Miss Granby's Secret

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

so-so

2.75/5⭐️

My engagement with this selection for the #furrowedmiddlebrowclub was up and down. I struggled to get into it. I was delighted with the book with a book. I often fell asleep while reading after that point. Then it picked up again with young Addie‘s diary. It was indeed too long and I think it could have been executed better or at least could have gotten some editing. The structure was weird to me.

Ruthiella I think it would have worked better for me if the Bastard of Pinsk had been shorter or broken up throughout the narrative. But here‘s to the next title; may it be more enjoyable for us! 🤞 3d

LeahBergen @Ruthiella I was wishing that the novel had been interspersed throughout the narrative, too! 3d

51 likes2 comments

quietjenn

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

pick

Finally finished our #furrowedmiddlebrowclub book from last month, and my thoughts echo what others have said. It wasn't my favorite, although I found bits of it amusing in its Over the Top-ness. Addie reminded me a bit of Elizabeth Taylor's Angel, in a kinder and more comic way. But rather melancholy and like I agree that it went in a bit too long. Not sorry I read it, just wish I'd liked it more. A low pick.

LeahBergen We all seem to be feeling very similarly towards this read! 5d

Ruthiella That‘s a good way to put it. I also wish I had liked it more. 5d

49 likes2 comments

JenlovesJT47

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

so-so

Finally finished this for the #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub - it had its funny moments for sure. The book within a book was hysterically bad but actually did hold my interest, but the last 100 pages of the book dragged on a bit. But I enjoyed my first foray into the FMBC and look forward to reading more. 3.5⭐️

LeahBergen You seem to have felt the same as many others in the group. 😆 I‘m glad that you‘ll continue reading along with us! 2w

Ruthiella I will make sure you are on the tag list for March‘s pick! 😃 2w

JenlovesJT47 @Ruthiella @LeahBergen thank you! 🤗 2w

47 likes3 comments

julieclair

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

so-so

This entire book felt like an old-time slapstick comedy movie. It did make me laugh out loud several times, but ultimately, it was just too silly. I kept waiting for it to be over.

#furrowedmiddlebrowclub

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, Lizpixie, elkeOriginal, Aimeesue, batsy, Tamra, bookandbedandtea, Teresereading, Sace, kwmg40, Cathythoughts, Ruthiella, MrsK

Ruthiella Your last sentence made me laugh! 😆 2w

LeahBergen Haha! It was pretty silly but I ultimately enjoyed it. 😆 2w

Tamra Silly indeed! 😆 2w

CarolynM It really was over the top. I would have enjoyed it more if it had been shorter. 2w

52 likes4 comments

rubyslippersreads

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

When I first started this (especially the “book within a book”), I wasn‘t sure I would make it to the end. However, “The Bastard of Pinsk” got more interesting as it suddenly galloped towards its conclusion, reminding me of a slightly risque Gilbert & Sullivan operetta. The story of the real, rather mundane romance behind it all was sweet.

#furrowedmiddlebrowclub

rubyslippersreads @quietjenn @Jess_Read_This @Kimzey @erzascarletbookgasm @catebutler @CarolynM @LeahBergen @Lizpixie @elkeOriginal @Aimeesue @batsy @Tamra @bookandbedandtea
@Teresereading @kwmg40 @Cathythoughts @Ruthiella @julieclair @MrsK @sace (edited) 2w

LeahBergen The “book within a book” grew on me eventually. 2w

bookandbedandtea A "slightly risqué Gilbert & Sullivan operetta" is a perfect description for that book within a book ? 2w

Sace While I‘ve only read about 30% of it, it‘s finally growing on me. I‘m actually liking the ridiculous book within the book. 2w

Ruthiella I can imagine a young woman in the mid 19th century pouring over Heath‘s Book of Beauty the way I did glossy fashion magazines in the 1980s and‘90s. 2w

54 likes5 comments

Sace

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

#hyggehourreadathon

I‘m reading the tagged book on my kindle and I‘ll read a few pages of my library book as well. If you look closely you can see my green, snuggly blanket and my flannel plaid pajamas. There‘s a gentle rain outside. Happy to be reading with everyone!

