#catherine x marian

[meerawrites]

WODTober 31: Redemption

Marian/Catherine of clan Toreador.

Whenever I’m alone with you, you make me feel like I am whole again.

There short story is featured in @vampirepyramidscheme’s BIPOCvampday anthology, but, also readable here.

[fideidefenswhore]

There's a tendency in modern fandom to rob Henry of his agency, like saying Anne "lured" or "stole" him as if he isn't responsible for his actions. What I find weird is that seems to have, to an extent, been the idea at the time. A hell of a lot of the Catholic/Imperial faction seemed to get the thought that well, all we do is get rid of Anne and everything goes back to normal. Like Mary and Chapuys act like they expect her to be princess and heir again as if nothing happened and the English Reformation will just stop there and turn back. I just can't get my head round how much people then revered Henry as king but then think he's some weak puppet Anne manipulated and who they can manipulate when she's gone.

Yeah, the thing is that...A) We haven't changed as much as we like to believe that we have, B) Obviously modern analysis of contemporary reports of this period is reliant on these reports, but has the benefit of hindsight (and yet when hobbyists without any background in history simply read these reports absent of any contextualization or expert analysis, they tend to take them pretty...literally? which dovetails into these fandom interpretations), C) That very double negative is the cornerstone of misogyny. Women are ultimately, even supernaturally, powerful but also ultimately powerless/weak, and/or exploit men's weakness, world's tiniest violin.

Misogyny alone is not enough to explain, there's also the political and religious at play with the psychological:

"Anne became [...] 'the evil counsellor.' In spite of Chapuys, the Emperor needed to maintain a civil relationship with Henry for his own purposes. He therefore chose to believe that Anne was bullying Mary (and Catherine) behind her husband's back. In a similar way Mary deceived herself into believing that it was not really her father who was subjecting her to such remorseless pressure, but the wicked woman who had acquired such an ascendancy over him." +

"Her actual contribution to the 'scourge' of Lutheranism [...] was inflated to unbelievable proportions. Chapuys [went as] far as to blame 'the heretical doctrines and practices of the concubine' as 'the principal cause of the spread of Lutheranism in this country.' [This] created [...] a political/religious 'wing' of sentiment [against Anne Boleyn] that was [later] exploited by Cromwell [...] and it was a powerful obstacle in the way of Anne's acceptance by the (still largely Catholic) English people."

For me, what separates is that this subject (although more specifically on the mistreatment of Princess Mary, riffed on that here) is discussed as if it was an untapped timeline, and it's ...not? The events immediately preceding May 1536 do not vindicate or absolve any cruelty on Anne's part; by any means, but what they do prove is that Chapuys was wrong about her being the 'X factor' here, as it were. Once she's subtracted is when Mary's disbarred from succession in much firmer legal language by Parliament. Moreover, the Boleyn downfall was a watershed in court division and factionalism, its aftermath was not a period of 'relative' (or otherwise) tranquility but rather continuance, even amplification, of religious suppression for those that did not adhere to the tenets of the new Henrician 'supremacy'.

Also, let's not underrate the ambition of the 'Marian faction'. They wanted a return to the status quo, yes, we shouldn't discredit religious motivations either, but they also wanted to regain the status and favour they felt they had lost. They were bargaining on the future favour of Mary once she was heiress again, bargaining on the future of Henry having no other children by marriage (so, even Mary as Queen), that's generally forgotten because most of them did not survive to reap (and, arguably, Mary becoming Queen later had very little to do with her faction of the 1530s that had failed upwards, considering especially that Mary was not reinstated into the succession--conditionally, but still--until several years after the Exeter Conspiracy).

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Wednesday 5.. February 1840

8 ½

..

monsieur came in the night?  chemise much soiled at noon on Thursday – Refreshed after having slept perhaps 1 ½ hour – finished the little bit of packing that remained to be done – breakfast over at 11 ½ and at 11 ½ sent Gross to Mr. Marc’s with note enclosing five £25 circulars nos. 8592, 3, 4, 5, 6 to be cashed and A-‘s letter to her sister and my own letters to “Miss Marian Lister North Cave Yorkshire Angleterre” “Robert Parker Esquire Solicitor, Halifax, Yorkshire England” – “Messrs. R. and H. Hunt, Hamburg” and packet to “John Hodgson Esquire English Quay, St. Petersburg” (containing civil note to Mr. Hodgson himself thanks for his attention etc. and asking him to forward thro’ Mr. Buchanan by the bag my 2 half sheet-notes to the “Honourable Lady Stuart” and to “Lady Stuart de Rothesay” both undercover to Lord Stuart de Rothesay 3 Carlton house terrace London) and packet to “Messrs. Hammersley and co. Bankers London” containing a thin ½ sheet close and small written note in envelope to “Lady Duff Gordon 34 Hertford street” from 11 ½ to 6 at accounts and settling with George the courier Grotza who leaves us on our setting off on our journey, and Gross – paid the latter his ¼ years wages due on the 16th instant and 30 days board in advance £1 for every 6 days i.e. 24 Roubles for every 6 days = 21 x 5 = 105 R. per 30 days – Had Mrs. Howard sundry times on one account or other – I had ordered the Kibitkas’ to be packed immediately on Gross’s return from Mr. Marcs’, but somehow this was not understood and it was 4 p.m. when Gross came to ask if they were to be packed – and it being a 3 or 4 hours job made us off so late – Mr. Marcs’ cashier brought the money I having omitted to indorse the circulars – asked for tea about 6 – wrote and left with Mrs. Howard the following character of Grotza – Mrs. Lister will be obliged to Mrs. Howard to inform anyone who may apply for the character of Elizabeth Catherine Gross that she has lived in Mrs. Listers’ service as Ladys’ maid from the 10th of May 1839 to the 5th of February 1840, and that Mrs. Lister has found her strictly honest, well-conducted and trustworthy, clean and neat in her person and about her work and a good hairdresser, and getter up of fine linen – Mrs. Lister has had no occasion of trying her in dress-making, but she had a good character for ability in this respect from the lady with whom she lived last – Wednesday 5 February 1840. (I am not certain whether the paper was dated or not) –

we had had tea and waited some time for all [?] announced ready when the summons came at 7 25/.. – but our kibitka so uncomfortable the little alteration that could be made took till 7 ¾ vid. p. 7

SH:7/ML/E/24/0006

(vid. p. 7) still the seat too high – our kibitka uncomfortably pace – no help for it till morning – never dreampt of being off so late – in the dark – now at 7 ¾ as we drive off from Mrs. Howards’ in the Great Dimitri Street Moscow – A- and I and our government post courier in our covered kibitka (3 horses) followed by our Russian servants George and his wife, and our German Gross in an ordinary ½ mat-covered kibitka also with 3 horses – uncomfortable

Leave Moscow fine day

[incorrectgentlemanjackquotes]

Ann, leaning up to kiss Anne: Why do you have to be so tall?

