At Mrs Lippincote's FINISHING Thoughts/Discussion questions

[Tania]

The Waiting Game, which, I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out was the one you were thinking of. Perhaps it's time I moved it up my list. It has been languishing there for some time now.

[CanadianReader]

Tania wrote: "The Waiting Game, which, I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out was the one you were thinking of. Perhaps it's time I moved it up my list. It has been languishing there for some ..."

Yes, that’s the one. I loved it! I think you would, as well. The other by Rubens that had potential, but which I greatly disliked was Yesterday in the Back Lane. The plot was out of control and didn’t gel properly.

[Karen]

Tania wrote: "I have only read A World of Love by her which I liked and would like to read more at some point. As ever..."Thanks Tania x

[Tania]

Not much help, I' m afraid, but you're welcome. Hope you enjoy whichever one you pick.

[Paul]

This one came together for me at the end and I enjoyed it more for knowing some of the information disclosed at the end

[Hugh]

I am very late to this discussion and a little surprised to see so much negativity towards Julia. Opportunities for women were so much more limited then. I also found the book very funny in places.

[[deleted user]]

It is funny in places. I started out disliking Julia but by the end of the book I thought she was practically a saint - considering how badly her husband treated her.

[Tania]

i would tend to agree. I liked Julia, though I do realise she did some pretty reprehensible things, (going through private letteres, etc). I think she had to put up with a lot. Not surprised she tried to break out and do her own thing.

[Karen]

Hugh wrote: "I am very late to this discussion and a little surprised to see so much negativity towards Julia. Opportunities for women were so much more limited then. I also found the book very funny in places."
Hi Hugh , Paul and Katrina, thanks so much for joining in and your comments.
I thought the book was very funny in places too.
I disliked Julia at first but upon finishing, felt sorry for her.
I do hope you can join us reading her second novel Palladian : )

[Susan]

I’m a little behind here, but wanted to say how much I enjoyed the writing and sharp observations the second time through. I’d forgotten how quickly the story shifts at the end, with the revelation to the reader of Roddy’s infidelity, which was only hinted at before. And then we find out Julia knew since the beginning of the story. It casts such a different light on her (and his) behavior throughout, and warmed my feelings towards her.

[Karen]

Susan wrote: "I’m a little behind here, but wanted to say how much I enjoyed the writing and sharp observations the second time through. I’d forgotten how quickly the story shifts at the end, with the revelation..."
Hello Susan , thanks so much for joining in : )
It's a clever little book and a great debut i thought

[Judy]

I recently read this book and have enjoyed reading through these threads - sorry to be so late. I thought the portrayal of Julia and Roddy was very convincing, the way that they have grown apart or discovered that their views of one another were all wrong, so in effect they are both speaking foreign languages to one another.

I do like Julia, and I think she keeps trying to persuade herself to respect her husband, but she just can't - not just because of his philandering, but also his attitude to Mr Taylor, the total lack of compassion.

Another aspect of the novel that I thought works really well is the way Eleanor's personality changes between her life at home and with the Communists, where I thought she becomes much more relaxed and natural, as though she is finding her true self outside her family.

[Karen]

Judy wrote: "I recently read this book and have enjoyed reading through these threads - sorry to be so late. I thought the portrayal of Julia and Roddy was very convincing, the way that they have grown apart or..." Hi Judy , thanks so much for joining in and your thoughts on 'At Mrs Lippincote's'.
I agree Eleanor acted more natural around her new friends she made.The atmosphere being quite stressful around Julia and Roddy must of been difficult for Eleanor.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I don't know whether Eleanor acted more natural or not. I know she acted differently. Did she really believe in Communism, or did she just feel more accepted in that group?

[Karen]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I don't know whether Eleanor acted more natural or not. I know she acted differently. Did she really believe in Communism, or did she just feel more accepted in that group?" yes it was an escapism for her too

[Judy]

I wasn't sure how much she believed in Communism and how much it was that she liked being in a group, and being seen as herself rather than as a poor relation - though in the group I think she is seen in terms of her friendship with the man who says he is ill (sorry, I've forgotten his name!)

[Karen]

Judy wrote: "I wasn't sure how much she believed in Communism and how much it was that she liked being in a group, and being seen as herself rather than as a poor relation - though in the group I think she is s..."
Hi Judy , this the first Elizabeth Taylor book you've read ?

[Judy]

No, I've read Angel in the past. I don't think I've read any others but am not 100% sure.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Judy wrote: "I wasn't sure how much she believed in Communism and how much it was that she liked being in a group, and being seen as herself rather than as a poor relation - though in the group I think she is s..."

That was the way I felt about her. Mostly I thought she wanted not to be dependent.

[Judy]

I've read that Taylor was a member of the British Communist party herself for a time (this was possibly in the introduction to the edition I read), so Eleanor's experiences here are likely to be drawing on her own life. But I think it does come across as at least partly social, rather than a genuine passion for the cause.

I couldn't make up my mind if her friend, Mr Aldridge, was really ill, or if Julia was right that he was exaggerating/making it up, as opposed to the real illness of Mr Taylor. (How odd that we have a character called Mr Taylor!)

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Judy wrote: "I've read that Taylor was a member of the British Communist party herself for a time (this was possibly in the introduction to the edition I read), so Eleanor's experiences here are likely to be dr..."

I don't recall whether she was a member or just active in the cause. But I think I read she became disillusioned, or in any case, lost interest.

[Karen]

Judy wrote: "I've read that Taylor was a member of the British Communist party herself for a time (this was possibly in the introduction to the edition I read), so Eleanor's experiences here are likely to be dr..."
Hi Judy , yes, just before Elizabeth Taylor got married she joined the Communist Party.