🎙️ Simply Stunning Classic Book Club

Alrighty, so, welcome back to the Simply Stunning Classic Book Club where we’re (wait for it) Booked on the Classics. Thank you. I’m here all week.This one was my choice, and boy, did I dither about it. Was an Agatha a lazy choice? Surely we’d have nothing to discuss that hadn’t been discussed before? In the end though, it was pure selfishness that sent me towards an Agatha Christie. You see, as hard as it might be for you to believe – especially given that I write cosy crime – I’d never read an Agatha Christie.Spoiler alert: now I’m hooked.As it turns out, although I was concerned we wouldn’t have a great discussion on this one, we actually had quite a bit to say.Anyways, have a listen. Just ignore the part where I stuffed up the introduction. Hey ho.Next time: We’re reading Daddy Long Legs, by Jean Webster.Thanks for reading Simply Stunning Classic Book Club! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simplystunningclassicbookclub.substack.com

Life just keeps happening, so it took us a while to get together and discuss this one.While I personally didn’t enjoy the book, in many ways it was the perfect book club book, as it generated plenty of healthy discussion.Anyways, have a listen and let us know if you’ve read it and what you think…Next time: A Murder is Announced, by Agatha ChristieThanks for reading Simply Stunning Classic Book Club! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simplystunningclassicbookclub.substack.com

This month’s theme came about because 16 December last year would have been Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, so it seemed the perfect time to talk about all things Jane. Life, though, had other ideas and rather than meeting in December, we’re a month or so late, but you know what? Hay ho and all that.Having already read and discussed the full novels Austen published during her life, we all approached this chat differently. A few of us read the novella, Lady Susan; I took it as an opportunity to reread Persuasion (for the eleventyhundredth time); Sue read Jane Austen’s The History of England, and we all went down Jane Austen rabbit holes.During the chat, I mention an article in The Times where screenwriter Andrew Davies was looking to develop three Austen works - Emma, Mansfield Park, and The Watsons. Rather than rehashing the books, he’s taking a deeper and, dare I say, darker view. A what-happens-after-bin-night view. The full article is here, but it is behind a paywall, so an extract is below:This time he will tell it from the perspective of Jane Fairfax, whom he describes as “the true heroine of the novel”.In the book, Fairfax is the only woman whom the titular Emma envies. She also has a secret engagement with Frank Churchill after a passionate encounter in Weymouth. It is a dramatic situation and Davies is keen to dwell on the difficulties in their relationship.Davies said: “Jane falls for Frank — he’s very plausible, very charming and his charm comes from something very dangerous. He’s been hurting all his life, so poor Jane is trapped. If this were a modern story, she’d be able to give him up or have an abortion or whatever, but in this story she’s enthralled to a psychopath basically.”… “Sadly, Emma dies in childbirth a year after the wedding,” he said, drawing cries of “You can’t do that!” from the audience.He continued: “Frank doesn’t take to marriage well, he’s unfaithful and makes Jane very unhappy, runs away and dies a dissolute wretch. This takes about four years.”It wasn’t all bad news. In the end, Davies has Emma’s widower Mr Knightley journey up to Yorkshire and marry Fairfax.We also talked about several spin-off novels that are well worth a read. Among these were:* Longbourn, by Jo Baker - a retelling of P&P from the viewpoint of the servants* The Mr Darcy and Miss Tilney series by Claudia Gray - where the next generation teams up to solve mysteries* The Heiress, by Molly Greeley - the untold story of Miss de Bourgh* The Clergyman’s Wife, by Molly Greeley - Charlotte Collins’ (nee Lucas) storyAnyways, have a listen and let us know your favourite Austen novel in the comments.This month we’re reading Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift.The Simply Stunning Classic Book Club is:* Joanne Tracey * Debbie Harris* Sue Loncaric and * Donna ConnollyYou can find out more about us, and links to our pages, here.Thanks for reading Simply Stunning Classic Book Club! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simplystunningclassicbookclub.substack.com

