Penelope Lively : is anyone else a fan of her novels and short stories?

[FolioQuarto]

I am currently reading my third Lively book since the beginning of the year. All rereads, I find them easy to read but not at all lightweight. I love how she explores perceptions of time, and the links between history and now.

I'll read something else next, probably something I haven't read before, then read a few more Lively novels.

Love her … always have - The Purple Swamp Hen and others - is my bedtime read atm.

I love The Ghost of Thomas Kempe, and all the history/time elements. I don’t think I’ve read anything else of hers though - what would you recommend?

Nebulosity So many to recommend but perhaps my favourites are Moon Tiger (which won the 1987 Booker), Spiderweb, Cleopatra's Sister and The Road to Lichfield.

I’ve really only read one, but I adored it - According to Mark. I read it when I was quite young and it seemed sophisticated. I must read some more. I’m always mixing her up with the other one - Penelope Fitzgerald.

Loved Moon Tiger.

I love Penelope Lively, my favourites are Moon Tiger and The Photograph.

Passing On - was the first PL I read and was hooked thereafter. My boys - now adult - loved her Children titles - which I cant recall now. She's a hidden treasure.

Kittyberry Passing On was my first too I think, or possibly According to Mark.

I have read most if not all of her children's books too. She is indeed a hidden treasure.

Ammonites and Leaping Fish is a fascinating look back at her life, not quite an autobiography but very thought provoking.

I've really enjoyed her books and re-read them. It all started with Moon Tiger at A level.

I highly recommend The House in Norham Gardens, if you haven't already read it. A wonderfully perceptive and evocative book.

I read quite a few of her novels in the past and always enjoyed them. There was one which was set in a particular geological location which I recognised immediately.

The Wild Hunt of Hagworthy is brilliant.

I agree. This was my introduction to PL and I’ve loved her style ever since.

I was always a big fan of timeslip growing up. She and Alison Uttley were favourites of mine for this topic.

TheBookShelf I read The House in Norham Gardens about once a year.

I love her books. Her writing style is right up my street, it's so clean and concise - no extra unnecessary verbiage. Moon Tiger is a masterpiece, but I have really enjoyed others, most notably The Photograph and The Road to Lichfield.

Dont think I've read The House in Norham Gardens, I'll have to look out for it.

I'm a fan, especially MoonTiger and The Road to Lichfield.

Did Penelope Lively write a traveller in time? That is a great story. Haven't read it since the 80s but remember it being really good.

Traveller in time was Alison Uttley, one of my favourite books, but I've also read quite a few by Penelope Lively and loved them ♥️

That's Alison Uttley. Love that and read it to my now teens a few years ago.

Whenever we drive past a large farm/rural hamlet I assess whether it could be Thackers.....

I have read a number of PL’s adult books and loved them. Last year I found one of her young adult titles at a charity shop - Going Back. It’s one of the best things I read last year. Beautifully written and deeply moving. Thanks for this thread, I will follow up on some of suggestions here!

Username65 I agree, Going Back is a lovely read.

I started Perfect Happiness yesterday, it is years since I read it, so much so that the pages are starting to fall out. I'm going to replace it if it is still in print.

I haven't read A Traveller in Time but it sounds as if I will enjoy it. I will order it from the lovely indie bookshop near me.

Oh it's brilliant! My childhood copy fell to bits because I read it so many times. I treated myself to a new one last year and it was as good as I remembered.

I've read a few of her books and enjoyed them, especially Moon Tiger.
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Didn't she write the children's novel "Charlotte Sometimes"? That was one of my favorites as a child.

I loved this. I can still see the front cover with the antlers.