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She May Not Leave
Fay Weldon lets her incisive wit loose on a hot issue facing many modern families — child care, and what can happen when that involves having a nanny under your roof. Hattie and Martyn are the proud parents of newborn Kitty; both are in their early thirties, smart, handsome, and, for reasons of liberal principle, not married but partnered. All seems fine at first — healthy baby, happy couple — but when they have to decide who’ll look after little Kitty, things get complicated. Hattie’s dying to get back to work but Martyn fears employing foreign help might hurt his leftist political aspirations. Martyn capitulates when Agnieska arrives — a Polish nanny who happens to be both domestic goddess and first-rate belly dancer, the maker of a mean cup of cocoa who’s also educated in early childhood development. Having her in the house makes life livable again for the young couple, so when problems arise with her immigration papers Martyn and Hattie will do anything to keep her in the country. But will their decision to have Martyn marry her be the trouble-free solution they envision.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2005
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About the author
Fay Weldon
159 books396 followersFay Weldon CBE was an English author, essayist and playwright, whose work has been associated with feminism. In her fiction, Weldon typically portrayed contemporary women who find themselves trapped in oppressive situations caused by the patriarchal structure of British society.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fay_Weldon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fay_Weldon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 24, 2011
I was disappointed with this book. It was very slow moving but the last 15 or so pages were ok with a slight twist. I found myself unsympathetic towards the characters and didn't like them much except for maybe the Grandmother. I enjoyed the Grandmother's life stories more. I found the ending a bit unrealistic.
March 2, 2017
It's been about three months since I read this novel and I still can't get it out of my head. I think it has actually influenced the way I think. By that I mean, that it made me see a number of issues in a new light and it may have even changed the way I think about relationships. When a book is this influential, you know it has got to be good. I did enjoy reading it, but what strikes me as rather noteworthy is the way this novel keeps popping into my head. It stayed with me. That to me is always a sign of a great novel. Maya Angelou said we might forget what someone said, but we will never forget how someone made us feel and that is certainly true, but I would add that we also don't forget those people who really made us think, or rather- who made us think outside the box. Those are the things they stay with us- perhaps because there is something emotional about discovering something new. Now, when that something new is a new way of seeing things, why shouldn't that be important too? Why shouldn't emotional meet the intellectual?
This is my second novel by Fay Weldon, the first one was Big Girls Don’t Cry and I was pretty impressed with that one. In fact, I thought that it was incredibly insightful and intelligent. It made me question feminism. It made me question history. It made me question everything. I love books that make me question things. If you want to read what I had to say about that one, you can do so here (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). Now, what are my thoughts about this second novel by Fay? I already shared some in that first paragraph, but if I were to compare it with the first novel of hers that I read I would say: it is even better. I need to read more from this writer. She seems to be my cup of tea. Feel free to copy past everything I said (in my first review) about how brilliant this author is. I mean this woman goes beyond being witty and intelligent, her novels are not just satire, they are also wonderfully and beautifully written.
There is a great deal more to this novel, than what meets the eye. The plot itself is interesting enough and it comes with a fresh twist at the end but it is the novel's social commentary that really caught my interest. Universal questions that go beyond the story itself. The way all the minor character seem to have a story to tell as well. The way they do tell it, in not so many words, but they do. The way all the little details seem to come together. The way in which the story seems to flow so effortlessly. The way all the little incidents connect with all those questions you had in your head without realizing they were there. Besides being (generally speaking) witty and smart, Fay does make for an amazingly insightful social and political commentator. She is a master at poking at modern relationships, making fun of them at times- but at the same time being compassionate.
This is social satire at its best- because it is not targeting anyone- or rather it is targeting everyone. There is a generous amount of humour in this novel and it balances nicely with the portrayal of characters and the plot itself. I did really feel for the characters in this one, so thumbs up for the way they are written and for their development. They actions did make sense. There was only one character whom I had issues with and that was the nanny. I felt she was stereotyped. Perhaps that was on purpose, perhaps not. Perhaps she had to be sacrificed for the good of the novel. Her characterization might be a collateral damage, but basically she didn't feel like a well rounded character. Perhaps she was supposed to remain a mystery. I have to admit, I was a bit concerned when I read what the novel was about. However, as you can see from this review, I was pleasantly surprised.
What did I like the most about this novel? Probably the narrative. Weldon uses framed narrative very much to her advantage. The story is told by a seventy-two-old grandmother who has had an eventful life. In other words, her past was rather wild. That makes her interesting but additional plus is that her present life is anything but boring (at least that is why I thought). I really loved this character. This old lady is who is now an extremely perceptive observer of everything going on.