Anne, laughing: Would you prefer me on my knees?

Ann: Yes.

Anne: What?

Catherine: What??

Marian: For God’s sake!

[hauntedheroines]

Problematic Ships Map

Most of my ships and how they connect. I’ve tried to begin with the first ships I had and how their tropes shaped my taste.

For instance, Wuthering Heights made me notice I loved childhood friends or lovers torn apart.

Hades and Persephone was not personally a first for me, but historically it was the beginning of an common archetype, which is a cruel, possibly supernatural male figure trapping a young maiden into a world of darkness and wonder.

Unfortunately I could not display all the possible connections because there would be too many arrows. For instance, Narkik started a war like every other roaring rampage of romance ship.

Just assume the closer the ships are in branch, the most likely they are to be similar. If you want to know about an specific ship and recommendations of other ships based on it, I’ll gladly answer to you in box ;)

Some things might not make sense as to why does Spuffy comes from Dolores/MiB when the former was not a case of ex-lovers. That’s because sometimes the child-branch doesn’t relate to the main trope from it’s parent, but the dynamic of one ship reminds me strongly of the other because of aspects not mentioned.

Meaning of some tropes is here.

Find the tag for your ship here.

Hope this helps you all find new ships.

See ya! <3

[artnstuffkat]

a masterpost of all my art

(latest - oldest)

yellow and blue, steve coogan

envy adams

carrie white

will graham crown of thorns

luke skywalker sketch

imp tweek and pastor craig what makes you human?

maid dinluke

skymandolo mafia au

sunflower/sunshine boy luke

luke seducing din in chanel boots, based off a prompt by vanishedangels

indie dinluke

medieval beekeeper!luke x plague doc! din

luke skywalker 

robin tweek and maid marian craig outfit design

momo yaoyorozu dark academia fashion designs

valentine’s card for followers - 2021

vampire au creek

reedy fic fanart - maid tweek and pastor craig

craig and tweek lounging craig is in a smexy outfit

promo art for yandere au

sun and moon, tweek and craig

eboy gamer catboy maid tweek

tweek vs craig comic of the look they gave each other

sam o nella sp mystical au

vintage postcard from hell w/ imp!tweek

lineless art of creek in a boat at sunset and the snow queen from hans christian andersen’s ‘a story in seven parts’

tweek w/ an umbrella, yandere!craig au

creek server secret santa for ambercreek95 

yandere!craig poster

yandere!craig comic

catboy maid creek

cottagecore mushroom creek - mini

witch’s cauldron

bubble bath creek

imp nun tweek

tricia tucker 

child craig with stripe

imp tweek series about privacy/the true self: 1, 2, 3,

creek anniversary 

possibly in michigan 

anna’s eyes from the art of self-defense

beezelbub good omens

mushroom house w/o creek

princess marya bolkonskaya side profile

colored sketch of happy tweek

sayori from doki doki literature club

another colored sketch of tweek

omg, they were zoommates fanart

tricia and karen fanart

colored sketch self portrait

inked happy birthday tweek

gas station tired tweek

song inspired creek comic

song inspired tweek drawing

natasha rostova portrait

promo art for an abandoned imp tweek fic

metrosexual creek

fem tweek

ferris buellers day off x south park

fem creek outfit ideas, 4 seasons

princess marya portrait

craig doodle - royalty au

tweek doodle - royalty au

genderbent craig and those guys

imp tweek full body

strong woman and mrs testaburger

imp tweek and pastor craig

creek silhouettes

craig character design - royalty au

tweek character design - royalty au

catherine of aragon body and head

mrs tweak 

heather chandler

imp tweek nun

tweek in a sweater

colored sketches

sexualities south park comic

[lady-plantagenet]

What hasn’t already been said: The Spanish Princess 2

Episode 1: CamelNOT

[Lively Music Plays]

I shit you not... that’s what it said in the CCs.

Tower of London (?)

*Catherine looks at the array of crowns like a museum curator and the proceeds to strut down the halls*

Wolsey: *gives her this strange look which is a mixture between damn girl and the eagle is my spirit animal.

Then Catherine gets fake detained and taken to Henry in what must be a strange variation of the whole Robin Hood/Maid Marian roleplay they historically engaged in.

... did she just call his erhm manhood his kingship? Well that’s original, I’ll give them that. Also funny how Bessie Blount initially looks on in fright... don’t worry girl that will be you soon.

———————————————————————

*the four ladies have a brunch friendship moment together*

I see Blount is among them... I see they are setting her up as Catherine’s friend in order to play up the whole betrayal.

Alright. Jokes aside, I realised how much I’ve played myself. I was inspired by @melusineloriginale ‘s sporks (which if all this TSP episode posts got you in the mood for PG show mockery I urge you to check out here - you’ll thank me later). In truth, Henry VIII’s early reign is a bit too late from my main area of focus for me to make intelligent jokes.

I’ll content myself with just bullet-pointing random thoughts that came into my head, and if some intelligent thought gets through, well that would be the pinnacle. In any case I’ll aim to not parrot some of the stuff that’s already been said, repetition can get annoying.

This image embodies this post, but maybe not the show. I’ve noticed those Starz productions get better by the end.

First Scenes:

- The recap just reminded me how much I will miss Margaret Beaufort in the coming episodes. I know her portrayal was innacurate but Harriet Walter just made everything better.

- They are making such a big deal out of this whole ‘we were crowned together, we rule together’ thing in this episode - it makes no sense. Catherine was an influential Queen but she was definitely no more than a consort and never saw herself as more.

- Ruairi’s new haircut is pleasing to my eyes.

- When she says ‘Abuelo’ it’s super adorable awww

The Ferdinand and Charles V scene:

- Bessie Blount looks so much like Ursula Pole lmao. Also they totally got the Pole children’s birth order wrong and UGH WHERE IS GEOFFREY POLE???

- I like Mary Tudor’s actress and her facial expressions. However, this whole polyglot image they are representing is innacurate. I am fairly certain she knew no spanish and I recall reading a contemporary account which said that she was not very learned.

- I’m pretty sure it would be considered bad luck to prematurely crown your son ‘Henry IX’ while you’re still alive.

