in praise of Barbara Pym

I don't know how I made it through most of my life without discovering this wonderful author but I'm making up for lost time. After reading Crampton Hodnet, I blitzed the second hand bookshops in my area and came home with a pile of Pyms.

Am currently reading Quartet in Autumn but have in the wings:
No Fond Return of Love
A Glass of Blessings
Excellent Women
An Academic Question
Jane and Prudence

Apparently she is considered to be "a great unsung" in English contemporary lit., and I must concur. Her eye for the foibles and humour and stuff of daily life of ordinary folk is incredible.

If anyone else is a fan, please feel free to post any thoughts or observations!

Her eye for the foibles and humour and stuff of daily life of ordinary folk is incredible.

Tiffin, it's hard to put it better. I quite agree. I've not read much - just Excellent Women, The Sweet Dove Died, which may be my favorite, yet; and Quartet in Autumn. No Fond Return of Love is on the shelf, waiting for me. Barbara Pym is a name I'd come across in one or two catalogs - the lamented Common Reader, I think, and perhaps Bas Bleu, without succumbing. LT users' enthusiastic recommendations and offers of duplicates on BookMooch finally made something more substantial of her reputation for me. And I'm very glad.

You're fortunate to find so many in used bookshops! I have looked, but may have seen one.

I read Some Tame Gazelle quite a while back and remember how much I enjoyed it. Now I want to read it again, as well as find a few others by her!

>2 Eurydice: Eurydice,
I miss the Common Reader catalog, too!

She was a favourite of Philip Larkin, which is how I know of her although I've never read any of her books. Her publishing history makes a fascinating story: after six successful novels she (for some reason) was simply unable to get the seventh published, it being rejected by first her publisher and then a string of others. This was in 1963; in 1973 she gave up trying and effectively retired. Then several years later in a critical survey in the TLS two people (Larkin was one of them) named her "the most underrated writer of the century". Almost immediately her "comeback" novel was published and nominated for the Booker Prize, and her earlier unpublished books were suddenly in great demand among those who had previously rejected them.

An Unsuitable Attachment was the first rejection, and The Sweet Dove Died was the second. So without a lot of luck and the right noise at the right time, the world might never have seen them.

I have Less Than Angels on my bookshelf, as well as A Very Private Eye, Pym's autobiography. Both were my mother's - she loved Pym. I have yet to read either book but, as usual, have every intention of doing so!

Is there a particular Pym book that you'd recommend as an introduction to her work?

#5: I managed to nab her autobiography yesterday too, miss-read. If a blizzard hits, I'm all set.
#6: I started with Crampton Hodnet just by happenstance and it was a perfect start for me as I love a good comedy of manners (huge E.F. Benson Lucia fan). I would say just dive in anywhere as I honestly don't think she seems to have written a bad book.
#4: yes, wasn't that a close call! Thank you Philip Larkin! Thanks too for the background info, DerekWalker. Now you have me hot on the trail of An Unsuitable Attachment.

Many, many years ago and working in a bookstore, a elderly gentleman would come into the store in his cable-knit wool and heavy corduroys, high rosy cheeks and smiling eyes with an oh-so-slight lilt in his voice. We began to chat a little with each of his regular visits. I think he was a retired English professor, but what I most recall was his devotion to Miss Pym's novels. Like a comforting blanket to him, all manners and gentle humour and scenes from his earlier life. (Or so I romantically projected.....)

I have to thank tiffin for her newly found passion as her exuberance is quite catchy. During my ever viligant search for Viragos, I've added Barbara Pym as well. What a perfect season to read her in..all cozy and warmed by that pot of tea and wood fire.

Just finished Quartet in Autumn and posted a review. Wish I knew how to do links. Unlike some of the reviewers, I didn't find this a depressing book - I think in less skilled hands it would have been but in Pym's it is a small work of art. She ends it with one note of hope, as well: "But at least it made one realize that life still held infinite possibilities for change."

#6: Excellent Women.

Thanks Bob! What is it about that particular book that makes you recommend it?

