Outside of bodily harm, I could not be forced to decide which Barbara Pym novel is my favorite. At this point, I haven’t read them all – and finding them in the great Northwest Territory is harder than you think. I’ve done okay but I may have to force myself upon the dictates of online shopping to obtain the rest, but I will – I will not quaver in my quest to finish every last novel she wrote.
Again my undying gratitude to Library Thing and the Barbara Pym group there, I will continue on in my endeavors but I “chart the course with (some) regret.” Once I’ve read them all, well I’ll read them again – yes of course I’ll read them again and find something new but…alas.
An unsuitable Attachment, this novel is a novel of relationships, that wouldn’t appear to be well, good ideas – and what is so fine about the novel, it makes no judgment either way. After “things,” are settle the author leaves us to think what we might. Will older and younger persevere? Was the relationship forged for her house and “nice things?” Will he finally get her attention without making her cry? All the awful clucking and raised eyebrows were given full vent, marriage, like the stork persevered and everyone went home nodding or shaking their heads.
No sage thoughts, really just wonderful surprises, shocks and out right laughter.
And getting us there was Ms Pym’s genius and oh (I know I know I’ve said this before) that it took me so long to find her! She epitomizes what I envy in a writer, especially a woman – her point is made that often there are no answers to life’s questions but that does not mean that women need buckle to convention. Independence is a viable way of life, a pleasant, peaceful, way of life that loneliness need not intrude upon.