- I actually like the whole Grape motif in this episode. It’s probably the smartest thing they’ve come up with so far for this episode. I know a lot of you will be all like ‘there’s no record of Ferdinand being abusive’ but this choice sort of makes sense when you recall Joanna’s treatment. Also I appreciate them for not being tacky and showing flashbacks of more overt abuse eg physical. The sugared grape is also fairly symbolic (the sugar is like a gilding, the grape easily crushable)

- OMG the guy from Garrow’s law is playing Thomas More!

- AND PLEASE PLEASE TELL ME IM NOT SEEING THINGS? Margaret Pole x Thomas More is happening?? Please god that is a historical crackship I am getting behind. Yes. This is what I’m most invested about.

Margaret Tudor and Scotland Scene:

- The whole ironic cutaway to Margaret being all depressed after Charles Brandon’s statement about her charming Scottish king is such a cliché movie technique.

- If this were a more artsy film I would think the whole setup resembling a stereotypical middle-class family breakfast was done on purpose for humorous effects or to create a link with the past. But here I don’t have as much trust in the producers. I think they just failed to capture the time period accurately.

- The modernisms continue: ‘Negassi please stop playing’ idk, there just something so modern about this for some reason ahaha

- Also again, I’m getting tired of all this ‘Catherine is basically queen herself’, ‘Catherine is a political genius’, ‘Catherine Catherine Catherine’ ugh. I don’t think the producers understand that Henry VIII was a very autocratic and traditional ruler. He didn’t make any show of joint-rulership (correct me if I’m wrong).

- The teeth thing is funny, smart and I liked it.

Back to Westminster:

- I like Ferdinand’s actor!

- Also Catherine’s response to ‘who are you loyal to?’ was not that smart. I feel like the producers wanted us to be impressed. What if Spain and England’s interests conflict, ey??

The Joust:

- I care too much for the whole Margaret Pole plotline. I’m so invested.

- I could watch a series of More and Pole just exchanging lines. I love the actors too and this is my hope for this series. The whole frustrated parents is SO CUTE.

- I didn’t know More tutored Reggie, I would be curious to know more.

- The way compton says groom to queen’s stool is freaking hilarious. He looks like a pervert.

- Henry Pole is a darling and must be protected at all costs.

- Oh Christ oh Christ that eyeball shot was just... good job on the special effects guys. Don’t know what the point of that choice was.

- I found the whole armour mentions after interesting, it looked so set up as a PR campaign because Stafford speaking about the armour just sounded like a statement agreed on beforehand ‘should have worn the same’ and the Catherine with ‘steel in the bones’ and Ferdinand’s impressed face (it was him playing them?)

- Am I giving this show too much credit?

- Also whats up with “God save the Queen?”

War Counsel:

- Henry VIII’s actor is quite charismatic in this scene. It’s almost as if Catherine is the hothead and Henry the wise one that speaks less but more significantly. It almost feels like they gender-swapped them.

The Bedchamber:

- Did Catherine breastfeed the baby? I thought it was Anne Boleyn. Doubtful... I’m tired of the trope of ‘you’re a good woman if you insist on breastfeeding the child yourself despite social conventions’. For a feminist show, the writers seem very attached to some 1950s perceptions of motherhood.

- I feel like the age difference between Catherine and Henry is well conveyed.

Scotland Again:

- ‘All the sheep were pregnant’ 👀 oh touché Margaret. oh my. Did she just?

- I know they are playing out this disenfranchised Margaret arc to reinforce how great Catherine and Henry are (cheap technique) and to build up to her involvement in Flodden (innacurate historically but I know what the show will do). But I will say this: the humour is pretty good in the Scottish scenes! But I know it’s unintentionally so... (I highly doubt they wanted us to laugh at Margaret hitting James or calling Alexander a pig).

Westminster and the baby chamber:

- What’s are those red splotches on the babies face??

- Oh that shot of Margaret and silent Reginald :((( it makes me sad.

- And now the Poles are at church! I just love the look of them.

- That scene of Maggie and Catherine was needed, as we didn’t get the best friends vibe much in this episode. The whole thing looked a bit pagan though, but it was nice :)

The whole Ferdinand’s betrayal segment:

- The grape motif again was fitting, him snapping the fruit right before she gets to it even despite her knowing what he’s like and what he’ll do, was a good parrallel.

- I’m tired of hearing of this ‘Camelot’. Even in the novel, Camelot was Catherine and Arthur’s dream and... can we just live it up with Arthur?

- Ursula Pole’s, Bessie Blount’s and Mary Boleyn’s actresses look way too similar.

- I fail to see why Catherine thinks she’s turning into her father... she doesn’t strike me as much of a game-player or subtle two-facer.

- I’m intrigued what will happen with Oviedo and Lina... I feel like they won’t stay in England long.

- He was made knight bannaret... nice... but why does he thank Catherine publicly for this? It was in Henry’s gift that he was made a commoner Knight.. if this transpired irl Henry would have been gravely insulter.

Catherine’s Dead Baby and thereafter:

- Guys. In all seriousness, I don’t think the TV series is trying to imply that Catherine killed the baby with her negligence. I mean, they are so bent on us liking her they wouldn’t do that. It would be a bit too ballsy anyway. Remember the red splotches I mentioned earlier? Could those have been a sign that he was already ill but no one noticed/was in denial?

- The pebbles in hands would have had more emotional payoff if it had been established earlier if you know what I mean. Basically, this episode is too fast and entire arcs begin and end within it which extinguished any build-up.

- Oh man Henry is so sweet in this, how will they build him up as the tyrant he was historically if they keep this up?

Scotland Again:

- I must admit, I don’t like all those nicknames they keep using. But somehow James calling Margaret ‘Meg’ is nice and seems fitting.

- What’s a hermana sister?

England Last Mourning Scenes:

- YOU DID NOT BUILD CAMELOT ughhh

- Why is Catherine giving the speech and not Henry?? It turns out Catherine was more emotional historically then the whole perception of ‘perfect queen of stone’ to which some people hold her. However, I doubt it would have been proper of her to give a speech in such a emotional manner.

Conclusion:

6.5/10

Some of the dialogue was stilted, the costumes are confused as to which era they’re supposed to be (aesthetically distracting) and many other characterisation issues.

