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A review by aimeesue
At Mrs Lippincote's by Elizabeth Taylor
4.0
3.5 stars, really. At Mrs. Lippincote's was Taylor's first published novel, in 1945. It follows the lives of Roddy and Julia Davenent and their son Oliver after their move to a rented home near Roddy's assigned RAF base. Roddy's older cousin, Eleanor, also lives with them, given the war and her need to recover from a nervous breakdown. Gosh if THAT doesn't sound like communal living bliss.
Taylor's writing is lovely as usual, but the characters here are stilted and prickly. Maybe that was the point, but it doesn't make any of them terribly likeable. Oliver is not quite believable as a seven year old either. That said, I did enjoy the book. The literary references alone made it worth the read. Villette: name checked!
Taylor's writing is lovely as usual, but the characters here are stilted and prickly. Maybe that was the point, but it doesn't make any of them terribly likeable. Oliver is not quite believable as a seven year old either. That said, I did enjoy the book. The literary references alone made it worth the read. Villette: name checked!