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Civil to Strangers
When Barbara Pym died in 1980 she left a considerable amount of unpublished material. This volume contains an early novel, CIVIL TO STRANGERS, three novellas and an autobiographical essay, 'Finding a Voice', Pym's only written commentary on her writing career.
In CIVIL TO STRANGERS the lives of a young couple, Cassandra Marsh-Gibbon and her self-absorbed writer husband Adam, are thrown into upheaval when a mysterious Hungarian arrives in their village.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1988
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About the author
Barbara Pym
40 books988 followersPeople know British writer Barbara Pym for her comic novels, such as
Excellent Women
(1952), of English life.
After studying English at St Hilda's College, Oxford, Barbara Pym served in the Women's Royal Naval Service during World War II. From 1950 to 1961, she published six novels, but her 7th was declined by the publisher due to a change in the reading public's tastes.
The turning point for Pym came with a famous article in the 1975 Times Literary Supplement in which two prominent names, Lord David Cecil and Philip Larkin, nominated her as the most underrated writer of the century. Pym and Larkin had kept up a private correspondence over a period of many years. Her comeback novel, Quartet in Autumn, was nominated for the Booker Prize. Another novel, The Sweet Dove Died, previously rejected by many publishers, was subsequently published to critical acclaim, and several of her previously unpublished novels were published after her death.
Pym worked at the International African Institute in London for some years, and played a large part in the editing of its scholarly journal, Africa, hence the frequency with which anthropologists crop up in her novels. She never married, despite several close relationships with men, notably Henry Harvey, a fellow Oxford student, and the future politician, Julian Amery. After her retirement, she moved into Barn Cottage at Finstock in Oxfordshire with her younger sister, Hilary, who continued to live there until her death in February 2005. A blue plaque was placed on the cottage in 2006. The sisters played an active role in the social life of the village.
Several strong themes link the works in the Pym "canon", which are more notable for their style and characterisation than for their plots. A superficial reading gives the impression that they are sketches of village or suburban life, with excessive significance being attached to social activities connected with the Anglican church (in particular its Anglo-Catholic incarnation). However, the dialogue is often deeply ironic, and a tragic undercurrent runs through some of the later novels, especially Quartet in Autumn and The Sweet Dove Died.
After studying English at St Hilda's College, Oxford, Barbara Pym served in the Women's Royal Naval Service during World War II. From 1950 to 1961, she published six novels, but her 7th was declined by the publisher due to a change in the reading public's tastes.
The turning point for Pym came with a famous article in the 1975 Times Literary Supplement in which two prominent names, Lord David Cecil and Philip Larkin, nominated her as the most underrated writer of the century. Pym and Larkin had kept up a private correspondence over a period of many years. Her comeback novel, Quartet in Autumn, was nominated for the Booker Prize. Another novel, The Sweet Dove Died, previously rejected by many publishers, was subsequently published to critical acclaim, and several of her previously unpublished novels were published after her death.
Pym worked at the International African Institute in London for some years, and played a large part in the editing of its scholarly journal, Africa, hence the frequency with which anthropologists crop up in her novels. She never married, despite several close relationships with men, notably Henry Harvey, a fellow Oxford student, and the future politician, Julian Amery. After her retirement, she moved into Barn Cottage at Finstock in Oxfordshire with her younger sister, Hilary, who continued to live there until her death in February 2005. A blue plaque was placed on the cottage in 2006. The sisters played an active role in the social life of the village.
Several strong themes link the works in the Pym "canon", which are more notable for their style and characterisation than for their plots. A superficial reading gives the impression that they are sketches of village or suburban life, with excessive significance being attached to social activities connected with the Anglican church (in particular its Anglo-Catholic incarnation). However, the dialogue is often deeply ironic, and a tragic undercurrent runs through some of the later novels, especially Quartet in Autumn and The Sweet Dove Died.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
April 28, 2024
Una delicia, como todos los libros de Barbara Pym.
Me ha resultado una historia más sencilla y ligera que otras que he leído de la autora (posiblemente tenga que ver que es de sus primeras novelas), pero también de las más divertidas.
He disfrutado lo indecible de estos personajes ridículos, desde el escritor ególatra al solterón que lleva toda la vida buscando una esposa millonaria (sin éxito), pasando por ese extranjero absurdo y enamoradizo... todos están llenos de clichés (especialmente el de los ingleses como conjunto considerándose superiores al resto del mundo xD) pero el estereotipo se funde con la realidad gracias a la habilidad de la autora para mostrar los detalles y lo cotidiano.
