Yoked with a Lamb

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This was a charming story about a woman's attempts to help her friend get reintegrated into society after a breakup and reconciliation. I was uncomfortable with some of the attitudes toward women but had to remind myself that this book was written in 1938. I especially liked the main character and the humour.

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub
#192025 #1938 @Librarybelle
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Librarybelle Hooray!! 2y

Ruthiella I agree. It‘s a novel “of its time”, but I liked it in spite of those aspects. 2y

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1y

kwmg40 @Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks Thanks for stopping by! 1y

kwmg40 @Ruthiella I really liked it too despite the issues. It was a fun read! 1y

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quietjenn

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

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Almost forgot to post about our #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub read, although I did enjoy it, despite some frustrating bits that others have already mentioned. I'm not sure how much of it will stick with me, but the scene seeing was lovely and the characters I liked, I liked enormously. Will certainly read more by Clavering.

quietjenn @LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads @batsy @CarolynM @Ruthiella @jlhammar @erzascarletbookgasm @Tamra @Aimeesue @Cathythoughts @Jess_Read_This @Kimzey @catebutler @elkeOriginal @Sparklemn @MrsK 2y

Ruthiella Yes, this was a nice introduction to a new author! DSP has re-published a number of Clavering‘s novels, so it‘s likely we‘ll run into her again! 😃 2y

CarolynM Yes, I‘m keen to read more of her too. Nice review. 2y

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Cathythoughts Nice review ❤️ I really enjoyed this one, and would also like to read more of her too. 2y

jlhammar Yes, I'd definitely be interested in trying another Clavering, see how it compares. Glad you enjoyed! 2y

Tamra Agreed, overall there were many enjoyable aspects of the novel. This was my first of her books and I‘d be game to try another. 2y

MaureenMc @quietjenn @CarolynM @Ruthiella @Cathythoughts @jlhammar @Tamra I‘ve read this Clavering, & really enjoyed it. It‘s supposedly based on her friendship with D.E. Stevenson

Mrs. Lorimer's Quiet Summer

Tamra @MaureenMc thank you for the suggestion! 2y

LeahBergen Nice review! Yes, I‘m up for reading more by Clavering, too (especially when I need something cozy and non-taxing 😆). 2y

LeahBergen @MaureenMc I have that waiting on my shelves. 👍 2y

Aimeesue More Clavering is clearly called for! 2y

quietjenn @MaureenMc Ooh, that may be a good one to try as the next one! 2y

quietjenn @Ruthiella @CarolynM @Cathythoughts @Tamra @LeahBergen @Aimeeue This is my second, as I read “Dear Hugo“ sometime last year. I really liked that one! Oh, just realized via Goodreads that I also read “Near Neighbors“ via a group on their earlier this year. That was great! So, I guess I am not so unfamiliar with Clavering as I thought 😆 (edited) 2y

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LeahBergen

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

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I enjoyed this 1938 novel set in a gossipy town on the Scottish Borders. I initially thought it was going to be just a typical “light romance” of the era so the theme of adultery and marital reconciliation was a bit surprising at first (and we‘ve all already discussed Andrew and Lucy!).

I could definitely see similarities between this and the writings of her friend and neighbour, DE Stevenson, especially in regards to plot and scenery.

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LeahBergen #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub 2y

Tamra Those themes came as a surprise to me as well! 2y

jlhammar Yes, it is such an interesting and unexpected mix when you think about it! It has the romantic and comedic elements, but the situation with Andrew and his family is actually quite heavy. I mean, he left them all for another woman for four years! That is a very difficult thing to recover from. Makes me wonder where Clavering got her inspiration for this story. I'll have to give Stevenson a try sometime. 2y

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Ruthiella Besides our earlier group read of The English Air, I‘d only read the first two Miss Buncle books by DE Stevenson, so I was not expecting the drama! 😂 2y

batsy Yes! Reading these FM titles have been interesting in terms of seeing the depth of the topics addressed in "domestic" or "women's fiction". 2y

BarbaraBB Those shelves 🥰🥰 2y

CarolynM I don‘t think I‘d fully comprehended that DE Stevenson and Molly Clavering were Scottish writers. It‘s interesting to contrast with the English village stories. I think DES has the edge for wit. @Ruthiella You need to get to know Mrs Tim!