What is going on exactly? Well, her granddaughter Hattie (to whom our narrator has been a good grandmother despite being a rather horrible mother to her own daughter who was raised by her grandmother- something that seems to run in the family) has decided to hire an au pair so she can get back to her work since living on one salary is taking its toll on her relationship/partnership. We might ask ourselves, how come it is so hard to live on one salary? I really do mean it. Why do both partners meed to work full time to be able to pay the bills? Why has spending time with one's child became such a luxury? Anyway, her partnership initially benefits from au pair, but what will happen next....
I say partnership because Martyn and Hattie aren’t married. They are partnered. As a matter of principle. They love one another but feel their love doesn’t need a confirmation. A piece of paper means nothing to them. Or so they claim. The grandmother happens to think they're very naive. Through eyes of our lovely grandmother we will learn a great deal about this couple- spiced with many reflections on modern relationships as well. I would absolutely recommend this novel to everyone.
Here is my original blog post about this book (in case anyone is interested) but mind you, it is not very different from this review here, more like a shorter version of it, so you won't miss anything if you don't read it:
http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.ba/201...
This is my second novel by Fay Weldon, the first one was Big Girls Don’t Cry and I was pretty impressed with that one. In fact, I thought that it was incredibly insightful and intelligent. It made me question feminism. It made me question history. It made me question everything. I love books that make me question things. If you want to read what I had to say about that one, you can do so here (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). Now, what are my thoughts about this second novel by Fay? I already shared some in that first paragraph, but if I were to compare it with the first novel of hers that I read I would say: it is even better. I need to read more from this writer. She seems to be my cup of tea. Feel free to copy past everything I said (in my first review) about how brilliant this author is. I mean this woman goes beyond being witty and intelligent, her novels are not just satire, they are also wonderfully and beautifully written.
There is a great deal more to this novel, than what meets the eye. The plot itself is interesting enough and it comes with a fresh twist at the end but it is the novel's social commentary that really caught my interest. Universal questions that go beyond the story itself. The way all the minor character seem to have a story to tell as well. The way they do tell it, in not so many words, but they do. The way all the little details seem to come together. The way in which the story seems to flow so effortlessly. The way all the little incidents connect with all those questions you had in your head without realizing they were there. Besides being (generally speaking) witty and smart, Fay does make for an amazingly insightful social and political commentator. She is a master at poking at modern relationships, making fun of them at times- but at the same time being compassionate.
This is social satire at its best- because it is not targeting anyone- or rather it is targeting everyone. There is a generous amount of humour in this novel and it balances nicely with the portrayal of characters and the plot itself. I did really feel for the characters in this one, so thumbs up for the way they are written and for their development. They actions did make sense. There was only one character whom I had issues with and that was the nanny. I felt she was stereotyped. Perhaps that was on purpose, perhaps not. Perhaps she had to be sacrificed for the good of the novel. Her characterization might be a collateral damage, but basically she didn't feel like a well rounded character. Perhaps she was supposed to remain a mystery. I have to admit, I was a bit concerned when I read what the novel was about. However, as you can see from this review, I was pleasantly surprised.
What did I like the most about this novel? Probably the narrative. Weldon uses framed narrative very much to her advantage. The story is told by a seventy-two-old grandmother who has had an eventful life. In other words, her past was rather wild. That makes her interesting but additional plus is that her present life is anything but boring (at least that is why I thought). I really loved this character. This old lady is who is now an extremely perceptive observer of everything going on.
What is going on exactly? Well, her granddaughter Hattie (to whom our narrator has been a good grandmother despite being a rather horrible mother to her own daughter who was raised by her grandmother- something that seems to run in the family) has decided to hire an au pair so she can get back to her work since living on one salary is taking its toll on her relationship/partnership. We might ask ourselves, how come it is so hard to live on one salary? I really do mean it. Why do both partners meed to work full time to be able to pay the bills? Why has spending time with one's child became such a luxury? Anyway, her partnership initially benefits from au pair, but what will happen next....
I say partnership because Martyn and Hattie aren’t married. They are partnered. As a matter of principle. They love one another but feel their love doesn’t need a confirmation. A piece of paper means nothing to them. Or so they claim. The grandmother happens to think they're very naive. Through eyes of our lovely grandmother we will learn a great deal about this couple- spiced with many reflections on modern relationships as well. I would absolutely recommend this novel to everyone.
