Monday, March 17, 2014

Third Classic of 2014...

It's not plot that drives a Barbara Pym novel, it's the characters. And in Jane and Prudence, Pym has created some delightful ones. Prudence Bates is 29, "an age that is often rather desperate for a woman who has not yet married." She works in London, is in love with her employer, and specializes in unsatisfactory love affairs. Jane Cleveland, on the other hand, is 41, and a clergyman's wife trying to adjust to a new parish, who "reads too many novels." She's a bit scattered and not very domestic, has one daughter, Flora, and is determined to find Prudence a suitable widower to marry. These two friends from Oxford are the heart and soul of this charming novel.

I happily immersed myself in their lives, enjoying their various encounters, sympathizing with their defeats and disappointments, and laughing at their astute observations of life. Take this bit of dialogue between Prudence and Jane's "suitable widower":
     "I always think women who write books sound rather formidable."
     "You'd prefer them to be stupid and feminine? To think men are wonderful?" (Prudence)
     "Well, every man likes to be though wonderful. A woman need not necessarily be stupid to admire a man."  
See what I mean? Pym's writing (like Jane Austen's) is witty and insightful and her novels are delightful and funny. My favorite is still Excellent Women, but I enjoyed this one almost as much. Plus, it filled another category for me in the What's In A Name Reading Challenge that I'm participating in this year. (Not that I needed another reason to read this Barbara Pym novel; her novels are reason enough.)

Happy Reading!

What's in a Name 2014 Reading Challenge Update: 2 books read; 3 more to go.
Category completed with this read: Read a book that has a forename (or names) in the title.

 

9 comments:

  1. I've still only read one Barbara Pym novel (Less Than Angels) but I'm looking forward to reading more. This one sounds great but I think I'm probably going to read Excellent Women next.

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    1. Definitely read Excellent Women! It's the best.

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  2. Might have to try one of these for summer reading (and summer is right around the corner!) Her books sound fun!

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  3. I was looking at a shelf of Pyms at a bookshop the other day but had no idea which to choose. I might have to have a look for this one next time, it sounds great! Well done on What's In A Name!

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    1. It's a fun read. But I've enjoyed every Barbara Pym novel that I've read so far. Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. I am so looking forward to reading this--I love the premise, and the promise of witty, social drama. Believe it or not, a friend gave me a copy decades ago, and somehow I never read it and then lost it in one of my many moves, and now I have to order a copy so that I can finally read it!

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    1. Pym is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. But how frustrating that you lost your copy and now have to order another. I hate when that happens. :)

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  5. Hopping over from the What's In a Name Challenge.

    This sounds like a fun book! I love that bit of dialogue.

    Joy's Book Blog

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    1. If you've never read a Barbara Pym novel, you've got to give her a try. Her books are simply delightful.

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