lottie29's review against another edition
3.0
This short story felt as though I was eavesdropping in on the lives of the girls who stay at the May of Teck Club.
A house filled with drama, discussion and disagreements. As well as the comforting hum of poetry and periodic recitations on 'poise'.
All of this, to me, highlights the charm of female characters and relationships. As they share a beautiful Schiaparelli dress, collaborate on sneaking out through a tiny window onto the roof, and invite men-friends over for communal dinners; these women forge their lives in London.
Spark drops in damning details with ease and the plot turns dramatically. Everything is carefully considered in her short stories, every word matters.
I definitely enjoy Spark's short stories. And this one was about young women living in impoverished conditions under the rationing pressures of the war, passing through the gulf between youth and adulthood.
A house filled with drama, discussion and disagreements. As well as the comforting hum of poetry and periodic recitations on 'poise'.
All of this, to me, highlights the charm of female characters and relationships. As they share a beautiful Schiaparelli dress, collaborate on sneaking out through a tiny window onto the roof, and invite men-friends over for communal dinners; these women forge their lives in London.
Spark drops in damning details with ease and the plot turns dramatically. Everything is carefully considered in her short stories, every word matters.
I definitely enjoy Spark's short stories. And this one was about young women living in impoverished conditions under the rationing pressures of the war, passing through the gulf between youth and adulthood.
newishpuritan's review against another edition
4.0
Makes a good companion piece with Penelope Fitzgerald's Human Voices, which I also read recently. But a little lighter in tone.
katykaty's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hannah850's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
coops456's review against another edition
2.0
Having enjoyed Spark's [b:Memento Mori|7102005|Memento Mori|Muriel Spark|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1307738473s/7102005.jpg|2934614], I was disappointed with this. Nothing happens for 100+ pages then it's over in <140.
A slim volume but still it dragged for me and took considerable effort to finish.
A slim volume but still it dragged for me and took considerable effort to finish.
differentsisters's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
carlat22's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
readingtheend's review against another edition
3.0
Ashley sent me this! it's funny and smart all throughout, although the ending is really quite sad! one of the tenants perishes in a house fire! sob!