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 Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason. I absolutely loved this book – the challenging character of Martha, the humour, the serious elements of the story. It links me to another perfect novel with an imperfect heroine – Emma by Jane Austen (settle down – I’m not really putting Mason and Austen in the same category!).
I have recently finished The Jane Austen Remedy by Ruth Wilson – it’s essentially Wilson’s account of her reading history and her re-reading of all of Austen’s books.
The Jane Austen Remedy is filled with references to other books, but one that surprised me was Herman Melville’s novella, Billy Budd, and the fact that the libretto of the opera by the same name was written by author E. M. Forster – how did I not know this?! (I’ve seen the opera, which incidentally is composed by Benjamin Britten).
Next link is to Damon Galgut’s fictionalised account of E. M. Forster’s life, Arctic Summer.
Wednesday was the first day of the popular 20 Books of Summer reading challenge. Of course, it’s winter in Australia and the first day of the challenge in Melbourne was arctic (9°). I kicked off the challenge with Fierce Attachments by Vivian Gornick.
Gornick’s memoir describes her troubled relationship with her mother. I could link to dozens of books using ‘troubled mother/daughter’ relationships as the criteria, but the one that stands out is Adrienne Brodeur’s absolutely crazy memoir, Wild Game.
Where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (July 2, 2022), we’ll start with Wintering by Katherine May.
