tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post8160506491152465771..comments2024-03-28T20:46:22.875+00:00Comments on Clothes In Books: Dress Down Sunday: Ashenden by W Somerset MaughamClothes In Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-83029946626772146882014-09-18T09:04:23.880+01:002014-09-18T09:04:23.880+01:00It's not your action-filled, can't-put-it-...It's not your action-filled, can't-put-it-down spy thriller, but I think you might be interested because of its place in the history of spy stories.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-12030315480159518752014-09-18T06:44:36.226+01:002014-09-18T06:44:36.226+01:00Sounds very interesting, and I shall look into it....Sounds very interesting, and I shall look into it.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-76783138363433056782014-09-16T12:09:26.145+01:002014-09-16T12:09:26.145+01:00Yes, it's interesting to look at the books thr...Yes, it's interesting to look at the books through historical eyes isn't it, and in the knowledge of the books that were to come. Rogue Male is a book I have been meaning to read for at least 30 years - you'll have to tell me if I should finally make the effort.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-67115074833360532252014-09-16T09:15:17.037+01:002014-09-16T09:15:17.037+01:00I love this passage - gorgeously embarrassing for ...I love this passage - gorgeously embarrassing for nearly all concerned. I enjoyed these stories a lot - and as you say, it's fascinating to look at where the modern spy story came from. I'm currently reading 'Rogue Male' (1939) which sometimes (actually, often) seems to be more about the English countryside than the chase. It gives one's (later) expectations a bit of a shake-up: fast, violent action doesn't have to dominate this genre.skiourophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08200877834536477400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-86371330453259196052014-09-15T18:01:49.422+01:002014-09-15T18:01:49.422+01:00Thanks Chrissie. I've read a good few Gilberts...Thanks Chrissie. I've read a good few Gilberts, but not I think those ones, I must check them out.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-9200681583922417582014-09-15T15:54:39.644+01:002014-09-15T15:54:39.644+01:00Love this, Moira!
Michael Gilbert's Calder and...Love this, Moira!<br />Michael Gilbert's Calder and Behrens stories must have influenced by these. The too are both ruthless and sentimental in ways you do begin to anticipate after a bit. And they also funny. They are very good.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16510409974009816550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-80262320134877431712014-09-15T13:57:06.232+01:002014-09-15T13:57:06.232+01:00It's nothing like your average modern hard-boi...It's nothing like your average modern hard-boiled spy thriller, but it has its moments.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-28614214443899473902014-09-15T13:31:17.728+01:002014-09-15T13:31:17.728+01:00I had this on my radar in the past, but didn't...I had this on my radar in the past, but didn't ever follow through on getting it, let alone reading it. Maybe one day.col2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-4877810361238109502014-09-15T08:47:08.485+01:002014-09-15T08:47:08.485+01:00I'll really look forward to your blogpost on t...I'll really look forward to your blogpost on that Sergio - Bette Davis with a malevolent look, rattling her knitting needles. I wasn't at all aware of the BBC adaptation, but I'd have thought Alex Jennings would be perfect.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-26759641186009226402014-09-15T08:13:36.570+01:002014-09-15T08:13:36.570+01:00I am a big Maugham fan (just about the re-read the...I am a big Maugham fan (just about the re-read the various prose and drama iteration of THE LETTER) and really enjoyed your 'specialised' take on this (somehow the whole underwear angle completely passed me by) - did you ever see the BBC adaptation starring Alex Jennings in the title role? Really good but sadly unavailable on home video. Sergio (Tipping My Fedora)http://bloodymurder.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-43918538678293258842014-09-14T22:28:34.280+01:002014-09-14T22:28:34.280+01:00I know what you mean, but I quite liked that about...I know what you mean, but I quite liked that about them, they are so very un-thriller-ish, so very much not what the spy story became. And so agree - so readable, and such a good writer.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-19170650836606413852014-09-14T22:05:25.731+01:002014-09-14T22:05:25.731+01:00The Ashenden stories are like shaggy dog stories -...The Ashenden stories are like shaggy dog stories - they end with a whimper. Sometimes you wonder what the point was. I love Maugham. He wasn't flowery, and wrote as people speak. Wouldn't have won the Booker.Lucy R. Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08632983296994349550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-58769644210794674462014-09-14T17:51:30.133+01:002014-09-14T17:51:30.133+01:00Yes indeed. And he is good, you should try him som...Yes indeed. And he is good, you should try him some time.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-39105003138308105942014-09-14T17:28:45.934+01:002014-09-14T17:28:45.934+01:00Moira, it's such a wonderful experience to be ...Moira, it's such a wonderful experience to be able to read classical authors like Maugham. I have not read his books in years. What I like about authors like Maugham is that even if at times I don't enjoy their stories, I like their style of writing.Prashant C. Trikannadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16079354501998741758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-82106468057677166992014-09-14T13:22:17.851+01:002014-09-14T13:22:17.851+01:00I think some left-wing women are not portrayed as ...I think some left-wing women are not portrayed as negative, but they are very rarely shown as having a sense of humour, or any kind of lighter side - Anastasia is selfish, and a bit of a drama queen, and I thought that was rather unusual, and fun.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-28220504982246638582014-09-14T13:20:52.032+01:002014-09-14T13:20:52.032+01:00He is dismissed as a very middlebrow writer, and I...He is dismissed as a very middlebrow writer, and I think he's better than that - but anyway, anyone who can write good women characters is someone I'm going to like. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-1205580734062312472014-09-14T12:42:19.320+01:002014-09-14T12:42:19.320+01:00And enjoyed what you said about the portrayal of A...And enjoyed what you said about the portrayal of Anastasia, as a left-wing woman, and it's not negative. Now that's interesting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-10275567482938557862014-09-14T12:34:36.131+01:002014-09-14T12:34:36.131+01:00Moira - What an interesting choice of his work! Am...Moira - What an interesting choice of his work! Among many other things, it shows the way spy stories have changed over the last decades. And I do like the insight into the times. As you say - a really solid period piece. It conjures up very clear mental images too. And Anastasia is a breath of fresh air for the times. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-10164769046019720732014-09-14T11:26:13.088+01:002014-09-14T11:26:13.088+01:00When you mentioned WSM the other day I thought of ...When you mentioned WSM the other day I thought of this upcoming post. I really enjoyed this book, and Anastasia is a great character, very sensible and practical when it matters, and fun the rest of the time. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-50683557260349142014-09-14T10:34:46.246+01:002014-09-14T10:34:46.246+01:00I wish I had read this book when I was in my Somer...I wish I had read this book when I was in my Somerset Maugham reading jag during my youth. I read several books by him, but don't remember this one, and I would have remembered a character like Anastasia Alexandrovna -- and her exploits with her underwear. <br /><br />Hilarious. (And, thankfully, no girdle was involved in this feat.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com