Four British women writers who were drawn to France
Except for a smattering of German and Italian, French is the only other language I speak reasonably well. This is mainly because of learning it at school and then keeping it up over the years.
From when I was sixteen a French teacher in our town – Ninette Heap – organised trips for me every summer holidays to french courses for foreign students in Paris, Strasbourg and Pau in the Pyrenees. My horizons widened across the Channel (La Manche) and my love affair with France began. I seem to have a different personality when I speak in French and I think everyone should be able to speak and understand at least one other language than their own.
A book came out in 2023 which discusses the work of four British female writers who were drawn to France. I was intrigued by this as one of my favourite novels, ‘The Greengage Summer’ by Rumer Godden is discussed, alongside ‘The Scapegoat’ by Daphne du Maurier, ‘The Snow-Woman by Stella Gibbons and ‘The Nutmeg Tree’ by Margery Sharp.
The novels are all written in English but take place in France. This literary study by Anne Hall which discusses all four books is fascinating and includes an introduction by Hugh Schofield who is the BBC Paris Correspondent.
‘The Greengage Summer’ by Rumer Godden is a favourite novel of mine, published by Macmillan in 1958. I have read and enjoyed a number of books by Daphne du Maurier but only ‘Cold Comfort Farm’ by Stella Gibbons. I had never heard of Margery Sharp, so must investigate …
Maybe an idea for a book club. Choose the novel, read the ‘Four French Holidays’ literary study – all for discussion …