Elizabeth Cadell, Novelist Who Lived in India, the UK and Portugal

 

I recently put a book "Game In Diamonds" by Elizabeth Cadell on my list of books to read. The plot sounds fun, mystery, family rivalry and romance. Those are great ingredients for a novel, I think.

Have you read that book, or others by her? I read a couple of her books and found them entertaining, perfect reading for the sadness that sometimes arrives. My friend texted me that "we widows have a hard time in this pandemic with isolation." So true.

Do you sometimes hear about someone you would like to know more about? When I read that Cadell was born in Calcutta, India in 1903 that sparked my interest. During WWI she went to London to prepare for a career in music, but decided to return to India where she married and had two children. Widowed ten years later she returned to England. 

Cadell wrote 52 humorous and romantic novels, and her daughter is bringing them back to readers by publishing them. Cadell's story was not over; in 1960 she moved to Portugal. I like her spirit of living in different countries. She wrote many novels set in Portugal, lived there for 29 years, and died at the age of 85. She must have been an adventurous woman; I haven't found a memoir or biography of her. 

Rumer Goden is another author whose writing I admire, who lived in India and the UK. Any authors whose personal lives you find fascinating?

Disraeli TV series, Ian McShane and Bougainvillea

 Above is the young Ian McShane starring in the 1978 4 part mini series "Disraeli: Portrait of a Romantic". He is so handsome in this, I have a bit of a crush on him. This photo shows McShane as Disraeli (1804-1881) when he styled himself proudly as a young dandy who loved beauty, wine, women and song. Note the rings worn on top of his gloves, cameo pin on his neck scarf and diamonds everywhere. When he entered politics he was told by a mentor no one would take him seriously dressed like that, wearing diamonds and green velvet coats. He toned down his dress and faced a rocky road to success. Right after reading the novel "Ayala's Angel" by Anthony Trollope, I saw this photo and understood more Ayala's earnest suitor who dressed like that.

I do recommend watching this show. Disraeli succeeded with difficulty; he lacked family and fortune, was Jewish, and seemed to be quite an honorable man who became devoted to his wife in a time when love matches were not common. Would Queen Victoria accept him as advisor? Did he become Prime Minister? Watch the show and find out.

A block away from my house I admire this bougainvillea bush in my neighbor's yard. Yes, it is in full bloom today in January. I would say it is 10 feet high.

I do love walking on crisp winter days as Bounce and I patrol the neighborhood and check out all the gardens.

Mystical Snow Scene and Nine Fabulous Books

 

I grew up in Wisconsin, land of gorgeous white snow in winter. The cold beauty of icicles hanging from our roof. A perfect murder weapon (ha ha), use it and then it melts so no evidence. Has that ever been done in real life or in a mystery novel? As children my sister and I made snow forts, snow angels, ice skated for free in local parks where rinks were created, and walked to school on the plowed streets. Snowflakes sparkling in the sun. Can you tell from mynostalgic ode to snow that I have now lived half my life in a part of California where it does not snow? In addition to its white glory, I do admit snow can be ugly slushy gray and conceal slippery ice. Anyhoo, above is a photo of a mystical snow covered bridge.

I did not want or need anything for Christmas so I treated myself and bought 9 books. I feel rich in books at the moment. I bought them online at Powells Books so I did not feed a mega monster store owned by a billionaire. Powell's Books has a huge selection, new and used, and they had every book I wanted.

I quickly read one of these books, The Bookseller by Mark Pryor. I am very happy this is the first book I read in 2022, it is brilliant with very high quality writing and plot. The main character is Head of Security for the American Embassy in Paris and he has crimes to solve. Good news that this is the first in a series. The bookseller is an elderly man who has a book stall along the Seine; I spent many happy moments browsing in those bookstalls, when I lived in Paris for two summers, so this book is a mad nostalgic read for me. Plus murder and mystery.

In case you can't read the titles in the photo, I bought two books by my favorite novelist, Anthony Trollope: Castle Richmond and Sir Harry Hotspur of Humblethwaite. This will bring my total of books I read by Trollope to 30. Love that man. His books were set in the 1860s, 1870s and 1880s, when he lived and wrote. I am reading Sir Harry Hotspur now, it is about Sir Harry and his 20 year old daughter, and who will she marry.

What books are you reading in the New Year?