Excellent Women is probably the most famous of Barbara Pym’s novels. The acclaim a few years ago for this early comic novel, which was hailed by Lord David Cecil as one of ‘the finest examples of high comedy to have appeared in England during the past seventy-five years,’ helped launch the rediscovery of the author’s entire work. Mildred Lathbury is a clergyman’s daughter and a spinster in the … in the England of the 1950s, one of those ‘excellent women’ who tend to get involved in other people’s lives – such as those of her new neighbor, Rockingham, and the vicar next door. This is Barbara Pym’s world at its funniest.
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Barbara Pym has the ability to make life’s small tragedies poignant. She does this while preserving the comedy in quotidian situations. The “excellent women” referenced in the title are the sort of spinsters found in every mid-20th century English parish, expected to gladly do the unwanted work of the parish, and to fill the role of the saintly single woman. They are sans commitments, and sans desires, at least that is the expectation. Mildred Lathbury is one of those excellent women. Through her church activities she becomes fond of the vicar, very fond indeed. As we enter Pym’s comedy of manners Mildred’s feelings deepen.
Pym is regularly described as a master of comedy, and indeed she is. There are many comedic elements in this story, and her characterizations are brilliant. It would be wrong, though, not to recognize that this comedy is paired with tragedy. I found the ending of the book to be deeply tragic.
My favorite Barbara Pym novel, one I reread every few years. While some might find her books slow-going, I enjoy her quiet style and witty observations about the Postwar British culture around her. Somehow I find her comforting and reassuring., like visiting an old friend who is never the life of the party but always ready to put the kettle on and settle in for a good chat.
The concept of the excellent women, or the church lady is a dying one in our present society. Therefore, I would say this book evokes that world and time of superfluous women who make their lives around good works, and yet in Pym’s hands these are not stereotypes nor flat characters. The motif evokes Gissing’s Odd Women or the tail end of that Victorian idea of women who find their value in the family and home, and barring that in the family and works of someone else’s home or in the same of the church.
It’s. Pym. Just read it.
Wonderful characters! The ending left me wondering….
I love Barbara Pym
Excellent Women–excellent book. Droll and touching, filled with insightful observations like, “Just the kind of underclothes a person like me might wear, I thought dejectedly, so there is no need to describe them.” I adored Mildred Lathbury and wish we could it down together over a cup of tea, and I don’t even like tea.
One of my top five ever.
My favorite by Barbara Pym, who’s one of my favorite authors. A humorous peek into the life of a British spinster in post-war London.
Barbara Pym: you either love her or you really don’t. All her books take me to a world I wish I could travel to now and then.
I am a Barbara Pym fan and enjoy her sentences and character building.
Just a neat British novel that takes place in 1950’s London about an independent ”spinster” in her 30’s and her interactions with her neighbors. An easy, frivolous but fun read.
Not everyone’s cosmic cup of tea, but so what. If you enjoy 18th English literature (especially its comedy of manners side), you will enjoy this author’s books. Sbe’s Jane Austin without the 18th century language & Agatha Christie without the murders.
Barbara Pym’s books are great because of the clarity of her characters’ personalities. Her characters are like people we have all known. I love her books.
Barbara Pym was one of a kind. All of her books are wonderful.
I liked this book. It was a challenging read that made me think and laugh. Highly recommend reading it
Delightful, relaxing read
Barbara Pym delivers a bittersweet tale of single “excellent” (and some not so excellent) women in postwar England.
Eh?
Great book from a great writer.