@Chrissyreadit @AllDebooks @TheBookHippie @jenniferw88

AllDebooks Fabulous 💙 3w

55 likes1 comment

Sace

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

17% and I‘m trying to get into it. I hope is picks up.

#furrowedmiddlebrowclub

@rubyslippersreads @quietjenn @Jess_Read_This @Kimzey @erzascarletbookgasm @catebutler @CarolynM @LeahBergen @Lizpixie @elkeOriginal @Aimeesue @batsy @Tamra @bookandbedandtea @Teresereading @kwmg40 @Cathythoughts @Ruthiella @julieclair @MrsK

julieclair I hope to start this one today. 3w

Ruthiella It rewards perseverance, but I understand your struggle! 3w

Sace @Ruthiella good to hear! 3w

See All 11 Comments

Sace @julieclair I can‘t wait to hear your thoughts. I feel a little behind as there are several who have finished the book. 3w

julieclair I‘m always behind on these. Finishing by mid-month doesn‘t usually work out for me. 3w

rubyslippersreads @Sace @julieclair I‘m behind too. Life is getting in the way of my reading these days. 😕 3w

LeahBergen What @Ruthiella said! It took me a little while to get into the flow of it, too. 3w

Sace @rubyslippersreads Life can be annoying that way. 3w

Sace @LeahBergen I think I‘ve not been giving it the time it needs. I‘ve just been reading in short sessions and what I need to do is hunker down and concentrate on it. 3w

julieclair @Ruthiella @LeahBergen Thanks for the pep talk! 😀💙 3w

LeahBergen @Sace @julieclair 😆 3w

54 likes11 comments

CarolynM

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

pick

A soft pick for me too. The Bastard of Pinsk certainly had its moments - I enjoyed the way she threw just about every Victorian romantic cliche in existence into it & all the misunderstanding of language, not to mention the “facts of life” - but it I thought its length meant the comedy became laboured. But overall it was quit a fun take on period romance.
#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, LeahBergen, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, elkeOriginal, Aimeesue, Tamra, bookandbedandtea, Teresereading, Cathythoughts, Ruthiella, julieclair, willaful, MrsK

Tamra Spot on review! 3w

TrishB And a lovely relaxing pic. 3w

bookandbedandtea Exactly my thoughts 3w

Ruthiella Yes, it did feel a little laborious! But once we get the “real” story, it all fell into place which made up for it more or less! 😅 3w

LeahBergen We all seem to feel pretty much the same way about this one! 3w

72 likes5 comments

willaful

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

As a teen I adored the romance in Farjeon's Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard, but also appreciated the book‘s distinction between romanticism and love, so it was interesting to see her exploring similar themes here. The question is left more open-ended, but I ultimately found the book pretty sad, despite its humor.

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

Ruthiella Interesting that you have read this author before. I gather she is pretty well known as a children‘s author. 1mo

LeahBergen I‘ve somehow not read her before either, @Ruthiella ! 1mo

34 likes2 comments

willaful

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

“You name will be branded in society. Women will draw their skirts aside as you pass. Men will refuse your hand at baccarat. You will be ruined, financially and socially. You will be dis-Almacked!“

Oh my, the end of “The Bastard...“ makes all the rest worthwhile!

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

Ruthiella Glad you liked it! 😃 It was certainly different from other DSP novels we‘ve read together. 1mo

willaful @Ruthiella I'm not actually quite finished. I was referring to the novel within the novel. 😁 1mo

LeahBergen It did! 😆 1mo

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willaful

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

So the current situation, if I have it correctly, is three men in love with one woman, and one man in love with three women. 😂

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

Ruthiella You got it! 😂 (edited) 1mo

LeahBergen Haha! 👍 1mo

25 likes2 comments

willaful

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

Racing and game, dicing and dancing, feasting and opera-going left him little time for sleep. His appetite was insatiable, his vitality enormous. He amazed even Casimir, accustomed to all debauches, and none of the entertainments to which he was bidden outrivalled Tarletan's in splendour. They frequently went on till after midnight.

willaful Damn, after midnight! What debauchery! #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub (edited) 1mo

Faranae Midnight! Gasp! When is this supposed to be taking place? 😂 1mo

willaful @Faranae I'm not sure its author even knows. 😂 (It's a story within a story, written by a 16 year old girl.) 1mo

