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Last September
Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
24 posts | 17 read | 13 to read
The Last September is Elizabeth Bowen's portrait of a young woman's coming of age in a brutalized time and place, where the ordinariness of life floats like music over the impending doom of history. In 1920, at their country home in County Cork, Sir Richard Naylor and his wife, Lady Myra, and their friends maintain a skeptical attitude toward the events going on around them, but behind the facade of tennis parties and army camp dances, all know that the end is approaching the end of British rule in the south of Ireland and the demise of a way of life that had survived for centuries. Their niece, Lois Farquar, attempts to live her own life and gain her own freedoms from the very class that her elders are vainly defending. The Last September depicts the tensions between love and the longing for freedom, between tradition and the terrifying prospect of independence, both political and spiritual. "Brilliant.... A successful combination of social comedy and private tragedy." The Times Literary Supplement (London)"
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review
MaCa
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
Pickpick

published after the civil and Anglo-Irish wars in 1920s Ireland and set then. The blithe Anglo landed elite close their eyes to the implications for them of the coming break with Empire that had precipitated the chaos. (Bowen was of this class, but was critical.) A novel about how people are not always aware that history is happening right now. Little happens for most the novel, and that lack of chaos is, in hindsight, celebrated.

review
quietjenn
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Pickpick

Finished my first Bowen this weekend and it was terrific. Looking forward to diving into her wonderful, deliberate writing more.

LeahBergen I‘ve yet to read one of her novels but I have a few waiting (naturally 😆). 2y
IndoorDame Love her writing! 2y
batsy I've read only one Bowen so far and loved it 2y
quietjenn @batsy I know I own that one. If I can find it (🤞) it'll be the next one. 2y
51 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Eggbeater
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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I read 13 books in September. The House in the Cerulean Sea was my absolute favorite, a 5🌟read. I really enjoyed the rest of them , except for Zoe Spanos, which just wasn't for me.

On to October and the Halloween reads! 🎃

Gissy Amazing! 📚📚📚🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏 4y
48 likes1 comment
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shawnmooney
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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shawnmooney
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Lindy 😳🦈🧐 5y
22 likes1 comment
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shawnmooney
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Lindy 🤔 5y
MayJasper Must be missing the wrong person! 5y
24 likes2 comments
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shawnmooney
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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review
Butterfinger
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
Panpan

I can't tell what I read. It seemed to be written in code and I didn't have the key to decipher. I was told to read each line carefully or I would miss something. How true. In a long paragraph of everyday dialogue, you would see the words, "did you hear about the attack on Clinmore?" and nothing else. It was set during the Irish Rebellion which is important, but it wasn't clear when the author wrote about it. I want my missed time back.

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mutlee
Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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September was a light reading month, but still got in 6 books. The Poppy War was my favorite of the month. Looking forward to some cozy October reading time! #monthlywrapup

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Libby1
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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I leave Ireland to visit Poland and what do I bring?

A book set in Ireland.

Sigh. 🤷🏼‍♀️

LeahBergen 😂😂 Eat lots of perogies for me! 6y
Lreads What a beautiful spot! 6y
Izai.Amorim Warsaw? 6y
See All 7 Comments
Libby1 I ate WAY TOO MANY pierogis, @LeahBergen ! If I‘d stayed any longer I would have BECOME a pierogi! 6y
Libby1 This was in Gdańsk, @Izai.Amorim and @QuietlyLaura . I loved the spot so much that I went back to this restaurant. 6y
slategreyskies Wow, I would love to sit there with a book! It looks so peaceful! 5y
Libby1 @slategreyskies - it was so incredibly beautiful. I would return to Gdańsk in a heartbeat. ❤️ 5y
96 likes7 comments
blurb
Jamesfahyauthor
Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Hello September!
.
Do months have a colour to you? They do to me. October is definitely pumpkin Orange, November is a deep dark blue, but September is a rich gold.
Have an excellent one, readers and writers x
.
#book #books #bookstagram #bookworm #bookish #booklove #booklover #bibliophile #bookworm #bookaddict #fantasy #fantasybooks #fantasyseries #september #helloseptember #autumn #fall #golden #jamesfahy #jamesfahyauthor

MStew 🎃 6y
Schnoebs Always viewed November as a deep mahogany or something like that. Interesting to see you view it as a deep blue 6y
20 likes2 comments
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Susanita
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Yes! I‘m in! You know you want to join us! @TheReadingMermaid has the details about this #readathon on her original post.

BeansPage 🤗🤗🤗 6y
35 likes1 comment
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Libby1
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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#1001bookswap

Hello, @Balibee146 , @TrishB , @jhod , @Teakillamockingbird

I‘m sorry I forgot to post my book swap possibilities yesterday.

All 5 of these books that I already have are on the list. Does anything look good to you?

