Post by janetandjohn on Apr 22, 2019 7:00:52 GMT
I love Persephone Books and the whole idea of a beautiful paperback, with a grey cover, and an end-paper with matching bookmark. I saw them first 20 years ago at a Country Living Fair in Islington, when they took a small stand. I was with a friend, who that day bought me the very first book they published as a present. That was William - an Englishman by Cicely Hamilton. Currently there are 132 all in print. I know some of you look out for them, and some, like me, receive the twice a year news magazine. There is also a website (www.persephonebooks.co.uk).
If you don't know them, their aim is to bring back into print books which have been forgotten and shouldn't have been; perhaps an unpublished tome or two which they believe is worth publishing. Mostly female authors, although there is a bloke or two also.
The latest magazine arrived, and there was this statement:
"...... But our future is still undecided. And here we must pick our words carefully: a proportion of our readers are Leavers [Brexiteers] and have written and told us so. Of course, readers of our daily post and monthly newsletter ... know how we feel, we do not mince our words there as people read those entirely by choice. But apart from the fact that we feel more Europian than ever, and nearly cried when Donald Tusk sent his lovely message to the million marchers, we simply cannot plan for the future. That our books are printed in Germany is almost the least of it. Like every other small business in this country we are in despair. More importantly, we have lost our elan, our calm. So we have made no decisions about the future yet; but promise you, our loyal readers, that you be the first to know what is happening. For now, please go on supporting us by buying our books, coming to the shop and cheering us up."
- I do give them as gifts from time to time. I shall be really miffed if they fold.