LeahBergen I laughed at that sentence when I read it! 1mo

23 likes4 comments

LeahBergen

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

pick

It might just be my mood right now but I found this to be an absolutely charming and touching read. I even enjoyed the silliness of the novel-within-a-novel written by 16-year-old (recently thwarted in love) Miss Granby although, as others mentioned, it does perhaps go on a bit too long. A frothy confection as sweet and old-fashioned as a china patchbox full of lilac cachoux. 😉

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, elkeOriginal, Aimeesue, batsy, Tamra, bookandbedandtea, Teresereading, Cathythoughts, Ruthiella, julieclair, willaful, MrsK

Ruthiella I‘m glad you liked it! It was touching, but somehow I also felt a little sad about the unrequited love aspect of it. 1mo

Tamra Terrific review! Of course as a 16 year old nothing resembling love is silly! I couldn‘t be paid any amount of money to go back. 😅 (edited) 1mo

willaful @Tamra You remind me of this scene from Gaudy Night:

“Would you have your youth back if you could, Harriet?”

“Not for the world.”

“Nor I. Not for anything you could give me.

Gaudy Night

1mo

See All 21 Comments

Tamra @willaful 😂 I just stacked it - perfect! 👍🏾 1mo

Cathythoughts Gorgeous review Leah ❤️ 1mo

LeahBergen @Ruthiella It seemed unrequited but then it also seemed like they carried on this idealized version of youthful love purely for the nostalgia of it (and carried on with their best lives). Alicia was the one most invested in their love affair (sending S the poems to send to A each year) and I think that‘s why Adeline sent the Venus and Adonis statue to her at the old age home. You think? 1mo

LeahBergen @Tamra @willaful Oh, how DEEPLY I felt my love as a 16 year old. 😆😆 1mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts Thanks, Cathy! 😘 1mo

Ruthiella Interesting perspective! Yes, I can see that and it makes me feel better. Thanks! 😊 1mo

Tamra @LeahBergen 💔💔 1mo

Tamra @LeahBergen yes, nice description! Preserving that pure adoration & devotion of a first love. Adeline cashed in on it in fact with her writing career. Yay Adeline! 😆 1mo

elkeOriginal THOSE BOOKSHELVES OF YOURS ARE RIDICULOUS. le sigh 📚💕😻 1mo

LeahBergen @Ruthiella It still makes me feel a little wistful, though 😆 1mo

LeahBergen @Tamra I love that she cashed in on it so well! 😆 1mo

LeahBergen @elkeOriginal Haha! Thank you! 😘 1mo

rubyslippersreads A charming and touching read is exactly what I need right now. 1mo

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads Are you affected by the fires at all?? Are they close to where you live?? 😬 1mo

rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen My area is okay, but I have a friend staying with me because she had to evacuate. But we‘re safe, so that‘s the main thing. 1mo

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads How awfully stressful! Sending you love! ❤️ 1mo

rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen 😘 1mo

julieclair Can‘t wait to start this! 1mo

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bookandbedandtea

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

pick

I enjoyed Farjean's social commentary and the revelations at the end were hilarious but I found the novel within the novel to be quite a slog. It turns out to be necessary to the plot but I kept wanting to get through it and get back to the "real" story. A soft pick for me. #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

Ruthiella Nice review! 1mo

LeahBergen I‘m just working my way through the “novel inside a novel” part right now! 1mo

bookandbedandtea @Ruthiella Thank you 💖 1mo

bookandbedandtea @LeahBergen It was entertaining but it felt too long. Just keep in mind that it's relevant! 1mo

LeahBergen Very relevant! 😆 1mo

37 likes5 comments

bookandbedandtea

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

I'm... confused. Banknotes are cash, yes?

