It’s time for #6degrees. Start at the same place as other wonderful readers, add six books, and see where you end up.
This month we begin with Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell.
There are probably all sorts of clever Shakespearean-related links to be made, but I’m linking by name to Maggie Shipstead, whose forthcoming novel Great Circle is on the list of 2021 releases I’m looking forward to.
Great Circle is a fictional story about a female aviator. Paula McLain’s Circling the Sun is also about a female aviator, but records the true story of Beryl Markham. Markham was the first person to fly solo, non-stop across the Atlantic from Britain to North America. She was also part of the ‘Happy Valley set’ in Kenya.
James Fox’s novel, White Mischief, focuses on the Happy Valley set. It was a good book, but the film was even better. Another book that made an even better film (or rather, series) was The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante.
I’m not mad on Ferrante, and yet I keep picking up her books… I recently finished The Lying Life of Adults, a story in which a bracelet plays an important part. Similarly, a necklace is critical in Adrienne Brodeur’s gripping memoir, Wild Game.
I didn’t expect to ‘fly’ from Shakespeare to jewellery. Where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (February 6, 2021), we’ll start with Anne Tyler’s latest novel, Redhead By the Side of the Road.
The only one in your chain that I have read is “White Mischief” and, I agree, it”s one of those rare examples of the film being better than the book. (Another example for me is “Walkabout”.
Still reading “Hamnet” here. What a a great book it is too! Have just released my own chain out into the wild: https://www.josieholford.com/hamnet/
I haven’t read/watched Walkabout – sounds like I should go straight to the film.
I had the misfortune of being required to “teach” it many years ago. That left an abiding distaste. The kids found it all ridiculous and I had to agree with them. Roeg’s film is a cinematic beauty. Although I’ve not seen it in almost half a century so ….
I always enjoy your chain, Kate, because I learn about I otherwise wouldn’t have heard of. But I have heard of Wild Game, and it sounds like an enticing yet unsettling book.
Wild Game is a good example of ‘truth is stranger than fiction’!
Love your links to the Happy Valley set, Kate. I have Beryl Markham’s West with the night – it’s been on my TBR since Virago published it in the 1980s (or was it 90s – hope the latter!!) I really do want to read it. But I didn’t know about these novels about her and/or the set.
Anyhow, here is my link: https://whisperinggums.com/2021/01/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-hamnet-to/
And, woo hoo, I’ve READ next month’s book. My record last year was the worst yet.
I should probably read West with the Night before Circling the Sun :-/
No shoulds in reading Kate!
Oh, I adored Circling the Sun, and Beryl Markham’s West with the Night is wonderful, too. I’ve tried to like Ferrante but after three attempts and two DNFs, I have to face the fact that I’m just not a fan.
I only picked up the most recent Ferrante because it was on audio, and is easy listening – had I been actually reading a hard copy, I probably would have abandoned.
Another good one to start with next month, Ioved Redhead by the Side of the Road!
I have now watched The Story of a New Name and agree 100%, so much better than the book. I went on after it to read Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, just in preparation for season 3 🙄.
My chain went the obvious direction but so far I’m the only one who has done so:
https://theresasmithwrites.com/2021/01/02/6degrees-of-separation-from-hamnet-to-jane-eyre/
I actually can’t wait for S3. I rewatched S1 before S2, and will probably do the same before S3, just to get all the characters and alliances straight in my mind, but I really thought it was one of the best things I watched in 2020.
It’s such good TV. And I can’t help but think that they are much better books as TV adaptations than actual books. It all plays out so much better visually. I didn’t mind book 3, certainly preferred it to book 2. Not sure if that’s the book on its own merits or reading it fresh on the back of watching series 2.
I started at that too. I came up with Hamlet By William Shakepeare, Beowulf as it also comes from Denmark, Gilgamesh as another Epic. The Johnstown Flood for a flood book. Valley Forge By Bob Drury and Tom Clavin for being in Pennsylvania and Washington’s Spies for the American Revolution so From Shakespeare to the American Revolution in six steps.
Great minds thinking alike! Nice chain too.
Here’s mine, off now to read Sue’s
https://anzlitlovers.com/2021/01/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-hamnet-to/
Excellent… and OH another chain that starts with a book I’ve read. Here’s mine https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2021/01/02/6degrees-of-separation-for-january-2-2021/
And another that I haven’t read!
It is a quick read… almost novella length!
I was really enjoying Hamnet until I had to wrap it and mail to my sister! I hope it is not too long before I get it from the library. I read the first Ferrante and really disliked everything about it; I am surprised my mother enjoyed it because our taste is usually very similar. I do want to read West with the Night – and I may own Circling the Sun but it is possible I have a different book by the author. One of my goals for this year is to do a better job organizing the books that aren’t in bookcases. The messiest room in the house is also the warmest so I have to tidy it up before I can use it for work Zoom calls.
Here is my chain: http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2021/01/six-degrees-of-separation-from-hamnet.html
I love this month’s selection because Hamnet is one of my top reads of the year!
https://readingladies.com/2021/01/01/6degrees-of-separation-from-hamnet-to-the-aviators-wife/
I don’t know most of these, but Beryl Markham’s story sounds fascinating.