Lindsaci - I'd second Excellent Women - a particular favorite of Bob's and mine. In fact, spurred on by tiffin's enthusiasm, I'm reading it now. I think it's a good starting point for reading Pym because it introduces her world of excellent women - those women who are always looking to do good, who volunteer for everything, and who seem to keep together the fabric of everyday life. They understand the comforting value of tea, and always have a kettle and teapot ready at a moment's notice; they take it upon themselves to collect things for church jumble (rummage) sales; they take great pride in arranging flowers at the church; and they take pleasure in fussing over and looking after the well being of their neighbors, and - of course - their vicar or curate.

Here's the opening of Excellent Women:


" 'Ah, you ladies! Always on the spot when there's something happening!' The voice belonged to Mr. Mallett, one of our churchwardens, and its roguish tone made me start guiltily, almost as if I had no right to be discovered outside my own front door.
'New people moving in? The presence of a furniture van would seem to suggest it,' he went on pompously. "I expect you know about it.'
'Well, yes, one usually does,' I said, feeling rather annoyed at his presumption. 'It is rather difficult not to know such things.'
I suppose an unmarried woman just over thirty, who lives alone and has no apparent ties, must expect to find herself involved or interested in other people's business, and if she is also a clergyman's daughter then one might really say that there is no hope for her.

'Well, well, tempus fugit, as the poet says,' called out Mr. Mallett.

I had to agree that it did . . . . "

Or here are a few sentences which help to introduce a new character who has just rented room at the vicar's house:

" I was formally introduced to Mrs. Gray at the jumble sale on the following Saturday afternoon. She was behind one of the stalls with Winifred, who was looking very pleased and animated, rather reminding me of a child who has asked 'Will you be friends with me?' and has been accepted.
Mrs. Gray was, as I had supposed from my first brief glimpse of her, good-looking and nicely dressed, rather too nicely dressed for a clergyman's widow, I felt, remembering many such whom I had met before. Her quiet manner suggested self-sufficiency rather than shyness and there was something secret about her smile, as if she saw and thought more than she would ever reveal. "

Pym is wonderful at catching little nuances of behavior, and of poking fun - gently and affectionately - at her characters. Mildred Lathbury, the protagonist of Excellent Women is the kind of person whose good sense, humor, and kindness make her a pleasant characer to spend time with.

Oh - I seem to have run on a bit, Lindsaci! I've found that the best way for me to describe Pym's writing is to let it speak for itself. Maybe Bob will have some comments to add later, as well.

On the basis of that most excellent endorsement, that will be the next one I read from my Pym pile. How delicious that sounds, having a pile of Pyms!

Excellent Women just dropped into my shopping basket! Thanks, MaggieO!

OK, I'm sold! Thank you, Maggie, for such a wonderful preview of Excellent Women. That does sound like just the ticket for an Anglophile reader!!

lindsacl: Sorry I didn't get back to you in time, but Maggie seems to have done a better job than I would have done in explaining the charms of Pym.

So, just a note about the appeal of the Mildred's attractive neighbor:

Somewhere in the associated books on Barbara Pym, the author is quoted as noting that

"Every man I've ever met secretly believes that HE was the inspiration for Rocky Napier."

This pleases me.

I'm new to Pym but have read many glowing reviews, and now I'm very tempted :)

Excellent Women is out of stock at my usual bookstore. I may have to wait up to 28 days for a copy :( Is there a 'runner up' that you could suggest...?

It has been a long time since I read the Pyms, but I can say that Jane and Prudence is my second favorite, so I'd recommend that one. Certainly some are better than others, but they all have their charm.

I started Excellent Women last night, all snuggled in bed while it was snowing out. My personal definition of heaven right there. Only about 10 pages in so far, MaggieO and Bob, but I am enjoying it! Being solidly Canadian, I am a bit gobsmacked at people in different apartments sharing bathrooms though!

Bob, I shall now think of you as the inspiration for Rocky Napier! Haven't much of a clue who he is yet though, so hope I haven't insulted you.

>16 AsYouKnow_Bob: Bob you wrote, Sorry I didn't get back to you in time...

There was no deadline!!! It's not like I have nothing to read. My TBR pile is ginormous! Thanks to you, Maggie, and tiffin for educating me on a new author. Can't wait to read her.