Ruthiella I think not at that time. Paper money wasn‘t used, only coin. So a bank note was literally a note that would allow the bank to pay out the amount on the note in coins. 1mo

AnnCrystal @Ruthiella wow, that's interesting 🪙💵☺️👍. (edited) 1mo

bookandbedandtea @Ruthiella @@AnnCrystal Very interesting! I thought paper money was older than that but I haven't exactly researched it so I don't have any basis for that belief. 🙃 Thanks! 1mo

Ruthiella @bookandbedandtea Well, we know (or you will find out) that Aunt Addie doesn‘t always have a firm gasp on reality 😅. So maybe it‘s inaccurate for the period. But I assumed that it was before pound notes became common currency. (edited) 1mo

bookandbedandtea @Ruthiella It's an assumption that makes a lot of sense! And I've started to notice that about Aunt Addie. Her "definitions" at the start of her manuscript were hilarious and quite telling. ? 1mo

30 likes5 comments

Tamra

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

pick

Agree with @Ruthiella this one is a soft pick mainly because I didn‘t find the 16 year old Addie‘s novel entertaining. It would have been better had only excerpts been included. But, the comedy at the end had me laughing and guffawing out loud. High melodrama! #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

Ruthiella I wonder if this is a modern reader thing . We don‘t have the patience for the long joke? 1mo

Tamra @Ruthiella great question! It may very well be the case. It was quite comical for a modern reader and perhaps Farjeon‘s commentary on the necessity of proper (factual) education of young people. 1mo

CarolynM Still waiting to get my copy, getting more impatient with every review I read😆 1mo

Tamra @CarolynM I‘m anxious to read what you and everyone else makes of it! 1mo

54 likes4 comments

Ruthiella

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

pick

In 1912, young Pamela inherits her romance novelist Aunt Addie‘s unpublished first novel. 20 years later she discovers the truth behind the manuscript and Victorian melodrama and the real reason Addie never married.

A soft pick for this month‘s #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub selection. It was humorous, though “The Bastard of Pinsk” went a little too long for my patience. But mostly I found it sad, and I don‘t know if that was the author‘s intention?

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, Lizpixie, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, batsy, Tamra, bookandbedandtea, Teresereading, Sace, kwmg40, Sparklemn, julieclair, willaful, MrsK

CarolynM Great review. Still waiting impatiently for my copy to arrive... 1mo

LeahBergen I haven‘t quite got to the “Bastard” novel section yet. I‘ll come back when I‘m done! 1mo

Ruthiella @CarolynM Hopefully it will arrive soon. 🤞 1mo

See All 13 Comments

Ruthiella @LeahBergen Some of young Adelaide‘s malapropisms and misunderstandings in it are a hoot! 😅 1mo

willaful @LeahBergen I've just gotten to it but confess to very little interest. I'd like to get back to the main story. 1mo

LeahBergen @willaful oh oh! 😬 1mo

Tamra Hahaha! I‘m 3/4 in and I was saying the same thing to myself about Adelaide‘s first novel. Definitely hit the mark as a 16 year old writer of the era. 😜 1mo

Ruthiella @willaful Her “novel” has a bearing on the rest of the book , so stay with it. 1mo

Ruthiella @Tamra It‘s hard to think a girl could be that sheltered, but of course it happens. 1mo

Tamra @Ruthiella yes it does! My grandmother said she still believed storks brought babies when she got married! 😳 1mo

willaful @Ruthiella ✅ 1mo

willaful I found it sad too, and am also unsure about whether it was intentional or not. I think it's left somewhat open to interpretation. 1mo

Ruthiella @willaful My initial reaction was one of sadness, for sure. 1mo

72 likes13 comments

Tamra

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

I puzzled over Pamela walking in on the lawyer searching the “davenport” for valuable assets. 🤔 Why would he and how long could it take to poke through the cushions of a couch? 😆

In America “davenport” is an old fashioned word for couch/sofa, which my grandmother used and is the only reason I am familiar with it. Apparently in the UK a davenport is a writing desk. I would have recognized it as a “secretary.”

#FurrowedMiddleBrowClub

Lcsmcat 😂🤣😂 Sometimes UK va US English can be very funny! 2mo

Mollyanna My grandmother used Davenport too. I also would have thought of a couch. 😆 2mo

Ruthiella I looked it up as well. Apparently a “davenport” can be both a sofa and a writing desk. In the case of the sofa, the company that manufactured that particular style was named “Davenport”. In the case of the writing desk, it was the designer‘s name. 2mo

See All 7 Comments

Tamra @Ruthiella the plot thickens! 😆 2mo

LeahBergen We used the word “chesterfield” for a couch in our family and I seldom hear it now. 😆 2mo

