#SheToo

'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' by Thomas Hardy

As long-term readers of this blog know, I struggle with The Classics.  I'm sure I'm not the only one, just as I'm sure everyone has their own reason for avoiding Austen, distancing from Dickens, or backing away from the Brontës.  

I myself have been hiding from Hardy ever since we did 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' at school.  I don't remember much about the experience, but since then have always associated Hardy with impenetrable, long-winded prose and depressing plots.  But a recent encounter with 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' may have changed all that.  Well, the first bit anyway. 

Apocalypse Then

As you may have noticed, there's been a bit of a blogging drought recently.  Having had a brilliant start to the year, all of a sudden I found that I couldn't settle to anything in particular.  I'm currently part way through eight books.  Even for me, that's not unusual!  Desperate for an inspirational read, I spotted a tweet from Allen and Unwin (@AllenandUnwinUK) about 'The Last Hours' by Minette Walters.  They were looking for bloggers to review it, but would it be the answer to my prayers?

'The Last Hours'
by Minette Walters
(Allen & Unwin, 2017)

It's summer 1348 when the Black Death arrives in England via the Dorset port of Melcombe.  Before the population realises the danger, this most heinous disease is spreading rapidly across the county, slaying young and old with no regard for money or status.  On the estate of Develish, the compassionate and resourceful Lady Anne decides to take the bold step of bringing the estate's two hundred serfs within the manor house walls, much to the distress of her teenaged daughter Eleanor.  They may be safe from the pestilence, but soon become prey to internal conflicts as the social order shifts and even faith in God is challenged.  Under threat from without and within, how long can the people of Develish last?

More than Just the Sandwich Man

'Sandwich' is an example of grammatical conversion, i.e. a word that has gained a new linguistic label because its use and meaning changed.  In this instance, a proper noun or name of a specific person or thing became a common noun, not to mention a tasty snack.

'Sandwich Man'
by John Montagu,
11th Earl of Sandwich
(Skyscraper Publications)

I've just finished reading a delightful booklet called
 'Sandwich Man' about the original Sandwich, John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich (1718 to 1792), written by the current, eleventh Earl, also called John Montagu.  In a collection of informative vignettes, the Earl describes the life and loves of his predecessor, his connections with other notable names, including Captain Cook, William Wordsworth and Omai of Tahiti (only the second Pacific Islander to visit Europe), and the origins of his famous foodstuff.  In just a few pages, the Earl takes us on an intriguing, whistle stop journey through the life of his ancestor.

I'm not just buttering up the author here (groan!), I did genuinely enjoy this booklet and learned more than I expected about the man who made a name for himself in quite an unexpected way.  It's funny how you can think you know about a historical figure and be completely wrong.  I'd somehow ended up with an image of a sleazy aristocrat and ne'er-do-well, who was so addicted to the gaming tables that he refused to leave even to eat.  I now know differently!

This booklet came from Mapperton House near Beaminster in Dorset, home to the current Earl and Countess of Sandwich and recent star of the film 'Far From the Madding Crowd'.  It's a hidden gem with historic formal gardens and plenty of lovely, quiet spots for reading in the sunshine, so well worth a visit.  Perhaps I'll be spotted there next summer with one of the books listed in the 'Sandwich Man' further reading list!

To find out more about Mapperton House and Gardens or to order your own copy of 'Sandwich Man', visit the Mapperton House website.

Now back to the marauding vikings!