Rien ne va plus…
The Classics Club is holding its 33rd Spin, and my 15th. The idea is to list 20 of the books on your Classics Club list before next Sunday, 19th March. On that day, the Classics Club will post the winning number. The challenge is to read and review whatever book falls under that number on your Spin List by 30th April, 2023.
Dear Spin Gods, I’m so behind this year – please, please, pick me a shortie! Here’s my list…
* * * * *
The Scottish Section
1) John Macnab by John Buchan
2) The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson
3) Young Adam by Alexander Trocchi
4) Tunes of Glory by James Kennaway
5) A Song of Sixpence by AJ Cronin
The English Section
6) She by H Rider Haggard
7) The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad
8) The Old Wives’ Tale by Arnold Bennett
9) Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell
10) The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
The Foreign Section
11) Uncle Silas by Sheridan Le Fanu
12) Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh
13) A Grain of Wheat by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
14) The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas
15) The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
The Genre Section
16) The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon
17) The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
18) Grey Mask by Patricia Wentworth
19) Mr Bowling Buys a Newspaper by Donald Henderson
20) The Doorbell Rang by Rex Stout
* * * * * * *
FictionFan's Book Reviews 
I have The Lost World and The Black Tulip on my list, but at different numbers. I’ve read two of the others many years ago, but remember enjoying She very much ( not sure I would now though) and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (very different from what I imagined). Robert Louis Stevenson’s books were favourites of mine, so although I don’t think I’ve read The Black Arrow that would be a good one to win – and then I’d get Fair Stood the Wind for France by H E Bates as that’s at my number two and I quite fancy reading it soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d be happy to get The Black Tulip, so that would work fine for me! I enjoyed She too, though, like you, it was long ago. However, I’ve re-read a couple of his books recently and have actually found them considerably less jarring than a lot of other colonial fiction, so I’m hoping She will still work for me too. I haven’t read The Tenant of Widlfell Hall before – apart from Jane Eyre, the Brontës are a huge gap in my reading, so I’d be pleased with that too. Hope we both get ones we like!
LikeLike
I’d pick Mr Bowling just for that brilliant cover!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love Mr Bowling to come up! I read his other book (I think he only did two mysteries) and thought it was great, and this one has been on my list too long!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed The Lost World, and it’s an easy read – I’d love to see that one win. I need to read Mr Bowling – looks great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read The Lost World long ago, and would love to re-read it – Conan Doyle is a huge favourite of mine! Mr Bowling ought to be excellent too – I read his other book (I think he only write two mysteries) a couple of years ago and thought it was great. Thanks for popping in and commenting! Do you blog? I don’t seem to be getting a link…
LikeLike
I love Tenant of Wildfell Hall, but it’s not a slim volume, so my vote is for Train to Pakistan – definitely not a book I loved, but it’s very interesting, and it’s quite a quick read as well! I haven’t decided yet whether to participate in the spin this time. I’m planning to take a little break from blogging for April to work on some other projects, but I could still read a book from my list and put my review up at the very end of the month… though to be fair last time I only made it about two chapters into my spin book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, it may well have been your review of Train to Pakistan that put it on my list – I certainly feel that I’ve only ever read one review of it, although I did feel that the review I read had been quite an enthusiastic one. It would be nice to get a short one this time but I’m not too bothered if it turns out to be a lengthy one, so it wouldn’t break my heart to get The Tenant of Wildfell Hall! It may even encourage me to get back into the swing of reading more regularly than I have been doing over the last few weeks. Ha, for me the fun of the spin is always in making the list, so I’d encourage you to do a list even if you are going to take a break and miss the review! I just like prying into other peoples lists… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, it’s a wonderful book – beautifully written and has really stayed with me, so my review probably was enthusiastic! It’s just one of those cases where there is a particular thing that left a nasty aftertaste for me and that’s what I mostly remember – but it’s a great book despite that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s good to hear! I’m kinda hoping it comes up now since I really want to know what the thing is…!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve got some really interesting ones there, FictionFan. There are several there I’d like to read, myself (Train to Pakistan, for instance). I happen to like Rex Stout’s work, so I’m biased towards The Doorbell Rang. And, although Grey Mask may not be Wentworth’s finest, it’s an interesting introduction to that series (well, I thought so). Whichever one you get, I hope you enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Given that I’m hoping for a short one this time, I’d be delighted to get The Doorbell Rang or Grey Mask! I’ve had something of a mixed reaction to the Miss Silver books so far, but it’s definitely a series I’d like to read more of. I don’t know much about Train to Pakistan but it does sound interesting…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many possibilities and potential great reads. The Master and Margarita and The Manchurian Candidate are two that I want to read myself. Lots of great authors as well. Let’s see. I may participate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you do participate – I love reading other peoples lists! I do want to read The Master and Margarita but this time round I’m in the mood for something a bit lighter and easier, so would be quite happy if The Manchurian Candidate came up! It’s all in the hands of those pesky Spin Gods though…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall last year for the Classics Club. It’s The Master and Margarita that I want to read myself, but I didn’t put it on my spin list this time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do want to read The Master and Margarita, but it may be a bit heavier than I’m looking for this time around. I’d probably be happier with The Tenant of Wildfell Hall – although it would be quite a substantial read too classic English literature is my comfort zone! Looking forward to seeing what’s on your list – I’ll be over soon!