Here’s my chain: https://booksplease.org/2021/01/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-hamnet-to-macbeth/
I just loved all the Ferrante books, and I’m enjoying the series too. I liked White Mischief as well. Here’s my chain:
https://residentjudge.com/2021/01/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-hamnet-to/
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I hadn’t heard of Hamnet before and I went with the first association I made when I saw the cover 🙂
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I can always rely on you to introduce me to a lot of books, I’ve never heard of before! No Shakespeare links from me either…
https://stargazer-online.com/2021/01/02/six-degrees-of-separation-jan-2021/
Great chain Kate. I keep meaning to try Ferrante to see what all the fuss is about but never seem to get round to her!
Super chain as always. While I really enjoyed My Brilliant Friend, I couldn’t get into the following Ferrante volumes. I do want to check out the new Shipstead though.
I particularly like that necklace link (no pun intended!) and I’m glad it’s not just me with Ferrante.
Great Circle looks excellent. I’m another non-Ferrante-iste! Here’s my chain https://wp.me/p75Lt6-1wG
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I loved “Circling the Sun”! I have mixed feelings about Ferrante’s books.
Ah, funny that you also had to go with Maggie! I did the same same
Apart from Hamnet I haven’t read any of the books in your chain, but I’m interested in reading Circling the Sun. I couldn’t get into My Brilliant Friend, so haven’t tried anything else by Ferrante yet. Here’s my chain:
https://shereadsnovels.com/2021/01/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-hamnet-to-macbeth/
I am definitely having a look at Circling the Sun. I’ve read the Aviator’s Wife end of last year and now I’m a bit obsessed with aviation. And the Happy Valley clang sure does make for entertaining reading. You can’t make that type of stories up, it has to be true!
Happy New Year!
Elza Reads
This was such a fun challenge for me! I look forward to participating more in 2021. Thanks for hosting!
Hamnet was a great choice to start us off! I loved that book, and never though I could connect it to such various books as I did. What fun!
https://dolcebellezza.net/2021/01/02/six-degrees-of-separation-beginning-with-hamnet-by-maggie-ofarrell/
What a fun place to start, with Hamnet. It was in my top ten for 2020!
https://dolcebellezza.net/2021/01/02/six-degrees-of-separation-beginning-with-hamnet-by-maggie-ofarrell/
I took the obvious route, and linked up Shakespearean retellings. Sheesh! But Hamnet is such an awesome book, and such a great place to start off from.
I’m not mad for Ferrante either, but I’ve heard The Lying Life of Adults is also up for a Netflix production, and I’m looking forward to that. Happy #6Degrees!
~Lex
~Six Degrees Post @Lexlingua
And my chain is here: https://www.notesinthemargin.org/2021/01/02/6-degrees-of-separation-women-healers/
Fun! I’ve been wanting to read Circling the Sun for ages!
I joined in for the first time this month, here is mine: http://milelongtbr.com/6-degrees-from-hamnet-to-little-cruelties-in-6-steps/
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I haven’t read any of these book of course Hamnet is high on my wishlist since it won the prize and I’ve read such great reviews of it. Thank you for hosting and Happy New Year!
I haven’t read any of your choices but I would like to read Circling the Sun for sure. I’ve also been coming across references to Elena Ferrante everywhere recently so I think the universe is telling me to give her a try.
Happy New Year!
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I’m a bit late this month, and haven’t started on anyone else’s chains – except yours, which doesn’t include a single book I’ve read – TBR then. https://margaret21.com/2021/01/03/six-degrees-of-separation-in-january/
Nice list, Hamnet sounns good as well. I haven‘t read any of them! 😊
Here is my list: https://cathysreadingbonanza.wordpress.com/2021/01/03/six-degrees-of-separation-meme/
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As always, a bit late to the game, but I had to take some time off during the holidays. Always a pleasure to take part and a Happy New Year (or at least a happier, less anxious one) to all of us! You’ve also reminded me that I’ve been meaning to watch the second series of the Ferrante TV adaptation. I really enjoyed the first one.
Good chain. Now I must watch White Mischief–I read the book a year or so ago.
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I wonder why Ferrante is so popular? Is she better in Italian, or does her style of writing appeal more to Italians? I’ve often looked at her books but never actually read one.
I remember seeing the film about the Happy Valley ages ago & feeling I ‘should’ read the book, so I’m glad to hear that I don’t need to!
Isn’t it interesting where these books take us? Thank you for telling us about so many books I’d never heard of. My own chain ended up with wildlife! It’s here: https://sconesandchaiseslongues.blogspot.com/2021/01/six-degrees-of-separation-january-2021.html
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I agree on White Mischief being a better film than a book. Since I read Caroline Elkins’ book about the British in Kenya, anything about Happy Valley leaves a bad taste in my mouth, though, so the book about Beryl Markham might not be for me.
I am excited about the Maggie Shipstead novel. I read Seating Arrangements years ago and loved her writing.
I’m late to the party this month because I’ve been in denial that I’m not a bear or tortoise with a legit reason to hibernate. My wintery state of mind has led me to form links relating to grief – but in a good way https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2021/01/17/six-degrees-of-separation-from-hamnet-to-how-to-be-both/
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