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Excellent Women

'I'm a huge fan of Barbara Pym' Richard Osman
By Barbara Pym
Series: Virago Modern Classics
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Check link for latest rating. ( 19,831 ratings, 2,897 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Excellent Women by Barbara Pym is a witty exploration of post-war British society, focusing on Mildred Lathbury, an unmarried woman in her thirties who is considered one of the "excellent women" relied upon for social and church activities. Set in London, the story unfolds as Mildred becomes entangled in the romantic entanglements and social mishaps of those around her, all while managing her own feelings and navigating the subtle constraints of her role.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy British satire and keen observations on post-war social dynamics. You might appreciate the witty portrayal of a woman's life in a seemingly mundane setting, woven with humour and a subtle exploration of gender and relationships. It's perfect for those who appreciate the charm of domestic fiction with a touch of irony.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Probably Pym's most famous novel 'I'd sooner read a new Barbara Pym than a new Jane Austen' Philip Larkin

Probably Pym's most famous novel 'I'd sooner read a new Barbara Pym than a new Jane Austen' Philip Larkin

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Cover design by Orla Kiely

Mildred Lathbury is one of those excellent women who is often taken for granted. She is a godsend, capable of dealing with most of the stock situations of life - birth, marriage, death, the successful jumble sales, the garden fete spoilt by bad weather.

As such, though, she often gets herself embroiled in other people’s lives - and especially those of her glamorous new neighbours, the Napiers, whose marriage seems to be on the rocks. One cannot take sides in these matters, though it is tricky, especially when Mildred, teetering on the edge of spinsterhood, has a soft spot for dashing young Rockingham Napier.

This is Barbara Pym's world at its funniest and most touching.

Series: Virago Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Excellent Women by Barbara Pym is celebrated for its high comedy and is considered one of the finest examples in the genre. Critics, like Marghanita Laski, highlight its universal appeal, assuring readers of its enjoyment. Jilly Cooper praises the novel for its comforting, visionary qualities, noting how it resonates with humour and familiarity akin to meeting an old friend.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781844085262

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 03 July 2008

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Virago Press Ltd

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Alexander McCall Smith
  • Introduction by Alexander McCall Smith

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 205.0mm

Weight: 450g

Pages: 304

Collections

Barbara Pym Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Series: Virago Modern Classics

About the Author

Barbara Pym was born in Shropshire and educated at St Hilda's College, Oxford. When in 1977 the TLS asked critics to name the most underrated authors of the past 75 years, only Pym was named twice. Her novels are characterised by what Anne Tyler has called 'the heartbreaking silliness of everyday life'. She died in 1980.

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