Mrs Tim of the Regiment: The Bloomsbury Group

Cathythoughts I love how you are bringing in the other writers.. I‘d be all for the Scottish being a Celt myself 👍🏻❤️ 2y

Ruthiella @BarbaraBB IKR? Total shelf envy! 😍 2y

LeahBergen @Tamra They were probably still a bit shocking for this sort of “domestic fiction” in 1938! 2y

LeahBergen @jlhammar The four years (!) is really what got to me. I found myself wanting to know more about what went on during that relationship before Andrew returned home. And definitely try some DE Stevenson; I recommend Miss Buncle‘s Book or Mrs Tim of the Regiment. 👍 2y

LeahBergen @Ruthiella SO much drama in such a small town. 😆 2y

LeahBergen @batsy I agree! I think I enjoy these books so much just for that “fly on the wall” peep into history. 2y

LeahBergen @BarbaraBB @Ruthiella Thank you both! I sort of love them, too. 😆 2y

LeahBergen @CarolynM I think DES has the edge for wit, too! Although I was reading someone‘s review of this one and she said the other Clavering books she‘d read were funnier. We‘ll have to try more! 😁 2y

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts Have you read any other DE Stevenson yet? Other than The English Air? Try Miss Buncle‘s Book or Mrs Tim of the Regiment. 👍 2y

Cathythoughts I will try them. Painting new book shelves at the moment , so I will have to get new books to celebrate ❤️ 2y

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts Ooo, how exciting! I hope you share a photo when they‘re done. 😍 2y

Cathythoughts I will ! My growing FMB books and Persephones have been a bit homeless.. but they will be getting a fine permanent spot now 🥰 2y

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts I can‘t wait to see! 2y

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Aimeesue

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

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I enjoyed this one, for the most part. The characters were very enjoyable, and even the more odious ones were substantial enough so that they didn‘t feel like stock villains. I had difficulty with one of the children hero-worshipping Confederate generals and their "Lost Cause" but that was more identifying with underdogs than political. Other readers felt that Lucy was being blamed for Andrew‘s infidelity and abandonment of the family - and ⬇️

Aimeesue (2) to be sure, some of the other characters did do that. I don‘t feel that Clavering was, though. It felt more like a giant mismatch of personalities between A&L, where her insecurities and perfectionism+ social mores of the time drove her controlling micromanagement, which EVENTUALLY led to the calm and unflappable A. running away. I think her biting bitterness and his unhappiness + unwillingness to deal with it head on was the real problem. 2y

Aimeesue @CarolynM @catebutler @Cathythoughts @elkeOriginal @erzascarletbookgasm @Jess_Read_This @jlhammar @kimzey @LeahBergen @MrsK @quietjenn @Sparklemn @Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads @Tamra @willaful 2y

Tamra Thoughtful review! 😁 Spot on with respect to the mismatch. It is hard for me to see them living happily or even contentedly thereafter. 2y

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CarolynM Henry stopped talking about the Civil War, and I forgot about his unfortunate allegiance, or I wouldn‘t have ended up liking him so much 😆 Nice review! 2y

jlhammar Great points! @Tamra Yeah, A & L might find a way to stay together for the long run, but I agree, hard to see their relationship thriving. 2y

Ruthiella I think you are right that the author didn‘t support the other characters‘ view of the L/A relationship and failure there of. But other than that first introduction of Lucy touring the empty house, we don‘t get much of a sympathetic point of view from her. (edited) 2y

batsy Great points, especially about the mismatch between Andrew & Lucy. But even at the end I felt like Lucy's good aspects had to be qualified, whereas even Andrew's sense of (newfound) superiority is deemed the "not obtrusive" kind by Kate, but instead as an ideal kind of check and balance for Lucy's character. 2y

Cathythoughts Great review! Good points , the whole Andrew/Lucy story is causing great debate. This might be an IRL Bookclub pick 👍🏻😁 2y

Aimeesue @Tamra @jlhammar It would be interesting to catch up with them again in ten years! 2y

Aimeesue @CarolynM Oh, i really liked Henry, despite his unfortunate, probably unconsidered allegiance. He had some verve, that kid! 2y

Aimeesue @Ruthiella It was pretty subtle. The scene at the end with Mrs. Anstruther where she says she‘s just discovered that she has a "nasty nature" is hopeful in a way - at least she‘s had that epiphany. What she does about it after that would be revealing. I do like that she went and got Mrs. MacOstritch to leave. ? (edited) 2y

Aimeesue @batsy True. Society has a really difficult time with prickly women in particular. It‘s the old aggressive/assertive, domineering/commanding split that we can‘t seem to get past. Prickly people are just difficult and hard to get along with, so maybe it‘s more that she‘s the prickly one in the relationship than that she‘s a woman? I mean, look at Cousin Charlotte and Uncle Henry -They‘re practically porcupines! 2y

Aimeesue @Cathythoughts Great idea! I may propose It the next time it‘s my turn to pick for my book club! 😄 2y

LeahBergen Great review! And I completely agree with you about the mismatch of A & L‘s temperaments in regards to the collapse of their marriage. And also the eviction of The MacOstrich. 😆 2y

batsy @Aimeesue Yes, you're so right. Especially for women at the time, once past the age of being eligible, like Cousin Charlotte, then you can lean into your prickliness and go full porcupine 😆 I felt a bit for Lucy because in that one scene with Mrs Anstruther she showed a hidden, more vulnerable side and I liked seeing it. 2y