Me ha gustado también esa mirada al matrimonio totalmente exento de romanticismo, y que habla de comodidad y entendimiento.
En fin, una comedia de enredos muy anclada en su época y con la que he disfrutado de principio a fin.
Me ha resultado una historia más sencilla y ligera que otras que he leído de la autora (posiblemente tenga que ver que es de sus primeras novelas), pero también de las más divertidas.
He disfrutado lo indecible de estos personajes ridículos, desde el escritor ególatra al solterón que lleva toda la vida buscando una esposa millonaria (sin éxito), pasando por ese extranjero absurdo y enamoradizo... todos están llenos de clichés (especialmente el de los ingleses como conjunto considerándose superiores al resto del mundo xD) pero el estereotipo se funde con la realidad gracias a la habilidad de la autora para mostrar los detalles y lo cotidiano.
Me ha gustado también esa mirada al matrimonio totalmente exento de romanticismo, y que habla de comodidad y entendimiento.
En fin, una comedia de enredos muy anclada en su época y con la que he disfrutado de principio a fin.
December 7, 2011
I love Barbara Pym. Corny as it may sound, reading her book is like having a pot of tea, and hot scones with lemon curd, in a sunny garden.
September 18, 2013
With Civil to Strangers we come to the last of the Barbara Pym novels my online otherlit group has been reading. We have gone through her entire oeuvre, starting with Some Tame Gazelle and finishing with this posthumously published collection.
Barbara Pym is, as Philip Larkin said in 1977, one of the under-appreciated writers of the mid-20th century. Her novels about excellent women, including Excellent Women, are a delight to read and her characters, especially her men, starting with the incomparable Archdeacon Hoccleve, are incomparable.
She has a sharp eye for the relationships between men and women from the woman's point of view and is especially observant of the unrequited love of women. There is a sadness in her novels, but there is also a rich vein of irony and humor. Her descriptions of food and meals and her mis-quotations - both found in every novel - build an understanding of women's lives, the satisfaction they can achieve with daily housework, and a regret that their often first-class educations are allowed to erode over the years.
Barbara Pym is, as Philip Larkin said in 1977, one of the under-appreciated writers of the mid-20th century. Her novels about excellent women, including Excellent Women, are a delight to read and her characters, especially her men, starting with the incomparable Archdeacon Hoccleve, are incomparable.
She has a sharp eye for the relationships between men and women from the woman's point of view and is especially observant of the unrequited love of women. There is a sadness in her novels, but there is also a rich vein of irony and humor. Her descriptions of food and meals and her mis-quotations - both found in every novel - build an understanding of women's lives, the satisfaction they can achieve with daily housework, and a regret that their often first-class educations are allowed to erode over the years.
March 25, 2024
I picked this up because I was between books and not wanting a heavy novel. Plus I could get one off my shelf, and I really like Baraba Pym. Her first published novel was not quite up to par with her later works, but was pleasant enough and gives you an idea of what's ahead. This also contained 3 novellas, some short stories and a 1978 BBC interview.
November 30, 2020
A delight.
August 6, 2019
3,5
Tal vez sea éste el libro de Barbara Pym que menos me ha gustado, aún así ha sido un disfrute volver a leer después de un año una nueva novela de la autora. En esta ocasión la protagonista es Cassandra Marsh-Gibbon una joven con una vida dedicada casi en exclusiva a velar por su marido y cuidar de su casa. Es una mujer prácticamente perfecta a ojos de sus vecinos. El marido de Cassandra, Adam, es escritor y vive de las rentas que le dejan sus humildes publicaciones pero sobre todo del dinero de su mujer. La llegada al pueblo de un misterioso extranjero despertará la curiosidad de todos y tal vez algo más en Cassandra, quien se replanteará algunas cosas sobre su matrimonio.
Como siempre la novela tiene ese punto irónico tan característico de la escritora y que tanto me gusta. Me ha encantado que la trama se desarrolle en un pueblecito donde todo el mundo está pendiente de los demás, que no es que me guste eso de estar pendiente de las vidas ajenas pero reconozco que al libro le da un toque muy cómico y cotilla.
No puedo dejar de mencionar la charla radiofónica a Barbara Pym al final del libro y que me ha maravillado. La escritora hace un balance de lo que ha sido para ella escribir y el trabajo que le supuso.
