Now that the shorter days and cooler weather are well and truly upon us, it’s time to curl up in a comfortable corner with a book. I know that summer/beach reading gets all the love, but it’s the fall and winter seasons that are my favorites. To be hunkered down with a good book, a warm drink, and the glow of a fire is my idea of bliss. And I’m going to make an assumption here that most avid readers have some sort of a comfort category. That one genre that pulls you back time and time again when what…
Author: <span>Amanda Clayton</span>
The Victorian era is a strangely fascinating one. The lower classes endured rampant poverty and appalling work conditions which led to epidemic levels of crime, disease and cheap gin consumption. The wealthy, meanwhile, were free to indulge their morbid curiosity in all things macabre, creating a resurgence in seances, mysticism and gothic literature — not to mention stuffed animals. All of this was curiously juxtaposed with an explosion of technological and scientific advances, increasingly liberal views and real social change. For a brief moment in time, both worlds co-existed in a swirling vortex worthy of a good Dr. Who episode. It may have…
The Victoria Sponge, also known as a Victoria Sandwich (and affectionately as a Vicky Sponge), is probably the most iconic of English afternoon cakes and I have to tell you, I am here for every last crumb of it. As a rule I’m not a big cake eater, but the Victoria Sponge is mesmerizing in its light, golden butteriness and the combination of sponge, jam and cream is perfection. Having said that, before I continue I would like to take this opportunity to address a difference between British and American cakes. British cakes, indeed most European cakes, tend to be…
~I, Daniel Blake Ken Loach at his finest, this movie is real and raw and guaranteed to make your blood boil at the excruciating Catch-22 the main character finds himself in. Daniel Blake is a 59 year old widowed carpenter recovering from a heart attack. Doctors say he is not able to go back to work, the government begs to differ and denies his benefits. Yes, it’s sad. Yes, it’s bleak. Yes, it’s depressing. But what makes it all bearable is that Daniel is real and authentic and deeply kind and passionate, as witnessed by the (platonic) relationship he…
May Day in Britain is a kinda/sorta/not really unofficial start to summer. Well, not summer exactly, more the fact that by May 1st the British have endured a long, long spate of grey, drizzly, cold weather and are desperate to celebrate the promise of warmth and sunshine which hangs (albeit delicately) on the horizon. May Day is the harbinger of a summer that should be making its triumphant return in a couple of months. Or three. Or possibly not at all. Where do you think that British stiff upper lip comes from? May Day celebrations have been observed for over…
I have professed my love of the highly stylized movie before and the recent rendition of Emma proves to be a delicious addition to the genre. It’s a frothy confection with interiors awash in pink and pastels, reminiscent of a Wes Anderson film, punctuated by the vibrant jewel tones of some of the outfits. I’m pretty sure this is what it would look like to take up residence inside a macaron box. And while the clothes may be exquisite, with a breathtaking attention to detail, it must be said that it is the sublime hats which rather steal the show.…
A small selection of books set in England which are as light and airy as sponge but nicely grounded in solid writing. They are not going to blow your mind with their deep insight, they may not be Lincoln in the Bardo clever and their endings might be a little too neat and tidy, but sometimes, especially now that the holiday season is upon us, that is exactly what an afternoon cup of tea requires. And maybe a plate of biscuits. Definitely a plate of biscuits. ~Mr Rosenblum Dreams in English Natasha Solomons In 1937 Jack Rosenblum, along with his…
British flapjacks are nothing like American flapjacks. Think granola bar, not pancake. They’re a little bit chewy, a little bit crunchy and nerdily uncool in their humble, oaty goodness–as compared to something like, say, the macaron, that superstar of the Parisian high style pastry world. Flapjacks are rich in buttery, caramelly goodness and have a surprising depth of flavour for something so simple. I make mine with a bit of lemon zest which rounds out and deepens all the toasty notes. And unlike the fussy macaron, flapjacks are ridiculously easy to make. In less than 10 minutes the ingredients are…
Britain certainly has no shortage of dark and gritty crime dramas but sometimes what’s needed is crime which is silly and irreverent. Bright and bubbly. Death by cheese, perhaps. Here are a handful of shows which keep things on the lighter side without sacrificing (too much) in the substance department. ~Midsomer Murders There is a running joke about the body count in Midsomer Murders. At 2-3 bodies per episode over 20 years of broadcasting, the fictional county of Midsomer is clearly the most dangerous place to live in England. It is, however, quintessentially British, with gorgeous gardens, quaint village pubs,…
By Its Cover is a series of posts wherein I read a book based solely on my love of the cover. No reading the jacket, no checking reviews! Because The Salt Path was a book chosen purely for its cover, I didn’t even realise this was a memoir until I started reading. Instinctively I balked, but it quickly turned into an unputdownable read and one that will surely stay with me for a very long time. Raynor Winn and her husband Moth lose everything due to a bad investment and a friend’s betrayal. After years of fighting in the courts which…