Thank you so much for this. I am always fascinated by the Drabble sisters, their literature and their rivalry. There is also a third sister who is a well respected art historian, quite the family of talent. I'm interested in how their literature has changed and become more similar with age. Margaret's early books, of which The Millstone is an excellent example, is a very easy read, but her novels have become more dense, literary and complex over time. I find them harder to tackle now. Byatt's work seemed more complex from the outset. Possession is one of my very favourite novels. But I also love Byatt's early work, The Virgin in the Garden, the first of a trilogy featuring two sisters, one of whom is becoming a glamorous actress, while her older, plainer sister, (from memory called Stephanie?) finds life rather more challenging. Sounds familiar? There is a scene where Stephanie is taken to Filey by the young curate, Daniel. One of the best love scenes I've ever read.
Thanks, Sarah. I know what you mean about a talented family! I agree about Drabble's novels; I also found The Millstone a fairly straightforward read, and I particularly love her short stories. But have tried a couple of her later novels and agree, they are more dense. It's very interesting that you say their writing has become more alike; I had never considered that. I really think I need to try Possession again as it is such an interesting premise for a novel.
The detail about the impact of the father being away during the war and Sue having to adjust to sharing his attention with Maggie on his return struck me, having known of similar dynamics in families caused by an absent and then returning parent. I think Byatt wote about the long shadow cast by parents in one of her early novels (shadow of the sun?). I think Byatt's The Virgin in the Garden trilogy is wonderful - deep, sensual, complex. Whereas Drabnle's early work seems much more of an easy read even if the subjects of infidelity and single parenthood would perhaps have been seen to be very of the moment in the 1960s. But Hardy had covered them all already! Byatt I think has more originality.
Having just heard Drabble on This Cultural Life on R4, I don't think I would have found her an easy sister to get on with!
Drabble sounds a lot like Shirley Jackson to me. I have always had trouble reading Possession. Never got past the first fifty pages. I'll try to find a Drabble book now.
Part of what tempted me to pick up Possession was that Burne-Jones on the cover. The Beguiling of Merlin. There's a subconscious desire in me to love books with a striking cover.
Love to read these stories about the women behind the writers, and to see how they also had to navigate family expectations, jealousies or competition, just like us, mortals. ;-) Great piece!
This is so interesting! I wonder, if they were both interested in different fields, maybe they would have been closer. Their rivalry is fascinating, thank you for sharing x
Oh, how interesting is this! Timely, too - I’m actually reading Byatt’s book about Morris and Fortuny (called Peacock and Vine) right now! It’s wonderful. Will definitely have to give The Millstone a look in now, it sounds amazing.
Hi Robert, it's tricky to say without knowing your tastes (and as I say, I don't have as much knowledge of her work as I do Drabbles), but if you like historical settings, a good one to start with might be her book of two shorter novellas, 'Angels and Insects', as this gives a good overview of her style and her use of myths and metaphors, as well as her interest in the Victorian period. 'The Children's Book' is also historical fiction, loosely based on the life of chuilcren's author E Nesbitt, and of course 'Possession' is the obvious popular choice, but as I admitted, I haven't (yet) made it all the way through! If you prefer a more up to date read, I'd maybe give 'The Game' a go for its theme of sibling rivalry. Hope that helps :)
This reads like a mystery...of the tea set! Great stuff. I have read Possession and found it strange but compelling. Knew nothing else of this or the sisterhood though. Very interesting read, Kate, thank you for another lovely Sunday read that inspires me to read more!
PS love that you use Drabble and “dabble” in the same paragraph. :)
Thanks! I haven't come across the sisters you mention, so will check them out. The Brontes were the ones I was thinking of, who seem to have got along, but maybe there was some rivalry to be found! I shall return to these ideas. Thank you for reading and commenting :)
Thank you so much for this. I am always fascinated by the Drabble sisters, their literature and their rivalry. There is also a third sister who is a well respected art historian, quite the family of talent. I'm interested in how their literature has changed and become more similar with age. Margaret's early books, of which The Millstone is an excellent example, is a very easy read, but her novels have become more dense, literary and complex over time. I find them harder to tackle now. Byatt's work seemed more complex from the outset. Possession is one of my very favourite novels. But I also love Byatt's early work, The Virgin in the Garden, the first of a trilogy featuring two sisters, one of whom is becoming a glamorous actress, while her older, plainer sister, (from memory called Stephanie?) finds life rather more challenging. Sounds familiar? There is a scene where Stephanie is taken to Filey by the young curate, Daniel. One of the best love scenes I've ever read.