En ella nos cuenta cuáles fueron las obras que la inspiraron, ''Los escándalos de Crome'' de Aldous Huxley fue el libro que encendió la chispa de Barbara y despertó en ella el deseo de ser novelista. Una vez que empezó la carrera de Lengua y Literatura Inglesas comenzó a conocer y a estudiar a otros autores que influyeron definitivamente en su estilo como Elizabeth Von Arnim, Jane Austen y otras escritoras que no conozco pero me anoto para próximas lecturas.
También nos cuenta lo difícil que fue para ella encontrar inspiración para seguir escribiendo y como las editoriales rechazaron una y otra vez su séptima novela. La propia Barbara pensó que su carrera como escritora había terminado hasta que el escritor Philip Larkin y lord David Cecil la mencionaron en un artículo como una gran novelista infravalorada, después de esto una editorial aceptó la publicación de su libro Cuarteto de Otoño (Quartet in Autumn) y reeditaron dos novelas que ya habían sido publicadas anteriormente (sí, esto es muy fuerte). Barbara Pym nos abre su corazón en cierta forma y se sincera con sus oyentes, siento que ahora la conozco un poco mejor.
Leer a Pym es placer y felicidad. Me encanta que la editorial Gatopardo la haya rescatado del olvido y nos traiga una nueva publicación cada año. Estoy deseando saber cuál será el próximo Pym.
Tal vez sea éste el libro de Barbara Pym que menos me ha gustado, aún así ha sido un disfrute volver a leer después de un año una nueva novela de la autora. En esta ocasión la protagonista es Cassandra Marsh-Gibbon una joven con una vida dedicada casi en exclusiva a velar por su marido y cuidar de su casa. Es una mujer prácticamente perfecta a ojos de sus vecinos. El marido de Cassandra, Adam, es escritor y vive de las rentas que le dejan sus humildes publicaciones pero sobre todo del dinero de su mujer. La llegada al pueblo de un misterioso extranjero despertará la curiosidad de todos y tal vez algo más en Cassandra, quien se replanteará algunas cosas sobre su matrimonio.
Como siempre la novela tiene ese punto irónico tan característico de la escritora y que tanto me gusta. Me ha encantado que la trama se desarrolle en un pueblecito donde todo el mundo está pendiente de los demás, que no es que me guste eso de estar pendiente de las vidas ajenas pero reconozco que al libro le da un toque muy cómico y cotilla.
No puedo dejar de mencionar la charla radiofónica a Barbara Pym al final del libro y que me ha maravillado. La escritora hace un balance de lo que ha sido para ella escribir y el trabajo que le supuso.
En ella nos cuenta cuáles fueron las obras que la inspiraron, ''Los escándalos de Crome'' de Aldous Huxley fue el libro que encendió la chispa de Barbara y despertó en ella el deseo de ser novelista. Una vez que empezó la carrera de Lengua y Literatura Inglesas comenzó a conocer y a estudiar a otros autores que influyeron definitivamente en su estilo como Elizabeth Von Arnim, Jane Austen y otras escritoras que no conozco pero me anoto para próximas lecturas.
También nos cuenta lo difícil que fue para ella encontrar inspiración para seguir escribiendo y como las editoriales rechazaron una y otra vez su séptima novela. La propia Barbara pensó que su carrera como escritora había terminado hasta que el escritor Philip Larkin y lord David Cecil la mencionaron en un artículo como una gran novelista infravalorada, después de esto una editorial aceptó la publicación de su libro Cuarteto de Otoño (Quartet in Autumn) y reeditaron dos novelas que ya habían sido publicadas anteriormente (sí, esto es muy fuerte). Barbara Pym nos abre su corazón en cierta forma y se sincera con sus oyentes, siento que ahora la conozco un poco mejor.
Leer a Pym es placer y felicidad. Me encanta que la editorial Gatopardo la haya rescatado del olvido y nos traiga una nueva publicación cada año. Estoy deseando saber cuál será el próximo Pym.
June 3, 2020
Aunque me ha gustado mucho, se nota bastante que "Extranjeros, bienvenidos" es una de las primeras obras de Barbara Pym: Está maravillosamente escrito pero no tiene la garra y la fuerza que tienen sus obras posteriores (o al menos las que yo he leído). Es como si a sus personajes les faltara el toque distintivo de la autora. Sin embargo ya se van viendo indicios de lo buena que llegaría a ser esta autora.