It had to happen, we had to take on the challenge of the bard himself - William Shakespeare.Most of us are forced into reading Shakespeare in high school and, as a result, have a dislike for it. I was fortunate to have a great teacher for extension English in my last year of high school. She brought King Lear alive for us, and I developed an appreciation for it. When I lived in Sydney, I made a habit of going to see at least one Bell Shakespeare production a year. I’ll never forget Baz Luhrmann’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream set in an English garden party with the men in cricketing flannels and boaters and the women in bustles and parasols. There was also the production at Parramatta Riverside Theatre of (I think) The Tempest, where, weirdly, they included The Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun” as the music. I don’t recall the play as much as the incongruity of the music.Anyways, it’s fair to say some of us had some trepidation going into Much Ado About Nothing, and we all approached it differently, something we discussed in our book club meeting.One thing I completely forgot to bring up in book club (and I have no idea how I forgot) is the whole debate over whether Shakespeare is who he was supposed to be. Much of this centres around the fact that despite him being so well known, we actually don’t know a lot about him. Some academics have gone as far as suggesting a woman might have authored Shakespeare’s work. Jodi Picoult’s By Any Other Name creates a fictional narrative of this theory. I currently have this on reservation at the library and can’t wait to read it.In Much Ado About Nothing, the character of Beatrice is the most textured of all - and remarkably feminist in attitude for the time … could she have been written by a man?On that bombshell, I’ll leave you to listen to the podcast, aka the recording of the book part of our book club meeting.Next month, for our Christmas special, we’re trying something different. We won’t all be reading the same book, but instead talking about Jane Austen.I can’t wait …Thanks for reading Simply Stunning Classic Book Club! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simplystunningclassicbookclub.substack.com

I was SOOOOOOO excited for this book and still can’t believe I’ve never read it before, particularly since I’ve watched the movie (the most recent one) a million squillion times.Although Gatsby wasn’t a commercial success when first released, it is now regarded as one of the Great American Novels in that it explores (amongst other themes) the disintegration of the American dream.While set in the 1920s and vividly so, Fitzgerald’s portrayal of the decadence and superficiality of the monied class of the time, combined with Gatsby’s tragic pursuit of a dream (or was it a dream of a dream?), helps make the novel still so relevant.As for Gatsby himself, he had to be one of the most hopeful people ever written.Anyways, have a listen to our discussion and if you’ve read the book, let us know what you thought of it in the comments. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simplystunningclassicbookclub.substack.com

Written in 1953 during the McCarthy “reds under the beds” era, Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel about a future society where books are outlawed and “firemen” burn any found. One fireman, Guy Montag, becomes disillusioned with his role and begins to question the government’s control over thought and knowledge.The Government’s justification is that thinking is dangerous and leads to unhappiness, so by removing the cause (books), and by filling leisure time with media, people have all they need to be happy.“The important thing for you to remember, Montag, is we’re the Happiness Boys, the Dixie Duo, you and I and the others. We stand against the small tide of those who want to make everyone unhappy with conflicting theory and thought.”What is nots frightening about this book is how close to reality it is. Only the other day I read this article in the Sydney Morning Herald about how AI is allowing students to summarise books so they don’t need to read them.This echoes just a tad too closely to what Montag’s chief, Beatty, tells him:“There you have it, Montag. It didn’t come from the Government down. There was no dictum, no declaration, no censorship, to start with, no! Technology, mass exploitation, and minority pressure carried the trick, thank God. Today, thanks to them, you can stay happy all the time, you are allowed to read comics, the good old confessions, or trade journals.”With themes of censorship, historical revision, conformity, the dangers of mass media and fake news, and the importance of critical thinking and intellectual freedom, this novel remains as relevant today (if not more so) than it was when first published.Anyways, have a listen to our discussion.Next month: The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.Thanks for reading Simply Stunning Classic Book Club! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Thanks for reading Simply Stunning Classic Book Club! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simplystunningclassicbookclub.substack.com

The Awakening by Kate Chopin was first published in 1899, but, as has been the case with several of the books we’ve read in the Simply Stunning Classic Book Club, its themes are relevant today. The more things change, the more they stay the same.Set in New Orleans and the Louisiana Gulf coast, the novel had a mixed reception upon publication, and while never technically banned, it was censored and considered immoral for its portrayal of female sexual desire and the way Edna, the protagonist, went against the gender and social norms of the day in her search for self.While Chopin was held up as being an early feminist, she was quick to say she was neither a feminist nor a suffragist; she just took women seriously.This novel reminded all three of us of Mrs Dalloway and Anna Karenina, and, like those books, considers the price of female freedom and the question still being asked: can women have it all?At the end (this was a difficult one to discuss without spoilers, so if you intend to read the novel and don’t want to know what happens…), Edna realises that the only control she has is over her own body and sense of self. Anyways, have a listen…Next month: We’re discussing Fahrenheit 451, by Ray BradburyThanks for reading Simply Stunning Classic Book Club! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simplystunningclassicbookclub.substack.com

