"The Rosary" by Florence L. Barclay
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First published in 1909, The Rosary tells the story of Jane Champion and Garth Dalmain. The Honourable Jane is plain, exceedingly frank, and a fiercely loyal friend. In the words of Ms. Barclay, "She had once been described, by one who saw below the surface, as a perfectly beautiful woman in an absolutely plain shell."
Garth Dalmain, the artistic and sensitive hero, is as blessed in appearance as Jane is not. He is the fun, gifted bachelor that every woman is out to catch. After years of friendship, one night Garth hears Jane sing for the first time, and “the veil is lifted”. He declares his love to her, but Jane does not believe it will last. Then things get interesting.
In digging through these "lost" novels as we do on this site, it's so much fun to find one like this that is truly engrossing from the first pages and as deeply moving as any Brontë or Austen work. The first half of the book is so perfectly written and edited that I could see the scenes enacted in my head as if watching a movie. Barclay lags somewhat in the second half, but the urge to know what happens speeds you along.
I would absolutely love to see this as an adaptation. Thus, in the vein of one of my favorite blogs, The Lit Connection, I share with you my casting suggestions:
Jane Champion
Actress: Anna Maxwell Martin
Character description: While far from plain, this actress can do plain admirably well. She did downright ugly in Bleak House. Jane is also tall and of good build--not skinny, not fat. Anna Maxwell Martin has done several period pieces, so we know she'll be comfortable with the material.
Garth Dalmain
Actor: James McAvoy
Character description: Garth must be handsome, sensitive, and yet not whiny. He must be persistent, but not annoying. This character has many feminine traits and emotions, but he can't come across as effeminate. It is a narrow line this actor must walk, but I feel that--as I had McAvoy in my head the entire time I read the novel--he would fit this character perfectly.
The Duchess
Actress: Kristin Scott Thomas
Character description: There are several good minor characters in this novel. The Scottish doctor, Jane's best friend (another doctor), and the Duchess are a few. All of these characters could have whole novels to themselves, and I was especially curious about the Duchess. She opens and closes the novel, but we hardly see any of her during the bulk of the action. The Duchess must be older, independent, and very stylish. Kristin Scott Thomas has aged gracefully in front of the camera, but we also remember her younger days in the obsessive love triangle that was The English Patient. She'd make a great Duchess.
Discussion
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I'm reading this now and totally agree on your casting of Jane and Garth, though I thought of Garth being taller.
Isn't the Duchess rather older, though? I'm getting a real Maggie Smith vibe from her, mainly because she's kind of tart. But I like her parrot. The author must have owned a parrot because they are just like that!
I'm so glad you're reading this! Hm, maybe I read through some of the initial descriptions before I got in mind who I thought would do the characters well. And then by the end I had the actors/actresses in mind so much that I had forgotten if they were supposed to be taller or older, etc. I could be wrong, but I didn't picture the Duchess quite as old as Maggie Smith.
Although KST is approaching 60. Sorry, bad math--she's approaching 50, so maybe you're right.There's also Francesca Annis, who does the matronly older ladies well and might be more of the appropriate age for The Duchess (speaking of Ralph Fiennes...)
Francesca Annis is a goddess. She would be perfect, yes. She would have that air of noblesse oblige as well as the down-to-earth tartness of the Duchess.
Was there ever a movie adaptation of this book? I absolutely loved it. I thought I saw one before, or maybe that was another book?
I haven't seen one. Apparently back several decades ago a musical of it was in the works staring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. It never got made though.
Well if there was it would have to be a short clip because there is not enough unique conversation nor event that would sustain a 2 hour movie.
I'm almost through this book, and I think it's one of the loveliest things I've ever read. It's somewhat in the same vein as "The First Violin," by Jessie Fothergill. They have differing storylines, but the prose is very lovely and old-fashioned, and the characters very noble and sweet in both these books. I highly recommend it as well. Anyone who has enjoyed "The Rosary" would almost certainly love "The First Violin".
