Norah Lofts

[Pallisers]

Anyone else a Norah Lofts fan? I read all of hers when I was a teenager and loved her. The Haunting of Gads Hall is one of my favourite reads and I reread it every few years.

I recently re read The House at Old Vine trilogy - free on kindle - and I was blown away again by her historical knowledge and ability to explain things like the feudal system or the apprenticeship system in the early 19th century or even the rise of public health inspection for housing through really gripping stories.

I have the House At Old Vine trilogy on my TBR pile. Bought it after hearing Lucy Mangan talk about it on Backlisted. You should listen to the episode.

I have loads of heR books, I absolutely think she is one of the best historical novelists. I like that often her stories are about ordinary people, not the ‘hoi pollois', those she does do those as well (Anne Boleyn, Eleanor of Aquitaine). 'White Hell of Pity' broke my heart and turned me into a pessimist. (I am on my hoibobs and have consumed some very nice red, so comments not very erudite at the moment LOL).

"How Far to Bethlehem?" is amazing.

I read most of Norah Lofts books years ago and really enjoyed them. She is definitely one of the best historical novelists. You don't often hear of her so I think she is under-rated.

thanks for the Lucy Mangan link. I think Lofts is really underrated these days - she has mostly disappeared from library shelves but her writing is excellent, her stories are gripping, the occasional ghost or psychic element is never overplayed and you learn so much historical context from them. It was from one of her books that I learned about the dutch in the Bandanese Islands and what they did to secure a monopoly on nutmegs.

I’ve just finished a mini binge - read the house at old vine trilogy and scent of cloves (which I remember being really racy, and wasn’t at all). Maud is an amazing creation. I’ve got Knights Acre trilogy to read next bjr having a break for a bit.

It must be 45 years since I read Norah Lofts. She got me back into reading after school killed the joy for me. Just checked and disappointed they are not free on kindle, only if you have unlimited.

I really liked The Lute Player, about Blondel trolling round Europe trying to find where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. She created such wonderful characters. Yes, Maud was one my favourites too. She was such an unsentimental writer,I love how how characters are all shades of grey, just like all of us, and not idealised.

How Far To Bethlehem and The Lute Player are my favourites. The Lute Player is just so sad all the way through and Anna is a wonderful character.

I remember reading my grandmother’s copy of Gad’s Hall as a teenager in the 1980s.
It was very well written and a subtle’horror’ story .
I searched all local libraries for the sequel as I remember!
Will trawl my bookshelves as I think I still have the books somewhere..

My goodness, there's a name I haven't thought of for years.

Thank you, Pallisers, you've brought back some happy memories.

I read Bless this House after seeing it recommended on here. You've reminded me that I wanted to try something else by her.

Love The Old Vine trilogy. I usually re read it once a year!

Knights Acre is also a favourite.

Yes definitely a fan and thank you for reminding me how much I've enjoyed her books!

Yes I absolutely love everything she writes. I don't know how she manages it but her books are so atmospheric to the point that you feel like you're in the room with the characters. Also love how honest and gritty they are. Very little in the way of fluffy romance, and the fact that basically 'good' people can do very bad things. Even children are capable of cold blooded murder.

I've just been given a set of Norah Lofts books. Which one should I start with?

Lucky you, you have treats in store! I think these are all stand alone novels, so whatever takes your fancy. I loved the Lute player.

What a treat (and how nice they are all the same edition). I'd suggest The Concubine

I read The Town House at 14 years old, and my English teacher scathingly said she expected better of me. I'd got it out of the school library so no idea what she was on about then, and still no idea 40 years later. I read it again last year and loved it just as much. I have since read the others in the trilogy. I did not realise she had written so many others, so that is a treat in store :)

Dear me, Oceansmeet, what a snob! I wonder if she realised that Norah Lofts was a teacher, I forget if English or History. I think she brought history alive, that it wasn't all about kings and queens, but all the small folk as well.