Penelope Fitzgerald was supposed to be a prodigy. Her father edited Punch, and her aunts and uncles were, variously, World War II code breakers, novelists, prominent clergymen (Catholic and Anglican), founding members of the Detective Club, that sort of thing. It was ‘a family where everyone was publishing, or about to publish.’ Her mother and grandmother had both gone to Somerville College, Oxford, and her grandfathers had both been Bishops.
I am very interested in your comments. I think I have alad hready mentioned how much I enjoy reading Penelope Fitzgerald. I am not at all sure about what you actually mean by the word prodigy. Also it seems that you imply somehow that trauma of various sorts might have been good for her work. I can't understand that viewpoint really. I think she probably inherited some good genes and was highly intelligent and worked extremely hard. I also thought Hermione Lees book excellent particularly on the writing of each of her books.
I an aware of James Wood and intend to read him- I have only come across him in the LRB and have only been reading he NYRB for a short time. I am interested in what you say about her being an European novelist in the widest sense. I would like to get into Fitzgerald's biographies- Charlotte Mew seems to be having a revival! . Many thanks for your fascinating post.
Having just finished reading Offshore, I found your article fascinating and it answered many questions about the novel. Thank you!
I am very interested in your comments. I think I have alad hready mentioned how much I enjoy reading Penelope Fitzgerald. I am not at all sure about what you actually mean by the word prodigy. Also it seems that you imply somehow that trauma of various sorts might have been good for her work. I can't understand that viewpoint really. I think she probably inherited some good genes and was highly intelligent and worked extremely hard. I also thought Hermione Lees book excellent particularly on the writing of each of her books.
I an aware of James Wood and intend to read him- I have only come across him in the LRB and have only been reading he NYRB for a short time. I am interested in what you say about her being an European novelist in the widest sense. I would like to get into Fitzgerald's biographies- Charlotte Mew seems to be having a revival! . Many thanks for your fascinating post.
So interesting. I have only read The Bookshop, which I enjoyed. But you've inspired me to try Offshore, at least
It would be interesting to learn how many of her ancestors were Catholic clergymen.
It would be interesting to know which of her ancestors were Catholic clergymen.