Aimeesue @LeahBergen The MacOstritch scene was brilliant. So funny! And maybe a demonstration of the *good* side of not behaving according to societal expectations? (edited) 2y

Aimeesue @batsy I don‘t really read romance/ rom-com novels much, but there seems to be a trend lately in the “grumpy/ sunshine” category. A lot are about happy women rescuing/redeeming grumpy men in that stereotypical way, but there have also been a lot where the gender roles are reversed, or in LGBTQIA romances, not related to gender. It‘s interesting to think about. (edited) 2y

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CarolynM

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

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#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub
Some great characters (particularly Kate & young Henry) & amusing escapades kept me reading & enjoying in spite of the “blame the woman for the man‘s infidelity” theme (Lucy & Mrs Farrell both). I agree that holier-than-thou types can be annoying, but shouldn‘t Andrew have had the guts to actually discuss that with L instead of running away with Mrs F? I hope Kate is happy, but I don‘t think Robin is much of a prize.

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Ruthiella I hear ya! But I think Kate and Robin will rub along well enough together. I was a little surprised at the Grey/Anne romance. That came from nowhere. Maybe there‘s a longer version somewhere. 2y

LeahBergen I‘m almost done! I‘ll come back to comment. 2y

batsy Nicely said! I don't find Robin to be much of a prize, either, but it does seem that Kate and him get on super well together. 2y

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Cathythoughts Great review! Yes I agree with Andrew/Lucy relationship. Andrew was painted as such a lovely guy , and Lucy as a real drag. Not fair. I‘m ok with Kate and Robin , I think they will do well together. (edited) 2y

Aimeesue Nice review! 2y

Aimeesue @Ruthiella Yeah, The Grey/Anne thing was a surprise. The malapropisms wore on me after a while too. Still, Anne seems a good sort. 2y

jlhammar Yes! The amusing escapades really made the book for me. That coffee looks delicious! 2y

Tamra You are right about Robin. It was as if Robin & Grey were simply conveniently there to marry the two women off. I liked the novel overall, but there were aspects underdeveloped. 2y

Tamra @Ruthiella yes, that seemed to have manifest out of nowhere! 2y

LeahBergen Now, I quite liked Robin. I don‘t know why! 😆 2y

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jlhammar

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

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Quite enjoyed this. Loved getting the dynamics of this Scottish Border community and really enjoyed the humor throughout. Some great madcap scenes—Kate locking Andrew in the cupboard, Cousin Charlotte being mistaken for a “bundle of old clothes” while carried out of the window, stealing leeks, the missing dentures 😂. Sharp-tongued Mrs. Anstruther was a delight. I took issue with how Lucy was portrayed though and the whole “poor Andrew” bit.

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jlhammar #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub 2y

Tamra Yes, that was a bit much in terms of “poor Andrew.” Lucy‘s character wasn‘t developed enough. 2y

LeahBergen I‘m hoping to finish up today and I‘ll come back to read this! 😊 2y

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Ruthiella Good point about the physical humor throughout. Would have maybe made a good film. 🤔 2y

charl08 Never heard of this one, sounds intriguing. 2y

Cathythoughts Nice review 👍🏻♥️ It was a fun read with lots of crazy situations. I loved old Anstruther too ♥️ 2y

LeahBergen Great review! I enjoyed the madcap scenes, too. 2y

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts That Anstruther was a sharp old thing, wasn‘t she? 😆 2y

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Tamra

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

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There is more here than the happy romance one might expect. I would have liked more of Lucy to better understand her character beyond mere “shrew.” Henry was a riot when he tried to use Virginia to get out of school. 😆

Oh my, what fun it could have been had Great Uncle Henry and Cousin Charlotte stayed on! 🧨 ☄️

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

Tamra @CarolynM @catebutler @Cathythoughts @elkeOriginal @erzascarletbookgasm @Jess_Read_This @jlhammar @kimzey @LeahBergen @MrsK @quietjenn @Sparklemn @Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads @Tamra @willaful @Aimeesue 2y

Ruthiella I was kinda hoping for a last minute romance between Cousin Charlotte and Uncle Henry! 😂 Definitely this book was not what I expected. One fun thing about our club is I get to read knowing nothing. I don‘t read the blurb first, just dive in! 2y

Tamra @Ruthiella oh my, wouldn‘t that have been fun? I see sequel material! 😂 Me too, I never read the forward for fear of spoilers. 2y

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Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻❤️ Yes , Charlotte and Henry were fun, and relatable as relatives we are not too overjoyed to have staying for long ( small doses ). @Ruthiella I was definitely thinking something would happen with Charlotte and Henry .. 2y

