I'm still here waiting for Baby C to make an appearance so I've been cracking on with some more of my Monica Dickens collection. My Turn to Make the Tea was next on the shelf and was written based on Dickens' experiences working on a local newspaper.
Now, I know a few people who either do or have worked on local papers so I was intrigued to see if Dickens' version of events fitted in with the modern day world that my friends have found and in a word it seems that very little, other than the technology, has changed. There may now be computers rather than one shared typewriter, but the news that needs to be covered locally sounds very similar.
Whilst the senior reporters on the paper may get to cover any more juicy news stories, Dickens' lead role as junior reporter (and a woman) meant that she was much more likely to have to do the rounds of WI meetings and hospital ward Christmas lunches than anything else and the book follows Dickens as she covers these news events and picks up on the characters that she meets along the way.
As well as covering her time at the paper, the book also looks at Dickens' home life and the party like atmosphere that seems to exist at the Goff's where she rents a room. There is a fascinating mix of characters that come together under that one roof and some laugh out loud moments when she details some of what they get up to.
Despite it being a book without much of a plot line I have to admit to really enjoying My Turn to Make the Tea. There was just something about the period in which it was set and the descriptions of the characters involved that made it a very comfortable read, and reminded me somewhat of Gervase Phinn's style of writing (minus the Yorkshire-ness of course!)
Time to see what's next on my Monica Dickens shelf…
Lucy @ Attic24 says
Sending you postive come-on-baby vibes, the waiting at the end can be such a drag I know. Try and make the most of it, your life will never be this quiet/peaceful ever again :o)
Love and hugs to you Mrs C
Lucexxxxxxxxxxxx
Victoria says
Good luck! We will be waiting for news of baby C’s arrival 🙂 Take care in these last days/hours.
GTM says
I hear you have had a little precious arrival! deepest love & congratulations to you,baby & Mr C x x x x
carry on reading,the next few weeks are nice & easy & you can curl up with a book when baby sleeps x x xx