I don’t have high hopes for this series in terms of cinematography or art but I sure as hell expect it will be entertaining. So far, everything is just getting set up and I find some aspects promising. As you can tell I am truly excited over how the Margaret Pole plotline. I am also interested in how Henry will be portrayed, with Catherine being so OTT and pushy this episode Im starting to Stan him more. In this show he appears sensitive and serene and kinda... adorable. Kind of like a little brother hanging onto his sister’s skirts.

But in a way that is a disservice to the real historical figure which would not tolerate such a representation. I am very irritated by this whole ‘joint-rulers’ thing which is just sooo innacurate. These STARZ shows have an obsession with showing women turn into men for the purposes of feminism - I see.

Catherine overpowers Henry too often and it sometimes feels like he’s HER consort. Of course, the feminism in this show is schizophrenic as we get the overemphasis of Catherine as a 1950s motherly ideal with the whole breastfeeding angle (“you’re better than other noble woman who would find this beneath them”, “they’re not as motherly as you”).

So the relationship dynamic between Henry and Catherine is a bit off at the moment, but oh well.

Mary Tudor is a bit distracting with her dark hair but I find the actress extremely endearing and promising. I know there will be emphasis on her storyline too and I hope they’ll not be clichéd with it.

[skgway]

1823 July, Mon. 28

8 50/60

11 1/2

See the last line of yesterday. Masturbation at twelve thinking of Tib. Slept uncomfortably and awoke at two and alas masturbation again, having just had a rigmarole dream of being in bed with Miss Lloyd of York, Miss Susan L[loyd]’s sister, and of pretending to be asleep while I had been grubbling her, she liking it exceedingly –

Disturbed rest from a little after 2 to 4 then awoke with a pretty severe bilious pain in my stomach – Tossed and tumbled about – Sick but not enough to give me much relief – Heard every clock struck – Merely dozed a little – Had been much heated and perhaps throwing the quilt off had brought on the pain – I had felt too suddenly cold, and pulled the clothes on again –

1/4 hour in the stable speaking to Charles Howarth – 3 pages very kind letter from Mrs. Norcliffe Langton – (the ends from Marianne Dalton to say she will write soon) – Mrs. N– [Norcliffe] is glad she can give me “a tent-bed” at the festival a room to myself “tho’ not too large and a most hearty welcome” – The party Mrs. N– [Norcliffe] I[sabella] N[orcliffe] and Charlotte and the 3 oldest girls from Croft –

No quarrel between Dr. Camidge and Greatorex – Speaking of Miss Fawkes, “one has often heard of “wedding haste,” but seldom sun such an instance as Miss Fawkes’s – A letter from York says they had met very often in town, but my information from Scarbro’ says, and that from a near relative, they had only met once, and that at dinner at her uncle Brandlings – Proposals the day following, and post haste down to York to learn his fate – Papa objected as too slight an acquaintance but the young lady was determined and lucky, for it is for her that he is a most worthy man, tho’ so would think “too much old” –

Went down to breakfast at 9 55/60 – Very bilious – Would not have got up but wished to go to H–x [Halifax] to see Marian etc. At 11 1/2 took George in the gig, and drove to Northgate – Marian well again or nearly so – Sat with her 10 minutes –

Called at Whitley’s, Mrs. N– [Norcliffe]’s Shakespeare gallery not arrived – The prints to be bound in 2 volumes 31/6 each volume – The gig waited at Mr. Banson’s door whole I walked a little with Mrs. R– [Rawson] of Stony Royde – Called on Mrs. William Rawson and Mrs. Saltmarshe, not admitted – Sat above 1/2 hour with Mrs. Stansfield R– [Rawson] and her daughter Catherine – Called on Mrs. C[hristopher] Saltmarshe and Mrs. Catherine R– [Rawson] who is staying with her, not admitted –

Called again at Northgate to speak to Thomas Greenwood about a black gig horse price 50 guineas to be bought of Illingworth of the anchor public house – The horse to come here at 4 this afternoon – Thomas had heard from several and Sugden, the horse breaker, said he used to see George galloping and tashing the horses thro the town and on the moor last winter, and people said we must have a very bad groo[m] at Shibden Hall. Thomas did not wish to injure any poor man, any servant, but our horses had looked like ketall this year. I said I would not bring his name into the business –

Ushered in Miss Elizabeth Prescott at Northgate, staid a few minutes and got home at 1 50/60 – My aunt and I sauntered down the lane into the hay fields – I told her the black mare had gone lame this morning – and I should send for Blamire this afternoon (George rode her yesterday to Huddersfield to see his friends at Lascelles hall) – She never went lame before – Did not hint at what I had heard, but said as I have often said before, I was dissatisfied with George as a groom and much wished my uncle would let me hire one myself and have him entirely of my own ordering, them perhaps we might have our horses as we ought to have –

Came upstairs at 2 10/60 – Wrote all the above of today – Read from page 104 to 211 Dr. Paris’s Pharmacologia. Blamire came at 6, the black mare’s off fore-foot a little gravelled – Took off the shoe pared down the crust, in 1 little place down to the sensible foot, filled it up with adhesive plaister (vide plaister adhesive volume 2 white) put a ledger of tow over it, and then the shoe on again – May use the mare again in a few days –

Blamire had brought a bottle of stuff to take down Hotspur’s splint on his near foreleg – Equal parts spirit turpentine and ammonia, (vide White volume 2 liquid blister and vide ammonia) and soap liniment to make it adhere – Blamire rubbed on about a tea-or dessert spoonful – This rubbing to be repeated several times at first every day then every other day – The horse turned out again within the hour (kept up a little for fear he should bite or rub the part while it smarted) and I observed in the field that the hair was brought off –

Finish day Came in to dinner at 6 1/2 – In the evening went into the field to the horses, and gave Hotspur oat-cake – Then sauntered along the new road and in the garden with my aunt and did not come in till 8 50/60 p.m. – Got some strawberries in the garden, I hope not too many –

Finish day – Barometer 1 1/2 degree below changeable Fahrenheit 57º at 8 50/60 p.m. E [two dots, treating venereal complaint] O [two dots, signifying discharge] Not so much as yesterday, yet Blamires coming prevented my washing before dinner –

Came upstairs at 10 55/60. Warm soap lather, as last night, of the hot water brought to bathe my eyes with –

[anne-lister-adventures]

Wednesday, 5 February 1840

8 1/2

..