Cathythoughts Lovely photo ❤️ 2y

Aimeesue @Ruthiella @Tamra I enjoyed the non-resolution between Cousin Charlotte and Uncle Henry - reminded me of Moonlighting with all that flirty, feistiness! 2y

Tamra @Cathythoughts 😉😉 bah, indeed!! 2y

Tamra @Cathythoughts I am loving all the bloom color in everyone‘s pics lately! 2y

rubyslippersreads ❤️ your Kindle decal. 2y

batsy Ah yes, Uncle Henry and Cousin Charlotte! Love them 😆 2y

jlhammar Pretty photo! Just finished. Lucy as shrew driving her husband astray did not work for me either. It did seemed like a missed opportunity in terms of presenting a full picture. But, I suppose that is how many would have seen things at the time (even still today if we're being honest!) Loved Henry and Virginia. And it was just too good when Anne came back with both Uncle Henry and Cousin Charlotte 😂 2y

CarolynM So many great characters in this book! I‘m very glad I don‘t have to put up with Cousin Charlotte as a house guest🤣 2y

LeahBergen @Ruthiella I was hoping for that romance, too! They certainly had a secret crotchety fondness for each other. 2y

LeahBergen @Tamra I felt the same about Lucy. She wasn‘t as fleshed out as some of the other characters and we really didn‘t get a lot of scenes from her POV. Maybe it was intentional on the author‘s part as she wasn‘t “one of the family”, so to speak. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2y

Tamra @LeahBergen 🤣 Crotchety romance (edited) 2y

Tamra @LeahBergen good point! 2y

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batsy

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

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I liked this, though it improved as the story got going. I agree with others that presenting Lucy as somehow the cause of her husband's infidelity was hard to overlook, while her husband got away with an intact Nice Guy rep. He's so meh. I thought Kate a delightful character, but the narrative was pitting Kate vs. Lucy in terms of women men like to be around, & that was also tiresome. Mrs. Anstruther & Virginia for the win! #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

batsy The book is more complex than my review, though, in that it tries to show how harmful gossip can be when it's mere entertainment for some, while involving real people's lives. It also I guess tries to show that marriage is more complex on the inside than any judgment that can be made of it from the outside. It's an interesting novel to think about! It just has some aspects that might seem dated. 2y

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Tamra Wonderful review! I agree, so far it is more complicated than it may appear on the surface and deals with some heavy themes. 2y

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Cathythoughts Great review! Definitely more complicated than it appears , good point. Yes and I think Mrs. Anstruther has some interesting words of wisdom.. and her name has ‘ truth ‘ in it. ‘ Life is always interesting even at its most disagreeable‘ 2y

Ruthiella Excellent review! I also felt it got better in the second half. It took me a while to figure out Kate was actually the main focus and that this wouldn‘t be a light hearted romance, but had more heft. 2y

Ruthiella @Cathythoughts Great observation about Mrs. Anstruther‘s name! 2y

batsy @Tamra @Ruthiella Thank you! I also didn't realise about Kate being the focus, and thought it'll be a light and sweet family saga, but it went in a different and intriguing direction. 2y

batsy @Cathythoughts Nice point about Mrs Anstruther's name! Yes, I thought that whole scene with Lucy was great and I highlighted that line, too. It would seem like on the surface she was just exhibiting dry wit, but I agree about the wisdom. "Don't tell me any more, or you will be sorry one day. It is a very great mistake to comfide in people" is also something that holds value in that context! 2y

batsy I forgot to tag you, @Aimeesue sorry about that! Tagging is such a chore on the Android app that I have a list of FM participants saved to copy paste, but I never stop to check if I need to update the list 🙈 2y

Tamra @Cathythoughts so observant, yes re: her name. Loved her character. 2y

jlhammar Fantastic review! Just finished and agree completely. @Cathythoughts I hadn't even caught that about Mrs. Anstruther's name - how apt! 2y

CarolynM Great review! I loved the female characters, the males, with the exception of young Henry, not so much. The gossip was awful, but I thought it was quite sad at the end when Miss Milligan thought how dull it would be if there was no-one to talk about. What a very empty life! 2y

batsy @jlhammar Thank you! 2y

batsy @CarolynM Thanks, Carolyn! I felt the same re: Flora. Her joys seem so small; it ranges from potted head to gossip, and the presence of her emotionally overbearing mother made me feel bad. 2y

LeahBergen I hear ya! And I must say, Virginia was one of my favourite characters. 😆 2y

LeahBergen @CarolynM That Miss Milligan was the saddest character of the bunch, wasn‘t she? 2y

batsy @LeahBergen She is such a feisty goof 😆 2y

rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen @Carolyn And her mother was the worst! 2y

batsy @rubyslippersreads Yes 😩 2y

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Ruthiella

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

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#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

I was very bothered by the suggestion here that men are driven to cheat because their wives are shrews. Sexual politics aside (and awkward US civil war commentary) I did like this romance set in Scotland. It‘s clear Clavering has a real love of the landscape. I knew roughly how it must end, but not how the happy couple would actually get there. Also, Kate‘s friendship with young Henry and Virginia the dog was lovely.