Wow, thanks for the suggestion. I had never heard of Jessie Fothergill. It looks like her books are public domain, so I will definitely have to put them on the list to publish for the site.
That would be great...and wouldn't I love to see that book featured on the blog sometime!! Casting suggestions for an adaptation of that one would also be very interesting to ponder.
But, on topic, I really have to offer many, many thanks for reviewing The Rosary. I had never heard even the slightest mention of it until this review, and it so interested me that I bought it. Just finished it last night, and wow. This is one that is going to stay on my bookshelf always. Why don't more people read books like this??? Rhetorical question; I guess I know why.
Alisha--I've just read The First Violin, and it is amazing! Thanks so much for the recommendation. I'm going to post the ebook and my review soon. One question: how did you discover author Jessie Fothergill? I'm trying to find some biographical information on her to no avail.
I so enjoyed reading your review of The First Violin. I feel the same way about it (including the unbelievable coincidence at the end, but oh well!) How I discovered it was through a friend who has a love of old books, both for their aesthetic value and for the sweet old-fashioned stories. She picked it up somewhere because she thought the title and the cover held intriguing possibilities. Her mom read it and really enjoyed it, so I found a copy and read it too. And the rest is history. I don't know much about Jessie Fothergill, and I tried reading another book by her called A March in the Ranks but didn't enjoy it nearly as much as The First Violin. I'd still like to try others that she has written, but they're not easy to find.
Have you read the sort-of sequel to The Rosary? It's called The Mistress of Shenstone. Jane is in it as a minor character, but it provides a few lovely comments on her relationship with Garth after The Rosary ends. Anyway, the story in Mistress of Shenstone is another intensely interesting and romantic one. I highly recommend it!
You know, I think I did read that and I can't really remember it! I need to read it again, no doubt. I love Barclay--she really had a handle on creating scenes and keeping the plot moving.
I really loved The Rosary especially the first half. In The Mistress of Shenstone the glimpes of a happily maried Jane are thrilling.Who would have guessed Myra had marriage probs in the rosary
Ok that book was about the stupidest repetitive non-climatic no plot waste of paper! It was really bad. How can you enjoy hearing the same revelations and conversations over and over and over and over ... pardon me, just finished reading the Rosary so I'm feeling a little redundant.
I read this novel as a teenager and that was more than forty years ago. It was a delight for me the first time I read it on line. Over the past year I would have read the entire text or part of it many times. I never get tired of it. Now trying to get a copy to share with my girlfriend who introduced me to it in the 60s.
Jane and Garth what a pleasure to meet you again after so many decades.
I am Florence Barclays Grt.grandaughter , we have always thought that her best seller book "The Rosary" would make a womderful film , i would love to see Miranda Hart play the part of Jane champion and yes maggie smith would make a great dutchess . We have florence Barclays original manuscript of The Rosary , lets see what we can do. Many of her other books would make amazing films .
I was very interested that you are one of Florence Barclay's great grandchildren . I give talks on her life story and was privileged to meet another great grandchild in 2010 Jill Whitcombe who said she enjoyed the talk in Ware Herts very much . I did write to her later but she may sadly have passed on. If you are able to give me a message I would appreciate it as another of her descendants. I have nearly all her books and my grand daughter was christened in her church at Hertford Heath where there is a plaque in memory of her. Regards John.
Just today, I sent you a message through Goodreads, after running across one you had written saying you are Florence Barclay's great granddaughter. Can you tell me if any progress has been made on making THE ROSARY into a movie? It would be a great movie.
Hello. I'm brazilian reader. I read The Rosary at fifteen, fourty-five now, but never forgotten
My father was born in 1921. I was told that he was named after a character from a book my grandmother read. Seems this was correct as he was christened Garth Dalmain Bollard.
Where can I buy the book or eBook?
Thanks
This book was made into a movie in 1931.