This month the starting point is Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, a sad and tragic story, and not one I will ever read again. A sledding scene in the novella takes me to my first link - a much more uplifting one than what happened in Ethan Frome
The Bobbsey Twins Annuals were a staple of my Christmases growing up, as was the fun of sledding. We had a few mishaps, but the worst thing that happened to us was that we went home cold and wet!
Another childhood delight was the Bunty and Judy girls' comics filled with stories of boarding
schools and ballerinas.Ballerinas takes me to a book in my TBR, The Last Days of the Romanov Dancers by Kerri Turner. The setting is Petrograd during World War I and the Russian Revolution.
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As well as ballet dancing, my next book is linked to this one by the word last. I read Li Cunxin's autobiography Mao's Last Dancer in my pre-blogging days. It is one of the few biographies I have read.
I prefer fictional biographies and while it's not classed as one, for me The Spanish Bride by Georgette Heyer falls into that category. It is based on the true story of Brigade Major Harry Smith and his wife, Juanita, who met during the Peninsular War. They were also on the guest list for the Duchess of Richmond's ball held several days before the Battle of Waterloo.
Historical fiction is full of social occasions with dancing and I am spoilt for choice for my next book. I could link back to Ethan Frome as in the first chapter Ethan escorts Matti Silver home from a dance. However, I am going with another of Edith Wharton's novels, The Age of Innocence, where two of the main characters, Newland Archer and May Welland, announce their engagement at Mrs. Beaufort's annual ball.
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Next month, January 1, 2022, the starting point is Rules of Civility by Amor Towles.
Such a lovely chain, and satisfyingly circular! The Bobbsey Twins Annual cover is such a period piece
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan!
DeleteOh, my goodness, I remember Bunty but haven't heard of the Bobbsey twins. Or read any of your other choices. To Be Investigated. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI hope you find something you like. Thank you, Margaret!
DeleteNow, I remember the Bobbsey Twins (I must have read it as a kid) but I've never heard of Bunty! I've really got my eye on The Age of Innocence, and that Turner book sounds interesting! Lovely chain!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to read them both. Thank you, Davida!
DeleteI've never thought about using annuals and comics in my chain! I used to love Bunty and Judy. I still need to read The Spanish Bride - I started it a while ago but wasn't in the right mood for it.
ReplyDeleteI can't say that The Spanish Bride is one of my Heyer favourites. It's not one I pick up to reread. I hope you get to finish it!
DeleteNice! I need to read Mao's Last Dancer.
ReplyDeleteMy chain is here, it lead me to Paris: https://wordsandpeace.com/2021/12/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-new-england-to-paris/
Thank you, Emma!
DeleteI started with Age of Innocence for my chain! Enjoyed your chain this month!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margaret!
DeleteHi Yvonne! Oh I love your chain!! Don't think I've ever seen anybody use The Spanish Bride by Georgette Heyer. I am from South Africa and we have a town called Harrysmith that's named after Sir Harry himself.
ReplyDeleteI've used The last days of the Romanov Dancers in a post before, but haven't read the book yet.
Wishing you a wonderful December!
Elza Reads
I knew of Ladysmith but didn't know there was a town named after Sir Harry. Thank you, Elza!
DeleteHello Yvonne - what a brilliant idea to use the Bunty Annual - I grew up in south London and was a very keen consumer of the Bunty, Judy, June & School Friend, Mandy, etc. When my own daughters were at primary school they also devoured my old annuals. The earlier ones - eg June & co - were great in that, although they no doubt reeked of snobbery, they showed girls doing things themselves, not hanging around waiting for a boyfriend to appear.
ReplyDeleteI've not read any Georgette Heyer, though I have another of her mysteries on my shelf ('Why Shoot a Butler?')
And how clever to end with another Edith Wharton - one I've yet to read, but plan to.
I also got away from the gloom and doom of Starkfield as soon as I could (even though I did enjoy Ethan Frome) - my chain is here: https://sconesandchaiseslongues.blogspot.com/2021/12/six-degrees-of-separation-december-2021.html
I still remember the excitement when the comics came through the letter box, usually with an evening newspaper. Looking back on them now, they were a bit snobbish but such fun to read.
DeleteI've not read any of Heyer's mysteries although I do have Envious Casca to read for a Christmas challenge.
I notice quite a few of us left Ethan Frome for something more uplifting.