Wednesday 20 May 2009

Katherine Mansfield (part 3)

I've been reading David Mitchell's Black Swan Green for book group and it is an enjoyable read. Mitchell can certainly write, but the constant stream of media references and brand names carefully placed to remind us that this novel is set in 1982 is slightly irritating. Yes! I get it. The novel is set in 1982. No need to keep going on about butterscotch Angel Delight, Findus Crispy Pancakes and Simon Le Bon.

As a respite from commercial and media saturation I'm looking forward to reading Persephone's Katherine Mansfield's Journal which has just arrived. This entry made me smile:

Journal 1917. Living Alone. Even if I should, by some awful chance find a hair upon my bread and honey - at any rate it is my own hair.

3 comments:

claire said...

It made me smile, too. :)

kristina said...

What a truly brilliant quote. Must move this one up my to-read list.

And I completely agree with you about the use of brand names in books. Blech!

K x

Vintage Reading said...

Sorry for late reply - I've been away. I enjoyed the Journal, fascinating insight into a writer's life. A tragic life, though, plagued by ill-health. But what a writer!