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Like others, I was a little uncertain about this #persephoneclub pick, given the subject matter. But, I'm so glad everyone else's reviews convinced me to pick it up, albeit slightly belated. It was a delicate but fair portrait, which I thought rang very true. Wonderful details and I appreciate how the humor helped lighten what could've been very grim. I also appreciate that we got to experience the book through lots of different viewpoints.

#persephoneclub When I 1st picked this up, I was uncertain abt what the bk was but quickly found the character of Claire engaging, so while her memory is failing, she remains wickedly ascerbic in her encounters with friends whose pomposity she punctures. The memory loss is well done as is relations with cook + secretary
@rubyslippersreads @quietjenn @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @CarolynM @BarbaraBB @elkeOriginal @Gissy @Aimeesue @Tamra @jlhammar ⬇️

I was quite dreading this month‘s #PersephoneClub pick, a 1944 novel about a famed bluestocking facing her last years alone and suffering from dementia. It ended up being a quite delicately nuanced treatment with flashes of humour and something to say about the fate of women from several different classes during the London Blitz.

A pick for me!

“They were about to enter that world which is lit by the unstable moon.”

This was brutal, but not without its moments of humor and kindness. One of the most affecting and insightful depictions of dementia I‘ve ever read. Claire isn‘t a particularly likable character (quite the snob!) and yet I felt compassion for her. Another outstanding Persephone! Loved it.

#PersephoneClub

Claire Temple is a former society lady and writer who is losing her memory. She is paranoid, delusional, confused and often a pain in the ass to the few people who can stand still being with her. Meanwhile London is in the grip of the Blitz, but Claire mostly forgets the War is going on as she is lamenting her loneliness.
The book was funny at times but also very repetitive - which fitted the main character but wasn‘t really enjoyable for me.

‘What scars of the heart, what hidden wounds of the mind, do not the dreams of even those who feel that their lives have run to a placid and conventional measure, reveal ! ‘

What a beautiful wild story of old age. I feel the years catching up with me, so I was a little afraid of this book at first… but I loved it. I loved the dynamic of the women in the house , fascinating and heart wrenching. #PersephoneClub I think we have another winner here !

Just started. #PersephoneClub
I can‘t believe the cats name is Lisa. There‘s our Lisa ! Our dog , still , I see it as a happy coincidence 😁♥️

Claire discovers herself abandoned in the desert of old age, trapped within her own failing and lonely mind.

Frightening and maddeningly realistic writing. I loved every reading moment and could not put it down. Fantastic choice @Cathythoughts 😘

#PersephoneClub

Straight away I had to look up a word - “monad.” This is a good sign I hope!

#PersephoneClub

Repost for @LeahBergen

It‘s now August so that means it‘s time for one of our #PersephoneClub reads!

@Cathythoughts ‘ pick for us this month is There Were No Windows by Norah Hoult. This is a casual buddy read; read and comment on each other‘s posts and reviews as you see them. We usually aim to finish by the middle of the month but that‘s not written in stone. 😉 And anyone is welcome to read along with us, of course!

It‘s now August so that means it‘s time for one of our #PersephoneClub reads!

@Cathythoughts ‘ pick for us this month is There Were No Windows by Norah Hoult. This is a casual buddy read; read and comment on each other‘s posts and reviews as you see them. We usually aim to finish by the middle of the month but that‘s not written in stone. 😉 And anyone is welcome to read along with us, of course!

This was a pick for me, mostly for the incredibly vivid writing, but beware- its a heartbreaking, gut-punching portrait of aging, decline, and dementia. We get the POV of our MC, who succumbs to memory loss, mood swings, and paranoia, as well as that of her cook, her live-in companion, old friends, and a doctor. Nobody gets off easily; there is suffering all around. But there's also real wit and an up-close look at humanity at its most vulnerable.

Beginning my final #PersephonePick of the year! It's been so much fun to read through these selections this year; I have definitely encountered rollicking stories, sobering history, and absolutely gorgeous writing. I still have a few unread in my collection to get me through the early months of next year, but then I guess I'll just have to buy a few more for '22. 😉 #CurrentlyReading #PersephoneBooks