Here is my original blog post about this book (in case anyone is interested) but mind you, it is not very different from this review here, more like a shorter version of it, so you won't miss anything if you don't read it:
http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.ba/201...
February 16, 2013
I'm only being half-facetious when I say what I don't like about Weldon is that her books are so compulsively readable I only get to spend about 24 hours with each one. If the writing weren't quite as clever or the pacing quite as break-neck I might have been able to put the book down once in a while and spread the enjoyment over a few days. Two quick notes: As artists age they often grow more contemplative and less engaged with the contemporary scene, and Weldon somehow manages the former without the latter. Her eye for what's going on now is as sharp as it ever was. Also, on first reading the historical chapters seemed a bit unnecessary and the ending a bit ex machina, but after it came together in my head I realized it's all part of one coherent point about the engagement and disengagement of this family's women with their husbands, their offspring, themselves and each other through the generations.
May 27, 2012
What an acerbic wit Fay weldon has, sharp though not lacking in compassion. She plays with the storyline like a cat with a mouse....wields a sentence or even just a phrase so that it hits the mark right on target.
It's an amusing read. There's a constant reflection from generation to generation, through eyes that have seen it all. There's a sense that nothing really changes, even when all things have apparently changed, and there's a certain sense of apathy in this.
I liked the inevitable though surprising conclusion...something had to give.
A very good read.
It's an amusing read. There's a constant reflection from generation to generation, through eyes that have seen it all. There's a sense that nothing really changes, even when all things have apparently changed, and there's a certain sense of apathy in this.
I liked the inevitable though surprising conclusion...something had to give.
A very good read.
November 8, 2019
Weldon skewers modern de facto parenting with a very sharp pin and inspects it using a magnifying glass and scalpel. Ouch! She is such an expert at creating anxious, compliant "good girl" characters that you can't help but cringe in recognition and embarrassment. (That said, she gives all of the characters a cynical drubbing.) Wonderfully bitchy!
November 23, 2014
2007 bookcrossing thoughts...
This is the first novel by Fay Weldon I've read. I read one of her short stories a couple of years ago, but that's all.
Set in London, it is the tale of Hattie, her partner Martyn and their baby, Kitty. And the day they decide to get a Polish au pair, Agnieszka, in to look after Kitty and the house. Our narrator is Hattie's grandmother, who as well as watches the inevitable drama unfold, also tells us about the lives of the other women in Hattie's family - more than perhaps hinting at what is going to happen. Who exactely is mistress of the house in the end?
Fay Weldon's writing is great, so to just call this chick lit would be not to fully appreciate it; especially considering some of the chick lit crud out there which is published. And I think it does also give you a lot of things to mull over - about child rearing (is it right to presume that this is the right thing for every woman to do with her life?), modern families, the use of au pairs and the way they are put upon by some families, expected to do everything etc and yet can meet with a lot of hosility when it does seem that they are becoming the centre of the home. Perhaps even the way we just view foreign workers coming into this country as something to be used at our convenience.
It is a very London-based book. When Hattie gets her old job back, her husband makes some comment of her £35,000 salary as a disgustingly low salary - what the????? And are we to presume then that he is earning a lot more... and to follow on from that how on earth can they be strapped for cash? And her husband does have rather cliched northern roots which is a bit unoriginal. Ho hum.
But it is a fun read, and I think it's clever in that it leads you to believe there's only one character being manipulative in the story.
This is the first novel by Fay Weldon I've read. I read one of her short stories a couple of years ago, but that's all.
Set in London, it is the tale of Hattie, her partner Martyn and their baby, Kitty. And the day they decide to get a Polish au pair, Agnieszka, in to look after Kitty and the house. Our narrator is Hattie's grandmother, who as well as watches the inevitable drama unfold, also tells us about the lives of the other women in Hattie's family - more than perhaps hinting at what is going to happen. Who exactely is mistress of the house in the end?
Fay Weldon's writing is great, so to just call this chick lit would be not to fully appreciate it; especially considering some of the chick lit crud out there which is published. And I think it does also give you a lot of things to mull over - about child rearing (is it right to presume that this is the right thing for every woman to do with her life?), modern families, the use of au pairs and the way they are put upon by some families, expected to do everything etc and yet can meet with a lot of hosility when it does seem that they are becoming the centre of the home. Perhaps even the way we just view foreign workers coming into this country as something to be used at our convenience.