En definitiva es un buen libro y merece mucho la pena: es entretenido, optimista, ligero y, como decía, está muy bien escrito. Si no es el primer libro de la autora que se lee pierde en comparación, pero es un buen punto de inicio para familiarizarse con los temas y el estilo de la que es una de mis escritoras favoritas.
En definitiva es un buen libro y merece mucho la pena: es entretenido, optimista, ligero y, como decía, está muy bien escrito. Si no es el primer libro de la autora que se lee pierde en comparación, pero es un buen punto de inicio para familiarizarse con los temas y el estilo de la que es una de mis escritoras favoritas.
November 30, 2025
Como amante de la literatura inglesa que soy, a menudo tengo ocasión de recordar un comentario sobre los británicos que hace un personaje de Wall Street (la película de Oliver Stone): Like all Brits, he thinks he was born with a better pot to piss in.
Creo que Barbara Pym estaría de acuerdo. De hecho, en esta novela se ríe un poco de la actitud de sus paisanos; aunque lo hace de una manera tan amable y desenfadada, como quitándole hierro al asunto, que parece pensar que, al fin y al cabo, lo importante no es que los ingleses crean que su orinal es mejor sino que, por lo menos, felizmente, siempre tienen cuidado de no mear por fuera (y de casarse bien).
Creo que Barbara Pym estaría de acuerdo. De hecho, en esta novela se ríe un poco de la actitud de sus paisanos; aunque lo hace de una manera tan amable y desenfadada, como quitándole hierro al asunto, que parece pensar que, al fin y al cabo, lo importante no es que los ingleses crean que su orinal es mejor sino que, por lo menos, felizmente, siempre tienen cuidado de no mear por fuera (y de casarse bien).
December 14, 2013
Civil to Strangers was Barbara Pym’s second novel written in 1936 – although not published until after her death in 1980. Alongside it is some of the previously unpublished and unfinished material that she left behind her. Brilliantly edited by her friend and biographer Hazel Holt each unfinished work is perfectly satisfying – the reader is not left hanging, just wishing for a little more.
Civil to Strangers – the longest piece in this collection running to almost 170 pages. Cassandra Marsh-Gibbons is a young woman, married to self-absorbed writer Adam. In the small Shropshire town of Up Callow, the Marsh-Gibbons are very much at the heart of local society which also includes Mrs Gower the widow of a professor and Mr Phillip Gay an ageing bachelor who has failed to marry a wealthy wife as had been his plan in his youth; Mr Gay shares his home with his niece Angela – who is in love with Adam Marsh-Gibbon, and has started to cast her eye at the curate. Rockingham Wilmot is the rector, living with his wife and daughter Janie. Into the small community of Up Callow comes Hungarian Stefan Tilos, who soon sets the cats among the pigeons, and gets tongues wagging when it is soon apparent that he has become instantly enamoured of dear good excellent Cassandra.
Cassandra is a put upon wife, taken for granted by her husband; she isn’t entirely down trodden as she casts a weary and ironic eye at the events around her. Having had the wonders of Budapest related to her by the irrepressible Mr Tilos Cassandra decides to go – alone, leaving her husband to go and study quietly in Oxford at the Bodleian. However as Cassandra’s train pulls away she is made aware that Mr Tilos is on the same train, on his way to Budapest on business and delighted to find her aboard the same train.
“But I have tea. Wait a minute, please? Mr Tilos produced a basket a sensible aunt might have, and inside were two thermos flasks, two cups and some packets wrapped in greaseproof paper.
Cassandra was deeply touched at this.
Mr Tilos handed her a jam sandwich. ‘It is plain food,’ he said ‘but healthy I think’
‘It’s lovely,’ said Cassandra warmly,’ and I’m sure it must be healthy. It’s making me feel so much better.’
What an excellent and useful man Mr Tilos was, she thought, and what a pity he spoilt things by embarrassing her with his protestations of affection.
And then she wondered, did anyone in Up Callow know that Mr Tilos had got on to this train. If they did, then there would be no longer any doubt about it. To all intents and purposes, she had gone off with Mr Tilos.”
It was nice to see some of Pym’s characters outside of England again (we were treated to an Italian trip in An Unsuitable Attachment). Mr Tilos manages to shake things up in Up Callow – everyone seems to get what they want and it is all truly delightful – vintage Pym definitely one to put a smile on anyone’s face I should think.
