Category Archives: Marghanita Laski

Horror for Halloween

Posted on October 25, 2020 by wordsandpictures2016

Halloween is almost upon us and while this year has been scarier than most, I still find solace in a bracing piece of horror. So, for your delectation, here are some of my favourite book, film and televisual frights… ‘Dark … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Michael Hurley, Barbara Comyns, Bram Stoker, Edward Parnell, Elizabeth Jenkins, Gordon Burn, Marghanita Laski, Michelle Paver, Muriel Spark, Paul Magrs | Leave a comment

Scary stories for Hallowe’en

Posted on October 30, 2018 by wordsandpictures2016

There are many scary stories out there, from Stephen King and Shirley Jackson to the wonderful Pan Books of Horror Stories. Hopefully, the following selection includes some lesser known and unexpected choices… Firstly, in her centenary year, some Muriel Spark. … Continue reading →

Posted in David Pinner, Elizabeth Taylor, Gordon Burn, Marghanita Laski, Muriel Spark, Sarah Moss | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

February Book Haul

Posted on February 26, 2017 by wordsandpictures2016

Lots and lots to catch up on! Firstly, Sebastian Barry’s ‘Days Without End’, which won the Costa Book Award. I’m quite intrigued as it doesn’t sound like my usual cup of tea: Pulling together  the American War of Independence, native … Continue reading →

Posted in Camilla Grudova, Edouard Louis, Elieen Myles, Gwendoline Riley, Ian Sansom, Karl Geary, Kate Bornstein, Marghanita Laski, Merce Rodoreda, Muriel Spark, Sebastian Barry | Leave a comment

The books which made 2016

Posted on January 2, 2017 by wordsandpictures2016

Book of the Year Autumn by Ali Smith  This year needed this book and Smith has provided it.  Runners Up A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson Hot Milk by Deborah Levy Other Favourites Eileen – Ottessa Moshfegh At Hawthorn Time – Melissa … Continue reading →

Posted in Ali Smith, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Cristina Sanchez-Andrade, Eleanor Wasserberg, Han Kang, Jonathan Coe, Kate Atkinson, Lucinda Hawksley, Lynsey Hanley, Maggie Nelson, Marghanita Laski, Mark Haddon, Melissa Harrison, Ottessa Moshfegh, Owen Hatherley | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Hot milk, hot!

Posted on August 6, 2016 by wordsandpictures2016

A quick roundup of my books of the year, so far… I couldn’t have been more pleased to see Deborah Levy’s ‘Hot Milk’ on this year’s Booker Prize long list. It’s a mesmerising, psychological tale of mothers and daughters and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan Hollinghurst, Ali Smith, Anne Enright, Deborah Levy, Douglas Coupland, Eimear Mcbride, Emma Cline, Garth Greenwell, Han Kang, Hanya Yanagihara, Helene Cixous, Jonathan Coe, Lynsey Hanley, Maggie Nelson, Marghanita Laski, Michelle Paver, Owen Hatherley, Zadie Smith | 2 Comments

The Victorian Chaise Longue – Marghanita Laski

Posted on June 29, 2016 by wordsandpictures2016

Published in 1954, Marghanita Laski’s ‘The Victorian Chaise Long’ is a wonderfully simple yet profoundly disturbing novella which, in some ways, was ahead of its time. Melanie, a young wife and mother, is recovering from tuberculosis in the house which she and … Continue reading →

Posted in Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Marghanita Laski, nell dunn | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

This week’s book haul – holiday special!

Posted on June 4, 2016 by wordsandpictures2016

Old and new this week – today’s WONDERFUL charity shop find is ‘The First Pan Book of Horror Stories’. I loved these books as a teenager and have been thrilled to discover that they’re just as good now. Unlike this … Continue reading →

Posted in Angus Wilson, Bram Stoker, Herbert Van Thal, Joan Aitken, Katherine Mansfield, Lydia Davis, Marghanita Laski, Muriel Spark, Nigel Kneale, Sjon, Tony Warren | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This week’s book haul…

Posted on May 14, 2016 by wordsandpictures2016

Unfortunately no charity shop treasures this week but, as it was recommended by the same friend who introduced me to the wonderful Barbara Comyns, I got this gloriously lurid copy of ‘The Victorian Chaise Longue’ by Marghanita Laski for a couple … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbara Comyns, Marghanita Laski | Tagged , | Leave a comment