Tamra @LeahBergen oh yes, I‘ve heard that too! That‘s a rare gem. 😁 2mo

CarolynM Variations in language usage are always interesting. I‘ve only known “Davenport” as a small writing desk like the one in the picture or a town in Tasmania, but place names don‘t really count, do they🤣 To me a “Chesterfield” is a particular type of sofa - low backed leather studded with buttons @LeahBergen 1mo

44 likes7 comments

Tamra

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

This caused me to snort out loud! 😆 #Furrowedmiddlebrowclub

Ruthiella 🤣🤣🤣 2mo

LeahBergen 😆 2mo

CarolynM 🤣🤣🤣 Looking forward to this one even more now! 2mo

43 likes3 comments

LitsyEvents

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

repost for @Ruthiella:

Happy New Year #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub members! 🥂🍾 We‘re kicking 2025 off with the tagged title. It sounds super intriguing: a book within a book, a secret lost youthful romance, maybe some present day romance too? We shall see!

All are welcome. If anyone would like to join in and be added to the tag list, please let me know. Equally, if anyone wants to be removed, say the word.

#BuddyRead

Ruthiella Oh thank you! 😊 2mo

37 likes1 comment

Ruthiella

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

Happy New Year #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub members! 🥂🍾 We‘re kicking 2025 off with the tagged title. It sounds super intriguing: a book within a book, a secret lost youthful romance, maybe some present day romance too? We shall see!

All are welcome. If anyone would like to join in and be added to the tag list, please let me know. Equally, if anyone wants to be removed, say the word.

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, Lizpixie, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, batsy, Tamra, Teresereading, Sace, kwmg40, Sparklemn, julieclair, willaful, MrsK

catebutler Excited to read this! 2mo

Sace I can‘t wait! Just got my copy on kindle. I‘ve got the rest of the week off so I‘ll be diving into several books (one on audio, a physical book and a kindle). 2mo

willaful Anyone else have it on Kobo with really messed up formatting? 😒 2mo

See All 18 Comments

bookandbedandtea Sounds fun! Add me please. 😁 2mo

elkeOriginal Got it all queued up as my next read! Excited by the sound of this plus ebook was only .99 cents. Winning! 2mo

LeahBergen Woohoo! Here‘s to another great year for us! 🥂 2mo

Ruthiella @catebutler It looks like it will be adorable. 2mo

Ruthiella @Sace I read most of these on Kindle. The price is right! 2mo

Ruthiella @willaful I just checked the kindle formatting and it looks okay? If your library has Hoopla, it‘s also available there. 2mo

Ruthiella @bookandbedandtea I will add you to the tag list for the next read in March! I forgot to give the spiel in my post. This is a post as you go/feel like group read, tag everyone else so they can like and comment - very relaxed. Otherwise there are no discussion posts or similar. I will also tag you in the 2025 schedule post. (edited) 2mo

Ruthiella @elkeOriginal That is a steal! 2mo

Ruthiella @LeahBergen Indeed! Cheers to our lovely little club! 🥂 2mo

CarolynM It will probably be a couple of weeks until my copy arrives. It will be hard to be patient! Looking forward another year of fun reading and chatting with this lovely group💕 2mo

quietjenn He's to kicking off another great year of FMB. 2mo

Ruthiella @CarolynM I hope your copy arrives soon! 2mo

Ruthiella @quietjenn Six more titles to discover! 2mo

julieclair I‘m excited to begin another year of fun reading with our low key, friendly group! 2mo

Ruthiella @julieclair It‘s going to be low key fabulous! 2mo

54 likes18 comments

LitsyEvents

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

Repost for @LeahBergen

Here it is: our 2025 #FurrowedMiddleBrow reading schedule! It looks like we‘ll be having another enjoyable year together.

As always, anyone is welcome to join in at any time to read along with us and discuss, of course.

Kimzey Yay! 😀 3mo

LeahBergen Thanks for the repost! 3mo

35 likes2 comments

LeahBergen

Miss Granby's Secret: Or, The Bastard of Pinsk | Eleanor Farjeon

Here it is: our 2025 #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub reading schedule!

Thanks for all the nominations and speedy votes. It looks like we‘ll be having another enjoyable year together! 👏

And, as always, anyone is welcome to join in at any time to read along with us and discuss, of course.