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Aimeesue Great review! I felt exactly the same way about the Civil War hero worship + the holding Women responsible for men‘s behavior. Ick to both. Name checking KKK founder Nathan Bedford Forrest was particularly bad. But I do like Kate and her interactions with almost everyone. 2y

Ruthiella @Aimeesue Thanks! Yes, plucky Kate saved the book for me. I also liked straight talking Mrs. Anstruther. 2y

CarolynM Yes, both those things are uncomfortable for me too. The blithe “I‘m for the South” makes me wonder how much they actually knew about the wider circumstances of the Civil War? But I am enjoying Kate. Great review. (edited) 2y

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Ruthiella @CarolynM Apparently the myth of “the lost cause” was perpetuated in Scotland too. But sure, I knew boys in high school who were obsessed with WWII tactics and strategy and who likely didn‘t connect it with Nazi atrocities. 2y

quietjenn Yeah, I'm only about halfway through but the South/Civil War thing is so weird and off-putting. 2y

Tamra Oh, spot on your observations re: sexism & the civil war! Such a weird thing about siding with the south, I‘m not sure I understand it from the text. 2y

Ruthiella @quietjenn Right? It‘s so jarring. 2y

Ruthiella @Tamra I think it‘s just to show what a quirky kid Henry is. And this was the ‘30s. Long before the Civil Rights movement. 2y

batsy Great review! I just finished this morning and my main issues with it are the same as yours. I found Lucy a very interesting character despite her having to be the kind of "villain" of sorts; the brief scene between her and Mrs Anstruther was my favourite. And I did find Andrew sort of tiresome for the most part—the amiable, mild-mannered nice guy for whom lots of excuses are made...? Loved Virginia! ? 2y

Ruthiella @batsy Thanks! I think the only forward thinking here was pointing out the unfairness that Andrew is accepted back but Elizabeth Faradell is social pariah. 2y

batsy @Ruthiella That's true! And it says something about Andrew that he could see it. Darn, I was determined to dislike him 😂 2y

LeahBergen I‘m coming back to read this when I‘m done! 2y

Cathythoughts Great review! I was annoyed too with the whole Andrew and Lucy situation. It was particularly annoying because Lucy was not developed as a character, so it didn‘t make any sense at all to me. Another fan of Virginia ♥️ 2y

Ruthiella @Cathythoughts Thanks! Yes, it would have been better to have some more development (and compassion) for Lucy. They were together for 10 years before he left. And it wasn‘t just that he had an affair. He left her for FOUR years. Honestly, I would have given him the divorce and good riddance….but I know times were different then. 2y

jlhammar Yes! I just finished and was also very bothered by that! When Kate said “has Andrew always got to have things like that said about him just because of what he did when he was so unhappy that he couldn't help himself?“ I just cringed. 2y

Ruthiella @jlhammar Yup. Total cringe! I‘m glad the rest was strong enough to keep me from fuming at every page. 😂 2y

LeahBergen @Ruthiella That‘s such a fantastic point about the myth of The Lost Cause and its relation to Scotland‘s own history! 2y

Ruthiella @LeahBergen Actually, I‘d not made that connection! But you‘re probably right! 🤔 (edited) 2y

rubyslippersreads I agree with everyone about Andrew and Lucy. She and Mrs. Fardell were the villains, while Andrew was just misunderstood. 2y

rubyslippersreads Also, I just thought of someone who would probably enjoy potted head—Virginia! 🤣 2y

Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads Yes, you are right. Virginia would love potted head! 😂 2y

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Cathythoughts

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

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Well that was a fun read. I think I almost shed a tear at the end too. I enjoyed the second half, far more than the first. The emotional action and intrigue picked up. Lucy is really put down as a villain, but it didn‘t work for me ( aren‘t we supposed to secretly love/hate villains ? ? )
I won‘t say anymore, Darlings! 😂
But I‘m looking forward to a bit of discussion 😁 . #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

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Cathythoughts I still don‘t really understand the title. Does it mean to have a lamb like nature inside us ? 🤔 2y

batsy Gorgeous photo! I'm almost towards the end, and I also agree that the second half is much better. I was just at the "yoked with a lamb" bit in the book and mulling over the title, as well... Need to have a think. Was wondering if I have to reread Julius Caesar to get it ? 2y

Cathythoughts @batsy reread Julius Caesar to get it !! Keep us posted 😂 This reading life won‘t let us rest ! 2y

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batsy @Cathythoughts Isn't that the truth! We're now branching out to #FurrowedMiddlebrowHomework 😂 2y

