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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a rare and delicious treat.
Quirky and cozy.
There was no ending. The book just stopped. The main character was mostly cerebral. She never got to her nitty gritty self.
Must be devoted anglophile. Fun to read.
A charming English novel! The protagonist is surrounded by “Excellent Women” and she is also one of these fine creatures! Of course, there is quite a bit of gossip around the Church of England rectory {High Church} but nothing evil or revengeful like Jim Crace’s novel “Harvest”. Different times, but one is ruled by men and the other by Excellent Women! Both are great Reads.
I am about halfway through the book and will probably finish it but it’s not something that will keep me enthralled until 3 in the morning. Well written of course but the main character is a bit dreary, at least to me and so far the plot doesn’t seem to be really going anywhere
Barbara Pym is really from another time, quieter, gentler. Her stories are full of distinct, well-drawn characters some of whom recall people I knew as a child visiting family in England after the war. I found this to be such a restful and enjoyable story, and one of her best.
This is a comedy in the same way that Jane Austen’s books are comedies, only easier to read, and the comedy is more accessible. It is a soothing book, and a disturbing book at the same time. Did single women really decide that devoting themselves to arranging flowers in the church, taking part in church jumble sales, and helping distressed gentlewomen was the stuff of a fulfilling life? Well, I think not really, is the sub-text of this subversively amusing, but gently-written book. Read it to understand that the word “slut” really means a bad housekeeper, and that families in two different apartments in the same house actually shared a bathroom, at least in post-war London. Barbara Pym is addicting. You enter a world that is unhurried, composed, and yet very compelling. Soothes the nerves, tickles the fancy, and occasionally makes you laugh out loud. Read it!
This book is well written, but dated. It has a 1950s feel of the beginnings of feminism and early independent women,,,but not strong enough to be genuinely interesting. I am glad I read it, but would not read another.
Sardonic, ironic and tongue-in-cheek humor with a wonderful expression of the human condition.
I rarely give poor reviews but this book was very disappointing (therefore 2 stars for disappointed rather than 1 for bad). I tried to see the point of the book but gave up when I was half way through, skimmed the rest and read the ending.
It is about a young unmarried woman that lives in a small flat. Her life involves her volunteer work, her church and the other occupants of the flat below hers. Her life seems to observing other people living their life. For the most part each one of the other characters simply used her gentle nature. In the end she seemed content to continue in this role. However, on a positive note it did help me fall asleep more quickly.
Barbara Pym is an excellent woman who has worked her usual magic. She shows the lives of everyone have interest and merit.
Barbara Pym at her best!
Hate to be negative, but I did not find this worth finishing.
The book is written astutely, revealing both the reality of the protagonist’s situation and her uncomfortable recognition of it.
I still don’t see what’s supposed to be so funny about Pym’s writing. Must be something especially British.
The characters were well rounded, it was easy to read–one of those books that you can put down and pick up days later still recognizing where you left off. The story-line moved a little faster than tedious but the ending left me feeling “so what?”
A stream of consciousness novel in post-war London. Nothing action packed about it but a glimpse of life for single women and society in the early 1950s. I rather fancied it.
It’s nostalgic, about a time 60-70 years ago when women weren’t expected to be ambitious, but to help the Church, their neighbors, etc. Surprisingly witty.
i am re-reading Barbara Pym’s books for the third time. They are not for everyone but I enjoy character driven books and English wit. Excellent Women fits the bill for me