Monsieur came in the night? Chemise much soiled at noon on Thursday – Refreshed after having slept perhaps 1 1/2 hour – Finished the little bit of packing that remained to be done – Breakfast over at 11 1/2 and at 11 1/2 sent Gross to Mr. Marc’s with note enclosing five £25 circulars nos.[numbers] 8592,3,4,5,6 to be cashed and A-‘s[Ann’s] letter to her sister and my own letters to ‘Miss Marian Lister North Cave Yorkshire Angleterre’ Robert Parker Esquire Solicitor, Halifax, Yorkshire England – Messrs R. and H Hunt, Hamburg’ and packet to ‘John Hodgson Esquire English Quay, St. Petersburg’ (containing civil note to Mr. Hodgson himself thanks for his attention &c. and asking him to forward thro’ Mr. Buchanan by the bag my 2 half sheet-notes to the ‘Honourable Lady Stuart’ and to ‘Lady Stuart de Rothesay’ both under cover to Lord Stuart de Rothesay 3 Carlton House Terrace London, and packet to ‘Messrs Hammersley and Co. Bankers London’ containing a thin 1/2 sheet close and small written note in envelope to ‘Lady Duff Gordon 34 Hertford Street’ from 11 1/2 to 6 at accounts and settling with George the Courier Grotza who leaves us on our letting off on our journey, and Gross – 

Paid the latter his 1/4 year’s wages due on the 10th inst. and 30 days board in advance £1 for every 6 days i.e. 21 Roubles for every 6 days = 21 x 5 = 105 R.[Roubles] per 30 days – Had Mrs. Howard sundry times on one account or other – 

I had ordered the Kibitka’s to be packed immediately on Gross’s return from Mr. Marc’s, but somehow this was not understood and it was 4 p.m. when Gross came to ask if they were to be packed and it being a 3 or 4 hours job made us off so late – Mr. Marc’s cashier brought the money I having omitted to indorse the circulars – asked for tea about 6 – wrote and left with Mrs. Howard the following character of Grotza –

Mrs. Lister will be obliged to Mrs. Howard to inform anyone who may apply for the character of Elizabeth Catherine Gross that she has lived in Mrs. Lister’s service as Lady’s maid from the 10th of May 1839 to the 5th of February 1840, and that Mrs. Lister has found her strictly honest, well-conducted and trustworthy, clean and neat in her person and about her work And a good hairdresser, and getter up of fine linen – Mrs. Lister has had no occasion to trying her in dress-making, but she had a good character for ability in this respect from the lady with whom she lived last –

Wednesday 5 February 1840. (I am not certain whether the paper was dated or not) –

We had had tea and waited some time for all to be announced ready when the summons came at 7 25/’’ – But our Kibitka so uncomfortable the little alteration that could be made took till 7 3/4 vide p.[page] 7 (vide p.[page] 1) still the seat too high – our Kibitka uncomfortably packed – No help for it till morning – Never dreampt of being off so late – In the dark – 

Now at 7 3/4 as we drive off from Mrs. Howard’s in the Great Dimitri Street Moscow – A-[Ann] and I and our Government Post Courier in our covered Kibitka (3 horses), followed by our Russian servants George and his wife, and our German Gross in an ordinary 1/2 mat-covered Kibitka also with 3 horses –

[symbols in the margin of the page:]         L         L         L         LL       L         L

Page Reference: SH:7/ML/E/24/0003

[cruger2984]

On-Air and its Saints: MAISY

"It's the start of showtime!"

Street performance, childhood friends and bonds. And yes, friends even when separated! This is a true friendship story about overcoming weaknesses and hardships, and fulfilling promises made with friends. So, here are the boys from MAISY!

June 12 - Shin Aizawa

Pope St. Leo III: 96th bishop of Rome who reigned for 20 years. Protected by Charlemagne from the supporters of his predecessor, Adrian I, Leo subsequently strengthened Charlemagne's position by crowning him emperor. The coronation was not approved in Constantinople, although the Byzantines, occupied with their own defenses, were in no position to offer much opposition. He was canonized by Clement X, who, in 1673, had Leo's name entered in the Roman Martyrology.

May 30 - Mamoru Kokuyo

St. Joan of Arc: 15th century French virgin and martyr who famously known for her nickname - 'The Maid of Orléans', and is considered a heroine of France for her role during the Lancastrian phase of the Hundred Years' War. She claimed to have received visions of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Margaret of Antioch, and St. Catherine of Alexandria instructing her to support Charles VII and recover France from English domination late in the war. The unanointed King Charles VII sent Joan to the Siege of Orléans as part of a relief army. She gained prominence after the siege was lifted only nine days later. Several additional swift victories led to Charles VII's consecration at Reims. This long-awaited event boosted French morale and paved the way for the final French victory until she was captured at Compiègne by the Burgundian faction. Many years after her death, an inquisitorial court authorized by Pope Callixtus III examined the trial, debunked the charges against her, pronounced her innocent, and declared her a martyr. She became a symbol of the Catholic League, and in 1803 she was declared a national symbol of France by the decision of Napoleon Bonaparte. She is the patron of military personnel and the Women's Army Corps.

January 1 - Arata Kojo

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: One of the most important Marian feasts days to start the New Year. It is to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under the aspect of her motherhood of Jesus Christ, whom Christians see as the Lord, Son of God, and it is celebrated by the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church on 1 January, the Octave (8th) day of Christmastide.

December 1 - Yuna Morishige

St. Edmund Campion: English Jesuit priest and martyr. While conducting an underground ministry in officially Anglican England, Campion was arrested by priest hunters. Convicted of high treason, he was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn. Campion was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. The actual ropes used in his execution are now kept in glass display tubes at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire.

January 27 - Inori Kamiya

St. Angela Merici: Italian religious educator and foundress of the Company of St. Ursula (Angelines) in 1535 in Brescia, in which women dedicated their lives to the service of the Church through the education of girls. From this organisation later sprang the monastic Order of Ursulines, whose nuns established places of prayer and learning throughout Europe and, later, worldwide, most notably in North America. Her major shrine can be found in Brescia.

