Elizabeth Palmer (1) (1942–)

As part of Library Declutter of 2024, I read through this before unhauling. I hated the narcissistic characters in this book published in 1994 and the shallow world they lived in. The Publishers Weekly blurb on the back made me give it a shot, which said "With an impeccable blend of empathy and mocking wit, Palmer delivers a novel of high-society slapstick that is nearly impossible to put down...A savvy and highly literate romp." I disagree on all points with this judgment. I nearly DNF'd show more this in chapter one, but the writing wasn't so unskilled it was unreadable, so I persisted for several more chapters. The style wasn't to my taste, although it was hard to distinguish whether it was the subjects of the descriptions or the overwrought descriptions themselves that were the problem.

As a reader I am unable to enjoy the reading experience if I don't like a single character, which was the case here. I did finish, although I admit to skimming a lot of scenes with the worst offender in the novel, Jack, and his casual sexism, narcissism, and infidelity sets off the unpleasant events in the novel. show less

The story opens with a dinner party, and then continues by switching between various characters who were at the party. Fast-moving but with little plot. Rather tasteless at times, and somewhat depressing. Supposedly a 'comedy of manners' but I didn't find anything at all amusing about this book.

Not recommended.

A high-society kind of novel set in the UK. Most of the characters were rather unpleasant, and the situations not very believable. Pleasant enough as a light read, but without much substance.