>19 tiffin: tiffin - your comment has rendered Bob speechless. I can verify that he is charming and chivalrous, like Rocky, and I think that spending time with him is enjoyable and often entertaining. But he's much smarter than Rocky, and has a lot more substance. And he's not fictional!

oh dear MaggieO...well he DID say that it pleased him so I thought I'd just take it up a notch!

Tiffin - actually, Bob appreciated your comment very much - he was pleased to be compared with Rocky! I of course just wanted to make it clear that Bob is way better than Rocky!

I have almost finished Excellent Women - devouring it.

MaggieO and Bob: I'm retracting the comment about Bob being the inspiration for Rockingham Napier. Rockingham ended up not being worthy of the comparison. Pym's comment ended up reminding me of that song "you're so vain, you probably think this song is about you".

Tiffin - I take it you've finished Excellent Women? I just finished it on Saturday, and I started An Unsuitable Attachment, which promises a cameo appearance by Everard Bone.
And all of this reminds me that I got distracted and left a warm cup of tea somewhere in the house - I should go look for it!

I did, MaggieO, and reviewed it. I was wondering which Pym to start next or if I should read something else and then Pym on, MacDuff, again.

I've ordered a copy of Excellent Women...its currently winging its way from the US and should be here this week!

I found Excellent Women in a second hand bookshop this afternoon and have started reading. Very good so far. Thank you Pym fans.

I started The sweet dove died last night, and I alredy find difficult putting it down.
:-))

Count me as a new member of the Pym fanclub! Based on recommendations above, I am reading Excellent Women and just adore it. I keep laughing out loud and reading passages to my husband. He does this to me when he reads P.G. Woodhouse, so turnabout is fair play.

Off to read some more, just wanted to pop in and sing her praises!

lindsacl, yay, another convert! It's that dry, understated Englishness combined with that wickedly observant eye. I am determined to collect everything she wrote. The only downside is that I find myself drinking pots of tea while I read her.

And yay digifish, pamelad, aluvalibri too!

I think Maggie and Bob deserve honor from us all. :) Their mutual enthusiasm, recommendations, and good advice spread love of an author who should not be overlooked, in ever-growing and appreciative circles. When I had the pleasure of mooching a couple of Pym duplicates, some time ago, it was from Maggie.

Barbara Pym's wit, clarity of vision, wisdom, and odd comfort seem an indefinable asset in life. She adds something, beyond the reading, which many do not... comforting, yet incisive.

Aw, shucks, Eurydice. And thanks! Actually tiffin started this thread, and touched off a Pymfest. Bob and I just added our 2 (well, 4) cents. We do love Pym, though, and we're happy that so many other LT friends are enjoying her work!

Which ones have you read so far, Eurydice?

Tiffin - Pym does certainly encourage tea consumption!

Perfectly true - tiffin does deserve thanks! But you two take the cake for previous reading and helpful suggestions/endorsements. In enthusiasm, we're trying to catch up. :)

I've read all the ones I own, as yet: Excellent Women, The Sweet Dove Died, Quartet in Autumn, and No Fond Return of Love. But I feel, just reading this thread and listing them, that that is far from enough. Let's see if I can't get my hands on another, ASAP.....!

I had a wonderful Pym quote on my email for a long time, tea-addict as I am. Some of you may recognize it, from Excellent Women: "So he did remember me like that after all - a woman who was always making cups of tea. Well, there was nothing to be done about it now but to make one." It seemed, to me, deliciously wry, quietly realist - and perfectly apt!

Virago have just released a new edition of Jane and Prudence. I've seen the cover....and can report that cups of tea are featured. Pym fans will want to hurry for a copy (before aluvalibri finds out! ;-) !!

She just found out by reading your post, digifish! ;-))

I have Jane and Prudence, but have not read it yet. I just finished The sweet dove died and was delighted (as usual) by Pym's bittersweet wit, and subtle sense of humour. I must decide which one to read next.

Almost finished with Excellent Women and even though my TBR pile is ginormous enough, thank you very much, I've drawn inspiration from this thread and just requested 3 from Paperbackswap: Jane and Prudence, Crampton Hodnet, and No Fond Return of Love.