[wrotetheaboveoftoday]

1828 Fri. 5 September

5 25/60 11 10/60 hour talking to John in the courtyard - dressed and out at 6 40/60 - down the old bank and got to Stony Royde in 20 minutes - Mrs. R- [Rawson] would not be down of 20 minutes said I would return to breakfast - walked about (towards Siddall and up the hill towards Southowram) for 25 minutes, and then went in to breakfast - very glad to see me - sat talking very cozily - somehow got upon people’s being odd - I said almost every one was one 1 way or other - all Mrs. R- [Rawson]’s daughters more or less odd and 1 or 2 of her sons at least

My father odd and my sister and myself  Mrs. R [Rawson] said my mother was odd, yes, but said I there was much to be said for, then told how my father would say very well please yourself and let her fancy she might do a thing and she might not  [she] once almost take a house to please herself and then said she might go but he never said he would  I had heard him say about some cupboards at Skelfler oh let plan if she can please herself that way I’ll not have it done - Told how he had once said I might order John the footboy’s clothes and then how he immediately without my knowing set all aside and that I had quietly said I would never from that time have anything to do with his establishment nor ever sit at the head of his table, Marian always to do that and I had been as good as my word tho it was fourteen years ago

Then mentioned, always adding but this is quite between ourselves, how he had behave[d] just lately about my building at the cunnery  I was to do whatever I liked best he was best satisfied when I was well to be sure Mrs. R [Rawson] should have this plain enough but indeed there was no knowing people  Something was afterwards ssaid about Marian’s ssacrificing ever[y]thing  I said she would never be happier but we were all three unlike I had more than once said to her that I had more influence with every friend I had than with her my sister  Mrs. R [Rawson] thought all I said must be gospel to Marian but all that accounted for my being so little at home  She had often heard it named one tale was good till another was told

She said Mrs. Empson was coming to her  Ah, said I, that quarrel was a foolish business the apology was ample but the ‘recall’ was indispensable which ‘recall’ simply meant that she believed herself mistaken in supposing me to have prevaricated  Mrs. R [Rawson] said she had never wished to have anything to do with it between Ellen and one whom she so much esteemed and respected as myself  Well said you are right what I say is without any particular object for I am going away and may be I know not how long away  It is immaterial to me now and if we were to meet I might feel less awkward than Mrs. E [Empson] I could seem to the world as if nothing particular had happened at least no stranger could observe it

I sauntered in the garden 10 minutes or 1/4 hour to leave Mrs. R- [Rawson] to herself - talking to the gardener about bringing up a boy to be a gardener - Boys of 15 were apprenticed to gentlemen’s head gardeners, and, if the gardener left his place, his apprentices were turned over to his successor - the master had nothing to do with it - it was the perquisite of the head gardener - a young man bound for 7 years paid 5 guineas - but better to change places, and see different ways, and in this case one who went to learn for 2 years in a place paid one shilling or 2 shillings per week to the head gardener - but the best way was to send a lad to a market gardener Throp for instance for 2 years to learn to dig etc and then let him be finished in gentlemen’s places and in London better than in Scotland - all the Scotch gardeners go to London - Throp would allow a young man (ætatis 15 to 16) from the 1st 3/. a week, and he must feed himself

Mrs. R- [Rawson] and I set off at 10 1/4 (our clocks 1/4 too soon) and walked to well head - Mrs. Frances W- [Waterhouse] went out as we went in - sat with Mrs. W- [Waterhouse] and her 2 eldest daughters 1/2 hour - she would have it the people thought I was married but did not know whether to a gentleman or lady  I turned it off in joke but I just whispered it matters not what you say to me but do you say such things as these before those girls?  She made no answer but seemed struck with the justice of my remark - we then walked to the Saltmarshes’, and I sat with with Emma S- [Saltmarshe] and aunt Catherine about 10 minutes and then took my leave - very little was ssaid to me not meant nor taken but I think it would strike Mrs. R [Rawson] and Emma agterwards  Mrs. R [Rawson] has always been and will be I think more than ever my [s]taunch friend

Left the S- [Saltmarshe]s’ at 11 then went and sat 1/2 hour with Mrs. V- [Veitch] returned up the old bank (told Mrs. V- [Veitch] Mrs. Prescotts’ not having had a scarf for my uncle was unintentional) and on getting home seeing John told him I had been thinking of his son - he had best, as he himself had said, make him a gardener - let him have plenty of scholarship - I would give John 50/. for this year’s schooling and pay for another year if necessary - then explained about Throp - said the lad might almost do for himself - but if he wanted help, I was steady, I would help him a little - poor John very thankful, and for his daughter Martha also who came on Wednesday night to be here during my stay to see what can be made of her - still continues going to Mrs. Priestley’s school the 3 first days of the week if my aunt does not object think of taking Martha to Paris

Came in at 12 1/2 - found Mrs. Abbott come to dinner - came upstairs and changed my dress on account of the damp, went down and talked to Mrs. A- [Abbot] above 1/2 hour, and then took Martha and went into the library - dusted and moved into the north room 3/4 of the books on account of Mallinson coming to take the hall-wall down on Monday - dusting and removing books till 6 or after - then went down and stayed talking in the drawing room - Mrs. A- [Abbott] came to walk back with her mother - wished good night (they went away almost immediately afterwards) mainly washed my hands, and sat down to dinner at 7 - came upstairs at 8 3/4 and from then to 9 50/60 wrote the whole of today - Mrs. R- [Rawson] of Stonyroyde sent Marian and to me also grapes this afternoon

Damp thick morning rather larger small rain from for the 20 minutes I walked about before breakfast and afterwards for some time - fair when we went to H-x [Halifax], and afterwards fine day - very fine evening - went down stairs at 9 50/60 and came up again at 10 1/4 - Mrs. R said this morning she had heard from several they all dreaded my father at turnpike meeting he was sso prosing and so deaf ah they if he was going they should never have done  Told her of the probable shyness there would be between Crownest and Shibden - John W she said very stingy -

[meerawrites]

Holi Short Story by Me

Brightness of colors: Rang Barse

Read here.

March, Spring in New York City, 1922. 

Marian had always loved sunny New York with its successful, stormy Skyscrapers. It was a place where they felt ecstatic. Marian was a wild, hungry, chai drinker with black hair and brown eyes, their friends saw them as a competent and caring lover. Marian walked over to the window and reflected on their beautiful surroundings. The sun shone like radiant receptive beams.

Then they saw something in the distance or rather some one . T hen, in the distance, they saw something, or rather someone , Catherine, Marian’s lover, was clever with curly hair and short stature. Marian gulped. They were ill-prepared for Catherine.

As Marian stepped outside and Catherine came closer, they could see the disturbed glint in the other's eye. Catherine moved closer, daintily, like a songbird hopping about. Close enough to whisper. 

Catherine gazed with the affection of a delightful misty mouse. She said, in hushed tones, “I love you and I want you and to share experiences of this eternity with you, ma chérie,” she said, most gently, in expert French. French that typically went over Marian’s head, though they spoke Hindi, Sanskrit and English well enough. Catherine, by contrast, was quite adequately fluent in English, French, Russian, Haitian Creole and the Piano Forte. Marian looked back, even more, stable and still fingering the colourful hat. “Catherine, my dearest, I adore you,” they replied. Marian hadn’t lost her dimples or any of her pigment since being turned into a vampire. But, she had lost the very human ability to blush. Marian had to resist fiddling with her hair or biting her claw-like, albeit pretty, nails. 

