Thumbs up for Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. Literature/Humor/Science Fiction (sneakily—watch for it).
It’s always a dangerous business when you search out whichever classic it is that has almost the same plot as what you’re writing. Some authors refuse to read That Book (whatever it is for them), and I’ve sometimes fallen into that camp. This time, though, I don’t really care. If anyone freaks out, shouting THE PLOT OF YOUR FANTASY NOVEL IS JUST LIKE COLD COMFORT FARM, I can say “yeah, ’cause I liked it—and?” Sadly, I could never write anything as great as Cold Comfort Farm (which is freaking hilarious and you should read it if you are not a sad sack who hates laughter). All I can lay claim to is borrowing an idea for my own book, which will definitely not be as funny as this, but may possibly have its own merits.
Flora sighed. It was curious that persons who lived what the novelists called a rich emotional life always seemed to be a bit slow on the uptake. The most ordinary actions became, to such persons, entangled in complicated webs of apprehension and suspicion. She prepared to make a long explanatory statement—but suddenly changed her mind. Why should she explain? Indeed, what was there to explain?
If you enjoyed this post, please share it!