It's nice to know I'll have these on my shelves when I need a Pym fix!

I just finished Excellent Women last night, and it was such a comfort to read during this head cold or whatever it is I have. Excellent novel!

I have to put in a plug for my favorite Barbara Pym that I've read so far: No Fond Return of Love. It has all the essential Pym elements and it adds a bit of a take on academic publishing. The main character is an indexer (as am I) and it has this wonderful line it:

"I imagine few tasks more distasteful than making an index for someone for whom one no longer cares."

That Pym can actually make indexing seem like an intimate activity is a true testament to her skill!

:) I love the fact that she even tries!

I've just started Jane and Prudence. Its another of Pym's great little 'pick-me-ups' :)

This discussion has convinced me: I'm declaring this the Year of Pym. I'm going to read all the Pym books I haven't gotten to yet, and re-read the ones I've already enjoyed. The question is--in what order? In the order they were written? Or the order in which they were published? I'm thinking that reading in the order they were written might somehow be more telling. Any thoughts?

I'm going to blog about this on my book blog (www.somanypages.blogspot.com), in case anyone's interested in following along.

Blog on, MacDuff! It's so tempting to turn Pym into a verb or noun.
to pym: to sit tucked cosily in an armchair, cup of tea at hand, reading a gentle and delightful book about ordinary folks, written with great insight
to make a pym of oneself: to become like one of the characters in Pym's books (can be either negative or positive, depending on tone of voice)

pymishness?
pymly?

Pymly. I like pymly. To sit pymly: cosy, as you suggest, with a gentle suggestion of 'primly' - relaxed with humor and irony.

Right, Eurydice. "She looked at him over the edge of her teacup, her lips set in a pymly smile." Clothing could be pymly too, especially sweaters.

:D

The Pymly range of attire could also include cardys (cardigans) and tweed coats (like the one Jane wears to 'feed the chickens' ;).

Or a Pymly cafe, offering specials of the day such as shepherd's pie, toad-in-the-hole, and stuffed marrow. With steamed puddings for 'afters'.

>43 SoManyPages: A year of Pym and a blog - great idea SoManyPages!

According to Wikipedia the novels (and year of publication) are:

Some Tame Gazelle (1950)
Excellent Women (1952)
Jane and Prudence (1953)
Less than Angels (1955)
A Glass of Blessings (1958)
No Fond Return Of Love (1961)
Quartet in Autumn (1977)
The Sweet Dove Died (1978)
A Few Green Leaves (1980)
Crampton Hodnet (completed circa 1940, published 1985)
An Unsuitable Attachment (written 1963; published posthumously, 1982)
An Academic Question (written 1970-72; published 1986)

Oh I do like a Pymly café! hahaha

Ah. Digifish, tiffin, and all: a pymly cafe sounds most seemly. Of course, it must serve comforting teas! Buttered crumpets and sliced cake, and who knows what else? (I'm sure you know.)

Tweed skirts, the cited 'cardys', and rather sensible shoes - good for walking - are overtaking my mental closet. (And let me say: uh-oh!) ;)

Toasted raisin bread and Devonshire teas are on the menu too, for afternoon tea. There is a portrait of the young Queen Elizabeth on the back wall.

Oh, yum. Good.

...And scones with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry jam.....

Mmm... That's exactly what Pamela had me thinking. - And I refuse to support a pymly cafe that lacks them!

after reading this thread I decided to try and hunt down a barbara pym book. They sound absolutely delicious!..but alas....There are none in my library,forget anout the local bookstores, I couldnt get the one I wanted 'excellent women' at my fav online bookseller and there arent any on bookmooch either!

Its so annoying when you find something you really want to read and are unable to get it! grrrrr.....

oh well, heres hoping!

>55 Proserpinegreen: Prosperinegreen ~

I'm in Australia but I get my Pyms from The Book Depository website. They cost around 5-6 pounds each and delivery is free.

You could also try BetterWorld.

