Volume 5

   

Our fifth Cornflower Book Group title comes with an added bonus: we get to talk to the author! Out of the hat this month has come Speaking of Love by Angela Young, and as Angela is a regular visitor to this site and indeed a member of the group, she has kindly offered to answer our questions on this her first novel. Not only that, she wants to hear any criticisms we may have, too, as - true professional that she is - she says it all helps with future writing.

    You'd have been forgiven for thinking that "Speaking of Love" is in no way connected to the book we've just read and will be discussing this weekend - Edith Wharton's "The House of Mirth" - but there is a link. When the BBC dramatised Wharton's unfinished The Buccaneers they commissioned Angela to write the 30,000 word ending for the accompanying edition of the book, following Mrs. Warton's original plan. Will we discover any Whartonesque turns of phrase in Angela's own writing, I wonder?

   These lines preface the book: "You must take care of love; if not it goes bad", and from the text - "The real risk...lies in not talking about the things that matter the most...What we don't say doesn't go away...".

     "Speaking of Love" has received numerous highly complimentary reviews and was recently shortlisted for the World Book Day/Books to Talk About award. The paperback edition came out just last month and the book is available overseas, but for any readers outwith Britain who have trouble getting hold of a copy, you may like to know that The Book Depository offers free international delivery.

     Angela is currently working on her second novel, a modern version of Beauty and the Beast, and you can visit her at her blog here. Meanwhile we shall read "Speaking of Love" ready for discussion beginning Saturday, 12th. April. I'm looking forward to it.

Comments

[Angela Young]

I'm much looking forward to the discussion on 12 April, and please thank your hat-picker for pulling 'Speaking of Love' from the hat this month.

[carole]

Such a good choice, I have just finished it. Certainly a book that I will re-read.

[Lisa]

I just bought Speaking of Love for the April discussion. I've read so many great things about this book. I can't wait to get started. Thanks for letting us non-UK members know about Book Depository.

[Anne]

I am looking forward to reading Speaking of Love and also being able to talk with the author. I wanted to discuss a few things with Edith Wharton!

[Simon Thomas]

Oh, lovely! I look forward to discussing this. And Angela will shortly be discovering something slightly exciting over on my blog, too...

[Danielle]

I think I might finally be able to join you! My copy of Angela's book should be coming in the mail any day!