The Sweets of Pimlico

by A.N. Wilson

Evelyn Tradescant, a lonely young woman, becomes fascinated with Theo Gormann, an old man with a mysterious past

Genres: Fiction

179 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Andrew Norman Wilson is an English writer and newspaper columnist, known for his critical biographies, novels, works of popular history and religious views. He is an occasional columnist for the Daily Mail and former columnist for the London Evening Standard, and has been an occasional contributor to the Times Literary Supplement, New Statesman, The Spectator and The Observer.

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having known perfectly well that A.N. Wilson and Angus Wilson were two different people, of two different generations, I'd nonetheless had some trouble remembering the former was someone I had yet to get to. This debut, published in 1977 and set just a few years earlier in London, is dedicated to John Bayley and Iris Murdoch, so Wilson wears his heart on his sleeve pretty much at the outset.
In common with Murdoch, a set of upper-middle class characters who don't have to worry much about money find lots of psychological and sexual brinksmanship to keep themselves busy. In common with Angus Wilson, a sort of homosexual underground (though much more "out" in the 70s than they could be in the 50s) dominates the landscape. Well-written in that effortless John Llewelyn Rhys prize-winning way, this hardly took a day to read and well worth it!

[Tina Tamman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have you ever reread anything because you've had to move your books and therefore came across a book you can't remember at all? I have, just recently. Couldn't remember the plot of The Sweets of Pimlico, didn't know why I'd kept it. So I've reread it. And maybe I shouldn't have.
It's a slight story, AN Wilson's first novel; not that interesting but nothing wrong with it either. About a young woman's friendship with an older, rich man.
Can't recommend it.

[Reena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like some sweets, this tale, started off nice and fun but ended up bitter sweet.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is pure joy. The characters remind me of how much the English middle and upper classes value money and position so much more than people.

[Mr Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodness knows what ANW was exposed to in his formative years, let's hope he just had an over vivid imagination.
Enjoyable, but ultimately unsatisfactory novel. As usual the main characters are fairly nasty pieces of work, especially the females who lack any substance (purposefully?). The gay and incest subplots were frankly unnecessary (both poorly executed and unbelievable).
Was the 'Swiss'/German a Nazi? Was he buying friendship on his own terms or just a nasty manipulator? The biggest faults, in my opinion, were the 'heroine' from an extremely upper middle class family a) being a lowly teacher and b) interested in acquiring the money of an unrelated old man of very short acquaintance and her parents actually coming across as far nicer people and more genuine (of their class and era) than her or her brother.

[Marina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well-written novel which includes elements from history of the day (the London bombings), but I am not keen on stories which showcase immorality - here, sexual permissiveness - without a critical point of view.

[Therese Dotray-Tulloch · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know it was supposed to be funny, but I didn't really get it.

[Jo-Anne McBride · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found it to be a dreary story about unpleasant people. I won't be seeking out any more of the author's work.