Anne's review
Excellent Women (Penguin Classics)
by Barbara Pym
Anne's review
Excellent Women (Penguin Classics) by Barbara Pym
Anne's review
rating:
recommended for: anyone who likes biting social commentary à la Jane Austen, one hundred and fifty years later
Highly enjoyable novel which I read in a day. Particularly loved the way in which Mildred Lathbury, the rather unfortunately spinsterish main character, slowly realizes how sad her own lonely life is as she gets dragged into the personal crises of her friends and neighbors without ever being emotionally invested in anything. One of her friends, upon whom Miss Pym bestowed the incredible name Rockingham Napier, defines Miss Lathbury as the friend who always makes a cup of tea when one is in a difficult spot. Terribly depressing, but at the same time, very funny and sharp. Highly recommended!
