Many moons ago, I studied “A Tale of Two Cities” by Dickens, as part of my O level English. It sparked my love of literature appreciation. Not just reading. A love of well written books and colourful characters. I went on to do A Level English Lit, where I thrived. Academically, I took a science path afterwards, but I never stopped loving books and reading articles about the books that I read. Nerdy, I know.
Some books haunt you. Cropping up in your mind every so often. Memories of passages are resurrected, out of nowhere, when life provides a prompt. A voice from the past echoing, “I told you so” or, you finally realise the author’s meaning. Maybe a relatable character pops back up.
So, where am I going with this? (gestures vaguely) The connection is a character or two popping up this week.
Knitting
This week has spun a fair few obstacles. Nothing too major, although I’m convinced that if they had appeared individually, they would feel far worse. Collectively, they become just part and parcel of life and inevitably raising stress levels.
My fall-back stress reliever has always been knitting. It is all about the meditative level I can achieve as I knit. This week, as I knitted, I was reminded of the vengeful character of Madame Defarge from “A Tale of Two Cities”, as she sat knitting by the guillotine, recording the names in her knitting. How did she do it? I’ve always wondered. Was I unconsciously stress knitting messages in my pieces too, this week?
I’ve also been reading about people coding messages in yarn and knitted pieces. Incorporating their own hair in their knitting to break curses. I think Madame Defarge would approve.
I finished one sock, the next one is on the needles and less stressed.
Book
The next book character was a real life person. She is someone I grew up knowing but never met and was a family legend. My Great Aunt Frey, or Freda. She trained as a nurse and moved to Singapore in the 1920/30s to nurse. During World War II, she was interned in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp. While there, she added embroidered squares to the famous Red Cross Changi prison quilts, which conveyed messages to the men’s part of the prison, such as a baby being born (not Frey’s). She made it back to Wales, at the end of the war, but died a few months later from starvation and TB.
“They could be nurses, decided their father. No one could ever earn enough as a hospital nurse to be independent.”
I’m jumping ahead. My sister has taken Frey’s handwritten memoirs and published. This first book chronicles her years training as a nurse in London, in the 1920s. Historical women’s voices are heard less, let alone an authentic account like this book. Parts are shocking to our modern ears. There is humour. I’m sure those with hospital careers will find the different style of nursing interesting, as well as hearing a woman’s voice from that period. Available through Amazon, if you’re interested. Link here: Oh Hell
Almost finished reading it. I’m very proud and thankful that my sister co-created this book. My Grandmother is in the book too, as she went with Frey to train to be a nurse. From a personal level, I learnt a bit more about her and I’m not surprised in the least. She was outrageous to her dying day.
Return
First week back at yoga and dance classes. So good to be back in the gym too. A stress buster, for sure.
Both Uni students are back in their homes away from home and I’m missing them.
Hero had his birthday. What a character! Following on from last week, we solved the mystery about his excitement over a Christmas bag. I found a video of a big box of Bonios being given to him in the same bag. Whether the bag still smelt of them or he recognised the bag, we cannot tell. We did reuse it for his new squeaky squirrel toy and he was very happy. Such a pup.
Joining in Anne’s word of the week linky. My word is character.
I loved reading this post so much! Freda sounds like an amazing character, and it’s brilliant that she left her memoirs for your sister to publish and share.
I’m in a Charles Dickens rabbit hole at the moment. I recently finished watching Dickensian on BBC iPlayer, which features a lot of characters from the books, and it’s made me want to watch all BBC adaptations and movies. I’ve just started Bleak House.
Happy birthday to Hero!
Freda was an amazing character. The older generation talked so much about her and kept her memory alive and now the book will too. I always thought she was adventurous at a time when women, especially single women, probably had less opportunity. I believe the next book is about Singapore.
I’ll have to check out Dickensian. Thanks for the recommendation.
I love how people love books and to read. I wish I could make the time to enjoy it as much. Knitting sounds like a good way to relieve the stress. Oh wow! That is so interesting about your Great Aunt Frey! What a wonderful sounding book and story! Good job to your sister for getting the memoirs published.
Happy birthday to Hero! x
Thank you. My sister did a wonderful job on the memoirs. I hope you find a book to spark your interest.
I do like a good book, I’m not generally fussed on genre. The book about your Great Aunt sounds wonderful, well done to your sister for getting it published. Happy Birthday Hero, maybe he’ll have better luck with the next bag he goes looking for treats in 😀 And belated Happy New Year!
I like to read all sorts of genres too. I’ve always gone through phases. Hero loved his birthday present, so I think he has forgiven us.
My mum recently gifted me the complete works of Charles Dickens. I shall get through them all soon enough. Oh to the O levels, that does give our ages away. #wotw
I hope you enjoy all those books! What a treat. I took English Lit early, but you’re right, it still gives my age away.
Your great aunt Frey’s story sounds incredible ! My own grandma was called Freda. Please share the link to the book.
I also did English Lit. at school, many moons ago. I am not sure I could read the “classics” now – I read to relax at night and would probably be too tired to take it all in!
Thank you. I’ve always thought her story was amazing. I’ve added the link in now. I love/loved the classics. I didn’t realise what a luxury it was to have time to read when I was younger. I systematically went through almost all the Dickens, Austens and Shakespeare, etc., during the long summer holidays. Maybe I’ll get that time back one day and go through them again.
I often enjoy returning to Dickens, I too studied English Lit. but then I went onto Psychology. Your sister’s book sounds really interesting. How lovely to be able to publish the memoirs in this way. Happy Birthday Hero!
A love of books is a wonderful thing. I’m glad you enjoy Dickens too. She’s been working on this book for a while, in between others, so I’m sure she’s pleased to see it out in the wild.
Your great-aunt sounds fascinating – so sad she died so young. I’ll go to Amazon and check it out. Thanks!
Thank you. I hope you find it interesting. She was a fascinating character and I’ve learnt more about her through this book. Hope my sister publishes the second.
I’ve never read ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ which is something I really should correct at some point. I do love books that really stay with you and pop into your mind at intervals afterwards. Interesting about people included coded messages in knitting. Sorry to hear that life has thrown a few obstacles your way this week. Hope that knitting helped with relieving stress. How interesting to read about your Great-Aunt Frey and congratulations to your sister on publishing the book and sharing her memoirs. I’ve added the book to my Kindle and look forward to reading it. Happy birthday to Hero. Glad he enjoyed his new squeaky squirrel toy. #WotW
I can recommend A Tale of To Cities. I hope you enjoy Aunt Frey’s book too. Both a difference pass to our modern contemporary books. 🙂