Reviews

This is a really lovely book about ageing, solitude, and relationships. An 88-year-old woman whose ex-PM of a husband has just passed away surprises her numerous children when she declares her intention to live alone in Hampstead rather than with any of them. What follows is a string of 'strange and lovely' things - low-key but significant friendships re-kindled and newly established; the past coming to life in muted shades.

This is a book I'd love to return to every decade or so of my life. The only reason why I didn't give it the full five stars is because I found the portrayal of Lady Slane's children a little caricature-like (though not entirely without truth).

On another note, I'm so happy that there are still these great (dead) authors whom I've never heard of. Sackville-West was Virginia Woolf's lover!

pbobrit's review against another edition

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4.0

A great book. The first one of Vita's I've read, and a great companion to Virginia's 'A Room of One's Own'. It explores many of the themes of Virginia's work but from a fictional perspective. The character of Lady Sloane who has lived her life for her husband and only recaptures her true self in her twilight years after he has passed. The book itself espouses the values of Bloomsbury, but Vita has her own very funny voice, creating great larger than life characters. Well worth a read.

foggy_rosamund's review

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4.0

Lady Slane, the main character of this short novel, has lived to help her husband and to care for her children. When she is 88, her husband dies, and she is, for the first time, able to make her own decisions. This is not a happy novel; neither, as the blurb suggests, is it about rebelliousness in old age. Lady Slane manages, for a brief period, to carve out a small life for herself, on her own, in Hampstead, where she can spend time as she sees fit, and think about her long life. This is a novel about Lady Slane's thwarted potential, and the agony women go through in order to fit into the domestic and social life expected of them. It is very melancholy, but it also shows the triumph of character and of retaining personhood.

maryw's review against another edition

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funny inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

asjannasj's review against another edition

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5.0

I thorougly enjoyed this book...! Lady Slane was a lovely character to read about. The story is very well-written and often very clever and funny. Many parts were very thought-provoking, without seeming forced or overdone. Really loved it.

cinnamon_roll_'s review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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