Cathythoughts @batsy Stop ! 😂 Homework 🙄🤣 2y

CarolynM Lovely review. I‘m really looking forward to getting back to it tomorrow. 2y

jlhammar What a beautiful photo! Great review. I‘m almost to the second half. Can‘t wait to read more today! 2y

Tamra What a gorgeous pic! 🌸 I‘m only halfway in and I am hoping to get a bead on Lucy, so far there isn‘t much to go on. I love the small village gossipy vibe.😜 2y

Cathythoughts @CarolynM @jlhammar @Tamra Enjoy the rest of the book Ladies ❤️ 2y

Ruthiella Totally agree. The Lucy vs Andrew thing irritated me to no end. FOUR YEARS! 😳 2y

catebutler Love your review! I definitely agree that the second half of the book picks up. I think I have two chapters left and it has completely sucked me in. 2y

LeahBergen What a gorgeous photo, Cathy! I‘m still not very far into this but I‘ll come back to comment when I‘m done. 😘 2y

erzascarletbookgasm I am hoping to start this tomorrow. Lovely review.🩷 2y

Cathythoughts @Ruthiella I know. It‘s not even pegged down into any kind of reality. 🙄 2y

Cathythoughts @catebutler Thankyou. It‘s really good. ❤️ 2y

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I hope you enjoy the rest ❤️ 2y

Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm It‘s a good one 👍🏻😁 2y

Tamra @Cathythoughts I had to look it up, but I think Clavering applied it brilliantly. https://myshakespeare.com/julius-caesar/act-4-scene-2-popup-note-index-item-the-... (edited) 2y

Cathythoughts @Tamra Thanks for the link. I‘ll have to put on my thinking cap … very interesting 👍🏻😘 2y

jlhammar Okay, just finished. Lucy as villain didn't work for me either! It actually really bothered me. Struck me as very unfair. Typical and not all that surprising though, especially for the time. It was all the more troubling to me that a woman, Molly Clavering, chose to write Lucy and Andrew's relationship the way she did. I guess I would have preferred a more feminist slant and some female solidarity. 2y

Cathythoughts @jlhammar Not surprising for the time , as you say. Yes we want more female solidarity ♥️👍🏻 (edited) 2y

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @batsy I just finished and found myself doing “homework”… I listened to the Leezie Lindsay song on YouTube. 😆 2y

Centique Love how the purple blue of the flowers matches your book! 😍 2y

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I must look up your homework 😘 2y

Cathythoughts @Centique Thanks Paula X 2y

74 likes1 stack add25 comments

LeahBergen

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

I‘m getting a bit of a late start on this month‘s #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub pick but I‘m enjoying what I‘ve read so far.

Personally, I think I‘d just buy some of this pre made potted head to donate to the “Fancye Fayre”, wouldn‘t you? 😆

Ruthiella They‘d find you out and then you would be ostracized in the town! 😂 2y

Tamra 😂 I had to look it up! 2y

Cathythoughts I think I‘ll pass on the potted head 🫢😂 2y

See All 16 Comments

CarolynM Sounds very unappealing to me, even if it‘s homemade🤢 2y

batsy I had to look up potted head, as well! And felt terribly bad for poor Flora that that was her specialty 😬 2y

sarahbarnes I feel pretty certain I don‘t want to know a lot about what potted head involves. 2y

jlhammar I will most definitely be passing on the potted head! @batsy Yes, what a specialty! 😆 I‘m finding the book quite funny so far. 2y

LeahBergen @Ruthiella You‘re right! 😆 2y

LeahBergen @Tamra I believe it was also called “head cheese”, a favourite of my Nan‘s. 🤢😆😆 2y

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @CarolynM Right? Just the name… yikes. 😆 2y

LeahBergen @batsy And the bit about her “oddly” having no appetite for it after she‘d finished making it all. 😆 2y

LeahBergen @sarahbarnes That‘s probably for the best. 😆 2y

LeahBergen @jlhammar Come on … just a teeny bite? 😆😆 2y

Tamra @LeahBergen 😳 2y

rubyslippersreads I‘ll definitely pass on the potted head. Although it made me think of the calves‘ foot jelly from Pollyanna. Both equally appealing. 🤢 2y

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads I agree! 😆 2y

62 likes16 comments

Aimeesue

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

Only just stared, but I‘m enjoying Mrs. Anstruther‘s ruthless honesty and Flora‘s pearl-clutching. 😄
From the beginning, there‘s that tension between the practical people and traditional social mores, which, I have to admit, the rebel in me loooooves.
#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

jlhammar I'm on page 75 and enjoying it so far. Mrs. Anstruther is a great character. Look forward to finishing this weekend! 2y

