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Post by Claire on Jan 6, 2013 23:00:34 GMT 1
Our first author of the month. Please see the 'about this section' for thread for more about what we are doing here. As it's the first one its something of a learning curve! View the ponymad website page for K. M. Peyton hereAnyway this thread is for all discussion on K. M. Peyton (who also wrote as pony books as Kathleen Herald), her books, characters, life or anything related. I will also add a poll where you can vote for which of her books are your favourite. Plus we will be doing one of the author's books for the reading circle selection this month so please get your nominations in. I'll be reviewing at least one book by KMP - if anyone has any preferances let me know. And if anyone else wants to do a review - short or long - of any of her books feel free. There'll also be a KMP inspired quiz coming soon. Check out the website page (link above) for a list of her books and more.
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odonna
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Post by odonna on Jan 7, 2013 12:51:07 GMT 1
I haven't read many K. M. Peyton books, which would you recommend I try next? (I've read the 2 books about Ruth and Peter and Flambards, and the latest one Paradise House)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2013 13:16:58 GMT 1
Blind Beauty is a must. Would love to read that again and discuss it if others would like to
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Post by Claire on Jan 7, 2013 16:11:37 GMT 1
I agree with Rosie its one of her best. It featured on a few of the 'top 10' lists we compiled. I'd love to read it for the reading circle choice too!
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Post by haffyfan on Jan 7, 2013 22:03:26 GMT 1
I like Darkling best i think, but most of her stuff is excellent i have to say. Paradise house, i wasn't so keen on and i struggled with Dear fred and the other historical ones i've since avoided i have to admit.
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Post by Claire on Jan 8, 2013 13:41:48 GMT 1
I like Darkling as well. I do like the historical stories (although I have to admit Dear Fred and Paradise House weren't her best) but then I do like history and read a lot of non-pony historical books. I like the fact that you learn a lot about how life was lived in a different time, especially if its to do with horses. I found the stuff about the Norfolk trotters and the marathon races they would run fascinating in Small Gains. I didn't know much about the breed at all until I read that one. Interesting that she hasn't written much in the way of fantasy, only Stealaway and the Paradise Pony. I find her quite a down to earth writer in the main. btw - the KMP quiz is now up and running: ponybooks.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=quiz&thread=1826
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Post by susanb on Jan 8, 2013 21:01:01 GMT 1
I like historical books as well, though like you, Claire, Dear Fred wasn't really my favorite. I've got Right Hand Man lurking in the tbr pile, I was thinking of tackling that for this month's author. It's the favorite Peyton of my local equestrian bookseller (and Peyton is one of her favorite authors).
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Post by Claire on Jan 8, 2013 22:36:56 GMT 1
What a lot of us have books lurking around the place! ;D
Actually I am glad you reminded me about Right Hand Man it is one I have never got round to reading and I keep forgetting about it. Off to search for it with my Christmas money/Amazon vouchers!
Going back to what I asked on the quiz thread susan - have you read all the Ruth & Pennington books including Marion's Angels where Ruth makes an appearance. They don't exactly have a smooth relationship. I wonder if KMP was trying to show in that series what happens when 2 people who have completely different interests & fall in love after the passion wears off. I think Ruth would have been far happier with Peter! I don't think Peter ever finds a true love does he, unlike Jonathan and Ruth.
Anyone else read the non-pony books featuring Ruth?
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Post by susanb on Jan 8, 2013 22:49:58 GMT 1
Yes, I read all the Penningtons and totally agree re Peter. I think the thing that bothered me the most, though, was that she so completely gave up her own desires, ambitions, work, everything in order to support his career. I don't give a damn how talented someone is, nobody should turn their relatives/loved ones into servants. That's my two cents!
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Post by darkhorse on Jan 8, 2013 23:54:25 GMT 1
I haven't read any of the later Ruth books. It's a shame she doesn't end up with Peter. I'd like to read Blind Beauty for the reading circle pretty please!
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Post by haffyfan on Jan 9, 2013 19:57:55 GMT 1
I loved the Pennington Trilogy but yeah she was a bit wet, trailing around being a good little wifey, she lost all that 'spunk' she had in the early stories but it does happen doesn't it, i just wanted to shake her quite regulary to kick him into touch. Marions Angels was interesting but i didn't enjoy it as much as the pennington stories and wouldn't have bought it had it not been cheap. I haven't read the Kidnapping story about Jonathan but enjoyed the Midsummer Murder one. I'm guessing she was quite attached to these characters to follow them into their later lives, away from the horses?
