience also features WH largely.

Love South Riding, which I read after an earlier TV adaptation, with Dorothy Tutin as the Headmistress. It reminded me of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Must read the other 2 books of hers. I think I also read Testament of Youth, decades ago, but not the other 2 Vera Brittains.