I bought a new research book!
This is not exactly a surprise, because I often buy research books, sometimes because a Risky recommends them.
I first saw this book for sale in an antique shop in Middleburg, Virginia. The cost, as I recall, was about $300 (but you can buy it for as little as $11.07). That was a bit too much, even for my research book obsession! This weekend, though, my friend (and book-pusher) Mary Blayney offered me her copy.
Actually she said, “Would you like a coffee table book? It is as big as a coffee table.” All I had to do was buy her dinner.
The book is Coaching Days of England (1966) by Anthony Burgess, and it is full of color and black and white prints from the 18th and 19th centuries.
You can get an idea of how big it is by the ruler I placed on the cover.
Here’s a peek at what I purchased!
North-Country Mails at the Peacock, Islington
The Duke of Beaufort Coach
I’m not the only one who loves this book. Somebody actually made a YouTube video about it.
Have you ever seen this book? Do you think it was worth the price of a dinner?
Check my website this week for my new book cover and a sneak peek!
Don’t worry, this is still Risky Regencies and you have not been transported to some strange country.
Or only a bit strange—they have, at least, heard of Jane Austen. They even quite cleverly translated the title to keep the alliteration. This is Pride and Prejudice, a copy my mother brought back from her twice-annual trip to Lithuania.
Both my parents emigrated from Lithuania as children. Though I was born in the U.S., my first language was Lithuanian. In fact, I went to kindergarten knowing very little English. Perhaps not the smoothest way to integrate a child into a “new” country, but somehow I managed. I know that growing up bilingual has made other languages (perhaps even computer languages) easier. Still, I sometimes wonder if I can blame my occasional awkwardness with word choices and phrasing on this early linguistic confusion. Or maybe not. Maybe I’m just the Queen of Awkward Sentences, doomed to seemingly eternal revisions. 🙂
Anyway, I find this book and its packaging quite interesting. Though the title is clever the cover art is many centuries off. One would think they could have found something more appropriate. At least it’s not Victorian!
I read the back blurb, and was surprised to see that they gave the entire plot in a nutshell, spoilers and all. If, that is, there is such a thing as a spoiler for a book that’s been around since 1813.
Overall, it makes me happy people all over the globe can enjoy Jane’s genius. I wonder how she would feel about seeing her works in so many translations? Have any of you run across any other interesting translations? What have your experiences been with foreign languages? How do they affect your reading and writing?
Elena, hoping someday there will be Lithuanian editions of her own works
www.elenagreene.com
LADY DEARING’S MASQUERADE, an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee
I was watching Downton Abbey last night (no spoilers- I know not everyone has seen the end yet) and after the episode there was a feature on Highclere Castle, the country house and estate that “play” Downton Abbey in the mini-series.
The house as it exists today was remodeled in 1839-42 in the style of the new Houses of Parliament so it did not exist in “our” Regency time, but, in the late 18th century the 1000 acre parkland was designed by Capability Brown and developed by the second Earl of Carnavon. At scenic points in the park the Earl placed follies to add to the beauty of the landscape.
Follies are extravagant buildings constructed just for show and for no other purpose. They were popular among the wealthy in the 18th century, often inspired by Roman and Greek ruins gentlemen had seen on their grand tour, but they could also mimic old English ruins, castles and towers and abbeys.
Neoclassical Temple Folly Highclere Castle Gardens
Gothic Temple Painshill Park
Abbey Painshill Park
Brizlee Tower
If you could have a folly, which one of these would you choose? Or would you prefer some other folly?
Remember there is still time to comment on Michelle Willingham’s Interview and earn a chance at one of four free books. I’ll select the winners at random after midnight tonight ET.
Megan is not able to post her blog today. Life has gotten in the way.
She’ll be back next week!
Meanwhile, what is life tossing at you, these days?
