I treated myself to The land of green ginger during the holidays as I had enjoyed other books by Holtby, and thought that I would enjoy this. Set in North Riding, the landscapes and descriptions of the surroundings were very similar to other Holtby books, as was the recurring theme of socialism - it is interesting to see how Holtby uses her novel writing as a vehicle for promoting her views.
It tells the story of Joanna Burton, who as a child dreamed of living in the far off lands of Africa. When she meets Teddy, who claims that he has "been given the world as a golden ball to wear on a chain", she decides to marry him as he seems to offer the best chance of achieving a life of adventure. Unfortunately things do not work out like that and Joanna ends up as mother and farmer's wife in North Riding leading an impoverished existence that is about as far from her dreams as possible. Teddy suffers from TB and is not an easy husband. The whole book is a journey with Joanna as we wonder whether she will ever get to escape the English fog for the African sun.
I love Winifred Holtby and I'm spreading her books out because there aren't too many of them and I really don't want to run out. This well be next up. Are Joanna Burton and Sarah Burton (South Riding) related I wonder?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good. I've yet to read anything by Holtby, but I do have a couple of her books. Will add this one to the list as well.
ReplyDeleteDid you enjoy it? I loved The Crowded Street and have copies of Anderby Wold and Mandoa! Mandoa! The Land of Green Ginger is one that I would love to own and, by default, read ;).
ReplyDeleteJane - I'm not sure if they are related - it wasn't obvious.
ReplyDeleteDanielle - Holtby is definitely worth reading.
Claire - I did enjoy it but perhaps not as much as Crowded Street or Anderby Wold. Really want to read the others.
I like the sound of that! I've only read South Riding so far, but I liked so much that I recently bought Testament of Friendship, Vera Brittain's memoir of their friendship.
ReplyDeleteI read Poor Caroline earlier this month and thought it was quite amusing (which I really wasn't expecting), though different from the only other Holtby novel I've read (Anderby Wold). I'm planning a mini-project of Holtby and Brittain books this year, and am looking forward to at least dipping into, if not reading cover-to-cover, the Testaments (Youth, Friendship, Experience...I think that's all of them?). Well, it's easy to be optimistic about reading plans for the year when it's still January, right!?
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