Coming after Civil Strangers are three unfinished novels – edited to the length of longish short stories – and I thoroughly enjoyed them. ‘Gervase and Flora’ is set in Finland, among a group pf English ex pats and the Finnish family that Gervase lodges with. Flora who has been in love with Gervase for years is staying with her aunt, Gervase comes to Finland to teach. The daughter of the house where Gervase is lodging falls for Gervase and Flora decides to encourage the attachment while beginning anew romance with one of Gervase’s students. Then come two stories set in World War Two – ‘Home Front novel’ and ‘So very secret’ – wonderfully eccentric and full brilliant observational period detail; black out curtains, rationing, eating savoury oatmeal and feeling patriotic for doing so, the pride in a new tin hat and sandbags spilling dark soil onto the pavement.
Four wonderful short stories follow, that give Pym fans the chance to meet again, Miss Dogget and Jessie Morrow from Crampton Hodnet and the Aingers and Faustina the cat from An Unsuitable attachment – we also meet the American Ned from The Sweet Dove Died. I love the way that Barbara Pym never let a good character go to waste. The final piece is in Barbara Pym’s own words – ‘Finding a voice – a radio talk’ in which she describes how she came to find her voice as a writer.
All in all I loved this collection of Pym writings which has brought my year of Pym centenary reading to a pretty wonderful conclusion.
Civil to Strangers – the longest piece in this collection running to almost 170 pages. Cassandra Marsh-Gibbons is a young woman, married to self-absorbed writer Adam. In the small Shropshire town of Up Callow, the Marsh-Gibbons are very much at the heart of local society which also includes Mrs Gower the widow of a professor and Mr Phillip Gay an ageing bachelor who has failed to marry a wealthy wife as had been his plan in his youth; Mr Gay shares his home with his niece Angela – who is in love with Adam Marsh-Gibbon, and has started to cast her eye at the curate. Rockingham Wilmot is the rector, living with his wife and daughter Janie. Into the small community of Up Callow comes Hungarian Stefan Tilos, who soon sets the cats among the pigeons, and gets tongues wagging when it is soon apparent that he has become instantly enamoured of dear good excellent Cassandra.
Cassandra is a put upon wife, taken for granted by her husband; she isn’t entirely down trodden as she casts a weary and ironic eye at the events around her. Having had the wonders of Budapest related to her by the irrepressible Mr Tilos Cassandra decides to go – alone, leaving her husband to go and study quietly in Oxford at the Bodleian. However as Cassandra’s train pulls away she is made aware that Mr Tilos is on the same train, on his way to Budapest on business and delighted to find her aboard the same train.
“But I have tea. Wait a minute, please? Mr Tilos produced a basket a sensible aunt might have, and inside were two thermos flasks, two cups and some packets wrapped in greaseproof paper.
Cassandra was deeply touched at this.
Mr Tilos handed her a jam sandwich. ‘It is plain food,’ he said ‘but healthy I think’
‘It’s lovely,’ said Cassandra warmly,’ and I’m sure it must be healthy. It’s making me feel so much better.’
What an excellent and useful man Mr Tilos was, she thought, and what a pity he spoilt things by embarrassing her with his protestations of affection.
And then she wondered, did anyone in Up Callow know that Mr Tilos had got on to this train. If they did, then there would be no longer any doubt about it. To all intents and purposes, she had gone off with Mr Tilos.”
It was nice to see some of Pym’s characters outside of England again (we were treated to an Italian trip in An Unsuitable Attachment). Mr Tilos manages to shake things up in Up Callow – everyone seems to get what they want and it is all truly delightful – vintage Pym definitely one to put a smile on anyone’s face I should think.
Coming after Civil Strangers are three unfinished novels – edited to the length of longish short stories – and I thoroughly enjoyed them. ‘Gervase and Flora’ is set in Finland, among a group pf English ex pats and the Finnish family that Gervase lodges with. Flora who has been in love with Gervase for years is staying with her aunt, Gervase comes to Finland to teach. The daughter of the house where Gervase is lodging falls for Gervase and Flora decides to encourage the attachment while beginning anew romance with one of Gervase’s students. Then come two stories set in World War Two – ‘Home Front novel’ and ‘So very secret’ – wonderfully eccentric and full brilliant observational period detail; black out curtains, rationing, eating savoury oatmeal and feeling patriotic for doing so, the pride in a new tin hat and sandbags spilling dark soil onto the pavement.
