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Tracey Conway's avatar

Slow Horses is amazing! I'd like to read the series and compare.

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Emily Rhodes's avatar

Yes, I'd be fascinated to know how the book and tv compare.

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Grace's avatar

Hello Emily, I started Diamond Street after seeing your mention of it and I’m loving it. Hope there will be a post about your walk round for those of us that can’t be there! I’m almost imagining the route as I read.

There is something very compelling about books that trace the history of Jewish family businesses. Thinking about Legacy by Tom Harwood about the Lyon’s Tea Room empire, and also Plumes by Sarah Abrevaya Stein about the ostrich feather boa and fashion industry predominant in the early 1900s.

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Emily Rhodes's avatar

Thanks so much Grace - really glad you're loving the book and it is wonderful to hear about those other books too! They sound fascinating. Thanks again.

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Sarah Bedford's avatar

Hello Emily

Having finished Mrs Bridge I'm now about to start on Mr Bridge so hopefully I will remember what is revealed in which novel for the book group.

For another group I read My Year of Rest And Relaxation which I absolutely loved but others hated. Made for good discussion though.

Also this week I went to see Akram Khan's Giselle for ENB at Sadler's Wells which was as amazing as everyone says it is.

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Emily Rhodes's avatar

Thanks so much Sarah - wonderful to have these tips. I have heard so much about MYORAR, it is getting closer to the top of my to read pile!

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Michael Keating's avatar

Hello Emily

Best read has been Brian by Jeremy Cooper, the story of a loner who works for Camden Council and starts going to the BFI every night. He finds camaraderie among the film buffs with their old Tesco bags stuffed with bits of paper. It's a generous reminder that there are endless ways of living a life.

Earlier this month I was in Sitges for a holiday and took Conversations first published in 2011 by Jaume Cabre, a great tome of a book mostly set in Barcelona which I still haven't quite finished. Its main character, 60 and recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's, reexamines his life 'haunted by history...vastly ambitious and serious' as the blurb goes.

Best viewing (on bfiplayer) was 1962's The L-Shaped Room with a brilliant performance by Lesley Caron and great supporting cast. Inevitably bits of it are slightly dated but it is a powerful adaptation of the book.

Going to see Fiddler on the Roof at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre on Friday. Everyone tells me it is a stunning production but I'm worried it might be a bit chilly!

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Emily Rhodes's avatar

Michael - hello, so lovely to see your comment here, thanks. These sound like the most brilliant recommendations, thank you. I feel we should have some kind of affiliate link with the BFI here! And great to hear that the film adaptation of The L-Shaped Room lives up to the book. Wrap up for the Open Air Theatre! Hope you enjoy.

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Michael Keating's avatar

Hello Emily

Just finished reading the Cabre and realised I gave you the wrong title. It's called Confessions not Conversations.

Fiddler on the Roof was moving and not too chilly. I'd never been to the Open Air Theatre before - it's very impressive.

Michael

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Emily Rhodes's avatar

Thanks Michael. Good to know on both counts. V much looking forward to seeing you for Diamond Street.

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Laura Pashby's avatar

I’ve got a proof of The Glass Maker, am about half way through, and just adore it.

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Emily Rhodes's avatar

Ah so glad to hear this!

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