While most posts on The Thread of Her Tale directly relate to my reading of and stitched interpretations of Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy, this post goes back to how I first became interested in reading about the past.
Rafe the jailor, who would believe it?! I'll definitely be looking for a copy of Traveller. The more I read around Wolf Hall, the more I feel I could go in and never come our- there's so much to explore
Oh, thank you! A Traveller in Time was one of my most cherished childhood books as well, along with other time-travel stories; it is truly magical. Although I remember being interested even then in how the ‘present’ of the novel was itself, to me, historical: I didn’t live far from her Chelsea streets, but fifty years on, the lamplighters and a muffin man had gone.
Oh how I agree with this! As a child, my favourite books were A Traveller in Time and two books by Jean Plaidy The Young Elizabeth and The Young Mary Queen of Scots. I read them over and over and still have my battered paperbacks. In fact, a few years ago when I was teaching, I did a World Book Day assembly and showed them to my pupils, I then proceeded to show them my copies of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies - the Mirror and the Light had yet to be published. I wanted to show them that a love of reading never leaves you that once you are captivated by a subject you will probably carry that through your life!
I think they are a bit “showing your research” heavy but I didn’t mind that when I read them years ago - and one of her books did enable me to bluff my way through a seminar for which I hadn’t prepared properly....
I have adored the writing of Alison Uttley throughout my whole ife. From childhood tales of Little Grey Rabbit and her friends, our mother conducted us on a straight track to The Country Child and onward to all of Uttley's fantastic essays. Yet A Traveller In Time remains a book I've never read! I see there's a new edition out, now, and feel a Christmas present coming on.
I think I am the opposite - I can only remember A Traveller in Time but I need to have a look at the other books she wrote. It’s been really interesting looking at it in the context of knowing the Cromwell Trilogy, and how it was my gateway into wanting to know more about the past. I look forward to hearing what you think of it.
I have that turquoise-covered edition in the right of your photo, but so covered with sellotape and the pages still all fall out when I open it. I'm a huge fan of Uttley, something for all the ages: Little Grey Rabbit who lives with Squirrel and Hare and learns how to make Queen Anne's lace and wants to run away to follow the circus, and little Fuzzipeg the hedgehog: Sam Pig for slightly older children, and the hurdy-gurdy man. And her autobiography The Country Child. Thank you so much for this reminder. Did you also love The Children of Green Knowe by LM Boston...and she was a quilter!
I have a nice copy of The Country Child somewhere, but I haven’t actually read it (must do so!). I feel I must have read other Alison Uttley when I was growing up given that I loved A Traveller in Time so much, but I really can’t recall. As for Green Knowe, I went to Lucy Boston’s house a few years ago and saw the quilts. I was privileged to touch a couple of them, as help was needed in turning them. They are incredible - especially the High Magic Quilt.
A Traveler in Time came into my life when I was 10 way back in the ‘60’s. A birthday gift from my older sister I still have the now rather battered Faber copy. It is one of my most loved ‘comfort’ reads still. Reading your post it struck me how a teacher’s influence when young can remain with us for life.
Oh absolutely. A good teacher can leave a lasting impression. I am glad you also love “Traveller” - it is lovely to have seen the reaction to this post!
Ah this is great, especially bumping into an older Rafe on the Queen's business.
This post was sparked by your “Meet the Slow Readers”! And it took me ages to realise Rafe’s dual roles. He had an interesting afterlife after Crumb.
I think I came across him coming north doing the Rough Wooing. He seems to have made himself very useful post Crumb.
Rafe the jailor, who would believe it?! I'll definitely be looking for a copy of Traveller. The more I read around Wolf Hall, the more I feel I could go in and never come our- there's so much to explore
That’s what has happened to me! It is such a rich text.
Oh, thank you! A Traveller in Time was one of my most cherished childhood books as well, along with other time-travel stories; it is truly magical. Although I remember being interested even then in how the ‘present’ of the novel was itself, to me, historical: I didn’t live far from her Chelsea streets, but fifty years on, the lamplighters and a muffin man had gone.
Oh how I agree with this! As a child, my favourite books were A Traveller in Time and two books by Jean Plaidy The Young Elizabeth and The Young Mary Queen of Scots. I read them over and over and still have my battered paperbacks. In fact, a few years ago when I was teaching, I did a World Book Day assembly and showed them to my pupils, I then proceeded to show them my copies of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies - the Mirror and the Light had yet to be published. I wanted to show them that a love of reading never leaves you that once you are captivated by a subject you will probably carry that through your life!
How lovely! It sounds as though we had the same favourites. And they have kept on inspiring.
I also love Jean Plaidy but dare not re-read her in case she is not the wonderful writer I imagine her to be.
I think they are a bit “showing your research” heavy but I didn’t mind that when I read them years ago - and one of her books did enable me to bluff my way through a seminar for which I hadn’t prepared properly....
I have adored the writing of Alison Uttley throughout my whole ife. From childhood tales of Little Grey Rabbit and her friends, our mother conducted us on a straight track to The Country Child and onward to all of Uttley's fantastic essays. Yet A Traveller In Time remains a book I've never read! I see there's a new edition out, now, and feel a Christmas present coming on.
I think I am the opposite - I can only remember A Traveller in Time but I need to have a look at the other books she wrote. It’s been really interesting looking at it in the context of knowing the Cromwell Trilogy, and how it was my gateway into wanting to know more about the past. I look forward to hearing what you think of it.
I have that turquoise-covered edition in the right of your photo, but so covered with sellotape and the pages still all fall out when I open it. I'm a huge fan of Uttley, something for all the ages: Little Grey Rabbit who lives with Squirrel and Hare and learns how to make Queen Anne's lace and wants to run away to follow the circus, and little Fuzzipeg the hedgehog: Sam Pig for slightly older children, and the hurdy-gurdy man. And her autobiography The Country Child. Thank you so much for this reminder. Did you also love The Children of Green Knowe by LM Boston...and she was a quilter!
I have a nice copy of The Country Child somewhere, but I haven’t actually read it (must do so!). I feel I must have read other Alison Uttley when I was growing up given that I loved A Traveller in Time so much, but I really can’t recall. As for Green Knowe, I went to Lucy Boston’s house a few years ago and saw the quilts. I was privileged to touch a couple of them, as help was needed in turning them. They are incredible - especially the High Magic Quilt.
A Traveler in Time came into my life when I was 10 way back in the ‘60’s. A birthday gift from my older sister I still have the now rather battered Faber copy. It is one of my most loved ‘comfort’ reads still. Reading your post it struck me how a teacher’s influence when young can remain with us for life.
Oh absolutely. A good teacher can leave a lasting impression. I am glad you also love “Traveller” - it is lovely to have seen the reaction to this post!