LikeLike
I’ve been meaning to read another John Buchan for ages so I’ll go for that one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d be quite happy if the John Buchan comes up – I’m more in the mood for a thriller type novel than heavyweight books in translation at the moment! Let’s be honest, I’m nearly always more in the mood for thrillers than heavyweight books in translation… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can remember reading and loving Black Arrow when I read it years ago. Also loved The Lost World, read that three or maybe four times over the years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never read The Black Arrow, so it’s good to hear that you enjoyed it! I’d be quite happy if it comes up. I’ve read The Lost World a couple of times before too and loved it. Conan Doyle is always a huge favourite of mine, so I re-read of that would be very welcome!
LikeLike
I adore Doyle, Stevenson and also Wilkie Collins they are brilliant action and adventure writers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Conan Doyle and Stevenson too, though for some reason I’ve never got on so well with Wilkie Collins. I always feel I should love him more than I do! I’m really hoping the Spin Gods will pick me an entertaining adventure this time, but no doubt they’ll find the longest, densest book on my list… 😉
LikeLike
So many good ones. I want to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, having seen the adaptation. The Black Arrow is good. Saw the adaptation of The Doorbell Rang. Grey Mask is on my Kindle app. 😊 So, it’s hard for me to pick just one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d be happy with either The Tenant of Wildfell Hall or The Black Arrow, both books I’ve wanted to read for a long time. Although a shorter one would be very welcome, and The Doorbell Rang is a novella… 😉 Grey Mask appeals too, though I’ve had a rather mixed reaction to her books so far.
LikeLike
I’ve always loved that Orwell title but haven’t read it, but then the Buchan looks fun! I do hope you get a good read. . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, yes, me too! My sister actually had an aspidistra at one point. although she claimed she only had it ironically… 😉 I’d be quite happy with the Orwell, but the Buchan looks nice and short and thrilling, so that would suit me very well in my current slumpy reading mood!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a grand selection you’ve got there! And I imagine any one of them would keep you turning pages. However, I’m adding my good thoughts to yours that the Spinner lands on a relatively short one, just to cut you a break!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, loads of books here I’d really like to read, but my mood is demanding something shorter and quicker at the moment, so no doubt I’ll end up with the Russian classic in translation… 😉 Keep your fingers crossed for a nice vintage crime for me… 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you get Grey Mask. I seem to remember thinking it sounded good when you mentioned it another time. However, that would give me a fairly lengthy one to read! May the spin gods be good to both of us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d be quite happy to get Grey Mask, although I must admit I’ve had rather mixed reaction to her books so far. I think you should be willing to struggle through a long read so that I can get a short one… what are friends for after all? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep that in mind should the reverse happen. 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah…but…no… that’s different… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mr Bowling gets my vote! For some reason it sounds short too, although I have no idea why 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mr Bowling would be a great choice, and you’re right, it is one of the shorter ones, being vintage crime. As far as I know he only wrote two mysteries, and I thoroughly enjoyed his other one… 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe 20 would be the easiest and fastest, but i love 15 – if you get it, be sure to read it in an edition with lots of footnnotes and explanations, as it’s rather politically coded.
