Molland's Community

[Mags]

Heather and I have been discussing having some book discussions here at Molland's. We thought it might be fun to start with one of Valancourt Books' horrid novels from Northanger Abbey, and also one mentioned in Jane Austen's letters (Mr. Austen was reading it): The Midnight Bell by Francis Lathom.

Young Alphonsus Cohenburg enters his mother's bedroom and finds her covered in blood. She tells him his uncle has murdered his father, and orders him to flee Cohenburg castle forever to save his own life!

A disconsolate exile, Alphonsus wanders the earth seeking the means of survival, first as a soldier, then a miner, and finally as sacristan of a church, where he meets the beautiful Lauretta. They wed and establish a home together, and everything seems to promise them a happy future. But their domestic tranquillity is shattered, when a band of ruffians kidnaps the unfortunate Lauretta! Alphonsus must solve the mystery of Lauretta's disappearance and the riddle of his mother's strange conduct. And when he hears that ghosts inhabit Cohenburg castle, tolling the great bell each night at midnight, the mystery only deepens....

We thought we'd start it in January, and see how it goes as to whether we'll read some other books. Perhaps another horrid mystery, or something by Mrs. Gaskell or Madame d'Arblay, or...who knows? What say you all?

[John]

Count me in.

[Kelley B]

I'm on board!  Ready and waiting with copy of "The Midnight Bell" in hand.

[Deb R.]

Geez Mags, from your synopsis it sounds truly horrid !  I look forward to reading everyone's comments.

[Mags]

Is Sunday (Jan. 13) too soon to start discussing it?

Will we all be distracted by The Compleat Jane?

[Kelley B]

Sounds great to me!  I had to make myself stop reading after Volume I so I wouldn't get too far ahead.  If we start Sunday that means I can pick it back up and continue with the horrid adventure without having to worry about forgetting too many important details 

Can't wait! 

[Heather L]

I'll try to check in Sunday night.  The lodge we're staying in that night is supposed to have WiFi "in selected areas".  Will duly report if the lodge's amenities also include garrulous rustics, banditti, and kidnapped damsels in distress.   

[robin]

For some reason I only just noticed this thread.  I have the Midnight Bell at home (in a very nice edition published in 1968 by the Folio Press.)  I might start it tonight.  Currently, I'm entangled in Tristram Shandy - a bit difficult for me, I keep losing the thread and falling asleep.  So I'll read the two alternately, and look forward to the discussion here.

[Mags]

Okay, I'll announce it on AustenBlog. I'm so organized. I haven't even started the book yet--still finishing up His Lordship of W'ville's Diary, which is not very wankery.