_annabel_'s review against another edition
2.0
I did not really enjoy the book, hardly anything happens and to me it was rather boring. However, the way the people in the village are described in a few sentences here and there is brilliant. If I ever run into one of her earlier books, I'll definitely try it.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
4.0
Pym's last novel before her death (there have been some posthumously published novels since) contains the usual mix of gentle satire, delightful humor and clear-eyed observations about the human condition. This one comes across a tad more modern, written and taking place in the late 70's, but you still have your gossiping parishioners, jumble sales and social anxieties. It's set in a sleepy little village where anthropologist Emma settles to get some work done, but is distracted by the eccentric villagers who make for an even more fascinating anthropological study. The cast consists of not only one vicar but two (although the second one left the C of E for Rome and is now a pompous food critic), a fair number of spinsters, two doctors (of different generations but equally sexist), a dull old lover of Emma's and his hippie ex-wife. All of them struggle with social obligations and the changing times, but nevertheless manage to be unfailingly polite to one another, buying disgusting marmalades at the Bring & Buy and treating uninvited guests to ham mousse (yes, I'm sure ham mousse is supposed to be a treat rather than an act of aggression). Sad to say I'm nearing the end of my Pym binge. She is quite inimitable.
tamara_joy's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
mlafaive's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ashleylm's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favourite of Barbara Pym's works (it's her last, apparently), so I wouldn't begin here if you're new to her, but certainly worth reading. I read a lot of genre fiction (mystery/fantasy mostly) and when I turn to general fiction I'm so often disappointed ... authors seem to think it's acceptable to bore their audience, so long as the sentences ooze with literary pretension. But Ms. Pym takes the dullest subjects imaginable, and yet the entire book sparkles.
I mean, the plot climax of the book isn't "the train crashes off the bridge" or "she finally leaves her husband" or even "the butler did it!", no, the climax is, and it's not a spoiler in any sense, an elderly person pays the town a visit after a lengthy absence. That's it. And I'm not being arch about it--it's not like the elderly person was thought dead but is miraculously still alive, it's just a person coming to visit. And yet, in this book, that's high drama. How can Pym pull it off?
I'm assuming there's something comforting about her, and in our modern world, it's nice to find comfort where you can take it. She doesn't resolve a lot (we may never know who will take care of the mausoleum, or if the young doctor will get a larger house, or if the rector's sister will have her vacation) but none of that seems to matter. It's perfectly drawn, very calm, immensely engaging writing about very little, and it's wonderful.
Oh—it's also very funny. She doesn't toss in one liners, per se, although some of her observations are very sharp, and it's certainly not a farce, but it's a sly observational humour that, being so sly, some might miss: the rector's woeful plea for a family dinner, utterly disregarded by the community; Miss Lee's name-dropping of the former governess, at every opportunity; the calamity of not having a spare room ... and then needing one. She doesn't toss a 'ba-da dum!' after these events, so some might think them sad or inconsequential, but I think (and I think they're intended to be) quietly hilarious. I smiled throughout. Some mention Jane Austen, and I think that's a worthy comparison, though of course Jane slung one-liners around with the best of them (e.g. "The party then gathered round the fire to hear Lady Catherine determine what weather they were to have on the morrow.") If you don't think that's funny, you likely won't appreciate Pym.
Side note: I was reading her Crampton Hodnett on a trip and forgot the book at a coffee shop. Went 40 minutes out of my way there, and 40 minutes back, in order to retrieve it! She's so worth it.
Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful.
I mean, the plot climax of the book isn't "the train crashes off the bridge" or "she finally leaves her husband" or even "the butler did it!", no, the climax is, and it's not a spoiler in any sense, an elderly person pays the town a visit after a lengthy absence. That's it. And I'm not being arch about it--it's not like the elderly person was thought dead but is miraculously still alive, it's just a person coming to visit. And yet, in this book, that's high drama. How can Pym pull it off?
I'm assuming there's something comforting about her, and in our modern world, it's nice to find comfort where you can take it. She doesn't resolve a lot (we may never know who will take care of the mausoleum, or if the young doctor will get a larger house, or if the rector's sister will have her vacation) but none of that seems to matter. It's perfectly drawn, very calm, immensely engaging writing about very little, and it's wonderful.
Oh—it's also very funny. She doesn't toss in one liners, per se, although some of her observations are very sharp, and it's certainly not a farce, but it's a sly observational humour that, being so sly, some might miss: the rector's woeful plea for a family dinner, utterly disregarded by the community; Miss Lee's name-dropping of the former governess, at every opportunity; the calamity of not having a spare room ... and then needing one. She doesn't toss a 'ba-da dum!' after these events, so some might think them sad or inconsequential, but I think (and I think they're intended to be) quietly hilarious. I smiled throughout. Some mention Jane Austen, and I think that's a worthy comparison, though of course Jane slung one-liners around with the best of them (e.g. "The party then gathered round the fire to hear Lady Catherine determine what weather they were to have on the morrow.") If you don't think that's funny, you likely won't appreciate Pym.
Side note: I was reading her Crampton Hodnett on a trip and forgot the book at a coffee shop. Went 40 minutes out of my way there, and 40 minutes back, in order to retrieve it! She's so worth it.
Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful.
erush's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
avrilhj's review against another edition
5.0
Barbara Pym is without doubt the Jane Austen of the 20th century. This is a beautiful book; a warm description of life in an English village in the 1970s.
anderson65's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant! I think of Louise Penny and wonder if she's influenced by Barbara Pym's writing since there is a strong similarity in style and wry wit.
A favorite description: He was "...a sometime chaplain on the Riviera." It makes me smile.
Enchanting story of a quiet English village and "slow living", gentle, ordinary, and engaging. An anthropologist comes to stay in her mother's cottage and collects observations and experience with the people in all their individuality and complexities. This book is very charming and relaxing. I feel as though I have visited this lovely village through the author's words.
I plan to read more books by Barbara Pym.
A favorite description: He was "...a sometime chaplain on the Riviera." It makes me smile.
Enchanting story of a quiet English village and "slow living", gentle, ordinary, and engaging. An anthropologist comes to stay in her mother's cottage and collects observations and experience with the people in all their individuality and complexities. This book is very charming and relaxing. I feel as though I have visited this lovely village through the author's words.
I plan to read more books by Barbara Pym.