Tamra Isn‘t it fun?! 2y

Ruthiella I‘ve finished. Just need to gather my thoughts. 2y

See All 13 Comments

Cathythoughts I‘m about halfway. I‘m loving this possible romance… at midway it seems predictable, but we‘ll see. Comforting read. ♥️ 2y

Aimeesue @jlhammar Yay! 2y

Aimeesue @Tamra Such fun! 2y

Aimeesue @Ruthiella Can‘t wait to hear what you think! 2y

Aimeesue @Cathythoughts I find I‘m all about the comforting reads lately. Real life has enough twists and turns for me these days. 😉 2y

CarolynM I could have written almost the same comment @Cathythoughts 😀 My only reservation is the way Lucy and Andrew are being presented. I‘m going to be really annoyed if I‘m told that Lucy drove him to infidelity. 2y

Cathythoughts @CarolynM Oh me too !! I will freak out if that‘s the way it‘s told 😡 Fsir enough if things weren‘t working out. But to blame her !! No!! 2y

Aimeesue @CarolynM @Cathythoughts Absolutely! But I am hopeful that an independent, single woman living on her own in a house in the country, tramping the fields with weeds in her hair *might* take another view 😄 (Though I‘m sure some of the fictional townsfolk will think that!) (edited) 2y

rubyslippersreads @Aimeesue @Cathythoughts i just want to hide in comforting reads lately. 😏 2y

Aimeesue @rubyslippersreads It seems like the only safe space left these lately. 2y

34 likes13 comments

LitsyEvents

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

repost for @Ruthiella:

Hey party people! It‘s almost time for us to start reading the next #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub book! As per usual, read and post at your own pace. The rough goal is to finish by mid-May.

Trivia - The title comes from Shakespeare‘s Julius Caesar:

“O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb
That carries anger as the flint bears fire,
Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark,
And straight is cold again.”

Let‘s find out why! 🤔😀

LitsyEvents #BuddyRead

original post: https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2581818 2y

31 likes1 comment

Ruthiella

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

Hey party people! It‘s almost time for us to start reading the next #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub book! As per usual, read and post at your own pace. The rough goal is to finish by mid-May.

Trivia - The title comes from Shakespeare‘s Julius Caesar:

“O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb
That carries anger as the flint bears fire,
Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark,
And straight is cold again.”

Let‘s find out why! 🤔😀

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Aimeesue, batsy, Tamra, Cathythoughts, jlhammar, Sparklemn, willaful, MrsK

Tamra Thank you! 2y

Liz_M @LitsyEvents 2y

catebutler Can‘t wait! 2y

See All 14 Comments

jlhammar Woo-hoo! I've got it in my May stack, ready to go! 2y

Kimzey Oops! I need to get that one ordered. Thanks for the reminder! 2y

quietjenn Yes! I spent some time earlier, gathering and/or downloading my monthly rewards - very satisfying 🙂 2y

Cathythoughts Thankyou ! It‘s coming down off the shelf now 👍🏻😁 2y

willaful For those who couldn't find this in ebook, hoopla has it. Which of course is only helpful if your library subscribes. 2y

Jess_Read_This Thanks for the tag and reminder we are starting this one! 😬I think I need to get it ordered asap! Thought I owned it lol 2y

LeahBergen Yay! 👏👏👏 2y

CarolynM Looking forward to getting started on this one! 2y

erzascarletbookgasm Thanks for the reminder. Looking forward to this after missing out last round. 2y

batsy Thanks for the reminder! I seem to already have the Kindle version of this! Which is great, because it's not unavailable... I'm not sure when I ordered it 😆 2y

elkeOriginal Looking forward to this! 2y

55 likes14 comments

Ruthiella

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

I ended up buying the print version of our next couple #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub books. Oddly, one wasn‘t available for kindle. 🤔 No matter. Looking forward to reading them both in the coming months.

BiblioLitten That cutie hedgehog! 🤓 2y

Ruthiella @BiblioLitten Thanks! 😊 2y

batsy Oh, thanks for the heads up that Lamb wasn't available on Kindle. I was trying to stuff my BD cart with books that aren't available as epubs (😢) and just assumed all FM titles were available on Kindle. 2y

See All 8 Comments

Ruthiella @batsy Yeah, it‘s weirdly “not currently available” on Kindle, even though it does show as an option and has a price on the website. 😟 2y

LeahBergen Oh, yes! I‘ve noticed that the ebook rights aren‘t availability for certain Furrowed Middle books. 🤔 2y

Ruthiella @LeahBergen This is the first time I‘ve encountered it. 😬 2y

willaful I found Yoked with a Lamb in ebook on Hoopla, fortunately. Weird how it's there and not elsewhere. 2y

Ruthiella @willaful Ooh! I didn‘t even think to check Hoopla! Thanks for the tip! 👍 2y

61 likes8 comments

LeahBergen

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

Okay #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub , it‘s time to vote on our May read.

