— Janet Street-Porter on why it’s important to listen to ‘your friends who speak complete drivel on the phone’ in the best women’s magazine ever, The Gentlewoman.
A quick snapshot of the things taking up space on my bedside table this month, with a feature of my favourites:
Lionel Shriver, So Much For That
Shriver is a woman who doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to characters. When I started this book, I tried to forget just how strong the impact of her last book We Need to Talk About Kevin was because it is one of the most impressive books I have read. Kevin has stayed with me and stayed with me and stayed with me [stop - you haven’t read it? Go! Go now!], and I thought it was a bit much to expect such a strong impact next time round. And I was right.
But here’s the thing, So Much For That, a tale of the complete failure that is the American healthcare system, especially given my experience of healthcare in Australia, creeps up on you. And a tale about choice, more specifically, the conviction required to choose and then follow through. Sure, it took a while to really get in to, but by the end, I was brushing tears away from my chin. Thank you, Shriver, for another quality offering to modern fiction.
The Gentlewoman, Issue 2, Autumn-Winter 2010
One rainy night I was seeking out shelter in downtown Melbourne, not fussed at the sensation of water seeping in through my stockings and clinging to my toes, when I found myself slipping into Magnation. Before I knew it, I found myself at the register, handing over the cover price for The Gentlewoman, even though a magazine allowance is not part of my post-Christmas budget…
But oh, what a monetary mistake to make. The Gentlewoman is going down as my magazine find to rival all others. Smart, intriguing, beautifully photographed, with quality writing featuring fascinating women. Bliss.
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