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psr's review
4.0
A curious little book about two writers connected by their quirky natures, ferocious intelligence and friendship with Kay Dick. The author interviewed both and added her recollections of them to produce intimate portraits from which both women emerge as lovable while being somewhat irascible and reactionary.
I've been aware of Stevie Smith and, of course, 'Not Waving But Drowning' for a long time but knew very little about her, all things considered. Ivy Compton-Burnett, on the other hand, is one of my favourite novelists and I've read a fair amount about her fascinating early life in biographies by Hilary Spurling and Elizabeth Sprigge. Reading about her here, I looked back at my reading diary to see when I last read one of her novels and found that it was a decade ago. I'm long overdue my next instalment, then. Her novels are an acquired taste, for sure, but I'm a devotee. Kay Dick's short book has also made me curious to take a look at Smith's final novel, 'The Holiday'.
At the risk of exceeding Kay Dick's word count, I should add that it's a pleasure to write about a hitherto unreviewed book, on a site where 'the books to read' receive reviews by the thousand.
I've been aware of Stevie Smith and, of course, 'Not Waving But Drowning' for a long time but knew very little about her, all things considered. Ivy Compton-Burnett, on the other hand, is one of my favourite novelists and I've read a fair amount about her fascinating early life in biographies by Hilary Spurling and Elizabeth Sprigge. Reading about her here, I looked back at my reading diary to see when I last read one of her novels and found that it was a decade ago. I'm long overdue my next instalment, then. Her novels are an acquired taste, for sure, but I'm a devotee. Kay Dick's short book has also made me curious to take a look at Smith's final novel, 'The Holiday'.
At the risk of exceeding Kay Dick's word count, I should add that it's a pleasure to write about a hitherto unreviewed book, on a site where 'the books to read' receive reviews by the thousand.
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