Four wonderful short stories follow, that give Pym fans the chance to meet again, Miss Dogget and Jessie Morrow from Crampton Hodnet and the Aingers and Faustina the cat from An Unsuitable attachment – we also meet the American Ned from The Sweet Dove Died. I love the way that Barbara Pym never let a good character go to waste. The final piece is in Barbara Pym’s own words – ‘Finding a voice – a radio talk’ in which she describes how she came to find her voice as a writer.
All in all I loved this collection of Pym writings which has brought my year of Pym centenary reading to a pretty wonderful conclusion.
February 21, 2017
A collection of writings by Barbara Pym that were not published in her lifetime. ' Civil to Strangers,' is an amusing short novel about a young wife who is devoted to her attractive but somewhat self absorbed husband, but not blind to his faults. it contains the usual collection of entertaining Pym characters, and unusually for a Pym novel takes the heroine and her husband abroad, to Budapest. 'Gervase and Flora' is a novella about a young woman in love with a man who does not return her love, and falls for someone else. A charming and only slightly sad story. then there is a tantalising fragment, the 'Home Front' novel, of which only eight chapters were written. it is a pity there was not more of it, 'So Very Secret' is, surprisingly, a spy story, which is not Miss Pym's usual field, but I thought it was quite entertaining. There are also several short stories, one of which introduces Miss Doggett and Miss Morrow, who have appeared also in 'Jane and Prudence' and 'Crampton Hodnet' in slightly different forms, Miss Morrow, the not so meek companion, is one of Miss Pym's most interesting characters. Altogether, this is a very enjoyable collection.
July 19, 2011
C'est le premier roman que je lis de cette auteure et j'ai adoré !
Étude de personnages et des traits humains, dynamique d'un petit village anglais, intrigue autour d'un bel étranger hongrois...
Étude de personnages et des traits humains, dynamique d'un petit village anglais, intrigue autour d'un bel étranger hongrois...
November 20, 2020
I ran out of Barbara Pym's novels. Please send help. Worst day of reading life.
February 24, 2023
Nueva autora añadida a mi lista de personas de las que quiero leer todo lo que han escrito.
☀️🌸
☀️🌸
May 30, 2020
Todo lo que leo de Barbara Pym me gusta.
September 10, 2024
A Pym book is always so readable and relaxing.
July 24, 2024
3,5 estrellas
Pym logra que una historia en apariencias «sosa» se convierta en una delicia para un lector acostumbrado a libros un tanto densos...
Pym logra que una historia en apariencias «sosa» se convierta en una delicia para un lector acostumbrado a libros un tanto densos...
January 2, 2022
Dit is een charmant boek. Het speelt in een kleine plaats ergens in Engeland in de jaren dertig van de vorige eeuw en deels ook in Hongarije of liever een fantasieversie van dat land. Cassandra is getrouwd met Adam, die zichzelf beschouwt als een groot schrijver, hoewel er weinig uit zijn vingers komt. In het dorp heb je ook een oude weduwe, een eenzelvige oudere man met een nichtje van dertig, naarstig op zoek naar een huwelijkspartner. Voorts een dominee en een jonge Anglicaanse priester. Dan komt er een Hongaar in het dorp wonen, meneer Tilos. Die krijgt een oogje op de getrouwde Cassandra en hij geeft haar allerlei attenties. Ze wordt er verlegen onder, maar is er aanvankelijk niet ongevoelig voor. Ze wil los van haar man een vakantie, de bestemming wordt Boedapest. Het geroddel is niet van de lucht als blijkt dat meneer Milos en Cassandra met dezelfde trein vertrekken en Adam naar Oxford gaat om zich aan de letteren te wijden, vruchteloos als altijd. Dan verwacht je als lezer een definitieve huwelijkscrisis, maar hier weet Barbara Pym in de laatste hoofdstukken de kaarten zo te schudden dat niet alleen het huwelijk wordt gered, maar Cassandra ook nog eens zwanger blijkt te zijn van har eigen man en dat voorts ook de oudere eenzelvige man en de weduwe elkaar vinden en diverse andere liefdes ineens opbloeien, helemaal volgens het recept van het blijspel. Adam was vanuit Oxford naar Boedapest gereisd om daar Cassandra in de lobby van het hotel te treffen. Het komt daar tot een ontmoeting met meneer Milos en zijn familie. Gezamenlijk gaan ze naar het Engelse dorp, waardoor het geroddel meteen verstomt. Het is een eind goed al goed verhaal, dat natuurlijk niet in de realistische zin geloofwaardig is, maar dat je als lezer toch pikt, omdat het past bij de humoristische schrijfwijze van Pym. Het kan natuurlijk ook dat zij de officiële huwelijksmoraal wel op de proef wilde stellen, maar zich er toch aan conformeerde, omdat dat de lezers van haar tijd, de jaren dertig van de twintigste eeuw, het meest geruststelde.