Three of them are Irish, one is a classic, and the longest is 320 pages. I‘ll post each title in the comments so you can look them up.

Anyone read any of these? Any thoughts?

@JenP

See All 22 Comments
LeahBergen I recently read The Comfort of Strangers and it is FREAKY. 😮 7y
Libby1 Ooh! Good to know, @LeahBergen 🤪 7y
jhod Great choices! I've only watched the film of the comfort of strangers - so eerie!! @LeahBergen 😂😂 7y
Libby1 I forgot to say @jhod , @Balibee146 , @TrishB , and @Teakillamockingbird that I‘ve not read any of these yet! They might be dreadful. 😳 7y
TrishB All look good to me! Not read any 👍🏻😁 7y
Teakillamockingbird I‘ve not read any of these xx 7y
Balibee146 I've not read any either.... Think I have a copy of Unless as read some of hers years ago.... Any of these good for me 👍😀 7y
Libby1 @Balibee146 , @Teakillamockingbird , @jhod , @TrishB - I think I might go with Castle Rackrent for the craic. I‘ll start reading it to make sure it‘s not rubbish and if it‘s good I‘ll send it out to @TrishB ASAP. 😃 7y
Balibee146 Brill @Libby1 @TrishB @jhod @Teakillamockingbird did a schedule get agreed? Cos I'm having email issues I think I'm missing stuff.... Not sure when I'm posting and will need to check if I know who I'm to post to from the messages I got. Sorry.... Bit disorganised at the mo as I'm trying to run two businesses! 🙃 7y
jhod @Balibee146 I think you're posting to @Libby1 and I'm posting to you but don't think we have agreed a schedule yet! 7y
TrishB @jhod @Balibee146 @Libby1 @Teakillamockingbird does anyone want to suggest a date for first mailing of book? 7y
Teakillamockingbird @Balibee146 @Libby1 @jhod @TrishB hi I happy to post whenever the sooner the better although I haven‘t purchased book yet as not sure what we have all decided on. I have purchased journal xx 7y
jhod @Teakillamockingbird @Libby1 @TrishB @Balibee146 I presume we are reading our own chosen book first? Send it on by April 1st - which is Easter so maybe by April 8th? Does that work? 7y
Libby1 @jhod , @Teakillamockingbird , @TrishB , @Balibee146 - perfect. I think @jhod has the right idea. We read our own selections and write in our notebooks and aim to get them to our designated person by 1 April (my husband‘s birthday, by the way, and it fits! 🤪). 7y
Balibee146 Lol @Libby1 😂😂 7y
59 likes22 comments
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Velvetsun
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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September reading stats:
Not the most productive month. But oh well.
Favorites: Salem's Lot & The Accursed
Least Favorite: We were Liars.

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Ash.on.the.line
Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Trying to be more organized for October!
Over September I read 6 books and 6 plays. Not too shabby!
Here I come October!
I'm gonna be busy but I always make time for reading!
📖 📚

Ms_T 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
37 likes1 comment
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Jerdencon
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Slow month... between going back to work, my son starting up all activities again, and having an insane social calendar this month (think we know too many people sometimes 😀😊) reading has taken a back seat!

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Natasha.C.Barnes
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Spreading the gospel of The Last September with one of my favorite quotes (top) is giving me the chance to humble brag about my little undergraduate thesis from 5 years ago, mostly because as much as I love reading for pleasure, a part of me really does miss tearing books apart to that level. It's so cerebral (and frustrating), but also so visceral. #falltitles #awesomeautumnbooks (forgive my hasty underlining-I was so busy at the time! 😂)

Natasha.C.Barnes Please forgive me, I'm sure this is obnoxious, I just feel like if anyone will understand my exuberant enthusiasm, it's you guys. 7y
Centique I love the enthusiasm! I miss tearing books apart in university studies too. This sounds great - stacked 😊 7y
Natasha.C.Barnes @Centique ❤️ I hope you like it! 7y
Tadams4 That's totally awesome! 7y
batsy That was a huge part of the pleasure of studying for an English degree and I miss it, too! 7y
38 likes2 stack adds5 comments
review
Natasha.C.Barnes
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Pickpick

It breaks my heart that this is the first real entry under this book! It's so good. I'd describe it to you, but the back of the book does a better job of it. #falltitles #awesomeautumnbooks

