Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day

Persephone Books focus on forgotten 20th century works, mainly by women, and offers beautifully designed volumes I could only love. Winifred Watson's 1938 Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, part of Persephone's Classics collection, is a witty, joyful fairy tale that leads you into class-segregated England and the glamourous world of night clubs in the 1930's London...
Another Persephone tome I'd love to read is the irresistibly titled It's Hard to Be Hip Over Thirty and Other Tragedies of Married Life by Judith Viorst (1968)...

Once the province of children's books, illustrations have recently become popular in fashion magazines as well as advertising. My hope is that, as in the days of Gustave Doré, illustrations will soon re-conquer the world of literature in general.
Miss Pettigrew is abundantly and beautifully illustrated. But I was appalled to see that the artist, who signs his/her works 'M.T.', wasn't credited anywhere in the book! Does anyone have any idea who M.T. is?

16 comments:

Mónica said...

I have no idea who M.T. could be. but the draws look great!

Esti said...

It's hard to be hip... Ese título es perfecto para mí! Ja, ja...

Laura Neulat said...

Those drawings look great!

Anonymous said...

Hard to be hip? Hard to be!

Anonymous said...

Siempre leyendo!

/// said...

Eek--- I'm not sure. :(

BUT. WONDERFUL! :)

Miss at la Playa said...

I love those drawings!

Anonymous said...

Hi - the illustrations are by a Mary Thomson and were done in 1938 but I'm afraid we know nothing about her, many apologies. Thanks so much for mentioning the book on your blog!
Best wishes
Rosie

Mary-Laure said...

Thanks Rosie!

Imelda Matt - The Despotic Queen of Shoes said...

What superb back handed complement 'my hair is mouse coloured, like yours'. I'm going to dig around when I'm next at the book store because this sound like it's totally my speed.

The Fancier said...

I went to the movie awhile back and posted about it on my blog. The set design was amazing!

Mary-Laure said...

AUGUST - I knew they were making a film but I had no idea it was out already, thanks for letting me know, I'll check it out!

EvaAmarri said...

i didnt know it was a book. thanks for telling me. i must read it

dizzyink said...

It's so good to see that magazines are using illustrations again to brighten up their publications. I'd much rather see something creative at the head of an article rather than yet another piece of stock photography.

Chloé Van Paris said...

i going to buy the book.

Mary-Laure said...

CHLOE - the book is available on Amazon.fr for less than €10:
http://www.amazon.fr/Miss-Pettigrew-Lives-Winifred-Watson/dp/190646202X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=english-books&qid=1212437517&sr=8-1
Enjoy!