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Post by susanb on Jan 9, 2013 20:26:59 GMT 1
I liked Pennington too, but the way Ruth's character changed so dramatically irritated me to the point where it did detract from the story for me.
I dunno about people changing all that much....I think people are either born wishy-washy doormats or they aren't....sometimes you just don't notice that they are right away. (Barring catastrophic events, of course......murder in the family, war, kidnapping....PTSD inducing horrors).
Re Midsummer Murder....I liked that one very much too, and the kidnapping one (Prove Yourself a Hero) even more.
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Post by Claire on Jan 9, 2013 23:05:59 GMT 1
I liked Pennington too, but the way Ruth's character changed so dramatically irritated me to the point where it did detract from the story for me. I dunno about people changing all that much....I think people are either born wishy-washy doormats or they aren't..... I do think some women (and a few men) can change dramatically when they fall for someone as if the act of falling in love somehow overcomes their personality, or they actually try and change to suit the other person. Perhaps this was what KMP was trying to get at in the books? But I think after a while the true personality will come to the fore again when all the romance has worn off. I seem to remember Ruth was a bit cheesed off with hubby in Marion's Angels...? I like to think she got her spunk back, ditched the wet hen persona and completely bossed him around when they'd been married a few years!
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Post by rallycairn on Jan 10, 2013 0:19:56 GMT 1
Actually, I didn't think Ruth was all that strong, really. She did stick to it with schooling Fly and so on, and she never had it easy with her ponies, but she was always pretty lacking in confidence, I thought. I mean, I loved her character and identified with her, but I wouldn't have called her a strong personality, except in re: to pursuing her need for a pony.
In her relationship with Patrick, I do think she got her own back in Marion's Angels -- with Marion's father liking her, and her helping Marion feel good about herself (finding her the right type of dress, remember that brief scene? ) -- Patrick seeing others appreciating her, and both Patrick and Ruth realizing Ruth COULD move on if she wished -- I think those things woke Patrick up and made him realize he loved Ruth, she wasn't just someone he was stuck with because of her adoration of him and, of course, their child.
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Post by rallycairn on Jan 10, 2013 0:21:34 GMT 1
BTW, any other fans of A Pattern of Roses here? And the reasonably decent British TV (I think TV, not film) adaptation of it with a very young Helena Bonham Carter?
That is one that is pretty profound to me, especially the closing paragraphs, and a really moving, moving death scene. And though not really a fantasy, it does have ghosts or perhaps more time slips in it, with the current day characters seeing glimpses of scenes from the past, though not really entering into them.
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Post by susanb on Jan 10, 2013 2:34:09 GMT 1
You may both be right....it's possible I was born a bit old and very stubborn, so even the thought of reinventing oneself into...what? some kind of chameleon transforming into whatever someone wanted at the moment? ..... seemed both ridiculous and nauseating Maybe Ruth belonged to the Dorothy Parker school of thought ;D Indian Summer In youth, it was a way I had To do my best to please, And change, with every passing lad, To suit his theories. But now I know the things I know, And do the things I do; And if you do not like me so, To hell, my love, with you! Dorothy Parker
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Post by susanb on Jan 10, 2013 2:37:59 GMT 1
btw Rally, I loved Pattern of Roses....I'd heard it was made into a movie, but haven't been able to track down a copy yet.
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Post by rallycairn on Jan 10, 2013 3:54:43 GMT 1
Susan, I watched it onyoutube.
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Post by susanb on Jan 10, 2013 15:20:14 GMT 1
I took a look on youtube, but could only find part 1? Your note inspired me to look again for a copy on dvd, and I found one on ebay in the UK for a reasonable price so I went ahead and ordered it!