Thanks, Sarah. I know what you mean about a talented family! I agree about Drabble's novels; I also found The Millstone a fairly straightforward read, and I particularly love her short stories. But have tried a couple of her later novels and agree, they are more dense. It's very interesting that you say their writing has become more alike; I had never considered that. I really think I need to try Possession again as it is such an interesting premise for a novel.
Do try Possession. Don't get put off by the poems, skipping them won't spoil the plot!
Ha! Good tip, thanks Sarah :)
The detail about the impact of the father being away during the war and Sue having to adjust to sharing his attention with Maggie on his return struck me, having known of similar dynamics in families caused by an absent and then returning parent. I think Byatt wote about the long shadow cast by parents in one of her early novels (shadow of the sun?). I think Byatt's The Virgin in the Garden trilogy is wonderful - deep, sensual, complex. Whereas Drabnle's early work seems much more of an easy read even if the subjects of infidelity and single parenthood would perhaps have been seen to be very of the moment in the 1960s. But Hardy had covered them all already! Byatt I think has more originality.
Having just heard Drabble on This Cultural Life on R4, I don't think I would have found her an easy sister to get on with!
Thanks, Alison. Yes, I think Drabble'd work is more accessible to readers than Byatts, which often feels more philosophical and academic leaning.
<3
Drabble sounds a lot like Shirley Jackson to me. I have always had trouble reading Possession. Never got past the first fifty pages. I'll try to find a Drabble book now.
Also…I loved The Millstone of Drabble's as well as her short stories and The Pure Gold Baby.
Saving these suggestions. And I saved that photograph!
I have alwayd wanted to read and love Possession but have still not made it much further than yourself…one day maybe…
Part of what tempted me to pick up Possession was that Burne-Jones on the cover. The Beguiling of Merlin. There's a subconscious desire in me to love books with a striking cover.
Love to read these stories about the women behind the writers, and to see how they also had to navigate family expectations, jealousies or competition, just like us, mortals. ;-) Great piece!
Thanks, Monica! Yes, we all face the same demons, it seems... :)
This is so interesting! I wonder, if they were both interested in different fields, maybe they would have been closer. Their rivalry is fascinating, thank you for sharing x
That is an interesting thought...maybe they would have felt less in competition. Good point! Thank you for reading :)
I was on the edge of my seat for the tea set story resolution and I have to say I was not disappointed, despite the actual turn of events!
Haha, not quite pottery wars, but interesting all the same!
Oh, how interesting is this! Timely, too - I’m actually reading Byatt’s book about Morris and Fortuny (called Peacock and Vine) right now! It’s wonderful. Will definitely have to give The Millstone a look in now, it sounds amazing.
Oh, spooky!! I love it when that happens :) I loved The Millstone :)
Which Byatt novel would you recommend reading first? I've only read a few collections of short stories.
Hi Robert, it's tricky to say without knowing your tastes (and as I say, I don't have as much knowledge of her work as I do Drabbles), but if you like historical settings, a good one to start with might be her book of two shorter novellas, 'Angels and Insects', as this gives a good overview of her style and her use of myths and metaphors, as well as her interest in the Victorian period. 'The Children's Book' is also historical fiction, loosely based on the life of chuilcren's author E Nesbitt, and of course 'Possession' is the obvious popular choice, but as I admitted, I haven't (yet) made it all the way through! If you prefer a more up to date read, I'd maybe give 'The Game' a go for its theme of sibling rivalry. Hope that helps :)
Thanks so much. I really enjoyed Elementals and Little Black Book. Made me think of Karen Blixen/Isak Dinesen.
This reads like a mystery...of the tea set! Great stuff. I have read Possession and found it strange but compelling. Knew nothing else of this or the sisterhood though. Very interesting read, Kate, thank you for another lovely Sunday read that inspires me to read more!
PS love that you use Drabble and “dabble” in the same paragraph. :)
Ha! Thank you, Kate! I had hoped that there was going to be something a bit juicier about the tea set...
really interesting. my short search only discovered a couple of writer sisters, you probably know about more.
Pauline Phillips & Ann Landers
. . . or Pauline Esther Friedman and Esther Pauline Freidman
i'd be mad at my parents just for giving us both the same (switched) names.
There were three Brontë sisters,
:)
Thanks! I haven't come across the sisters you mention, so will check them out. The Brontes were the ones I was thinking of, who seem to have got along, but maybe there was some rivalry to be found! I shall return to these ideas. Thank you for reading and commenting :)