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Excellent Women

'I'm a huge fan of Barbara Pym' Richard Osman

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Excellent Women

By: Barbara Pym, Alexander McCall Smith - introduction
Narrated by: Gerri Halligan, Jonathan Keeble
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INTRODUCED BY ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH

'I'm a huge fan of Barbara Pym' RICHARD OSMAN

Mildred Lathbury is one of those excellent women who are often taken for granted. She is a godsend, 'capable of dealing with most of the stock situations or even the great moments of life - birth, marriage, death, the successful jumble sale, the garden fête spoilt by bad weather'. Her glamorous new neighbours, the Napiers, seem to be facing a marital crisis. One cannot take sides in these matters, though it is tricky, especially as Mildred has a soft spot for dashing young Rockingham Napier. This is Barbara Pym's world at its funniest and most touching.

'One of the most endearingly amusing English novels of the twentieth century' ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH

'Barbara Pym is the rarest of treasures; she reminds us of the heartbreaking silliness of everyday life' ANNE TYLER

'Not only was Pym a comic genius but she was ever so wise' THE TIMES©1952 Barbara Pym Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Women's Fiction Funny Witty Feel-Good
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Critic reviews

I'm a huge fan of Barbara Pym (Richard Osman)
Why shouldn't the lives of cardigan-wearing spinsters and fussy confirmed bachelors be the engines of some of the finest comic writing in English? Not only was Pym a comic genius but she was ever so wise
Barbara Pym is the rarest of treasures; she reminds us of the heartbreaking silliness of everyday life (Anne Tyler)
One of the most endearingly amusing English novels of the twentieth century (Alexander McCall Smith)
All stars
Most relevant
Nothing of any note happens at all and that’s absolutely fine!
Couldn’t help but laugh at some of the outdated concepts and I wondered at times if it’s a parody? Is it?
But yes i so wish today was like these times where everyone had a place/a job to do and was happy with that.
Well worth a read will cheer you up. :)

Charming account of days gone by

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Barbara Pym’s novels are a delight to read and reread. She is a modern day Austen. This is a very enjoyable narration .

Barbara Pym timeless

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What did you like most about Excellent Women?

The narrator, Jonathan Keeble was exactly right for this book - his tone, and accent created the right setting for the story, which is firmly in its period.

What did you like best about this story?

I read the novel some years ago; it was wonderful to enjoy it from a different perspective.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Keeble – was your favourite?

Inappropriate to select a favourite, as the main protagonist took centre stage.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It would make a terrible film, as there is insufficient action.

Any additional comments?

Lovers of Jane Austen who have not discovered Barbara Pym should not hesitate to give her a try - her subtlety of characterisation is a delight.

Wonderfully nostalgic

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A slightly mundane story about everyday life in a London parish. The main character was rather downtrodden and she made an extraordinary amount of tea. I think the title should have been “The Importance of Making Tea” but I suppose it was a central part of daily life in the 1930s. Well narrated.

A gentle read

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It's a perfect match between author and reader. it is enormously enjoyable and I highly recommend.

lovely writing beautifully read.

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