Vier sterren omdat het een leuk boek is. Vooral de karakteriseringen van de pseudoschrijver Adam, die in de praktijk aartslui was, zijn prachtig, evenals de karakteriseringen van de andere dorpsgenoten, zoals de pastoor en de oude weduwe en de verstokte vrijgezel. Kortom een boek om je bij te ontspannen.
Vier sterren omdat het een leuk boek is. Vooral de karakteriseringen van de pseudoschrijver Adam, die in de praktijk aartslui was, zijn prachtig, evenals de karakteriseringen van de andere dorpsgenoten, zoals de pastoor en de oude weduwe en de verstokte vrijgezel. Kortom een boek om je bij te ontspannen.
December 24, 2022
I wasn't sure what this was when I first picked it up. Reading Paula Byrne's biography of Pym first was helpful in approaching this collection of Pym's writings because Byrne discusses her novel fragments and short stories within the context of Pym's life. (Though this collection can easily be enjoyed without knowing anything of Pym's life.) Many of the stories in this collection were written earlier in her life when she was still working out her own unique voice and storytelling approach.
This collection includes a 100+ page novella called Civil to Strangers, three partial novels called Gervase and Flora, a WWII home front novel (love those delightful home front details!), and a spy novel, four short stories, and a transcript of a radio talk from 1978. I really enjoyed everything in this collection. Perhaps with the exception of the spy novel (so not Pym's usual form, very 39 Steps-ish), I wanted everything to be longer. The seeds of her published novels are all here, including village life, the domestic details that reveal so much about character, and the oft-strained relationship between men and women. I was delighted that the title of the short story 'Across a Crowded Room' is a reference to the song 'Some Enchanted Evening' from South Pacific, a song I adore (and first came across in Fudge-a-Mania by Judy Blume!).
I think my favorite piece in this collection is So, Some Tempestuous Morn which revisits some of Pym's characters from Crampton Hodnet. I enjoyed the radio talk at the end as well, which Pym approaches with candor as she talks about the joy of being published and the hardship of rejection in her wilderness years. The talk ends with this statement from Pym: "...[there was] just the pleasure and satisfaction of regnoizing the unmistakable voice of Henry James or Henry Greene, or whoever it might be. I think that's the kind of immortality most authors would want--to feel that their work would be immediately recognizable as having been written by them and by nobody else..." (280).
Pym certainly reaches that kind of immortality for me. Even in these fragments, her voice is wonderfully her own.
This collection includes a 100+ page novella called Civil to Strangers, three partial novels called Gervase and Flora, a WWII home front novel (love those delightful home front details!), and a spy novel, four short stories, and a transcript of a radio talk from 1978. I really enjoyed everything in this collection. Perhaps with the exception of the spy novel (so not Pym's usual form, very 39 Steps-ish), I wanted everything to be longer. The seeds of her published novels are all here, including village life, the domestic details that reveal so much about character, and the oft-strained relationship between men and women. I was delighted that the title of the short story 'Across a Crowded Room' is a reference to the song 'Some Enchanted Evening' from South Pacific, a song I adore (and first came across in Fudge-a-Mania by Judy Blume!).
I think my favorite piece in this collection is So, Some Tempestuous Morn which revisits some of Pym's characters from Crampton Hodnet. I enjoyed the radio talk at the end as well, which Pym approaches with candor as she talks about the joy of being published and the hardship of rejection in her wilderness years. The talk ends with this statement from Pym: "...[there was] just the pleasure and satisfaction of regnoizing the unmistakable voice of Henry James or Henry Greene, or whoever it might be. I think that's the kind of immortality most authors would want--to feel that their work would be immediately recognizable as having been written by them and by nobody else..." (280).
