…. and I am very pleased with the result.
I knew that I would be, because I really wanted to read every one of the books on my spin list. But I’m particularly pleased with this one, because it’s a book I’ve wanted to read for a long time, because I needed that extra little push to make me pick it up, and because it fills a year in my 100 Years of Books project.
Lucky number thirteen brought me:
‘I Pose’ by Stella Benson (1915)
“In this incredibly original satirical novel we are introduced to the two main characters as The Gardener and The Suffragette, and so they remain throughout. We begin by following The Gardener in a shambolic and romantic walking journey, as his inexperience leads him a merry dance through youth’s many poses, away from his shabby boarding house in London, toward the coast. Along the way, he falls for The Suffragette, but she rejects him. The problem is, she likes him, despite herself. But is she capable of traditional love? And so we also follow her, led through not only her political convictions, but also all the less certain parts of her personality, about which she is blindingly honest. Can she fit love for The Gardener into her busy passion for women’s rights? Does she really want to? She thinks probably not. And yet ….”
* * * * *
Did you spin?
What are you going to read?
Fleur in her World 
A great aunt of mine used to tell my mum and her sisters ( who were then in their 20s in 1970s) Gloria Steinem and Simone de Beauvoir were washout foggeys (only she could have called Beauvoir a “foggey” ) and said that Stella Benson was one of the first truly modern feminists…though neither my mum nor I have read her works!!
Well, Stella Benson is back in print, so hopefully she has something to say to 21st century women. I’ll let you know!
Oooh lovely – I read her second book recently and absolutely loved it. I hope you enjoy this and I’ll look forward to hearing what you think of it!
I like the look of the second book and I remember that you thought highly of it, but I thought I should be orderly and read the first book first.
Sounds like something I would enjoy. I got The Moonstone. Have heard good things but not much else about it. Emma
This one does look very promising. I love The Moonstone and I think this is the right time of year for Wilkie Collins, so I’d say we’ve both done well with this spin.
I’m glad you got a result you’re happy with. This book sounds fascinating – I’ll look forward to hearing more about it!
It does look intriguing, and hopefully it won’t be too long before I can tell you a little more.
Interesting! I got Bliss and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield, which was also a pleasant choice (though not for so many reasons as yours).
Bliss and Other Stories is on my Classics Club list but not on my spin list this time I hope you’ll love it, and maybe inspire me to put it in the next spin
STUCK IN ABOOK reviewed this in January 2014?
I couldn’t tell you the date, but I do remember Simon being very taken with this book.
Wow, your pick sounds interesting …….. very creative. I spun Gulliver’s Travels which I’m hesitantly looking forward to.
I’ll be very interested to know how you get on with Gulliver’s Travels. I’ve never read it, I think because I was offered it too young – it isn’t a children’s book – but now I’m curious.
I enjoyed I Pose when I read it a few months ago. It’s an odd book but a very engaging one, I couldn’t put it down once I’d started it. I think you’ll like it.
Thank you- that’s encouraging I’ve only read a few pages but I already like the style,
At the risk of being obvious, I’m thrilled that this was your spin, Jane. Looking forward to hearing your responses…..
I’m very glad I got the little push towards that book. It’s always appealed but I was worried that long first chapter Now I’ve looked more closely I can see that there are some natural pauses and I’m much happier.
You’re welcome to be obvious – it’s lovely that a publisher loves his books!
Sounds an interesting one. Glad you received a title you were hoping for – enjoy!
I went for all books I really wanted to read this time, but I’m particularly pleased with this one – for the reasons stated!
Really looking forward to your review of this 🙂
I’ve already picked this up – it was waiting on my bedside table – and, though it’s early days, I can already say that I think you’d like the style.
I couldn’t quite place Stella Benson, but a quick internet search showed her to be the niece of Mary Chomondeley, and the friend of Winifred Holtby & Vera Brittain, which intrigues me, as does what I’m reading about this book.
Simon Thomas “put me off” as he said it was an “allegorical” novel.
I’m pleased to hear you got a book your really happy with. I got Shirley by Charlotte Bronte…I am a little daunted 🙂
This looks like a lovely read – adding it to my wishlist, too (sigh – massive wishlist!). It’s always good when one slots into an as yet unread Century year, too, isn’t it!