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Post by Claire on Jan 10, 2013 17:59:03 GMT 1
Actually, I didn't think Ruth was all that strong, really. Oh I disagree. I know she was a bit pessimistic and a bit of worrier which made her seem somwhat weak but she always got what the want in the end. I think only someone with a strong personality could have taken on Toad when she knew Peter wanted him, and realised it would cause trouble between the two of them. She even managed to get Peter in the end too! What actually happens to Toad in the Beethoven medal and beyond does she sell him? Does it say? Re. Pattern of Roses - I really like the book. Haven't seen the TV adaptation. Not sure if I would like it as I am not a fan of Helena Bonham Carter (or Bonham Cardboard as my dad calls her ) and really can't imagine her in the role. But as its on youtube I may go and have a look-see
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Post by susanb on Jan 10, 2013 18:11:02 GMT 1
Claire...the book/movie isn't Beethoven Medal, it's Pattern of Roses (aka So Once Was I). Re Carter....I've seen her in some things I've liked (Twelfth Night), but not much recently. Hopefully it won't be too terrible!
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Post by Claire on Jan 10, 2013 18:12:36 GMT 1
Claire...the book/movie isn't Beethoven Medal, it's Pattern of Roses (aka So Once Was I). Re Carter....I've seen her in some things I've liked (Twelfth Night), but not much recently. Hopefully it won't be too terrible! Oops I meant Pattern of Roses (which i keep spelling Pattern of Rosies!) I've changed the original post.
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Post by rallycairn on Jan 10, 2013 18:43:42 GMT 1
Well, Bonham Carter plays the stuck up, pretty, young cousin of Tom's benefactress/art tutor, so I think she's a decent fit for the role. And I believe she's even younger by a year or two than she was in Lady Jane, so we're really going back a bit here.
Still don't see Ruth as a strong character overall. She may be stubborn to some degree, but she doesn't fight much to keep Fly in The Team, she doesn't stand up to Milky Way's owner in Fly-by-Night; she basically is just an anxious worrier, much like I am!, but I still can't see her as strong, just dedicated in her devotions, first to ponies, then Patrick. And what becomes of Toad then, after she's in lurve? I have only read Pennington's Heir once decades ago, and don't remember if he is mentioned in that book as he is in The Beethoven Medal.
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Post by fizz on Jan 10, 2013 19:56:12 GMT 1
Must re-read. I live with one of her relatives & he lent me Pattern of Roses (he thinks it's her best, so don't know if she thinks so too) once when I was ill & it made me feel really unsettled!
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Post by Claire on Jan 10, 2013 21:28:22 GMT 1
Well, Bonham Carter plays the stuck up, pretty, young cousin of Tom's benefactress/art tutor, so I think she's a decent fit for the role. Ah that explains it - I thought she was playing Rebecca! I really relate to Ruth, she's probably the most like me of all the characters, well until the Pennington saga anyhow. I'm a worrier too. But then again I think a lot of animal people are - there's so much scope for trouble with animals!
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Post by rallycairn on Jan 11, 2013 4:30:50 GMT 1
Fizz, that's really neat, living with one of her relatives!
Claire -- scope for worry -- lol, very true!
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Post by Claire on Jan 12, 2013 14:40:29 GMT 1
Just been looking at the poll. Interesting to see a few votes for Crab the Roan which is extremely rare and surely a lot of people haven't read it. I wonder if it were easier to get hold of it would have been up there with the other top ones. Its certainly one of my favs. Its a pity Fidra hasn't republished this title - I think it would have been a better choice than some of their recent horsy titles. BTW if anyone wants to read it let me know - will send you a scan.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2013 15:40:26 GMT 1
I've not read it, I'd love a scan please Claire I enjoyed the other two she wrote as Kathleen Herald.
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Post by haffyfan on Jan 12, 2013 19:53:51 GMT 1
* Puts hand up* I voted for it, definatly one of her best, as you say. Never got around to reading the Mandrake Or sabre come to think of it...not sure why actually! Maybe i should do them next.
I was surprised Flambards has so many votes, but then i don't like historical/period stuff.
My votes were for (if i remember correctly) and basically form my top 10 of her books The Team Free Rein Sound Of Distant Cheering Darkling Crab The Roan Blind Beauty Poor Badger Who Sir, Me Sir? Fly By Night ...maybe?
In fact maybe i only voted on 9 unless i clicked the wrong one and am the person who voted pony in the dark (instead of Stealaway, infact i'm not convinced i voted Fly by Night either?)
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Post by Claire on Jan 12, 2013 21:36:18 GMT 1
I voted similar to you haffy except for a couple. A hard one to vote for as she's consistently good. Defo worth reading Sabre and The Mandrake and they are much easier to find than Crab if you havent already got them! Not quite as good but considering she was a teenager when she wrote them they are amazingly mature, Mandrake in particular.
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