Natasha.C.Barnes Plus, it's only 206 pages. 7y
LeahBergen I've been meaning to read Bowen for years. I have The Little Girls on my shelf. 7y
Libby1 It's in my Mount TBR! I'll have to bump it up the list. Thanks for the recommendation! 7y
See All 8 Comments
Natasha.C.Barnes @Libby1 @LeahBergen Oh yay, you guys are making me so happy! I also highly recommend To the North, The Death of the Heart, The House in Paris, and (slightly less so) The Hotel. 7y
Natasha.C.Barnes @LeahBergen I'm ashamed to say I hardly even remembered seeing that title--I was in such a rush to find a thesis topic that I was only able to read 5 of her books and chose 3 to write about. But I just read a GR review that said it was tough going (from someone who loved other Bowen), so that intrigues me bc she's usually such an easy read, not being as experimental with language as, say, Virginia Woolf. 7y
Natasha.C.Barnes @Libby1 Oh, and it's so short and fast, you could read this one in an afternoon, easy. 7y
batsy I loved The Death of the Heart but it was quietly devastating. I want to read her other books but also feel I need to emotionally prepare myself, lol. 7y
Natasha.C.Barnes @batsy Haha, yes, I know exactly what you mean. To the North is also devastating, maybe even slightly more so, but The Last September is easier. Yes, a way of life for a group of people is dying out, but you also know that it SHOULD be, and it isn't so caught up in the characters individually. 7y
46 likes8 comments
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Nat_Reads
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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My ambitious to-read list for September! I'm working on whittling down my TBR that I already own... I'm horrible at sticking to a reading plan, but it might be fun! What book are you most looking forward to reading in September?

Sydsavvy 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 7y
mcctrish I'm trying to read a few books from my purchased tbr pile every month ( my New Years resolution) it's going okay until too many come from the library, then it all goes to hell (edited) 7y
Nat_Reads @mcctrish I completely sympathize! I just keep adding, which is fun until I get stressed... 7y
mcctrish Really the worst case scenario is having nothing to read vs too much 😂 7y
52 likes4 comments
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Caroline2
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Right, these are the books I'm hoping to finish in September! Although I don't even know why I'm bothering thinking about it as I never seem to end up reading what I intend to any way?! 🙄 😂

TrishB That's why I never plan! 7y
minkyb Me either! 7y
65 likes2 comments
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RealLifeReading
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Thanks to @ephemeralwaltz I learnt that I had one repetition! Sorry about that! I have changed just No. 29. So if you've taken a screenshot please take a new one. The one on the original post has also been changed. #fallintobooks

booksandsympathy Why has it never occurred to me to take a screenshot? 7y
ephemeralwaltz 👌👌 Great :) 7y
94 likes2 comments
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RealLifeReading
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Goodness! This September list means that it's been a year of book photo challenge posts that I've done - I started with#somethingforsept last year and here is another September post. It's been so wonderful seeing everyone's posts using all those random prompts I've put up. Thank you all so much for joining in!
Please tag me when you #fallintobooks

mrp27 Thanks for doing these, so much fun! 7y
I-read-and-eat This means I am almost one year on Litsy! I love your photo challenges, in september I will try to join in again. 😊 7y
emilyhaldi Woohoo!!! Can't believe it's already Fall! 🍁🍁🍁 7y
See All 16 Comments
readordierachel I am so bad at keeping up with these, but I love seeing them. Thanks for thinking them up! 7y
Alytrue Ooh, I love book rainbows! 7y
LeahBergen Yes!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for doing them!!!! 😊📚😘 7y
LeeRHarry I wasn't a big participator in Aug but hope to do better in Sept! Thanks again for putting this together😊 7y
ephemeralwaltz Yayy!! This looks great as always. I didn't participate in august so I'm.looking forward to joining in in september. (It seems like prompts #3 and #29 are repeated!) ❤ 7y
SophfroniaScott August was tough for me too but I hope to get back on board for September. 7y
RealLifeReading @ephemeralwaltz oops you are right! I will have to think of something else 7y
RealLifeReading @mrp27 @I-read-and-eat @emilyhaldi @ReadOrDieRachel @Alytrue @LeahBergen @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @LeeRHarry @ephemeralwaltz @SophfroniaScott thanks for all the support you guys!! 😘Also if you haven't seen my latest post do note that I've changed the challenge post pic - No. 29 was a repetition (gaaah!) and has now been replaced. I've also changed the pic on this post. 7y
SophfroniaScott Got the new post, thanks! 7y
LeahBergen Screen shot changed! 👍🏻 7y
BookBabe I love what you picked for 11 ❤️ 7y
94 likes16 comments
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RealLifeReading
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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And with today's news of the Android version available i'd like to say: Dear newest of Littens! Welcome to Litsy! It's a wonderful welcoming community of readers of all kinds! I know September is almost over but in case you're wondering why everyone's posting "reading outside" photos today it's because of this month's photo challenge. Hope you will play along! Tag me if you do! #somethingforsept #septphotochallenge