They looked at each other with warm affection, unusual for humans, rare in vampires like two old-fashioned doves, flirting on a front porch. 

Marian regarded Catherine's curls and new pink short dress softly  “I feel quite the same,” revealed Marian with a delighted grin, that exposed dainty fangs. 

Catherine looked delighted, her face gaining a doting air, for her love, even more so if such was possible. Then Catherine came inside for a nice drink of chai. As far as they both knew, vampires could consume food and drink. They would gain nothing from it but it wouldn’t hurt them at all. Catherine sits like the regency noble she is, clasping her teacup, with better manners than any English Royal and drinking small sips. Marian badly wanted more chai but they restrained themselves. Finally, Marian says what she’s been meaning to say all month. 

“Holi Hai, meree rajakumaree,” Marian says sweetly. 

Catherine opens and closes her dainty lips, presently coloured by pink lipstick in overjoyed shock. 

“A translation, mon amour?” She asks, though not forcefully. 

“My Princess,” Marian said like that Marian was almost in Catherine’s lap. 

“I was thinking … darling, we should do something for Holi, I have never been to India or to such a party but Pita ji says it’s quite fun,” Marian suggests. 

Catherine raises a proud but nonetheless astonished eyebrow. “Well, love, I have no objections, I could certainly deny you nothing, I shall change my clothes. You seem well fit already enough,” a teasing grin and a wink from Catherine and a teasing hand down her neck. Marian shudders, moving closer. Then the small drink, the bite, just the correct dance between pain and a macabre thrilling sort of pleasure to make Marian sigh gently. 

“You’re a tease,” Marian interjects trying and failing at any level of argumentative or objection. 

“So are you,” the Creole beauty Catherine retorts. 

“I—“ Marian stutters softly. 

“Yes, you love me, I love you too, ma chérie,” Catherine gently leans down and innocently kisses Marian on the cheek. 

———————————————————

An hour later, Catherine returns in a white cotton night dress. Marian adjusts their white Kurta and smiles thoughtfully. 

“I brought the colors, and the water,” Marian says, gesturing to a medium bucket of water and a tray full of all the powders in all shades of the rainbow. 

They’d need more than a couple of showers and each other's company after this game. 

Marian moves them outside to wear the sun shining brightly despite the gloom, rainfall, fog and wind in New York the night prior. They stand on their tiptoes and kisses Catherine gently on the forehead. 

Then, Marian picks up the violet powder and throws it at Catherine’s white gown, it colors the white cotton purple, next, Marian moves for the indigo, it lands in Catherine’s creole curls. Catherine shakes her head but still smiles like a Saint. 

It’s not long till Catherine returns more than just fire, coloring Marian’s clothes red and their bob of black hair blue, then there’s the solid splash of water. It would bother Marian, save for that vampire bodily functions are on both sides. No more shivering anymore. 

Finally, coloured like the entire rainbow in varying degrees, messy, overjoyed and the sun setting, not that the sun would do any harm to either of the: that ridiculous trope was invented for a vampire movie in Germany in 1922 which is both horrifying and ridiculous, at least to Miss Catherine and Mx Marian. They settle on a black-coloured couch, gently holding each other in one another’s arms,  their pretty heads nuzzled against each other. 

Suddenly, a strong scent overcame them. The smell of blood. One of the mafias in New York City wreaking havoc. Catherine sighe and Marian leans against her. “It seems the bloody fanged kiss is required once again, ma cher,” Catherine murmured and Marian nodded. 

Ridiculous maybe, perhaps a bit human for vampires, but regardless of what they are, or what they perceive themselves to be. We all could stand for some color, joy and sunlight, even in undeath. After all, didn’t Amy Grant once say, “Without black, no color has any depth?” 

[lightofherces]

Marion Sherwood (Bio Drop

- [x] Full Name: Marion Catherine Sherwood

- [x] Nick Name: Mar, Lady, Fox

- [x] Age: 25

- [x] D.O.B: March 15th, 1994

- [x] Occupation: Bar owner

- [x] Country: United States, England

- [x] Status: Alive

- [x] Faceclaim: Crystal Reed

Bio:

Being rich wasn’t something Marion took for granted. Her parents had passed when she was young, leaving her to go live with her uncle Richard, who as a politician and one of the only good ones, so to speak. She loved him to death. She moved in with him when she was five and lived with him until she was sixteen when he died in a freak accident but there were suspicions that John, Richard’s younger brother, had been the one to cause the accident. He and Marian never got along. She was the beneficiary of Richard’s will, since he had no children and he wasn’t leaving it to his brother. John made sure that Marion didn’t get the funds even when she turned eighteen two years later. This made Marion furious but she ended up taking over her Uncle’s bar when she turned twenty two and runs it beautifully.

She is sassy, quick witted, and also very cheery despite everything that has happened to her. Her uncle Richard taught her to look at the brighter side of life but that doesn't stop her from being cunning when she needs to be. She’s as sly as a fox when it comes down to it and while John has the family fortune, she plans on getting it back very soon. No matter how crooked his lawyer is, she’s got a few tricks of her own up her sleeve. 

She’s a modern day twist on Maid Marion and she will have a Robin Hood verse.