>56 digifish_books: digifish_books

Hi Digifish, yes I am from Aust too!! and I have looked on the book depot thanks for the advice.
But still no excellent women...
From what I read the others are just as good so will start with one of those

thanks

Proserpinegreen, check Ebay or Half.com, you might find a copy there.

I'd second the BetterWorld recommendation: they have a couple of used copies, with cheap international shipping, as well as new ones.

Here's a link to a short article in the Guardian Review on Saturday by Alexander McCall Smith;

http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/generalfiction/story/0,,2271136,00.html
Not sure how to make it clickable so you will have to copy and paste.

(That's ok: LT automagically made it a 'live' link.)

Thanks for the link - that article was dead-on.

The big news was the announcement at the end:

Excellent Women will be reissued next month as a Virago Modern Classic

that article really peaked my interest. Should I start at her first work or jump in with Excellent Women?

yareader2, no matter what comes first, both article and book are....EXCELLENT!!!!!

BBC Radio4 is adapting Barbara Pym's Jane and Prudence for next week's Woman's Hour Drama, I see! It's one I have not read, but I admit it - I'll listen, anyway. (After the fact, as ever.)

>64 Eurydice: Oh, wonderful! I read Jane and Prudence a few months ago. Thanks for letting us know, Eurydice!

Hope I can get it to tune in!
Thanks for the tip.

My pleasure. And do not forget: you can listen again for up to a week after the fact, online.

(If not, I'd never hear anything!)

Thanks Eurydice, that is good to know. I was trying to figure out how I would get to hear it.

A kind LT member pointed it out to me, long ago. :) Enjoy it. And, if you very properly listen with crumpets and tea - think of me! ;)

I will! Which reminds me I only have a single crumpet left in the packet. Actually teas sounds good about now too. :)

Half way through Crampton Hodnet and loving it.

ET change title from one of those metal things climbers use for scaling sheer cliffs.

>71 pamelad: lol, pamelad! :D Glad to hear you are liking it. Crampton Hodnet will be my next Pym from my TBR pile.

Mine will have to be A Few Green Leaves - next time I'm hit by a specially stressful or exhausting day. I was happy to light on it.

I have a paperback copy of Miss Pym Disposes with a head in the middle of the volley balls on a wooden gymnasium floor with the eyes open looking straight at you. I don't know if that edition is an earlier or later one. Anyway it's always been one of my favourite covers of the books I own. Imagine walking in and finding something bizarre and creepy like that looking straight at you with those eyes wide open.

beatles1964

That begs to ask the question, if the head of a young female is with the volley balls where is the rest of the body and why did they do it in the first place? I have always been intrigued by this book cover and have never gotten around to actually reading the book but I have always told myself I will get around to reading it so I can discover who did it and what their reasons were for doing it in the first place. Is any one else familiar with this particular book cover?

beatles1964

beatles1964, the one you mention is a book by Josephine Tey, and has nothing to do with Barbara Pym, who is another English author.
This thread deals with her and the books she wrote.
You might wish to post about Miss Pym Disposes in the thread dedicated to British mysteries.

Sorry about that everyone I got my Authors mixed up. I'll be mor careful next time. I'll delete the message if anyone wants me to.

beatles1964

@beatles, don't delete. This is a sincere anglophiles mistake, besides: Miss Pym disposes seems to be a terrific book, I think I want to read it.

Why should you delete it? It does not bother anyone, and I, also, find the book quite appealing.
So, thank you for posting it anyway!
:-))

As an aside, then: it is not my favorite Tey, but it was certainly unconventional and interesting.

Perhaps we should just have a nice Pim's cup.

I recently discovered Pym, too, and I too wonder why it is that I haven't heard of her before. I've only read Excellent Women and No Fond Return of Love... looking forward to reading more.

My favorite novel of hers is The Sweet Dove Died which reminds me very much of the Schlesinger film "Sunday Bloody Sunday" as it deals with various people being attracted to a young, bisexual guy. I think it also has the most urbane setting of her novels.

I discovered Pym through an essay by Laurie Colwin in which she comments, "Everybody thinks she's just darling, but she is not just darling, she's really tough." I agree.

#83

Never read it. but it sounds great.

