Book · 1948 · Fiction, historical
The corner that held them
- mentions
- 1
- person
- 1
- podcast
- 1
- episode
- 1
- recommendation
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This is a book from the 1940s which we reviewed in 1947 in the paper and it's called the corner that held them by Sylvia Townson Warner.
Why people recommend it
The Corner That Held Them is a historical novel by Sylvia Townsend Warner originally published in the 1940s that meticulously chronicles the daily lives of nuns in a medieval English convent. When Tina Jordan appeared on The Book Review episode Bringing Down Harvey Weinstein in July 2024, she brought up the book as a recent reading choice. Jordan shared with listeners that she had just finished the novel, noting that The New York Times had originally reviewed it back in 1947, and she expressed profound admiration for its literary craftsmanship. Her enthusiastic mention highlighted the novel's unique structure, which eschews traditional dramatic arcs in favor of a quiet, episodic exploration of institutional endurance, routine, and human imperfection over centuries. Warner's work is widely celebrated for its sharp wit, historical rigor, and distinctive narrative voice. Jordan's praise on the podcast served to reintroduce this mid-century gem to contemporary book lovers, positioning it as a rewarding, intellectually stimulating read for anyone interested in historical fiction that values depth, nuance, and brilliant stylistic execution over fast-paced plots and conventional narrative resolutions.
Every mention
Tina Jordan this is a book from the 1940s which we reviewed in 1947 in the paper and it's called the corner that held t… 1
“this is a book from the 1940s which we reviewed in 1947 in the paper and it's called the corner that held them by Sylvia Townson Warner”
Other mentions (2: passing, ad reads, own books)
“Longtime podcast listeners will know that I was on about a year ago on this segment about what I was reading talking about a Sylvia Townson Warner novel called the corner that held them which was a novel I'd never read never heard of”
“Tina you um recently read the corner that held them the novel by Sylvia Tansen Warner which is also set in medieval times”