readbooks_fightpatriarchy's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely love this book of pre-war British countryside life
ada_henry's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Upon complaining to my mother that I had nothing "boring enough" to read, I was lent this book by my grandmother, who confidently stated that I would have no trouble finishing it in "two or three hours." Six days later, here I am, writing a review.
Was it boring? Yes. Was that what I wanted? Yes. However, that did not stop certain parts from being incredibly slow. When I said that I wanted to read something very dull, I didn't necessarily mean something very dull from the 1930's. (My fault. I didn't specify a time period.) It was still good, but it felt more like a classic than I hoped. It was also written like a diary, which led to interesting musings and quips about daily life for unemployed high-society English women in the 1930's. (The shorthand/ grammar thing made it much quicker to read.)
That being said, it was quite funny. While the entire thing was rather comedic, my favorite quotes include:
"Financial instability very trying." (Coming from a woman with an assortment of house-parlourmaids/parlourmen, cooks, governesses, and assorted other servants, who lives in a nice house with a nice garden, sends her child to a prep school, and takes frequent travels to the south of France and London. Not to mention the amount of times in this book alone she purchases a new dress. Financial instability is very trying indeed.)
"He [Robert, protagonist's husband] goes as far as to say that he hopes yesterday's rain puts an end to him [Jahsper, an acquaintance] altogether- but whether this means to his presence in the neighborhood, or to his existence on this planet, am by no means certain, and prefer not to enquire."
"Choice taken out of my hands by discovery that Ladies' Saloon is entirely filled, within five minutes of going on board, by other people who have all taken off their hats and are lying down Perfectly Flat."
And by far my favorite: "Feel that life is wholly unendurable, and decide madly to get a new hat."
In short, reading this book was decently enjoyable. I found it to be funny, although not laugh-out-loud-hilarious. It was a bit too long for my liking, detailing almost an entire year in the protagonist's life, but other than that, my only issue while reading this was that I desperately wanted to be reading something sad, which this was decidedly not. Oh well. 3.5/5 stars.
Was it boring? Yes. Was that what I wanted? Yes. However, that did not stop certain parts from being incredibly slow. When I said that I wanted to read something very dull, I didn't necessarily mean something very dull from the 1930's. (My fault. I didn't specify a time period.) It was still good, but it felt more like a classic than I hoped. It was also written like a diary, which led to interesting musings and quips about daily life for unemployed high-society English women in the 1930's. (The shorthand/ grammar thing made it much quicker to read.)
That being said, it was quite funny. While the entire thing was rather comedic, my favorite quotes include:
"Financial instability very trying." (Coming from a woman with an assortment of house-parlourmaids/parlourmen, cooks, governesses, and assorted other servants, who lives in a nice house with a nice garden, sends her child to a prep school, and takes frequent travels to the south of France and London. Not to mention the amount of times in this book alone she purchases a new dress. Financial instability is very trying indeed.)
"He [Robert, protagonist's husband] goes as far as to say that he hopes yesterday's rain puts an end to him [Jahsper, an acquaintance] altogether- but whether this means to his presence in the neighborhood, or to his existence on this planet, am by no means certain, and prefer not to enquire."
"Choice taken out of my hands by discovery that Ladies' Saloon is entirely filled, within five minutes of going on board, by other people who have all taken off their hats and are lying down Perfectly Flat."
And by far my favorite: "Feel that life is wholly unendurable, and decide madly to get a new hat."
In short, reading this book was decently enjoyable. I found it to be funny, although not laugh-out-loud-hilarious. It was a bit too long for my liking, detailing almost an entire year in the protagonist's life, but other than that, my only issue while reading this was that I desperately wanted to be reading something sad, which this was decidedly not. Oh well. 3.5/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
poachedeggs's review against another edition
3.0
This is a funny, entertaining, light portrait of an aspiring 'taitai' (what refers to a lady/wife of leisure in Singapore)-wannabe in England in the 20s/30s. The Provincial Lady tries (unsuccessfully) not to overspend, and to hide her expenditure on frivolous articles of clothing from her uncommunicative husband; she also tries to juggle her housemaid/cook-woes together with the demands of rearing children who have been conveniently placed in the care of a boarding school and a French governess respectively.
The intelligence and essential likeability of the Provincial Lady shine through in her diary entries but she is in the end a type destined to trudge through several time periods in different dresses, doing charity work (with mixed feelings) that varies in type depending on the era.
The intelligence and essential likeability of the Provincial Lady shine through in her diary entries but she is in the end a type destined to trudge through several time periods in different dresses, doing charity work (with mixed feelings) that varies in type depending on the era.
jeansbooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zombi's review against another edition
4.0
A witty, delightful novel in the epistolary style. Truly enjoyed.
mcsangel2's review against another edition
2.0
I normally love this style of writing, but I just couldn't get into this book for some reason.
rosekk's review against another edition
5.0
Both the introduction of this edition and another review I stumbled across marvelled at the way a variety of readers seem to identify with the Provincial Lady, though era, class and financial well-being mean her life is quite vastly different from most of ours. I found that although her life is very different to anything I've experienced, her attitude to it is not. The sense that life is getting ahead of her, and that the only option left to her is to poke gentle fun at herself and the world around her is one I can certainly relate to. The entries are witty, observant and generally an enjoyable read.
thekatedit's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
booksinbedinthornhill's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Proto-Fleabag. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, but 90+ years ago.
steg's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0