Pass the Book II: Cranford
Silverpebble has just had its second birthday.
I meant to pass on a book to another blogger every month this year. So much for that plan. Still, half way through the year I’ve found the second one that I am using to celebrate this blogging milestone. It’s a little (A6) red, hardback copy of Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell, published in 1961. It has lovely gold lettering on the spine. I found it in a charity shop in Hunstanton.
I had seen the BBC adaptation and it was outstanding but I had never actually read the book. I was expecting a slightly stuffy, Victorian read. I was wrong. It’s a page-turner and surprisingly it reads rather like a modern novel. It is a great treat and there is a good deal of irony and humour:
I saw Mrs Jamieson eating seedcake…and I was rather surprised, for I knew she had told us, on the occasion of her last party, that she never had it in the house….However, Mrs Jamieson was kindly indulgent to Miss Barker’s want of knowledge of the customs of high life; and…ate three large pieces of seedcake, with a placid, ruminating expression of countenance, not unlike a cow’s.
There is heart-wrenching romance:
…and it was only by a sort of watching, which I could hardly avoid since Miss Pole’s confidence, that I saw how faithful her poor heart had been in its sorrow and its silence.
There are even echoes of blogland:
There was Miss Pole, who was becoming as much absorbed in crochet as she had been once in knitting…
I will be passing this precious little book on to another blogger in the same way as the Miss Read book, which is currently with Val at Dottycookie. The recipient then reads the book and passes it on in the same way, along with a nice something or other. Some chocolate, some seeds or a small hand-made something will do very well indeed.
This time, along with the book, will come a little silver charm of your own choosing that I will make for you and hang on a chain. What would you choose? A tiny bird? A cottonreel? A primrose? A beach hut (this is something I haven’t made before)? A butterfly? The choices are endless (within reason - I think I might struggle with a rollercoaster or a 3D construction of a combustion engine). So, leave a comment here and tell me what your choice would be.
What’s more, two runners up will receive a charm too. Oh yes.
If you mention this giveaway on your blog you will receive two entries. If you put this button on your blog you will have three chances. Lawks!
Here is a little taster - not one but two clips of the BBC adaptation and an interview with one of my favourite actresses, Imelda Staunton, who played Miss Pole:
I will leave this open for a week or so. Good luck!
Meanwhile I’m preparing for Cambridge Open Studios. This is the first time I have done this so I am rather nervous and excited. I have wanted to participate in it for a very long time. I have my own artist’s page on the website. It all makes me sound like a proper jeweller! Anyway, I will be beavering away and not able to visit blogs as much as usual in the next few weeks. I’ll get back to it soon though.
June 25th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
oooh good luck with open studios, hope it goes wonderfully for you. I loved visiting the open studios in York, and this weekend we are hoping to check out the ALnmouth Arts Festival which I think is the local version x
don\’t think I could possibly choose my fave charm, they are ALL so lovely x
June 25th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
I’d love to read this book in this edition because it looks quite as delightful as it sounds. What a lovely idea to pass on books and gifts at the same time. We love books in our house but it’s getting hard to find space on the many bookshelves these days, so this is just the thing for someone like me! And, of course, I love your charms!
June 25th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
oohh please enter me into your comp, it may make me read more than blogs
Re Open Studios, when are you doing yours as I really want to come along and nose at your lovely creations. Now for charms, can I pick if I get picked? I have so many exciting things in my head but can’t make my mind up 
Oohhh and can you message me re if you have business cards as I have had 4 comments about my birdie necklace today alone!
June 25th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
We spent a day of our holiday on the beach at Hunstanton and I lusted after the beach huts. I\’m sure the open studio will go well and as you make and sell wonderful jewellery I think that means you are indeed a proper jeweller!x
June 25th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
I will add a link to your comp on my blog
June 25th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
How wonderful, I would love the book or just the charm or either!! Charm wise, I would adore a cup of tea, or a tea pot! I am currently on decaf due to health issues and missing it very much indeed!
June 25th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Another lovely book! I’d love to be in the draw! And very good luck getting ready for Open Studios!