LeahBergen Welcome, new people! 8y
Emily92Bibliophile Welcome to our little utopia! "We are all a little mad here" ? 8y
laurywho Thank you for the welcome! :D 8y
See All 22 Comments
CarolynOliver Welcome, new people! So many books! 8y
PurpleyPumpkin Welcome to all the newbies! This is a fantastic community. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. 😉 8y
sarielizbeth New and excited! 8y
WOCreads Made it here😳 Now I gotta think of a quote for tomorrow📚 8y
RealLifeReading You're welcome @laurywho @sarielizbeth hope you have a great time! 8y
RealLifeReading @Ifyoucanreadthis_Bina hoorayyyyyyy!!! 🎉🍾📚📚📚 8y
bookishnerd Oh, fun. Photo challenges are my fav. lol Will there be an October one? 8y
Carol I am sooooooooo far behind. Prepare for a weekend flood. 😁 8y
Liatrek Love this idea! Just found this and can't wait to take some pics 😊 8y
Kezylou Thank you for the welcome. I love a photo challenge. ☺ 8y
kendra0119 So happy to be here!! 8y
Krysta This is fun! 8y
Exlibrisbitsy Thanks for resharing this for us! 8y
RealLifeReading @Bookishnerd not sure if you've seen it yet but I posted it yesterday! 8y
RealLifeReading @Liatrek looking forward to your posts! 8y
RealLifeReading @Krysta @Exlibrisbitsy hope you guys join in! 8y
bookishnerd I did see! Thanks. 😊 8y
Krysta I sure am! Thank you! 8y
140 likes22 comments
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RealLifeReading
The Last September | Elizabeth Bowen
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Can't believe it's the last weekend of August already! I had such fun with the #augustphotochallenge I decided to write my own for September! Anyone interested? Tag me (@reallifereading) when you post next month!

moranadatter That looks like fun! I'll play! 8y
LeeRHarry Happy to give this a go! 8y
Shortstack Love it!!! Maybe I'll find the time to do them all in September! 😆 8y
See All 53 Comments
Bookworm54 I was a bit late for the August challenge so I'm definitely up for this! :) 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I'm in - I've been feeling sad this month's challenge was nearly over! 8y
MrBook Nice! I like! What does "POC" stand for? 8y
Pamtherunner Will try! These challenges look like a blast!! 8y
Alisnazzy @MrBook Person of Color ☺️ 8y
rachel_mbc I'm in, as long as I can remember. 😀 8y
Blaire I'm in too. 8y
Biljana I like too! Will do 😊! 8y
sprainedbrain Sure... Looks fun! 8y
Melkyl I had fun with the #AugustPhotoChallenge, so I am saving this too 😊 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Great idea! 8y
SharonGoforth I'm in! 8y
RebeccasReading I'll try! 8y
catieohjoy I'm in! These are great prompts! 8y
Laura317 I'll give it a go! 8y
Eyelit Fab - I'm in! 8y
MeganAnn These are great! I'm in!! 8y
SoniaC These look really fun love "blame it on Litsy" ? 8y
BooksForEmpathy Yay!!!! I totally missed out on August photo challenge so I am excited to redeem myself! 8y
LeahBergen Yes! I was getting a touch sad about the August challenge almost being over. It helped me connect to so many of you great people here on Litsy. 8y
MMenefee I'm in! Thanks for creating a new month of fun on Litsy. 8y
Jeanette I'm in! 8y
MeganMarieWrites Yay! I was hoping there would be a September challenge! 8y
Josie Yay!!! I didn't get a chance to participate in August so I will definitely do so in September! 8y
britt_brooke Nice list! 8y
LauraBeth Fun 😀 8y
KarenUK I'm in.... :) 8y
Gayan I'm in! 8y
Varshitha I am in .. Thanks for doing it.. 8y
susanw Thanks! I had such fun in August, can't wait now for September! 8y
MrBook Gotcha 😊👍🏻 8y
RealLifeReading @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Melwilk @LeahBergen @MeganMarieWrites @susanw exactly! I really liked seeing everyone's great photos for August! Can't wait! 8y
RealLifeReading @rachel_mbc I'll post it again on August 31 as a reminder! 8y
Alisnazzy @RealLifeReading I took a screenshot so I don't forget what each day is! ☺️ 8y
RealLifeReading @Ambrosnazzy that's what I did for August! But I'll try to put it up a few times throughout the month too. If I remember!! 8y
BethFishReads Fun. I'm always bad at challenges but I took a screen shot 8y
Texreader I'll try... Awesome that you decided to do this!! 8y
BookNerdBritt Yay!!! 8y
Carol I've been meaning to jump into one of these. Count me in! 8y
QueenAnne 😍😍I'm in! Loved the august challenges very much! 8y
Dragon Sounds fun 8y
Simona Nice idea, thank you for the effort‼️ I have long list for "blame it on Litsy ? 8y
Cinfhen @RealLifeReading I'm up for a September challenge😊thanks for organizing! 8y
RealLifeReading @Cinfhen you're welcome @thegirlwiththelibrarybag glad to hear it! 😄 8y
115 likes2 stack adds53 comments