I bought Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple back in May 2010, infected by other bloggers’ enthusiasm for Whipple. Since then, I’ve added The Priory and They Were Sisters to my Persephone collection but I’d never actually read a word Whipple had written. Until now.
I stared Someone at a Distance last night and am now halfway through and loving it. I was so terrified that I was going to be disappointed, as is always the case when I start reading a much-praised author, but that is absolutely not the case and I needed to share my relief and excitement with those who would understand it best. And the best thing is knowing that, once I’ve finished this, I still have two more Whipple novels already waiting on my shelves.
The Captive Reader 
I picked this one up in January of last year and have waited on it for similar reasons. You have encouraged me to pick it up sooner than later. Here’s hoping the end is as good as the beginning! 🙂
I’m glad I’m not the only one who does this! I hope you end up enjoying it as much as I have!
That is a gorgeous feeling – when you know that once you finish this one, you have another two in hand!!!!
I think it’s one of the best feelings you can have as a reader!
I’m glad you’ve finally picked it up, Claire. Someone at a Distance was hard for me to read, because I didn’t want what was going to happen to happen. But, it is still an excellent novel. I’m excited that you have The Priory and They Were Sisters to read next. They Were Sisters is my favourite Whipple but also covers hard subject matter (abuse). If you need something lighter after Someone at a Distance, I would chose The Priory.
I think I’m going to try They Were Sistersnext, just because I’m so excited about it. And sounds like I might want the lighter tone of The Priory after that!
Oh Claire! You are embarking on a very exciting journey! Greenbanks is the absolute best…but all are marvellous in their own ways!! I think my second favourite is The Priory..almost time for a re-read!
Greenbanks is already on my Christmas wish list because of your recommendation but, until I acquire it, I’m excited to work through the ones I have! I’m definitely most excited about The Priory based on what I know of it, but then I wasn’t that excited about Someone at a Distance and look how that turned out!
I do a similar thing sometimes where I stock up on an author I am sure I will like, even though I’ve never actually read anything by said author previously! I do have a copy of Someone At a Distance, but it, like many of my Persephones has sat unread on my shelves for quite some time! I like to buy those lovely grey volumes, but then am always so reluctant to actually read them!
I’ve only read about one third of the Persephones I own and really, before this year, I’d only read about a tenth of them (though I read a good number from the library). I definitely focused on acquisition at the beginning but I’m loving finally getting to read the ones I do have – lots of delightful discoveries!
[…] even particularly satisfying. They may begin enjoyably – I was having great fun when I started Someone at a Distance and even mid-way through it – but I always end them feel like Whipple has disappointed me. This […]