Pym certainly reaches that kind of immortality for me. Even in these fragments, her voice is wonderfully her own.
January 1, 2016
I was a fan of Barbara Pym's writing back in the '70s and recently downloaded a few of her e-books to reread. This collection of previously unpublished works was new to me and generally enjoyable. The writing was definitely uneven, the first in the collection, Civil to Strangers, is definitely the best with her trademark dry wit evident throughout. The second was trite and uninspiring so I skipped over to the third, a World War II spy story which was interesting for its novelty but rather silly. I did enjoy the short stories and having visited Oxford, I thoroughly enjoyed references to landmarks in the settings of much of her writing.
If I wanted to become familiar with Barbara Pym's writing, I would not start with this collection, but it was a decent addition to her body of work.
If I wanted to become familiar with Barbara Pym's writing, I would not start with this collection, but it was a decent addition to her body of work.
October 1, 2018
This is the last book I have read in my complete collection of Barbara Pym's novels and miscellaneous writings. I enjoyed it very much and feel sad that there are not any other novels by this delightful writer to read. Her writing is gentle and always pristine and her characters are memorable. I am sure I will reread her books many times. I cannot imagine what other writer will follow her and give me the same quiet pleasure I have enjoyed in reading her books. It is very sad that she was not given the chance to write many more books. Shame on the publishers who turned down her work for such a long time.
July 5, 2013
Very nice to discover this volume of Barbara Pym's writing, that had not been published during her lifetime. Typical Pym-fare here, perhaps only for confirmed fans. A spy novel by Pym seems like an unlikely (or as Pym would write, an "unsuitable") combination, but it comes off in its own amusing and ironic way. The included short stories are also very enjoyable.
March 18, 2013
I bought this edition because it included materials of Barbara Pym I had never read. There are a few short stories , a fragment of a novel and an interview. It was wonderful to become reacquainted with a dear old friend. What a marvelous, witty and perceptive writer. I am going to dig out all those paperbacks editions I have of her books and re read them.
July 3, 2008
Pym's books are literary comfort food; sweet, sad tales of real--ordinary--people. Impoverished gentlewomen, spinsters, repressed bachelors, pensioners and altar-society matrons; unfailingly soothing.
February 11, 2011
Love her writing and descriptions of rural society in England in early 1900 and through the war. Such classic stuff. Several writings of unfinished novels and couple short stories as well as her explanation of writing style etc. Good stuff.
September 5, 2011
Not sure why I like her writing so much, but I find it delightful.
August 8, 2021
Absolutely delightful! Like reading a comforting comedy.
November 23, 2023
I love love love Barbara Pym
This is a collection of short stories, notes and an interview with the wonderful British writer who died in 1980. There is a story set in Finland, and another that takes place partly in Budapest, unusually for Pym who writes mostly about people in quintessentially English places. The others do precisely that, mostly focusing on the home front during WW2. Here we meet the do-gooder upper middle class women who are her meat and potatoes, so to speak. There is even one story about just such a woman who becomes embroiled, in an utterly ladylike way, with a secret service episode.
It's all terribly old fashioned and the England it depicts no longer exists. I was born in 1947 and just remember it. But Pym's voice comes through loud and clear: witty, ironic, clear-sighted and utterly delightful. A great peace comes over me when I read her books. What more can you want than that?
This is a collection of short stories, notes and an interview with the wonderful British writer who died in 1980. There is a story set in Finland, and another that takes place partly in Budapest, unusually for Pym who writes mostly about people in quintessentially English places. The others do precisely that, mostly focusing on the home front during WW2. Here we meet the do-gooder upper middle class women who are her meat and potatoes, so to speak. There is even one story about just such a woman who becomes embroiled, in an utterly ladylike way, with a secret service episode.
It's all terribly old fashioned and the England it depicts no longer exists. I was born in 1947 and just remember it. But Pym's voice comes through loud and clear: witty, ironic, clear-sighted and utterly delightful. A great peace comes over me when I read her books. What more can you want than that?
September 18, 2024
Charming. I felt like I was in pre-ww2 Britain tolerating my literary husband, ordering salmon for cook to make into lunch and having strong cups of tea at 5pm with buttered toast. Amazing observations of people and gardening tips too. 5 stars.
October 26, 2024
4,5/5
ay, qué agradable (y divertido) es leer a Barbara Pym
ay, qué agradable (y divertido) es leer a Barbara Pym
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