This review is so delicious it made me hungry for OC, which I had to order right away. I don't understand what's wrong with Baroque style, or purple prose for that matter, when a writer is more than able to handle them. From the sparse examples you give us, Elspeth Barker writes beautifully. Thank you, dear Mr. Troy Ford, for revealing this gem to us!
You are most welcome, and thank YOU, Portia! Have you read Angela Carter? There's another one accused of purple prose and famously said "So what?" I haven't yet but want to read her too.
Can't tell you how happy this makes me, to know that O Caledonia's magic is felt beyond the British Isles. I won't bore you with any 'pithy, ridiculous or obscure association I have to the book in question', although there are plenty, but my dear dead friend gave it to me shortly before her abrupt departure. I never had the chance to share with her all my pithy etc associations (which she hadn't known), nor to answer the Post-It note she stuck to its cover: 'Tell me what you think of it'. But the most ridiculous of associations may now be this, that her death in some ways brought me to Substack in the first place. Thank you for loving this book too.
I am SO pleased to find a fellow OC lover, Allie, and I assure you I wouldn't be bored in the least by anything else you have to say on the subject. You know, you read book after book across the long years hoping to find the kind of connection I have with this one - many books are great, swell, lovely etc., but to find something that makes you believe in the magic of the written word all over again is something very special. Thank you for sharing.
Ah, you're very kind to say you won't be bored but... Tell you what, I'll spend some time editing all my OC associations and reactions into something brief (pithy?) and get back to you soon. Any excuse to read it again.
Thank you for this compelling introduction to Barker's novel, Troy. I'm in the mood for baroque.
Well, you certainly sold me on Barker with this wonderful piece, Troy. I’m gonna have to suss out her book. :)
Excellent, I hope you like it!
Can't wait to have a look. I'm saying yes just based on her photo (and the fact that you recommended it)
It's wonderful - let me know what you think, D
Thank you for introducing us to this fascinating book Troy. I look forward to getting my hands on it.
My pleasure - I hope you love it too, Donna! 💜
I am among those who's never heard of it but I'll certainly give it read. Thanks, Troy.
Thank you for the introduction, my friend. I have added O Caledonia to my reading list! 💕
This review is so delicious it made me hungry for OC, which I had to order right away. I don't understand what's wrong with Baroque style, or purple prose for that matter, when a writer is more than able to handle them. From the sparse examples you give us, Elspeth Barker writes beautifully. Thank you, dear Mr. Troy Ford, for revealing this gem to us!
You are most welcome, and thank YOU, Portia! Have you read Angela Carter? There's another one accused of purple prose and famously said "So what?" I haven't yet but want to read her too.
Carter is wonderful!
Oh good! I just got The Bloody Chamber to take with on my vacation in July!
Neither have I, but I think I'd like her, that answer says it all!
Can't tell you how happy this makes me, to know that O Caledonia's magic is felt beyond the British Isles. I won't bore you with any 'pithy, ridiculous or obscure association I have to the book in question', although there are plenty, but my dear dead friend gave it to me shortly before her abrupt departure. I never had the chance to share with her all my pithy etc associations (which she hadn't known), nor to answer the Post-It note she stuck to its cover: 'Tell me what you think of it'. But the most ridiculous of associations may now be this, that her death in some ways brought me to Substack in the first place. Thank you for loving this book too.
I am SO pleased to find a fellow OC lover, Allie, and I assure you I wouldn't be bored in the least by anything else you have to say on the subject. You know, you read book after book across the long years hoping to find the kind of connection I have with this one - many books are great, swell, lovely etc., but to find something that makes you believe in the magic of the written word all over again is something very special. Thank you for sharing.
Ah, you're very kind to say you won't be bored but... Tell you what, I'll spend some time editing all my OC associations and reactions into something brief (pithy?) and get back to you soon. Any excuse to read it again.
Cool! Report back after you read it ;)