I have not read any of Ellen Glasgow's novels, Mark, and I thank you for the introduction as I'm certain my library will have her books.  I'm looking for something new to read.

As for the book you've ordered, Major, I fear by the title it would be so far over my head I'd be in a coma before I made it through the first paragraph. 

Novels set in your local area are always worth a read. The great writer from Staffordshire was Arnold Bennett, many of his earlier works are set in and around the Potteries area of north Staffordshire using thinly disguised local sites. 

A living author A N Wilson lived in my home town as a child, one of his recent novels The Potter's Hand has scenes set in the town as it was in the late 18th century. 

I have not read any of Ellen Glasgow's novels, Mark, and I thank you for the introduction as I'm certain my library will have her books.  I'm looking for something new to read.

As for the book you've ordered, Major, I fear by the title it would be so far over my head I'd be in a coma before I made it through the first paragraph. 

This one will also be over your head girl, but give it a try anyway and tell us what you think.

As with most of the books on the Canadian 12th grade required reading list, this one was a real challenge, but I'm pretty sure it was a social commentary.

As with most of the books on the Canadian 12th grade required reading list, this one was a real challenge, but I'm pretty sure it was a social commentary.

Now Shula you must have learned something from reading the book. Did it teach you that you had to be nice to people, even in Walmart's parking lot.

It's an odd story because Jane really liked Dick, but married Tom in the end. Don't you just hate stories with bad ending?

Same for for all books written about the Royals. Don't think I have heard of one yet or even the crowd they run with that doesn't turn into a bad dream in the end for all.

Yes, it was two years before it was eradicated, even though it never fully went away, it resurfaced in the 1360s in England and intermittently throughout Europe for another 300 years. 

Yes, it was two years before it was eradicated, even though it never fully went away, it resurfaced in the 1360s in England and intermittently throughout Europe for another 300 years. 

Probably caused by garbage not getting cleaned up and slaughtered animal parts and food left in the open. 

Just like putting up a neon sign saying open and help yourself. Growing up in Toronto I never seen a rat until I went to Germany and use to see them the odd time in the day time and if they are out in the day time the changes are their are thousands of them around. The worse I'm seen for rats was Egypt but then I have never been to NY to compare. 

Have you ever read any of Alistair Maclean's books Mark. Tommy would probably enjoy his books also. The are real man books so won't suggest Shula read them.

Without wishing to sound effete I haven't. I tend not to read anything that stretches credulity too far, so most fantasy and science fiction is out. The same for adventure stories in which the hero is all but invincible having saved humanity with barely a scratch to show for it. Having said that I intend to read all of Wilkie Collins' novels and he strayed into fantasy at the end of his career.  

I like to finish a book and think "that could have happened". 

Without wishing to sound effete I haven't. I tend not to read anything that stretches credulity too far, so most fantasy and science fiction is out. The same for adventure stories in which the hero is all but invincible having saved humanity with barely a scratch to show for it. Having said that I intend to read all of Wilkie Collins' novels and he strayed into fantasy at the end of his career.  

I like to finish a book and think "that could have happened". 

He is a Scottish novelist who writes thrillers and adventure stories Mark. Many of his book have been made into movies such as Where Eagles Darn, the Guns of Navarone, Ice Station Zebra. Puppet on a Chain and so on. His books are estimated to have sold over 150 million copies, making him one of the best-selling fiction authors of all time.^[1

He served in the British Navy in WW11

Too much going on in his books for my tastes, I like a slow steady pace, preferably with hansom cabs and women in bonnets. 

Ice Station Zebra was Richard Nixon's favo(u)rite book/movie (I don't remember which).

No wonder you get under my skin, Little Mr. Seemeforyourapprovedreadinglist. I have never read Catcher in the Rye because my boyfriend/future husband told me in 12th grade that I wasn't allowed to read it. 

Too much going on in his books for my tastes, I like a slow steady pace, preferably with hansom cabs and women in bonnets. 

Oh Dear

Ice Station Zebra was Richard Nixon's favo(u)rite book/movie (I don't remember which).

No wonder you get under my skin, Little Mr. Seemeforyourapprovedreadinglist. I have never read Catcher in the Rye because my boyfriend/future husband told me in 12th grade that I wasn't allowed to read it. 

And next you are going to tell us that you have been a slave ever since. Why would I find that hard to believe.

Too much going on in his books for my tastes, I like a slow steady pace, preferably with hansom cabs and women in bonnets. 

Oh Dear

An Anthony Trollope novel is about my pace. 

I often think of that prohibition with amusement, PBA.  I didn't even question it, although it did leave me a little insulted.  He had his reason and I respected it.  After all, he was in the National Honor Society.

You respected him and he belonged to a group of guys who couldn't spell their club name right? As soon as I had seen a bastard spelling of Honour, that would have been a clue to me to read the dam book anyway.

Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael series is a good book pace for me. 

Have you seen the TV series Cadfael starring Derek Jacobi televised 1994-98? 13 episodes in all, pretty good. 

There's a great book with photos of the locations of the Cadfael stories up to The Potter's Field by Rob Talbot and Robin Whiteman - Cadfael Country, Shropshire and the Welsh Border. Some gorgeous evocative photos.

The Confession of Brother Haluin takes him into my home County of Staffordshire.   

That book dealt with a nun's abortion.  December 1142.  A most excellent story.

I think my favo(u)rite book is The Virgin in the Ice.  It's 1139 and we meet Brother Cadfael's son.