Many will have heard of World Book Day in the spring, but who knew September carries both National Read a Book Day (6th) and the North Cornwall Book Festival (26th – 29th)?
The combination makes us want to extend that summer vibe of having a good read on the go – the type that encourages half an hour in a quiet corner. Swopping a garden steamer for an armchair; nearby fireplace optional: for autumn’s progress.
Tom’s Cottage has put together their own Cornish literary review (including some lesser-known publications), taken a snapshot preview of the local book fest and gathered up the best online Cornish book recommendations.
Our baseline is two renowned authors – Daphne Du Maurier and Winston Graham. The former of Jamaica Inn and Rebecca fame, the latter creator of the 12 book Poldark series. These renowned titles are just the icing on the cake to us: both writers penned an array of novels that are engagingly immersive. The King’s General (Du Maurier) and The Grove of Eagles (Graham) are great examples but a quick online search throws up a plethora of choice. Top tip: don’t overlook short story volumes by either author!
We actually love a collection of short stories – it’s a genre that can so easily be swept past, but is the grown-up version of a bedtime story. Our favourites are The Francis Boutle Book of Cornish Short Stories and Chasing Tales, The Lost Stories of Charles Lee (Giss ’On Books). Both can be found online in one form or another.
EV Thompson moved to Cornwall in 1970 and was again a productive novelist, with much of his fiction Cornish based. Maybe a touch less classically composed these make for a lighter read but are stonking tales. Chase the Wind and Harvest of the Sun are probably best known, with the Retallick series leading the rest.
Also set in Cornwall, Rosamunde Pilcher’s The Shell Seekers kept many of us rapt in her spellbinding story-telling when it became a bestseller in the late ‘80s.
Ready for some Arthurian legend? We were rather excited in the run-up to the release of Paul Newman’s Galahad (Halsgrove, 2004) and rightly so: it enthralled and entranced; and won the Peninsula Prize to boot. Full of Holy Grail adventures this novel has a thoroughly fresh feel to it.
To ignite imaginations of any age (from 8 to 80) Charmian Hussey’s The Valley of Secrets (Hodder, 2006) is a tale of discovery rooted in the natural world. Of all our recommendations, this is the pièce de résistance for a Tom’s Cottage read. Acclaimed by the Sunday Telegraph as ‘a masterpiece’.
We need to mention a couple of Cornish poets – Jack Clemo: the earthy voice of a miner, and Charles Causley: the award-winning English teacher. The romantics out there really need to check out Causley’s My Young Man’s A Cornishman, while his Collected Poems 1951-2000 (Picador, 2000) will raise a grin one moment then moisten eyes the next.
The works of honorary Cornishman John Betjeman (Poet Laureate 1972-1984) shouldn’t be forgotten – classically written poems, full of nostalgia. As wished, he is buried at St Enodoc Church (in the sand dunes on the Camel Estuary). If thinking of making a pilgrimage, add a walk out onto Pentire Head while in the area to find the plaque inscribed with ‘For the Fallen’. Written by Laurence Binyon in 1914 as he gazed out to sea on this very spot, the early WW1 reports of terrible causalities heavy in his heart. A poem now immortalised in remembrance services.
Hankering something hot off the press or need some contempary inspiration? The North Cornwall Book Festival’s Cream of Cornwall event highlights new writing in, and of, Cornwall. Four authors will be providing readings from their new titles.
The rest of the festival’s programme is a real treat with talks from the current Poet Laureate, two Booker Prize winners, several critically acclaimed writers; plus Radio 3’s in-house Cornishman Petroc Trelawney. Fringe events include musical and comedy performances, various workshops and art exhibition.
Established over a decade ago, this four-day gathering can be dipped in and out of or fully embraced with a back to back literary feast. While laying on an enviable literary schedule, this festival retains a personable feel - in true Cornish style. For One and All. Thank you organisers Endelienta Arts, and it’s just 10 minutes down the road from Tom’s Cottage Cornwall (we strike gold on occasions!)
Having covered the obvious to the obscure, there may be some middle ground that we’ve not covered; so here’s our pick of the Cornish book reviews a lightening online search threw up:-
- Top 10 books set in Cornwall from The Guardian
- Best Books Set In Cornwall by Good Reads
- The Best Books about Cornwall from Cornwall’s Best
- 10 books to read to escape to Cornwall by Muddy Stilettos
A good book takes the imagination to places that otherwise wouldn’t be visited. The original escapism. We still hold dear the printed version, to be read at our own pace; and vitally: interpreted by our own voice. However you do it: enjoy!