I haven‘t read either of these authors yet but I already own several of their books. Help me out here and vote away!😆

@catebutler @elkeOriginal @erzascarletbookgasm @rubyslippersreads @quietjenn @LeahBergen @CarolynM @Cathythoughts @Ruthiella @batsy @Kimzey @Jess_Read_This

LeahBergen

Seaview House

Ruthiella Oh dear. This is a tough choice because both sound delightful. I think I‘ll go for the Molly Clavering title because it seems slightly more salacious! 😆

Yoked with a Lamb

elkeOriginal I vote Seaview House! 2y

See All 23 Comments

Cathythoughts I‘m voting Seaview House ! 2y

CarolynM I vote

Yoked with a Lamb

CarolynM I‘m going to hold off posting my suggestion because I want to see if Yoked or Wine (which I had picked out to suggest) get up. 2y

LeahBergen @CarolynM Good idea! I was thinking that, too. 👍 2y

batsy Nice! My favourite moment 😁 I'm voting for

Yoked with a Lamb

quietjenn I love Elizabeth Fair (and this book), but voting for

Yoked with a Lamb

erzascarletbookgasm

Yoked with a Lamb

rubyslippersreads Baaa! 🐑

Yoked with a Lamb

catebutler My vote is for

Yoked with a Lamb

LeahBergen Well, it looks like Yoked With a Lamb has won this one! @Jess_Read_This and @Kimzey , we still need your vote for our March choice. Head over to @quietjenn ‘s post and exercise your Middlebrow rights by voting. 😆 2y

CarolynM Yay for the Lamb😆 Now let‘s see about Wine then I‘ll post my options. 2y

LeahBergen @CarolynM It‘s a close race! 😆 2y

Kimzey Looking forward to Yoked with a Lamb! 2y

quietjenn @LeahBergen @CarolynM currently tied, with only @Jess_Read_This left to vote! 2y

batsy Nice!! 🐑 2y

LeahBergen @Kimzey I am, too! 2y

LeahBergen @batsy yes! 👍 2y

LeahBergen @quietjenn @CarolynM It‘s a nail biter! 😆 2y

Jess_Read_This Guys, I‘m so sorry. I just got all these notifications today at once on the app. 😬 And I never want to be a tiebreaker!!

Yoked with a Lamb

LeahBergen @Jess_Read_This No worries! I‘ll make sure to keep bombarding you with tags. 😆 2y

49 likes23 comments

LeahBergen

Yoked with a Lamb | Molly Clavering

Now, who do I have to thank for this wonderful Christmas gift that just arrived in the post? ❤️❤️❤️

#FurrowedMiddlebrow

jlhammar Oooh, pretty. Love your little lambs! 2y

AlaMich “Miss Flora Milligan, tripping westwards through the royal burgh of Haystoun with a bowl of her famous potted head, decently shrouded from vulgar gaze by a snowy napkin” 2y

AlaMich I just pasted that from the description…😂 There‘s a lot to unpack in that sentence! (edited) 2y

See All 19 Comments

LeahBergen @jlhammar Thanks! 🐑 2y

LeahBergen @AlaMich Right? 😆😆 2y

AlaMich I dunno about you but potted head sounds delightful! 🤢 (edited) 2y

LeahBergen @AlaMich I think it sound even more delightful by its North American name: “head cheese”. 😆 My Nan used to love it. 😆 2y

CarolynM That would be me 😘 I‘m glad it got there this week, even if the card hasn‘t. Happy holidays! 2y

LeahBergen @CarolynM Aww, thanks so much! I love any addition to my Furrowed Middlebrow shelf. I think I should suggest this author when it comes around to my turn again. Happy Holidays to you! 😘😘 2y

CarolynM I think this is going to be one of my suggestions when it's my turn😆 2y

LeahBergen @CarolynM Oh, good! I‘ll hold off then. I think I‘m ahead of you in line (but just by a couple of spots). 😆 2y

CarolynM If you're first and you want to suggest it please do. Then if it doesn't get up I can suggest it when it's my turn and everyone else will feel they HAVE to vote for it😆 2y

batsy How lovely! 💕 I hope you get mine before Christmas; BD says it was despatched on the 6th. 2y

Cathythoughts That‘s a lovely gift , and you have your little lambs to go with it 🥰 2y

LeahBergen @CarolynM That‘s a good plan! 😆 2y

LeahBergen @batsy Thank you and no worries if it doesn‘t make it by then! BD parcels always seem to be a bit random in their arrival times here. 😆 2y

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts I‘m always happy when I bring these little lambs out at Christmas. 😄 2y

batsy @LeahBergen Here's hoping you'll see it soon! 🤞🏾 2y

rubyslippersreads ❤️💚 your lambs! 🐑🐏 2y

62 likes19 comments

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