Locket xxx
June 25th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
I am a Cranford virgin!!! I know!! I’ve meant to read it for AGES and shockingly have never even seen the TV adaptation - tsk!! I do make very nice tea cosies though….but would hate to be accused of trying to sway/bribe the judge or something or nothing.
I’m so impressed with you being in the Open Studios. That is so grown up and arty and everything and I’m in total awe of anyone who does this. Best of luck - I bet Minnie-dog will love all those new friends :o)
I love the idea of a beach hut pendant….or a VW camper van…..or a teapot.
xxx
June 25th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
This sounds like fun, I’d love to join in. Cranford is a wonderful book which I could easily read again. I shall put that button on Planet Penny and I really, really need a little silver sheep…
Lots and lots of luck with Open Studios - you ARE a proper jeweller! P x
June 25th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Oh, and Happy Bloggy Birthday!
June 25th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Happy 2nd blog birthday :o) You are a proper jeweller! Have a good Open Studio! x
June 25th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
I\’d love a chance to win one of your lovely charms and a read of Cranford, I\’ve just recently discovered Elizabeth Gaskell and have enjoyed reading North & South, Cranford would be the obvious next step…
Happy Blog Birthday!
June 26th, 2010 at 7:25 am
I’ve never read it either and it would be lovely to read such a lovely edition.
Congrats on 2 years and have no doubt that you are a proper jeweller!
June 26th, 2010 at 8:59 am
Count me in. Button in place linking to you in my sidebar. Will write about your post next time I “do” a post. (Creep………… creep…………………………creep…………..). I would love an owl charm. Good luck with being a “real” jeweller.
:O))))))))))))))))))
June 26th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Happy blog birthday! And you are most definitely a proper jeweller! In fact your jewels are so amazing I need to have a much longer think about which charm I’d choose! And Cranford has been on my to-read list for ages. K x
June 26th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
you are most definitely a proper jeweller!!! Good luck with the open studio. Would love to be in the draw for that lovely book - watched all of it on tv and loved it!
June 26th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Good luck with your open studio. I thought the book you found, lovely and as for the jewelry - gorgeous. Please enter me and my charm choice is a cat. Lovely idea of yours.
June 26th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Oooh. I do admire people who come up with clever ideas. I shall take your button, young madam, and stick it on my blog.
June 26th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
I am in awe, you are a very talented lady. Love the book, love your jewellery, and would love to join in please. Am following and have put your button on my blog.
Thank you also for visiting me. I don’t know about being the next Gok, but I could sure do with his ‘buy less and wear more’. My cupboards are overflowing with things I don’t wear!!
Jenny x
June 26th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
I came over from Menopausal Musings. What a lovely idea your Pass the Book is - can I join in? Wish I’d known about the Miss Read one too as I love her books. Good luck with your Cambridge Open Studios - sounds a little like our Dorset and Somerset Arts Weeks. Will add your button to my sidebar and your blog to my list.
Jane
June 26th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Happy Birthday! I am involved in a little old fashioned tapware loving at present…you know those old silver hot and cold tap heads? That would be my charm choice. Good luck at the show, and from one fish wife to another…own it and run with it… there’s nothing quite like a nice loud moan from time to time x
June 27th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Count me in please. I\’d love to read Cranford and you know I love your jewellery.
June 27th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Help! How do I add your button to my side bar? Have been trying and trying to no avail! I am a newbie to all this tekkie stuff I am afraid!
Jane
June 27th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
You are a proper jeweller!
Now that book looks as if it might be the very one I had to read at the age of 12 as the set text for School English and I can honestly say I hated it. It had little appeal for my 12 year old self, but I just know how much I would enjoy it now.
June 28th, 2010 at 3:09 am
Ooooh, I LOVE pass the book — I might have a hard time passing the book LOL! And how cute does a beach hut sound??? What a fab idea!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Oh yes please… count me in! I thoroughly enjoyed the last book. And if I was lucky enough to win it would have to be a tiny cotton reel!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:15 am
… and I meant to say… you ARE a proper jeweller!!!
June 28th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Ahhh, you are so lovely! Happy Birthday to Silverpebble!
my husband has just admired your silver Hare, high praise indeed!
How many ways do we love Crabnford!!!! SO BRILLIANT!
