Bahimsa

Janine relates the strange case of Mother Stairsy

Finally, first part of a new strip! Second part tomorrow..

This book is currently quite hard to find. I feel very lucky to have stumbled over a copy which appears to have been signed by her to a friend.

Published in 1972, ‘My Way of Life’ was anticipated by some as a tell-all, juicy memoir. Instead Crawford gives us advice on being a good hostess, a good houseguest, hold to properly handle clothes, and chapter titles such as “A Script for a Complete Woman” and “A Program for a Glowing Face and Lovely Hair.” No gossip, no reminiscences, no tears or traumas or triumphs, but if you love Joan you’ll love it. Most of the photographs contained inside I have never seen anywhere else. She is pictured above with Anita Loos, Noel Coward and Alfred Steele.  

I love her. And I really want to find and read ‘Confessions and Impressions.’

Barbara Bell, 1914-2005, in her wonderful memoir ‘Just Take Your Frock Off’ (Ourstory Books, 1999).

70s paperback edition of Genet’s ‘Querelle of Brest’, cover photograph by Roger Philips.

Jean Rennie’s ‘Every Other Sunday’ was first published in 1955, and reprinted in 1975, at a time when several former servants, such as Margaret Powell and Winifred Foley, were writing memoirs and having their accounts of “downstairs” life published. The servant class were not expected to write or read books, were never asked for their opinions, and were expected always to be loyal, servile and silent. Until very recently historians and academics have been uninterested in them and they have never really been represented in working class history. These books may appear somewhat twee or of that cheap “true story” genre from their packaging but they are utterly without nostalgia for the servants lot and invaluable historical records.

Cover shows ‘Self Portrait’ by Barbara Balmer, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums.

Anyway, this is the first Ivy Compton Burnett I ever read, its my favourite, and its a gorgeous edition. I live in Hove, East Sussex, where Ivy was born and have sought out the addresses of both her childhood homes here to look out. Which is a nice thing to do as I’m a big fan. Unfortunately, Ivy was not a fan of Hove and, when later living in London, would apparently refuse to speak to anyone who mentioned the place to her.

Truman Capote, “A Tree of Night, and other stories”, book cover with engraving from the Mary Evans Picture Library.

I bought this from a second hand bookshop, Tree House Books I believe,  in Kenilworth the other day. I haven’t read it yet. I’ve never read any Anthony Powell. I just thought it had wonderful cover art and design. I’ll share some more favourite paperback book covers and some of my favourite charity shop book finds over the next week. Mainly because I think its a nice idea but also because I have no new work of my own and am probably the worlds slowest artist.

Who Does It Think It Is?

Lee Remick in the Thames Television series Jennie, Lady Randolph Churchill (1974).