Episode 2: The Code of the Woosters, by P.G. WodehouseToday we’re discussing The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse. This one was Donna’s choice and prompted another great discussion - including a full change of mind from Sue.First published in October 1938, this is another of those books that appear on those lists of books you have to read. It’s also a book that is regarded as a comfort read for so many, yet although light on the surface, it has political satire as a significant theme, so there’s definitely more to this one than first meets the eye.If you’ve read The Code of the Woosters, we’d love to hear what you thought. Oh, and by way of clarification… late in the podcast we’re talking about other books we’ve read and Jo mentions that she’s not good with drugs… of course she means medications… but you knew that, right?The Simply Stunning Classic Book Club is:Sue Loncaric from Women Living Well After 50 and her Substack (and podcast) Women Living Well After 50Debbie Harris from Deb’s World and also on Substack as Deb’s WorldDonna Connelly from Retirement ReflectionsJo Tracey from Story Crumbs. Jo also blogs travel at and anywaysComing Up:Coming up we’ll be reading the following books…August - The Awakening, by Kate Chopin (Sue’s choice)September - Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury (Deb’s choice)October - The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Jo’s choice)We’d love it if you read along with us, and feel free to add any comments or questions in the comment field. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simplystunningclassicbookclub.substack.com

Welcome to the first episode of the Simply Stunning Classic Book Club Podcast.Today, we’re discussing Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind In The Willows.First published in 1908, it regularly appears on lists like this one put out by the BBC - The 100 greatest British novels (as voted by critics from outside Britain). For many people it’s like a comfort blanket, a well-loved book from childhood, one you read to your own children.But is it a kid’s book, or are there entirely adult themes hiding in plain sight?We discuss this and so much more, including a quiz to find out which Wind In The Willows character we might be. This book was Jo’s choice and came about because this 1949 copy came into the op shop (charity or thrift shop) where she works.Anyways, it’s our first time being recorded (and Jo’s first attempt at editing) so apologies for any early awkwardness and some dodgy volume control in the first 30 seconds. We hope you stick around for our future episodes. (Jo promises she’ll get better at this…).The Simply Stunning Classic Book Club is:Sue Loncaric from Women Living Well After 50 and her Substack (and podcast) Women Living Well After 50Debbie Harris from Deb’s World and also on Substack as Deb’s WorldDonna Connelly from Retirement ReflectionsJo Tracey from Story Crumbs. Jo also blogs travel at and anywaysComing Up:Coming up we’ll be reading the following books… July - The Code of The Woosters, by PG Wodehouse (Donna’s choice)August - The Awakening, by Kate Chopin (Sue’s choice)September - Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury (Deb’s choice)October - The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Jo’s choice)We’d love it if you read along with us, and feel free to add any comments or questions in the comment field.A Recipe: Lemon Drizzle CakeWhen we have time, Jo leads us in a baking adventure inspired by the book we’ve just read. This month, the recipe comes from the Crabtree & Evelyn Cookbook.Published in 1989, the book is essentially a collection of menus with chapter headings such as “Picnics” or “Tea”.Take the Picnics section, for instance, which is where the lemon drizzle cake can be found. The menu titles are almost as evocative as the illustrations: Weather Permitting, Punting Downstream, and Sporting Afternoon. What could be more Wind In The Willows?This is one of those cakes that’s fabulous served still slightly warm, topped with softly whipped cream – or a combo of yoghurt and softly whipped cream – but is equally as good the next day (or the day after) with a cup of tea. Jo makes hers in a loaf tin, but if you wanted it to be a bit more special – not that this cake isn’t special enough in all its unadorned glory – you could also bake it in a round tin and slice through the middle when cooled to form two layers, and then fill with fruit conserve or curd. She likes to think that’s what Ratty might have done.What you needFor the cake* 140g plain flour* 3/4 teaspoon baking powder* 1/4 teaspoon bicarb soda* pinch salt* 60g unsalted butter, softened* 135g caster sugar* 1 egg* 100 ml buttermilk – or runny plain yoghurt (if the batter is too stiff, you might need another ½ tablespoon or so)* 1 tablespoon grated lemon zestFor the syrup* 100g sugar* 100 ml tablespoons lemon juiceWhat you do with it* Preheat oven to 180C and do the usual buttering/lining of your tin. I use a small loaf tin, but you could also use a 20cm round tin.* Sift together the flour, baking powder, bicarb and salt and set aside.* In a stand mixer cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.* Add the egg and beat it into the mix enthusiastically.* Fold in a third of the flour, followed by a third of the buttermilk, the next third of the flour and so on.* Stir in the lemon zest and spoon the mix into your prepared tin.* Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.* When the cake has about 10 minutes left to cook, prepare your syrup by combining the sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan over low heat.* As the cake comes out of the oven spoon the syrup evenly over the top, tipping and rotating the tin gently to make sure that it’s all covered.* Cool in the tin on a wire rack and dust with icing sugar before serving.Thanks for reading Simply Stunning Classic Book Club! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simplystunningclassicbookclub.substack.com