‘These articles are refreshingly honest, fearless, insightful and humane’

The TLS reviews The Orwell Essays: A Selection of Prize-Winning Journalism by Brian Sewell. Get your copy of the book here today.

 

‘How did women who had experienced freedom, adventure and paid employment during the Second World War respond to post-war demands that they ‘settle down’ and devote themselves to the needs of husbands and children? That was the subject of a lively discussion between the writers Elisa Segrave and Georgia de Chamberet at Waterstones’ Bloomsbury branch the other night. As they explored the contrasting experiences of two specific women of that generation, these fascinating individuals were poignantly situated in their historical period.’

Read the full brilliant blog piece by C.J.Shuler on the event on Lesley Blanch and the 1950s Woman at Waterstones, Gower Street with Elisa Segrave and Georgia De Chamberet here.

Read a wonderful Q&A with Sally Emerson on Jera’s Jamboree blog here. Separation and Second Sight by Sally Emerson are available now. Get copies of the books here today.

‘There are good and bad practices in immigration control. Judges must be fair and compassionate, but not stupid and ignorant on the bench. Judges are not in the business of “kicking them all out”, but applying the law fairly and accurately. But lack of enforcement does undermine both the courts and the administration of justice generally.’

There’s an extract from The Making of an Immigration Judge by James Hanratty in today’s Times. Get your copy of the book here today!

‘Post-WWII London is where the Weisz family from Budapest, and the Harouns from Baghdad, end up as Jewish refugees. It’s also where their lives become entwined by an unlikely twist of fate. This sweeping, poignant epic is a paean to the power of memory – and love.’

The Mail on Sunday reviews Nine Love Letters for its Summer Special. You can read the full list here and get your copy of the book here.

Wanderlust Magazine reviews Far to Go and Many to Love by Lesley Blanch. Get your copy of the book here.

‘The title, with its musical connotations, is felt through the prose, which changes key, sometimes aggressively major, sometimes sadly minor as the author struggles to come to terms with her family’s past and her own present. The narrative switches between her life and the story of theirs. The trauma of the past is lightened by the present as the father pauses his account of unspeakable horror to make tea, call someone, or go on an errand.’ Book Munch reviews Major/Minor by Alba Arikha, Read the full review here today.

Alba Arikha sings and speaks about Major/Minor on Front Row. You can listen to the interview here and get your copy of the book here today.

‘Whether writing about people or places, Lesley Blanch’s writing is arresting and has real life to it – her piece about Vivien Leigh is a particular favourite of mine and, as I said, the whole collection is put together with such love and respect, that it is a fantastic introduction to the work of a remarkable woman.’

It Takes a Woman Blog reviews Far to Go and Many to Love by Lesley Blanch. Read the full review here.

‘This is a Greek tragedy in more than one sense. If this sounds bleak at times it really is but there is something in the story and also in Welby’s writing that makes this a powerful debut set against the backdrop of Soho. A clever and brilliant debut.’

The Last Word Review reviews Mother of Darkness by Venetia Welby, you can read the full review here.

Georgia de Chamberet will be speaking to Elisa Seagrave about the 1950s woman and all things Lesley Blanch at Waterstones, Gower Street on Wednesday 5th July from 6.30pm. Not to be missed! For more information, go here.

Georgia de Chamberet lists ten things she’d like readers to know about Lesley Blanch… Read the full piece here.