Resurrecting Underappreciated Authors
It’s absolutely no secret that I adore Helene Hanff. That I became obsessed with her after reading 84, Charing Cross Road, then she continued to charm me with Q’s Legacy. The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street wasn’t her grandest, but it was still Helene and reading it felt like visiting with an old friend. This funny, independent, intelligent, keen woman who has gone sadly by the wayside as the years roll on; how I wish she would have been better known and more highly appreciated. Even if, I admit, it does feel nice to be part of a smaller group of admirers (when you find another it is so much more endearing and telling than, say, finding another fan of JK Rowling).
Which authors do you feel have been swept under the rug only to be forgotten in heaps of books in this world? Share your favorite unappreciated author below — you just might be introducing someone to their new favorite writer!
As for the very-much-appreciated authors… come take this fun quiz to see which one you are most similar to. (Link will be love at 6:15 am PST/ 9:15 am EST).
I love Helene Hanff too & I’m going to begin “Q’s Legacy” before the end of the week ! You’re note alone
NOT and not notE …
I loved it! Have a pencil and paper down to record books that she talks about — I know I marked several.
Thanks for the advice !
My book club loved her! We read Duchess and 84 Charring. Is the other one Q good??
I will think on other authors whose books are in the library, but not the booksotre!!
Kim
It is! It’s very much about her reading choices and why she loves to read… lots of good books to look into that she mentions. She’s so opinionated on WHY we should read – and (obviously) prefers non-fiction (as you know from 84). That would be a good discussion point for a book club.
Well, it always surprises me that so many people haven’t read the poetry of Stanley Kunitz. He was poet laureate, but I can count the ppl on one hand I know who’ve read him. The poetry is incredibly amazing.
Barbara Pym! She is a treasure. If you like Jane Austen or Downton Abbey, or are an Anglophile of any sort, you must read Pym. Her books are post-WWII British comedies of manners.
Eeeeeeee! Love Barbara Pym immensely!
I posted my appreciation of Helene Hanff over on my blog. I’ve been a fan of hers for *so* many years, I think it was finally time to put it into words.
http://rightbroad.blogspot.com/2012/02/helene-hanff-appreciation-post.html