Benedict Sangster
@benedictsangster.bsky.social
Writer, Norwich, UK. Lover of all animals. Books and nothing else
benedictsangster.com
benedictsangster.com
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New year, new project:
The Miracle of Dunkirk, 1940
The Miracle of Dunkirk, 1940
Three new acquisitions from a recent Cambridge trip:
Our Wives Under the Sea - Julia Armfield
Jean - Madeleine Dunnigan (a @dauntbookspub.bsky.social original)
The Turn of the Screw - Henry James
Our Wives Under the Sea - Julia Armfield
Jean - Madeleine Dunnigan (a @dauntbookspub.bsky.social original)
The Turn of the Screw - Henry James
February 13, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Three new acquisitions from a recent Cambridge trip:
Our Wives Under the Sea - Julia Armfield
Jean - Madeleine Dunnigan (a @dauntbookspub.bsky.social original)
The Turn of the Screw - Henry James
Our Wives Under the Sea - Julia Armfield
Jean - Madeleine Dunnigan (a @dauntbookspub.bsky.social original)
The Turn of the Screw - Henry James
'[...] and in the confusing night he forgot for the while what experience had taught him—that no human being can really understand another, and no one can arrange another's happiness.'
~ Graham Greene - The Heart of the Matter
~ Graham Greene - The Heart of the Matter
February 12, 2026 at 7:49 PM
'[...] and in the confusing night he forgot for the while what experience had taught him—that no human being can really understand another, and no one can arrange another's happiness.'
~ Graham Greene - The Heart of the Matter
~ Graham Greene - The Heart of the Matter
Reposted by Benedict Sangster
For our winter issue, Granta goes to therapy. Read the issue for free online for the next five days.
granta.com/products/gra...
granta.com/products/gra...
February 12, 2026 at 12:51 PM
For our winter issue, Granta goes to therapy. Read the issue for free online for the next five days.
granta.com/products/gra...
granta.com/products/gra...
My February big read, David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest - evoking in my mind, 200pgs in, the chaos, the hilarity of William Gaddis's J.R., the drug-life and -world of Christiane F., and Pale Fire's voluminous footnotes
February 11, 2026 at 3:42 PM
My February big read, David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest - evoking in my mind, 200pgs in, the chaos, the hilarity of William Gaddis's J.R., the drug-life and -world of Christiane F., and Pale Fire's voluminous footnotes
On loan from a friend, a more recent Ishiguro: The Buried Giant
February 5, 2026 at 4:36 PM
On loan from a friend, a more recent Ishiguro: The Buried Giant
'The heart without an owner.'
February 4, 2026 at 7:51 PM
'The heart without an owner.'
'[...] I was born in the night of January the second and third
In the unreliable year
Of eighteen-ninety something or other,
And the centuries surround me with fire.'
~ Osip Mandelstam - Aortas Fill with Blood, tr. James Greene
In the unreliable year
Of eighteen-ninety something or other,
And the centuries surround me with fire.'
~ Osip Mandelstam - Aortas Fill with Blood, tr. James Greene
February 3, 2026 at 10:05 AM
'[...] I was born in the night of January the second and third
In the unreliable year
Of eighteen-ninety something or other,
And the centuries surround me with fire.'
~ Osip Mandelstam - Aortas Fill with Blood, tr. James Greene
In the unreliable year
Of eighteen-ninety something or other,
And the centuries surround me with fire.'
~ Osip Mandelstam - Aortas Fill with Blood, tr. James Greene
Reposted by Benedict Sangster
‘And then she moved him. Just when doubt, regret and every single unasked question was packed away, long after he believed he had willed himself into being, at the very time and place he wanted to take root—she moved him. From room to room. Like rag doll.’ P. 261
♾️ 👥🫂♾️
♾️ 👥🫂♾️
February 2, 2026 at 11:09 AM
‘And then she moved him. Just when doubt, regret and every single unasked question was packed away, long after he believed he had willed himself into being, at the very time and place he wanted to take root—she moved him. From room to room. Like rag doll.’ P. 261
♾️ 👥🫂♾️
♾️ 👥🫂♾️
Reposted by Benedict Sangster
“And the poem, I think, is only your voice speaking.”
—— Virginia Woolf, The Waves
#SundaySentence
#BOTD #HBD
—— Virginia Woolf, The Waves
#SundaySentence
#BOTD #HBD
January 25, 2026 at 9:30 AM
“And the poem, I think, is only your voice speaking.”
—— Virginia Woolf, The Waves
#SundaySentence
#BOTD #HBD
—— Virginia Woolf, The Waves
#SundaySentence
#BOTD #HBD
'[...] and that on hot summer evenings I used to sit and watch the swallows, always in pairs, and wish sentimentally that I too could be a pair with somebody.'
~ Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love
~ Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love
January 30, 2026 at 5:15 PM
'[...] and that on hot summer evenings I used to sit and watch the swallows, always in pairs, and wish sentimentally that I too could be a pair with somebody.'
~ Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love
~ Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love
Reposted by Benedict Sangster
“The eternity which Proust opens to view is convoluted time, not boundless time. His true interest is in the passage of time in its most real—that is, space-bound—form, and this passage nowhere holds sway more openly than in remembrance within and aging without.”
— Benjamin, “The Image of Proust”
— Benjamin, “The Image of Proust”
January 28, 2026 at 8:02 PM
“The eternity which Proust opens to view is convoluted time, not boundless time. His true interest is in the passage of time in its most real—that is, space-bound—form, and this passage nowhere holds sway more openly than in remembrance within and aging without.”
— Benjamin, “The Image of Proust”
— Benjamin, “The Image of Proust”
'Correct understanding of a matter and misunderstanding of the same matter do not exclude each other entirely.'
~ Franz Kafka - The Trial, tr. Idris Parry
~ Franz Kafka - The Trial, tr. Idris Parry
January 28, 2026 at 12:19 PM
'Correct understanding of a matter and misunderstanding of the same matter do not exclude each other entirely.'
~ Franz Kafka - The Trial, tr. Idris Parry
~ Franz Kafka - The Trial, tr. Idris Parry
'Often - and in my inmost self perhaps all the time - I doubt whether I am a human being.'
~ Franz Kafka in a letter to Felice Bauer (tr. Elias Canetti)
~ Franz Kafka in a letter to Felice Bauer (tr. Elias Canetti)
January 25, 2026 at 7:37 AM
'Often - and in my inmost self perhaps all the time - I doubt whether I am a human being.'
~ Franz Kafka in a letter to Felice Bauer (tr. Elias Canetti)
~ Franz Kafka in a letter to Felice Bauer (tr. Elias Canetti)
Reposted by Benedict Sangster
We have the post-Christmas blues* and are going to struggle to pay our bills at the end of the month. If you would like to help, why not buy a surprise book parcel for just £10 inc P&P, 2 wrapped novels in the post
[*not personally, I'm v happy! Just poor]
www.treehousebookshop.co.uk/shop/details...
[*not personally, I'm v happy! Just poor]
www.treehousebookshop.co.uk/shop/details...
The Beat the January Blues Package!
Two surprise books in the post, chosen by us, wrapped and sent to you or to anyone you like. We are using up Christmas wrapping paper, but it is still Christmas until 2 Feb (Candlemas)! Nothing bespok...
www.treehousebookshop.co.uk
January 24, 2026 at 11:50 AM
We have the post-Christmas blues* and are going to struggle to pay our bills at the end of the month. If you would like to help, why not buy a surprise book parcel for just £10 inc P&P, 2 wrapped novels in the post
[*not personally, I'm v happy! Just poor]
www.treehousebookshop.co.uk/shop/details...
[*not personally, I'm v happy! Just poor]
www.treehousebookshop.co.uk/shop/details...
Reposted by Benedict Sangster
World Book Night 2026 – The Mountains Are Calling…
You're invited to respond to a poem, text or book about mountains for an exhibition and mail art swap. Deadline 3rd March 2026. Some examples below, one on left by @paulxhearn.bsky.social Download the info at:
www.bookarts.uwe.ac.uk/news/#wbn2026
You're invited to respond to a poem, text or book about mountains for an exhibition and mail art swap. Deadline 3rd March 2026. Some examples below, one on left by @paulxhearn.bsky.social Download the info at:
www.bookarts.uwe.ac.uk/news/#wbn2026
January 23, 2026 at 9:33 AM
World Book Night 2026 – The Mountains Are Calling…
You're invited to respond to a poem, text or book about mountains for an exhibition and mail art swap. Deadline 3rd March 2026. Some examples below, one on left by @paulxhearn.bsky.social Download the info at:
www.bookarts.uwe.ac.uk/news/#wbn2026
You're invited to respond to a poem, text or book about mountains for an exhibition and mail art swap. Deadline 3rd March 2026. Some examples below, one on left by @paulxhearn.bsky.social Download the info at:
www.bookarts.uwe.ac.uk/news/#wbn2026
Now reading through with a friend (an enjoyably thought-provoking way of reading a classic): Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights
'Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves [...]'
'Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves [...]'
January 22, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Now reading through with a friend (an enjoyably thought-provoking way of reading a classic): Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights
'Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves [...]'
'Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves [...]'
Reposted by Benedict Sangster
Congratulations to Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi, Heart Lamp is shortlisted for the @bookcritics.bsky.social 2025 Gregg Barrios Book in Translation Prize! ❤️🔥
Announcing the 2025 National Book Critics Circle Finalists for the Gregg Barrios Book in Translation Prize!