Here is my list:
https://wordsandpeace.com/tag/classics-club/
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Doorbell Rang would be great since I’m in a bit of a slumpy reading mood at the moment, so would be happy to get something short and light! But I do want to read The Master and Margarita too. Great point about notes – I’m not sure if my copy has them or not. I must check and, if not, acquire a better copy before I read it! Thanks for the link – I’ll be over to see your list shortly! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I picked The Master and Margarita before, so I’m sticking with that one. And it looks like you need to read the one that’s annotated. I’m not sure which version I have. I’ll have to check.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I hadn’t thought about notes, but it definitely sounds like they would be necessary. I must check my copy and see if it has them and ,if not, acquire a different version before reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed The Tenant of Wildfell Hall last year – it was a much easier read than I expected. I read a couple of your others many years ago, but otherwise have no idea what would be good. Good luck, and I love chocolate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s good to hear – I thought it might be quite dense and hard work. Not that I don’t enjoy dense novels, but my mood is for something a bit easier this time! It’s all in the hands of those pesky Spin Gods, though… 😉 Thanks for popping in and commenting – all chocolate lovers welcome here! 😀
LikeLike
We have The TEnant of Wildfell Hall in common… although that one is long, so I’m a little nervous about the idea of reading it in the next month. Of all the rest, the only one I’ve read so far is The Manchurian Candidate. I remember being fascinated by it at the time — I wonder how it holds up. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’m always a bit wary of getting one of the longer books in a spin too, since on the whole with these older, denser classics I like to read them quite slowly. So The Manchurian Candidate would probably be a better choice for me this time. It’s all in the hands of those pesky Spin Gods, though! 😉
LikeLike
Great list! I have She in my library, but not on my CC list. I hope to get to it someday. Good luck…I hope you get the one you most want. Thanks for stopping by my blog. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I’d be very happy to get She this time – it’s just the kind of lighter adventure I’m in the mood for! It’s all up to those pesky Spin Gods, though… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve only read a few of these, but of those I would pick The Black Tulip or The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep confusing myself because I have both The Black Tulip and The Black Arrow on my list! But I do think The Black Tulip sounds interesting, and I’d like to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall in the not too distant future, so either would be acceptable. However, if you could use your influence with the Spin Gods to get me a nice short vintage crime this time, that would be great… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll try. The Black Arrow is more of a kid’s book. The Black Tulip is adventurous and funny.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I didn’t realise The Black Arrow was more of a kids book. However, either of them sounds as if they should be enjoyable!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting list. I’ve read two of your books: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and The Master and Margarita, two very different books. But there are a few others that I would be interested in, as well. Good luck with your spin.
Thanks for visiting my list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m looking forward to both The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and The Master and Margarita at some point, but I have my fingers crossed for one of the lighter genre books this spin. It’s in the hands of those pesky Spin Gods though, so no doubt I’ll end up with the longest book on my list… 😉
My pleasure! 😀
LikeLike
I think the Spin Gods will decide what we need most at this moment. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, we’ll see! I suspect they like to torture me… 😉
LikeLike
Well, who put those books on their list? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha, I often wonder – I suspect gremlins take over my blog while I’m sleeping… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gremlins. I see. LOOOOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, the Bulgakov and the Bronte are on MY CC list (the one I still haven’t finished!) so I’d be interested to see if you got one of those. For your sake I hope you get a short one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d like to read both the Bulgakov and the Bronte at some point, but not this time! Haha, it’s all in the hands of those pesky Spin Gods though, so no doubt they’ll find me the longest, densest book on my list as usual… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t heard of the Train to Pakistan before, so I hope you get that and tell us all about it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had never heard of it either till I was tempted to it by another blogger’s review. We’re all so easily tempted… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember reading Keep the Aspidistra Flying by Orwell back in school, but it was so long ago now, I don’t actually remember how I felt about it, just that I’d read it. I think it was a shortie though, so fingers crossed you land on that one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think I’ve read it before – if I have then I’ve forgotten it totally! But it sounds good and I’m delighted to hear it’s a shortie! It’s all in the lap of the Spin Gods… 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have read three books from your genre section and I loved all three of them: The Manchurian Candidate, Grey Mask, and The Doorbell Rang. Even though Rex Stout is my favorite author, I haven’t read The Doorbell Rang for a long time. Most of his books I have read three or four times, but not some of his later books. I should start concentrating on those. Thanks for reminding me.
I hope you get The Manchurian Candidate. It is not the shortest book though. I need to read more by Richard Condon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Rex Stout too, although it’s quite some time since I read anything by him and I can’t remember if I’ve read The Doorbell Rang before or not. I’d have been quite happy to get The Manchurian Candidate and I’m looking forward to reading it at some point in time, but it turns out the winner was Grey Mask! I’ve enjoyed a couple of Wentworth’s books before so I’m really pleased with that choice! 😀
LikeLike