This is a wonderful book and so looking forward to seeing the interview. Catherine came with the idea for this book to a writing workshop I was running near Conwy in North Wales more than a decade ago and I've seen it through incarantions along the way, including helping to edit the prologue in the final stages. Feel really invested in this amazing work :)
I’m really looking forward to this, it’s a very powerful and beautifully written memoir. One thing that I found interesting, but haven’t seen mentioned elsewhere, was the way that Catherine found herself on the wrong side of a North/South cultural divide. It might be difficult for readers from outside the UK to appreciate how pervasive such prejudices can be. I’m a Northern Lass, born and bred. I’m also married to a Londoner so I’ve seen both sides. Accounts of Northerners being patronised for their supposed ignorance and vulgarity are legion. But how refreshing to see the reverse - that in her remote corner of North East England, with its own strong regional identity, Catherine never really feels she belongs, because she is regarded as a liberal, effete, North Londoner. It’s very sad that such prejudices exist regardless of lifelong vows to the Almighty, and continue to blight so many lives.
This is a wonderful book and so looking forward to seeing the interview. Catherine came with the idea for this book to a writing workshop I was running near Conwy in North Wales more than a decade ago and I've seen it through incarantions along the way, including helping to edit the prologue in the final stages. Feel really invested in this amazing work :)
'Cloistered' is book of the week on Radio 4
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m001xvg3?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile
Ooo, looks wonderful, thank you! I can't make this as in the air so I'll look forward to the recording.
Sounds completely so! I'm sure the interview will be fascinating.
I’m really looking forward to this, it’s a very powerful and beautifully written memoir. One thing that I found interesting, but haven’t seen mentioned elsewhere, was the way that Catherine found herself on the wrong side of a North/South cultural divide. It might be difficult for readers from outside the UK to appreciate how pervasive such prejudices can be. I’m a Northern Lass, born and bred. I’m also married to a Londoner so I’ve seen both sides. Accounts of Northerners being patronised for their supposed ignorance and vulgarity are legion. But how refreshing to see the reverse - that in her remote corner of North East England, with its own strong regional identity, Catherine never really feels she belongs, because she is regarded as a liberal, effete, North Londoner. It’s very sad that such prejudices exist regardless of lifelong vows to the Almighty, and continue to blight so many lives.
I'm looking forward to this! I think the times might be off — on April 30, 7pm UK will be 2pm ET/11am PT. (Now that Europe has changed its clocks).
Also, did you know that the "leave a comment" button at the bottom of emails is routing to a post about hibernation from November? :)