Hooray!
Welcome, welcome, come in, please, make yourself at home.
Today I am pleased to introduce you to a brand-new member of the library. Everyone, please make Julia feel welcome as she browses the bookshelves. Julia has come here all the way from Prague, so she's a little tired and needs some tender loving care and extra attention. What was that Eurolush? You've come all the way from Germany? Now, Eurolush...we've talked about this before...it's not always ALL ABOUT YOU...excuse me...young lady....where do you think you're going with that chocolate croissant??!! STRICTLY NO FOOD ALLOWED IN THE LIBRARY!!! VERBOTTEN!!
There, that's better. What was that Badger? Why, of COURSE you can keep sipping on your cocktail. Dude....alcohol consumption is ENCOURAGED in the library. Now...where was I? Yes. Right. Before we begin our discussion of Julia's book, I'd like to commend the following borrowers for their marvellous book choices last week, as well as the prompt returning of said books - RW, Tuli, Mary and Suse. These four members managed to borrow their books without needing to resort to physical violence, unlike two sisters we all (ahem) remember well from last week. The Unfortunate Incident Involving The Bronte Sisters is a lesson to us all - reading and sibling rivalry is a lethal combination.
Ahem, now Julia, what a wonderful first choice you have made with this simply divine edition of Northanger Abbey. Its multicoloured, striped cloth cover brings to mind the hues of a rainbow, as it subtly makes its way out from behind the dark grey clouds of a winter's day in Prague.
It is not garishly bright, but there are just enough yellow sunbeams in it to bring a smile to your face. Well...at least, I hope so. 
I thought you might like to see the decorative line which signals the beginning of each chapter. Also, the simple elegance of the embellishment of the first letter.
You may have noticed that a small connecting flourish is used whenever a 'c' and 't' are printed next to each other
Also between 's' and 't'. I find it quite annoying, actually. Perhaps someone knows the reason for this style of print?
I know you were hoping for an illustration, well...there are many:
What do you think Julia? I was, at first, quite surprised at the darkness of the illustrations. They have a melancholy air about them which is quite beautiful, but unexpected.Below is the colophon which is found on the very last page of the book. Isn't that simply gorgeous?
I hope you enjoy your choice, and please do return to the library whenever you wish.
I hope you enjoy your choice, and please do return to the library whenever you wish.Good evening all, and may all your endings be happy.
5 comments:
Do you read the blog Ask the Bronte Sisters? (It's a side project by Pavlov's Cat).
I don't think the Sistahs have posted for a while, but it's well worth reading the archives. (Link on my sidebar somewhere).
ps. I like those little curls on the t's.
If only I lived nextdoor! I could come over each day and peruse your shelves for reading material.
After a few weeks, of course, I'd probably just decide to move in. It would much more practical and convenient for me to have my own room in your home.
Then I'd always be around for all the holidays when Mom was cooking.
I could read over your shoulder when you were writing your posts.
I could rifle through your drawers when you were out and maybe read your diary.
It's would be a win/win arrangement.
Thank you, those stripes (and getting to peek into your library) definitely lifted the day from its grayness here in Prague! And I do like the illustrations, they remind me of the romantic prints you find here of castle scenes and fairy tales - and was so pleased to get to see Catherine and Henry taking a walk together. My edition doesn't have any pictures so I've just had to imagine!
Maybe the attached letters are the font maker's way of dealing with the kerning (spacing) between the t and its sibs?
Yet another wonderful trip to Eleanor's library.
(I really should sit down and read the Austen novels, not just watch every version of the movies I can find.)
Post a Comment