Enjoying the late afternoon sunshine with a cup of tea and a good book.
Perhaps I’m just looking for an excuse, but when I hear the word “volume” I think first of books.
It’s a shame the phrase “a slim volume” so often has negative connotations of insubstantial work by little-known authors, because it’s really perfect for Alan Bennett’s wonderful, short but very substantial, novel in praise of libraries and reading.
Volume is Debbie’s choice for this week’s One Word Sunday. So tear yourself away from whatever you’re reading and visit her post.
A fine choice of book – one of the best is ‘our Alan’.
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Thanks Robin. I’ve not heard of that 😀
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I adore Alan Bennett’s writing and I love this book. Have the same chair too. And agree with the maybe possible misunderstanding of slim volume, although in my case, I see it rather for ´small’ but precious (interesting, maybe designs, different, deep) content. Happy Sunday
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Happy Sunday day to you too. Glad to know another Bennett fan.
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PLEASE you all read also his book AND a most wonderful film with the same name:
The lady in the van. Magnificent with one of the treasures of British films.
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Looks like a great movie and even better book!
Leslie
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Love, love, LOVE The Lady in the van!! Both book and film – Maggie Smith at her best! 😄
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She is wonderful isn’t she!
I read The Lady in the Van first as a chapter in one of Alan Bennett’s memoirs, and thought it terribly sad. I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it dramatised, so resisted the movie for a while. Fool!! Of course it was wonderful.
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I’ve first heard it as an audiobook, also read my Maggie Smith herself and knew it could just get better. 😀
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Sarah, I even have two copies of this book, one a VERY old one which must have a certain value, as it’s linen bound and has drawings in it!!!!
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That sounds wonderful, Kiki!! It’s like having two treasures in one – the story and the beautiful bound book! 😀
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You are definitely a girl after my own heart 🙂
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😀💕
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Isn’t it fabulous!! Have you seen The History Boys? That’s my favourite Bennett film.
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No, was it an English film too?
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Yes. Released in 2006 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464049/. The stage show has been around much longer.
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Tks – I did check it out but it seems to be very difficult to buy – I don’t know why. But I will find a DVD – and have I really spied James Gordon somewhere?!
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I hope you can find a copy. And yes — James Corden is very very funny in it.
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And a lovely still life image.
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Thanks Jude.
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Hmmm, I’ve never heard of him, although I’ve been a fan of reading and libraries my entire life. 🙂 Have to see if our library has anything by him. An inviting shot for the challenge, Su.
janet
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They do, although not this volume. I’ll check other libraries in the system and they also have the movie mentioned. 🙂 Hurrah!
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Alan Bennett is one of my literary heroes. He’s best known as a playwright and, originally, as a member of Beyond the Fringe with Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Jonathan Miller.
You may know him through the films The Madness of a King George and The History Boys, both of which he wrote as stage plays and adapted for the screen.
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… and The Lady in the Van of course, which is probably his most famous (and most recent) film.
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I’ll check it out, figuratively and literally, when I get back.
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Great shot, Su! May it inspire your followers to read more slim volumes.
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Thanks Peter 😀
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I need to expand my thinking a bit. I would not have thought of book and volume together. When I hear ‘slim volume’ that is an enticement to me, so I was happy to hear that this slim volume was so enjoyable.
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It is brilliant. Think mobile libraries, Buckingham Palace and quiet, clever humour.
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A delightful way to spend an afternoon, Su.
Leslie
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It was thanks Leslie
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🙂
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Lovely chair, book and tea cup! Somehow I always connect volume to either volume in hair or music! 😂 But the term ‘a small volume of verse’ also comes to mind. 😊
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My second thought was volume of liquid — but I figured measuring cups don’t make great photos 😂
I wouldn’t have thought of hair, despite my use of products for that very purpose.
Isn’t English a peculiar language. Do you have the same ambiguities in German?
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We do have such words, and I just had a look online because non would come to mind (it’s always like that isn’t it), and had a real good laugh! 😀 I’m not sure how much sense it would to share them with you though as you don’t speak German… 😉
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I’m just pleased it isn’t only English that is so confusing.
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Let’s volumize our hair, turn up the music and read Su’s book. Lord, help us all!
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Now there’S a WP challenge. Selfie with big hair, small book and musical choice to accompany it.!!!
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Hahaha! 😀
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Perfection, it’s the weight of the words, and not the volume.
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Thanks Sally. That is exactly right.
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I love Alan Bennett, and have this book too – though in a less handsome edition than yours. I love everything everyone else has mentioned, plus his Talking Heads on TV which were absolute masterpieces of poignancy. There were some good documentaries about him a few years ago too. If there’s anything better than reading him it’s listening to him, which I could do for ever. That warm, Yorkshire voice – a true national treasure.
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Totally agree with you — especially his voice. 😀
I’ve never seen any of the Talking Heads on TV, but T and I did go to a performance of three (can’t remember which ones) at The Bull theatre in High Barnet, not long after we moved to the UK. Even without performances by the likes of Thora Hird and Penelope Wilton, the monologues were wonderful.
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They are from quite a way back, yet I can still remember the storylines of most of them. He has a way with words for sure.
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He does. He’s one of very few authors who has had me laughing out loud, and moved me to tears.
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A good choice for volume, Su – lovely image too.
And I like your comment on slim volumes – you can never judge a book by its size!!
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Thanks Debbie 😀
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As a chemist I think of beakers and pipettes when I see the word ‘volume’ I’m afraid….
I enjoyed Woman in the Van too. One of my acquaintances from drawing classes was at school with Maggie Smith!
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😀😀
I thought measuring jug (I’m a baker rather than a chemist), but didn’t think I could make a good image from that.
Any connection to Maggie Smith would be something to dine out on!! One of my Uni tutors went on to become NZ first elected woman PM, but as a few of my friends regularly dine with her husband, it’s not much of a claim to fame.
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The volume as a book, and a decent volume, oops quantity, of tea!
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I hadn’t thought about my tea, though volume of liquid was one of things that came to mind originally.
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Well, there you go!
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Strong tea, Su! Irrelevant, I know. 🙂 🙂 Have a good week!
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The strength of tea is never irrelevant!,
It was a builder’s brew — despite the pretty cup — but I think the shadows make it look even darker in the photo.
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Sigh – the Perfect Setting …
I am a big fan of the thinner book, especially these days when too heavy a tome is tough on the wrists. Some of my favourite thinner books are The Alchemist by Paul Coelho & The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
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😀
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A great interpretation of an interesting theme. I’d like to grab a cup of tea and join you! I just finished re-reading Rebecca by D. Du Maurier. Still a wonderful classic.
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You’d be very welcome 😀
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