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Wednesday 6 April 1836

7 ¼

12 5

no kiss ready in 50 minutes F42 ½° at 8 ¼ - and small rain and wet - fine growing morning but terrible for rock-making - before 8 the morning had been dull and damp but fair - I fear the day will turn out like yesterday - out 10 minutes at 8 ¼ - Robert Mann + 4 and 3 of Freeman’s men at the Rockwork getting the other tower marestone to its place - then came in and wrote out yesterday and this morning ill 9 5 at which hour breakfast with A- till 10 ½ - she is terribly low I really know not what I shall do with her if she is not better by and by I really cannot go on - till 11 35 wrote longish note of directions to ‘Messrs. Whitley and Booth Booksellers etc Halifax’ and sent off 7 vols. of travelling books (itineraries) to be bound to Whitley’s -sent also note on strip of paper to ‘Mr. Duncan undertaker etc’ ordering a pair of trousers to be made for George to be ready for Monday morning - then with A-     with Marian - she and I with Greenwood till he forced the lock off my father’s money-drawer and in which Marian thought his will was kept - with A- again till she was off on the pony to Cliff Hill about 2 ¾ - from then to 5 with Marian - not finding the will where Marian expected, she gave up the thought of there being one - fancied my father had destroyed it - meant to leave us joint - had a right to do what he liked with his own - she had made up her mind - perhaps he had been not to satisfied as she thought at her intended marriage - it should be as he intended - if he meant the property to be joint, it should be so - I said I felt sure the will was somewhere else - could not believe that my father would destroy it without saying a work to either of us - in the event, we found it in another drawer - I am glad of it - now all is right - found £100 in notes and £169 1/2 in sovereigns in my father’s drawer - George Robinson £65 in arrear that Marian will be comfortably off for the present cash - advised her what to do - to have no horse or man, but live quietly in Mrs. Tyson’s house (likely to be vacant for the summer at least) till she, Marian, could fix on some better plan - I inferred that the match would not take place of a 12 month - she seemed to agree she had better stay here to go to church and receive and return visits - I said she  might still be off early in May - A- returned about 4 ½ - with her at 5 and from 5 10 to 5 35 walked her out to the bottom of the walk and back - then wrote the last 16 lines of today till 5 3/4 - then wrote and sent by the bag tonight to ‘the editor of the Morning Herald 18 Catherine Street Strand London ppd’ and to ‘the Editor of the Yorkshire Gazette York ppd’ and note to ‘the Editor of the Express Halifax’ and note to ‘the editor of the Guardian Halifax’ ‘the family will be much obliged to the editor of the ---------- to insert the following in his next paper    On the 3rd instant at his house, Shibden Hall, Yorkshire, (Shibden Hall in this country - and to the H-x editors Shibden Hall in this parish) Jeremy Lister Esquire aged 83’ Shibden Hall Wednesday 6 April 1836 - dinner at 6 25 -sat over our wine till 7 50 I had a bottle of claret - 4 glasses and persuaded A- to take 3 ½ glasses of port - she all the better for it - coffee - came upstairs and both lay a little while slumbering on the sofa - kind letter from IN- York (2 pp.) condolence on the death of my father - letter also (2pp.) from the widow of Mr. Lister of Swansea dated Stockwell Common 5 April - thanking me for my letter to her son and for my offer about paying the fine and saying that the farm being left to her for her life and then to her son she would be obliged to me if she had to pay a fine, to advance the money on the same terms as my uncle advanced it for her husband - A- and I with my aunt from 9 35 to 10 ¼ pm - damp small rainy morning till after 12 - fine afternoon F39 ½° at 10 ¾ pm.

[incorrectgentlemanjackquotes]

Catherine You enjoy silently judging everyone, don’t you?

Anne and Ann: When have we ever done something silently?

Marian, downing a drink: Cheers to that! We share a wall.

[alexsfictionaddiction]

7 Irish Books That Should Be On Your Radar

A very Happy St Patrick’s Day to anyone with a scrap of Irish blood in them! I am not even partly Irish and I know very little about Ireland’s history and folklore. However, I have had a fantastic time with the work of a range of female Irish authors and I’m not sure that they always get the love that they deserve. 

When I think of contemporary Irish fiction, Marian Keyes and Sally Rooney are my instant go-to names but I have been lucky enough to discover some lesser-known talents over recent years and I’d love to introduce them to you here. 

-Love, Alex x

Snowflake by Louise Nealon.

Debbie was raised on a dairy farm within a family of eccentrics but she’s about to go to college in Dublin and discover a whole new world. However, the past has a way of pulling her back to what she knows. Encompassing dreams, depression and the importance of stories, Snowflake is a book that talks about the realities of growing up and changing perspectives. It is essentially about ordinary lives and all the wonders and darkness that they contain with some very memorable characters.

Mammy Banter: The Secret Life of an Uncool Mum by Serena Terry.

Tara is only 36 but every day that goes by seems to age her by 10 years. Whether it’s teaching her 13-year-old daughter and her friends the dance routine to Steps’ Tragedy, trying to get vomit stains off her plain and boring clothes or proving that she is just as relevant as the 20-somethings at work, the mum-of-three is finding things tough. But all that is about to change because she is determined to show the world that she is still very cool. I laughed out loud at several points and I’m sure a lot of millennial mums will be able to relate. The dialect and slang is very Irish, which lends it an extra dose of charm and places the whole book firmly in Derry. 

Idol by Louise O’Neill.

Samantha Miller has just hit the 3 million follower mark and has a bestselling book under her belt, when she decides to tell the world about her sexual awakening with her best friend Lisa. But Lisa remembers that time very differently, so whose truth is the real one? A deep dive into the world of influencers and our relationships with them, Idol is a thought-provoking, gripping story about memory, loyalty and the dangers of blind faith. Louise O’Neill’s fantastic, dark-hearted, new release will be available from 12th May, so get your pre-orders in now!

The Raptures by Jan Carson.

1993, Ballylack. 10-year-old Hannah’s classmates are all falling prey to a deadly plague but she appears to have avoided it. No one knows what’s happening to the children but as the bodies pile up, Hannah’s loneliness and confusion escalates. Set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, The Raptures is a slice of history that is inherently Irish. It’s also a fascinating mystery, full of heartache and a believable, loveable protagonist. Steer clear, if you’re not ready for endemic novels yet!

Freckles by Cecelia Ahern.

Allegra is a parking warden and she’s perfectly happy in her quiet, ordered life away from the island home she grew up in. But when she learns that we are apparently a sum of the five people we spend the most time with, she starts to wonder what that means for her. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking, Freckles is a charming, quirky novel about learning and accepting who you really are. Allegra is a very fun character to follow and the book centres around the power and importance of friendship and the concept of what home really is.

None Of This Is Serious by Catherine Prasifka.

Student life in Dublin is ending for Sophie and while her friends all seem to have their next moves sorted, she feels at a loss. But something is waiting for her online and she only has to scroll to find it. Encompassing the uncertainty of modern life, our relationship with social media and with our own insecurities, None Of This Is Serious is a book about friendships that endure despite the constant distractions of 21st century life and a focus on the things that really matter. It will be released on 7th April, so pre-order now if it sounds like your kind of thing!

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan.

In the heart of winter, 1985, Bill Furlong is a husband, father and coal merchant who knows he has a lovely life. While delivering an order to a convent, he makes a discovery which causes him to look at his past and consider the secrets of a small devout town. Brief but profound, Small Things Like These is a snapshot of rural Irish life. It’s about compassion, community and staying hopeful in the face of true adversity.