Nightingale Wood was the only VMC that I read whilst in Austria, and it was an absolutely perfect winter holiday read. I never really enjoyed Cold Comfort Farm, but I read a number of reviews on blogs when Nightingale Wood was republished by Virago that were enough to tempt me to get hold of a copy of this to read. It just took me six months to get around to doing so...It was worth waiting for. Nightingale Wood is the story of the Withers family, particularly daughters Madge and Tina, and the impact of the arrival of their penniless, widowed sister in law Viola on their household. There is plenty of romantic interest - Tina falls in love with the chauffeur whilst learning to drive, and Viola falls for the local squire. In some ways this was very Jane Austen-esque - a comedy of manners and social situations, but I found it witty and entertaining and very readable. I especially loved the miserly character of Mr Withers - whilst his penny-pinching annoyed the family, it envelops the whole story, and the reader is left wondering whether he will win through or whether the women will actually be able to get what they want.
Just the one VMC cover, above. I do hope that Virago consider republishing some more of Gibbon's books - I shall definitely start to look out for her again, and maybe even re-attempt Cold Comfort Farm.
This sounds fascinating. I am surprised that you found Cold Comfort Farm anything other than fabulous, perhaps you weren't in the right mood? I must seek out Nightingale Wood - thanks for bringing this to my attention. Yet another book for my tbr pile!
ReplyDeleteQuite probably the wrong mood Naomi - but I'm definitely ready for more Stella Gibbons now :)
ReplyDeleteI had a copy back before the Virago reissue but I still haven't finished it. I like what I've read but I think it's one of those books you have to read at just the right time. The same with CCf maybe.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'd love to read this. It sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hadn't realized there were more Stella Gibbons novels out there! It sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI got this for Christmas and I can not wait to read it! I loved Cold Comfort Farm, and as soon as I saw this was being printed it went on my Christmas list - it sounds so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHi Verity - You just won my Captivated book giveaway! Can you email me your address today. I'd like to send the book out tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI read this last year, having come across it by chance in the bookshop and picking it up because of the pretty cover and because I loved Cold Comfort Farm so much. (I second the suggestion to give CCF another go, btw! Also perhaps try watching the TV adaptation from several years ago, which I, at least, think it hilarious!). I didn't enjoy NW quite as much, but still thought it was a great read. I'd like to read some more Gibbons now too.
ReplyDeleteI bought this for exactly the same reason - the cover! Enjoyed it very much and that decided me to have another go at Cold Comfort Farm which I have always found totally unattractive. However, this time I found it very very funny and am now seeking out other books by this author. They are very few and far between and nearly all out of print so have resorted to my library and reserving them.
ReplyDeleteStella Gibbons used to come into Highgate Library where I worked many moons ago - such a nice sweet lady.
I really enjoyed Cold Comfort Farm but found Nightingale Wood a little disappointing. I was only thinking about it yesterday though as something reminded me of one of the scenes so it's obviously memorable. CCF is unique in its satire of Hardy, Webb etc. so perhaps you should read it after Precious Bane to appreciate it more?
ReplyDeleteCCF is one of my favourite books & I'm also a fan of the TV movie. Rufus Sewell as Seth - how could they go wrong with casting like that! I found NW a bit of a disappointment. I kept waiting for it to really grab my imagination but I really didn't care enough about any of the characters. Still, I'd like to read more Gibbons if Virago decide to reprint any.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone,
ReplyDeleteAm interested that so many of you recommend CCF, and I really think I must give that a bit of a go again now. I'm also quite keen to watch the TV adaption, although I remember a colleague not enjoying it very much.