January 21, 2026 at 11:27 AM
Congratulations to Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi, Heart Lamp is shortlisted for the @bookcritics.bsky.social 2025 Gregg Barrios Book in Translation Prize! ❤️🔥
The Brontë sisters' first effort, a compilation of their poetry published and advertised at their own expense, sold only two copies
Undeterred, within two years they had published Jane Eyre (Charlotte), Wuthering Heights (Emily), and Agnes Grey (Anne) respectively, to lasting acclaim
Undeterred, within two years they had published Jane Eyre (Charlotte), Wuthering Heights (Emily), and Agnes Grey (Anne) respectively, to lasting acclaim
!['The book was printed: it is scarcely known, and all of it that merits to be known are the poems of Ellis Bell [Emily Brontë]. The fixed conviction I held, and hold, of the worth of these poems has not indeed received the confirmation of much favourable criticism; but I must retain it notwithstanding.'](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:eggppznnh72764tczmkgntx2/bafkreifgw6sy36pjbofcio5lukrxb7p7mgalv3zkaye3taigku6cmayiwa@jpeg)
January 21, 2026 at 12:40 PM
The Brontë sisters' first effort, a compilation of their poetry published and advertised at their own expense, sold only two copies
Undeterred, within two years they had published Jane Eyre (Charlotte), Wuthering Heights (Emily), and Agnes Grey (Anne) respectively, to lasting acclaim
Undeterred, within two years they had published Jane Eyre (Charlotte), Wuthering Heights (Emily), and Agnes Grey (Anne) respectively, to lasting acclaim
'I look up at the night sky. Is anything more certain than that in all those vast times and spaces, if I were allowed to search them, I should nowhere find her face, her voice, her touch?'
~ C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed. 'A record against total collapse' in his words, after the death of his wife
~ C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed. 'A record against total collapse' in his words, after the death of his wife
January 20, 2026 at 9:42 AM
'I look up at the night sky. Is anything more certain than that in all those vast times and spaces, if I were allowed to search them, I should nowhere find her face, her voice, her touch?'
~ C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed. 'A record against total collapse' in his words, after the death of his wife
~ C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed. 'A record against total collapse' in his words, after the death of his wife
From the always wonderful Heffers bookshop in Cambridge, Alexandra Popoff's Vasily Grossman and the Soviet Century
A biography of the Soviet dissident writer of the immense Life and Fate, the tragically unfinished Everything Flows, on the scene reporting of Stalingrad, and so much more
A biography of the Soviet dissident writer of the immense Life and Fate, the tragically unfinished Everything Flows, on the scene reporting of Stalingrad, and so much more
January 19, 2026 at 10:28 AM
From the always wonderful Heffers bookshop in Cambridge, Alexandra Popoff's Vasily Grossman and the Soviet Century
A biography of the Soviet dissident writer of the immense Life and Fate, the tragically unfinished Everything Flows, on the scene reporting of Stalingrad, and so much more
A biography of the Soviet dissident writer of the immense Life and Fate, the tragically unfinished Everything Flows, on the scene reporting of Stalingrad, and so much more
After many months of inattention, I have at last achieved what at one time seemed impossible (updating my website)
January 16, 2026 at 10:34 AM
After many months of inattention, I have at last achieved what at one time seemed impossible (updating my website)
Reposted by Benedict Sangster
Our three newest titles are now available for pre-order at salopress.com 🤩
As a tiny tiny independent publisher running this thing on limited funds, from our dining room, we are grateful for every single order.
Thank you all for the support so far.
As a tiny tiny independent publisher running this thing on limited funds, from our dining room, we are grateful for every single order.
Thank you all for the support so far.
January 15, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Our three newest titles are now available for pre-order at salopress.com 🤩
As a tiny tiny independent publisher running this thing on limited funds, from our dining room, we are grateful for every single order.
Thank you all for the support so far.
As a tiny tiny independent publisher running this thing on limited funds, from our dining room, we are grateful for every single order.
Thank you all for the support so far.
Three English novels from the 1940s:
Graham Greene - The Heart of the Matter
Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love
Nevil Shute - Landfall
Graham Greene - The Heart of the Matter
Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love
Nevil Shute - Landfall
January 14, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Three English novels from the 1940s:
Graham Greene - The Heart of the Matter
Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love
Nevil Shute - Landfall
Graham Greene - The Heart of the Matter
Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love
Nevil Shute - Landfall
New year, new project:
The Miracle of Dunkirk, 1940
The Miracle of Dunkirk, 1940
January 9, 2026 at 1:47 PM
New year, new project:
The Miracle of Dunkirk, 1940
The Miracle of Dunkirk, 1940
'She but brooded at first in her corner of the carriage: it was like burying her exposed face, a face too helplessly exposed, in the cool lap of the common indifference, of the dispeopled streets [...]'
~ Henry James, The Golden Bowl
~ Henry James, The Golden Bowl
January 8, 2026 at 9:57 AM
'She but brooded at first in her corner of the carriage: it was like burying her exposed face, a face too helplessly exposed, in the cool lap of the common indifference, of the dispeopled streets [...]'
~ Henry James, The Golden Bowl
~ Henry James, The Golden Bowl