Quartet in Autumn by Barbara Pym

[Kristel]

I usually like books about aging. Quartet in Autumn by Barabara Pym, is a story of four older office workers approaching retirement, two men and two women. The story is set in the seventies. The women are the first to retire. We know that one was born in 1914. She will turn 65. Since both women are retiring, both must be 65. It appears retirement is mandatory. They are retiring with just the government retirement plan. All the characters are alone; one man was previously married and now a widow. He actually is the most active of the four and obsessed with finding catholic services to attend for various saint holidays. The other man is shorter and angrier. One woman is more active, enjoys going to libraries, shopping and buying clothes. She has one lady friend. The other woman, is alone, has no friends, recently had a mastectomy and in description she is quite "odd". While I like stories about aging, this story is not fun or pleasant. I think reason for this might be that sixties really isn't old now. Another reason might be that I was a young adult in the seventies. Still, this was well done study of four single people approaching the autumn of their lives. I think it would be an excellent book to read for a discussion group.

[Book Concierge]

Kristel wrote: " I think it would be an excellent book to read for a discussion group..."

Hmmmm ... My F2F book club had a very spirited discussion of May Sarton's As We Are Now ...

[Kristel]

Book Concierge wrote: "Kristel wrote: " I think it would be an excellent book to read for a discussion group..."

Hmmmm ... My F2F book club had a very spirited discussion of May Sarton's As We Are Now ..."

I read the book description. Quartet in Autumn might make another good book for your group as this one looks at aging and how one might slip through the safety net and not be just stuck away in a "home" and how there might still be "infinite possibilities for change." Your bookclub book sounds heartbreaking.