Have a lovely week,
Sarah x
June 28th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
I\’ve come to your blog via Gina, I would love to win pass the book, I\’ve added the button to my blog. I\’ve never read Cranford, but I am going to one way or another! I have become very lazy with my reading lately.
Good luck with the open studio\’s I\’m sure you will be a big success.
June 28th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
I loved the series of Cranford on the TV but have never read the book so please, please enter me into the draw! I will endeavour to add the button to my blog. Good luck with the Cambridge Open Studios - I will definitely try and get along to see you.
Oh and thank you for your sweet comment on my kitchen garden post Emma.
Jeanne
xx
June 28th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Good luck with the Cambridge open studios - takes a bit of bravery, I’m sure. I loved the Cranford TV adaptation - made me laugh out loud quite a lot - it was so well acted.
I’ll certainly post a link on my blog to your Pass the Book - it’s a great idea!
June 28th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Just a thimbleful….
I agree with everyone else - you ARE a proper jeweller! And I will do a blog link next time I write. I am doing OS weeks 2 and 3 so I must try to get to see you week 4 !!
June 28th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
That looks wonderful, the Cambridge Open Studios - so many, many beautiful things! Must be so exciting, to be part of it.. Best of luck with all the hard work that comes with it, I’m sure!
(Oh and this isn’t an entry for the pass-the-book event - I’m not a blogger.. Great book though!!)
June 29th, 2010 at 1:57 am
Have fun! Congrats! Don’t work too hard! (Sorry I couldn’t think of anything more interesting to say. Brain out to lunch…) xoxo
June 29th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Please count me in on Pass the book. Should I be lucky enough to win I would like the cottonreel charm. I added your button to my blog with some help from Belle77 (Miriam Weaver). Good luck with the open studios, perhaps I will see you there.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Emma, your work is always so beautiful, and the little Cranford book looks a delightful read. Alas I am not a blogger, or I\’d definitely ask to enter! Good luck with everything, anyway!
June 30th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
I have never read any Gaskell as I have assumed I\\\’m too stupid and so have been intimidated. But those exctracts looked highly readable, and I work right next door to a very chipper library.
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:30 am
Haha, just as you were leaving me a comment, I was going back into my blog to add your pass the book button to the end of my blog! Hope you don’t have to work TOO hard with the making making making!
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Goodness, I’m late in the day to join in here! Hope work has calmed down a little. I’d need to have a very careful think about which charm I’d choose…
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:38 pm
Good luck with open studios Emma, and good luck to whoever wins the book. I loved your last book Miss Read
July 3rd, 2010 at 3:51 am
Wow have I missed this? I loved Cranford, I think somewhere in my bookshelf I have a copy, but oh to own one of your lovely charms, I am happy to pass this book on, it is a delight.
July 4th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Oh yes - I loved the TV series but have never read the book so would enjoy the chance to read it and pass it on.
Happy Second Birthday to your blog and your beautiful daughter!
July 5th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Hope I’m not too late to jump in the hat Emma. Love the chance to join in. If I do get chosen then I’ll leave the charm picking up to you more exciting that way.
Lisa x
July 6th, 2010 at 6:59 am
I found my way here via cathy’s blog opver at menapuasal musing what a lovely idea will add your button to my blog:)
July 6th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Not only would I love he opportunity to read this original book…I watch & rewatch the TV adaptation & LOL & cry every tie!!…but your silver work is stunning! So please add me to your list…I will be blogging this evening & will both mention ‘pass the book’ &add the button to my sidebar. What a fabulous idea & I’m so glad to have stumbled upon your blog today!
Blessings
Sandi x
July 6th, 2010 at 11:29 am
p.s. silly me!! I forgot to add that if I were lucky enough to be chosen, I would love a ‘feline’ charm…many thanks!
July 7th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
What a lovely idea this is! My daughter and I are big Cranford fans and this looks like such a nice copy. I’ll mention it when I post on my blog tomorrow.
July 13th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
I’m back to say that I’ve had so many of my readers show an interest in your “pass the book” idea that I would love to host one of my own. Would that be ok with you? Of course I’ll tell everyone where I came across the idea first