Oh my goodness.
For years people have been gently pushing Sylvia Townsend Warner’s Lolly Willowes my way, and I have nodded and smiled and soothed them with a noncommittal, “Yes, yes, one day I’ll read it.”
Got it before Christmas, put it on the Century reading pile. Picked it up last night, and have communed with it at every available moment this busy, busy day, and I am so sorry it is over. (The book, not the day. The day has not been stellar, to put it mildly.)
Easily an 11/10 on the personal rating scale. Maybe even a 12.
I guess I’d better come up with a proper post, but I just needed to share my deep joy at this fantastic thing.
Eating apples with the devil, for those are his favourite fruit, you know. Oh, yes, indeed.
Are her other books this good?
Even if they’re not, I’m going to track them down.
This one is utterly perfect.
Leaves & Pages 
So glad you enjoyed this, it’s one of my favourites. All STW’s books are very different & I haven’t loved any of them as much as Lolly (not that I’ve read them all, by any means). I did love her diaries edited by Claire Harman & her short stories are wonderful. Claire Harman’s biography is also very good.
She has an interesting array of works, which I am looking forward to exploring. “Different” can be very good indeed – I can’t imagine another book like Lolly Willowes – it does deserve to stand alone.
Also a fine poet.
More exploration needed – I am not familiar with her poetry, either.
Wonderful! It is the best feeling to find a book like that, one that makes you bubble over with excitement.
Isn’t it grand?!
The only STW I’ve read is Mr. Fortune’s Maggot and that was excellent – don’t know why I’ve not read more!
That one might well be next – it’s one of the easier ones to find.
My favorite novel of all time. So glad you loved it too. I’ve read it at least five times now and notice new things every time.
For its relative slenderness, it’s overwhelmingly rich in all the things we read for. I am completely smitten.
I have read Lolly Willowes, The Corner the head them, Mr Fortune’s Maggot, Summer will Show and The True Heart. Yesterday I finished Scenes of Childhood and other stories- which I hope to review by the weekend . I absolutely adore her writing.
I can’t believe I’ve taken so long to introduce myself to this writer. So much to look forward to!
Wonderful!! I need to reread this & savour it anew 🙂
Yes, I am already looking forward to a re-read. A rich little novel.
Congratulations!
Yes, her other books are good as well.
And her poetry!
And her book on T.H. White!
And her diaries!
She was a most remarkable woman!
I wish you as much reading-pleasure as I have had with STW.
And don’t forget to read Sybil Bedford.
Love,
Marijke
Holland
Much grand reading lies ahead!
You should check out ‘Kingdoms of Elfin’ – it’s years since I read it (although I remember enough of it to reckon ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell’ owes it a huge debt).
I did read ‘Lolly Willowes’ last year, and one thing the two books have in common is Warner’s descriptions of nature and her pretty exhaustive knowledge of English flowers.
Thanks for the lead! This sounds most intriguing.
Yes! Such a good book, and she is a great writer. My favourite book by her is The Flint Anchor.
I’m on the hunt. 🙂
I keep forgetting I need to read this book too! People have been recommending it to me since time immemorial, and like you I’ve kept putting it off. Gotta get my act together!
Jenny. Read it. 🙂
I found my way to your blog by way of your review of The Blue Castle. So happy to meet another fan of Lolly (who has a few things in common with Vacancy, now I think of it). And you should definitely try Kingdoms of Elfin and Summer Will Show!
I will! I am eagerly looking forward to reading more by this author. The Corner That Held Them is currently on its way to me, as is Mr. Fortune, a combined volume containing Mr. Fortune’s Maggot and its sequel. (Cannot remember the title of the follow-up novella! Hang on – Googling – The Salutation.)
I am reading it now and I do enjoy it. I came across a recommendation before but the synopsis did not really sound all too enticing to me. Thanks to your enthusiasm and knowing that I can usually rely on your taste, I gave a try. Thank you!!