Bodies From the Library 2022

 


 

I’ve taken my time writing about Bodies, and realize some people have been to another conference since then, but will pitch in anyway.

It was the usual fabulous weekend, joy from start to finish, despite a major power-outage threat to the event: everyone involved worked incredibly hard with enormous goodwill to make sure it happened. We were in a different part of the British Library, without some of the conference-centre benefits, but on a very hot day it was a beautiful place to be – see pictures above & below from Caroline Raeburn – with the windows and the plants.



Bodies started on Friday afternoon with tea at the Wallace Collection (becoming a tradition) – with guest of honour Martin Edwards.

 



On Saturday there was the usual full programme of events, including a discussion of female sleuths, talks on the works of Margery Allingham and Nicholas Blake, Martin Edwards discussing his new book with Chrissie Poulson, and an Ask the Expert panel.  My topic was Dorothy Bowers – I have done a couple of posts already on her books, and will do another about her life and more on the books.  I was absolutely delighted to hear that the British Library shop had stocked up on her works – and sold out by lunchtime on the day of the conference.



I also came home with a long list of books old and new to read or re-read – including the entire works of Allingham and Blake of course.

It was fantastic to meet up with old friends and meet new ones, and we’ve all got the date in our diary for next year (Sat 24th June 2023). See you there!










Comments

  1. It looks like you had a wonderful time, Moira, and I'm really happy for you. Thanks for sharing the photographs and your insights. It's so nice that events like this one are starting to happen again.

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    1. I really did - and yes indeed, I think we enjoy them even more, and appreciate them, after the long gap.

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  2. Great to see you again, Moira. And thanks for your super presentation on Bowers, about whom I kbew practically nothing beforehand.

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    1. Great to see you too, and thanks as always for all the hard work and contributions...

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  3. That sounds like a wonderful event, Moira, and the setting is beautiful. I would have loved to have been there for your presentation and others.

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    1. Thanks Tracy - you should come over one of these years, you would love it.

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  4. Glad to see there's a mike and you are talking into it! Being a bit deaf I get infuriated at talks where there's no amplification and the speaker can't or won't speak UP.

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    1. Yes, I was at an event recently when someone made the point that even if most people might not need it, amplification is worth it just for the few: it's not a moment for saying 'oh let's not bother'

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  5. Sounds nice. Hope we get some more detailed reports from the talks.

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    1. It was tremendous fun, and naturally I am making some of my important thoughts available...

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  6. Looks like great fun! And I do love the book covers - have they been repackaged? - in the bottom pic.
    So glad you enjoyed yourself.

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    1. Yes it was great fun! The book were being republished by Rue Morgue Press, and had a quite different set of covers, slightly cartoonish with comic figures on them. These are by Moonstone Press and I prefer them, I think they are lovely. Designed by Jason Anscombe

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