What a treat to find this thread! (Thank you, Digi.) I am such a Pym fan. Excellent Women is on my all-time favorite reads list, and Jane and Prudence is not far behind. My 1st Pym was Crampton Hodnet, and I have Some Tame Gazelle up next.

Such charming books. I wonder how they have escaped the small or big screen?

Such charming books. I wonder how they have escaped the small or big screen?

Not enough car crashes....

More seriously: they're pretty subtle, and much of their charm is 'internal' - so they'd be a challenge to film.

>86 AsYouKnow_Bob:
If they wanted to film them, they'd have to change most of the endings so that characters were properly paired off!

>85 megwaiteclayton: meg ~ Some Tame Gazelle is going to be my next Pym read too :) I also started with Excellent Women and Jane and Prudence and then went back to the beginning with Crampton Hodnet.

>86 AsYouKnow_Bob: Not enough car crashes....

.....or robots and spaceships (as my husband would say!) :P

They could always use them on the PBS Mystery Series. I think they would fit right in with the kind of mysteries they are famous for showing.

beatles1964

#82: Kasthu, eventually you run into the frustration that there are no more...
#83: she IS tough but subtle, subtle, subtle
#85: meg, Crampton Hodnet was my first Pym too
#86: it would take some director and brilliant actors to catch all the nuances and not be heavy handed

Reading An Unsuitable Attachment, one of the two books rejected by Pym's publisher. Gently funny with some entertaining characters. Doesn't hang together as well as Excellent Women or Crampton Hodnet but worth reading.

I've just stumbled across your group, and spotted the Pym thread. She's one of my favourite authors. I love Excellent Women and Jane and Prudence, especially the latter. Long ago I advertised for a flatmate, in The Literary Review, describing myself as like Prudence (I particularly like the description of her in Lyons hoping that people would think 'who is that interesting-looking young woman, sitting alone and reading Coventry Patmore?') but I didn't get any replies! As I am married to a vicar, I suppose I'll have to settle for being Jane...
I find she's a very 'sticking' sort of writer - odd phrases of hers often rise to the surface - and she's so very penetrating in her observations.
I enjoyed reading this thread enormously (and like a lot of others, it's made me want to read the books all over again) May I join your group?
Goldengrove

I did my bit for spreading the Pym word earlier this week, pitching Excellent Women at the Kepler's Book Group mixer I was invited to speak at with a few other authors. Of the four books I recommended, she was by far the best seller. And I must have talked myself into reading her as well, because I came home and set aside yet another new release in favor of Some Tame Gazelle, which I'm thoroughly enjoying - no surprise.

Now if only I could WRITE that well!

beatles, I agree on the miniseries.

Goldengrove, a very hearty welcome to you! There is always room for Barbara Pym's fans.
And nice to see you here too, megwaiteclayton!
:-))

Thankyou very much for the welcome! I notice that I have (and love) all of the titles on the 'shared' list for this group - I feel right at home already!

The Journal of Barbara Pym makes for good reading too--I love her reflections on the physical resemblance between George Eliot and John Lennon and her odd attraction to the song "White Shade of Pale" among other things. Peach-colored knickers!

>96 Doulton: Now I must definitely read her Journal as well! How intriguing!

#96: (That touchstone seems to go Somewhere Else entirely....)

>96 Doulton:,98 Hmm: Jean Genet and Barbara Pym - that would be a fun topic for an undergraduate essay. I suppose they were near contemporaries. Maybe you could establish a link between Querelle de Brest and Pym's service in the WRNS?

>the physical resemblance between George Eliot and John Lennon

I'll be looking at the journal too!

I just finished Some Tame Gazelle recently - and quite enjoyed.

I've read this thread with delight and can't wait to buy and read my first Pym. It sounds like I'm in for a wonderful treat. We'll be heading down to the city over the holidays where there is a wealth of used bookstores and now I know exactly what I'll be looking for. Thank you for such great discussion and recommendations. I hope I can find a copy of Excellent Women.

I'll be starting Less than Angels shortly. It must be at least 6 months since I read any Pym! *gasp*

It is with great pleasure I announce the new LT Pym group ... http://www.librarything.com/groups/barbarapymfanclub All BP fans welcome!