Love this, and Happy New Year to you Clem. I also loved reading Political Girl in 2025, and saw the brilliant Alyokhina at Hay Winter Festival. What an astoundingly brave woman, and what an affecting book. And I adored Raising Hare too. May 2026 bring you much happiness (and hopefully we'll catch up at some point too). Xxx
How good to hear all this! I too read and loved 'Raising Hare' (helped by a beautiful edition for indie bookshops, bought at the Holt Bookshop, which had hares printed down the cut edge of the pages - the bit the other side from the spine, there must be a name for it). And funnily enough I was given the Garner diaries for Christmas, with a strong recommendation from my sister.
Would love to do an Arvon retreat: to date, have only indulged in the online masterclasses, which are good value - for stimulus, tips, and a reminder that writing really is what one cares about. As for identifying the main theme in one's writing, I think I've now worked mine out. It is 'Women trying to make their way in a man's world', which may incidentally be nearly as universal a preoccupation as yours. That was certainly the undercurrent in my first novel, published a few years back, and it is likewise in my second, which I finished editing just before Christmas. I look forward to reading about your mother and your relationship with her one day.
All the best to you too for 2026. With luck it will be an easier year, now the immediate shock of loss has passed.
Hi Fenella, happy new year! Thanks for your message. Many congratulations on editing your second book just before Christmas. Your theme is an excellent one. I really recommend Arvon- best money I’ve spent. Here’s to a happy & fruitful 2026.
What a feast Clem, thank you. I am now one hundred percent certain that every recommendation of yours will be fall-into-brilliant (Vivian Gornick’s Fierce Attachments and Angelica Garnett’s Deceived with Kindness both still bouncing around my insides). Helen Garner is extraordinary - sharp and bright, and surprising.
Hi dear Sophie! Happy new year. So glad you liked Fierce Attachments & Deceived with Kindness . What books have you enjoyed of late? See you online soon xx
Very enjoyable essay. Happy New Year!
Thank you Paul - happy new year to you too! xxx
Thank you!! So flattered to make the cut, and thanks for not treating us to your grand total x
Hehe. Never!
And of course yours made the cut, it was a reading high point this year xx
Love this, and Happy New Year to you Clem. I also loved reading Political Girl in 2025, and saw the brilliant Alyokhina at Hay Winter Festival. What an astoundingly brave woman, and what an affecting book. And I adored Raising Hare too. May 2026 bring you much happiness (and hopefully we'll catch up at some point too). Xxx
Happy new year! Yes indeedy, I hope we meet this year. Wishing you an amazing one. Much love xx
How good to hear all this! I too read and loved 'Raising Hare' (helped by a beautiful edition for indie bookshops, bought at the Holt Bookshop, which had hares printed down the cut edge of the pages - the bit the other side from the spine, there must be a name for it). And funnily enough I was given the Garner diaries for Christmas, with a strong recommendation from my sister.
Would love to do an Arvon retreat: to date, have only indulged in the online masterclasses, which are good value - for stimulus, tips, and a reminder that writing really is what one cares about. As for identifying the main theme in one's writing, I think I've now worked mine out. It is 'Women trying to make their way in a man's world', which may incidentally be nearly as universal a preoccupation as yours. That was certainly the undercurrent in my first novel, published a few years back, and it is likewise in my second, which I finished editing just before Christmas. I look forward to reading about your mother and your relationship with her one day.
All the best to you too for 2026. With luck it will be an easier year, now the immediate shock of loss has passed.
Fenella
Hi Fenella, happy new year! Thanks for your message. Many congratulations on editing your second book just before Christmas. Your theme is an excellent one. I really recommend Arvon- best money I’ve spent. Here’s to a happy & fruitful 2026.
What a feast Clem, thank you. I am now one hundred percent certain that every recommendation of yours will be fall-into-brilliant (Vivian Gornick’s Fierce Attachments and Angelica Garnett’s Deceived with Kindness both still bouncing around my insides). Helen Garner is extraordinary - sharp and bright, and surprising.
Happy 2026.
Hi dear Sophie! Happy new year. So glad you liked Fierce Attachments & Deceived with Kindness . What books have you enjoyed of late? See you online soon xx