Norah Lofts Message Board
Gaylan DuBose posts on 11/17/2010 10:16:51 PM
I was delighted to find this message board. The first of Norah Lofts' novels I read was "How Far to Bethlehem?". I, too, visited Mrs. Lofts in her home. The first time was in 1982. We had been corresponding for about two years at that time. Her butler, Ferguson, was there at that time -- a charming man. I visited her there again in the summer of 1983. That time she asked me what my favorite among her books was. I had to reply that it was and is "Lovers all Untrue." She said it was probably her favorite, too, but that it didn't sell very well. To me it is a masterpice of structure in the same way that Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" is. I could go on and on about how wonderful I think she was as a person: we had martinis and cigarettes and lots of laughs togehter. And she was definitely one of the first feminist writers (I am male but I still see and appreciate this side of her work) and one of the best writers of any kind. Thanks for letting me share my memories.
Barbara Hoyland posts on 9/9/2010 9:47:42 PM
Hi Delores and Theresa - I do hope you will come over to Fans of Norah Loftson Goodreads. May I quote your visit Delores? as I know the goodreads folk would be fascinated
Theresa posts on 9/9/2010 3:05:39 PM
Dolores, we will have to re-christen you "Elizabeth Kentwoode"!
Dolores Kennedy posts on 9/9/2010 2:32:44 PM
I had the privilege of spending the day with Norah Lofts in her home at Bury St. Edmonds in the early 70s. It is, needless to say, one my most precious memories. I had been reading her books since I was a teen. We walked in her garden, were served roast beef and yorkshire pudding by her maid, and dined with Norah and her husband. She gifted me with a piece of glass from an aspersorium discovered at the local abbey during excavation and it has always been my prized possession.
Barbara Hoyland posts on 9/2/2010 9:08:58 AM
Hi Theresa and Marjorie. Fascinating to hear of your personal connection Majorie( and , for me , of the Australian connection , where I now live)
See you also pehaps on the Goodreads board under Fans of Norah of Lofts ?
Theresa posts on 9/2/2010 7:39:07 AM
That is great! Norah Lofts is endlessly interesting to read; I hope you enjoy every one of her books as I have--both fiction and non-fiction.
Marjorie McCulley posts on 9/2/2010 6:25:32 AM
Hi I am new to this message board but am a very enthusiastic Norah Lofts fan. My mother lived at 22 Northgate Street, Northgate House is No 8. My mother was best friends with Pearl Robinson, Norah's sister and my Mum spent a lot of time at Northgate House when she was young and knew Norah very well also. My mother immigrated to Australia in 1924.
I read that Marion Langham mentioned am anticipated visit to beautiful Bury St Edmunds in May and was wondering if she found Northgate House whilst there.When I went in 2005 Northgate House was a B and B where we stayed and we have beautiful photos of the interior.
So thrilled that so many people love her books. I am building my collection.
Sylvia posts on 4/12/2010 4:13:32 PM
Theresa, I would say that "Bless This House" is my second favorite after the T.H. trilogy. And most likely, I saw the Layer Wood map on the inside cover of one of those around 40 years ago.
Karen, there are two ways to get the Clevely map. You can order a copy of "Afternoon of an Autocrat" from Alibris in their rare books section, marking "with dust cover" and making sure it is published by Michael Joseph Pub. Or you can send your address to me and I will mail you a black and white copy of the copy I received from NL's son. You can reach me at: Sylvia, P.O. Box 48, Pleasant Plain, Ohio 45162 (USA)
Theresa Ojinmah posts on 4/12/2010 3:56:43 PM
I, too first read Norah Lofts when I was 12--it was "The House at Old Vine". My favorite book is "Bless This House" about Merravay. I have all her books, including the non-fiction ones and love to read them over and over again.
Karen posts on 4/12/2010 3:17:27 PM
You can see the photo of Sun Court at Hadleigh (NL's Old Vine) at hadleigh.org.uk/content/noralofts.htm - I didn't put the three w's in front, in case the board would censor it. By the way, the six-fingered glove reference to Layer Wood also comes from Pargeters. (I'm not signed up at Goodreads, so I thought I'd pass it along to you here.) I hope you are able to find the Layer Wood map! Where would I find the map of Clevely?
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