It is a very London-based book. When Hattie gets her old job back, her husband makes some comment of her £35,000 salary as a disgustingly low salary - what the????? And are we to presume then that he is earning a lot more... and to follow on from that how on earth can they be strapped for cash? And her husband does have rather cliched northern roots which is a bit unoriginal. Ho hum.
But it is a fun read, and I think it's clever in that it leads you to believe there's only one character being manipulative in the story.
March 13, 2015
This is a frequently funny but ultimately frustrating read. It tells the story of a young, attractive couple, Hattie and Martyn, who must employ a Polish au pair, Agnieszka,so that Hattie can go back to work, since their lifestyle can't maintain itself on a single salary.
A lot of interesting questions are raised from a feminist perspective - that it is Hattie's career which must be put on the back burner when their baby arrives, the way that the couple's intentions to share the child rearing vanish almost as soon as the baby is born, the consequences of bringing a third party into the household when relations between the couple are somewhat strained. It also explores the question of whether or not it an be ethical to buy the labour of a much poorer woman so that a richer one can have a satisfying career.
My issue is that the narrative is all over the place, and as soon as things start getting interesting with Hattie and Martyn, we veer off into the past to examine the narrator's chequered past. Said narrator is Frances, Hattie's grandmother, and every other chapter seems to deal with her past relationships with men, her current relationship with her sister and her imprisoned husband, and their colourful life in the 60s. It might be interesting were it given its own book, but I just felt it got in the way of the main story. There was surely enough material in Hattie and Martyn's tale to sustain a whole novel without confusing matters with a large cast of mostly dead characters who were sketchily drawn and added little.
A lot of interesting questions are raised from a feminist perspective - that it is Hattie's career which must be put on the back burner when their baby arrives, the way that the couple's intentions to share the child rearing vanish almost as soon as the baby is born, the consequences of bringing a third party into the household when relations between the couple are somewhat strained. It also explores the question of whether or not it an be ethical to buy the labour of a much poorer woman so that a richer one can have a satisfying career.
My issue is that the narrative is all over the place, and as soon as things start getting interesting with Hattie and Martyn, we veer off into the past to examine the narrator's chequered past. Said narrator is Frances, Hattie's grandmother, and every other chapter seems to deal with her past relationships with men, her current relationship with her sister and her imprisoned husband, and their colourful life in the 60s. It might be interesting were it given its own book, but I just felt it got in the way of the main story. There was surely enough material in Hattie and Martyn's tale to sustain a whole novel without confusing matters with a large cast of mostly dead characters who were sketchily drawn and added little.
April 16, 2013
My first Fay Weldon. I know there will be many more.
There's a husband, a wife, and the other woman. The couple seem happy until the other woman enters the picture and then things turn topsy-turvy. Typical, you'd think.
But it's not till you get to the end of the novel, the unexpected climax, that you realize things were never what they seemed like anyway.
The narration seems a bit tedious at times, but it's the bold twist that makes it worth it. There's a stream of cynicism that flows through the novel, which can be convincing. I'd like to think that people are better than that though.
Fay Weldon makes you wonder if this is what relationships are like at the root of it all. Os is it best to just dismiss the notion as mere fiction?
There's a husband, a wife, and the other woman. The couple seem happy until the other woman enters the picture and then things turn topsy-turvy. Typical, you'd think.
But it's not till you get to the end of the novel, the unexpected climax, that you realize things were never what they seemed like anyway.
The narration seems a bit tedious at times, but it's the bold twist that makes it worth it. There's a stream of cynicism that flows through the novel, which can be convincing. I'd like to think that people are better than that though.
Fay Weldon makes you wonder if this is what relationships are like at the root of it all. Os is it best to just dismiss the notion as mere fiction?
March 14, 2013
I really like this book. Very witty and the characters were all written in well. Would vreccommend this to anyone who want''''s a laugh.
October 21, 2022
The description for this book is accurate, but most of the drama mentioned doesn’t happen until the last few chapters.
Overall I did like the book, but I wouldn’t say it’s one of my favorites. So not bad but not great. I did relate to Hattie (especially her last few lines) and I was interested the whole time, waiting to see how everything would relate back to the description.
That said, there were a lot of characters and entire sections that while give some background info they had little to do with the plot. I will also say that I did enjoy these parts (when the grandmother/narrator would discuss her life and experiences) and would have maybe liked it more if either the grandmother played a bigger part in the story besides just narrating and musing.
Finally, while the characters all describe themselves as progressive and as feminists, I got frequent misogynistic vibes that I didn’t love.
Overall I did like the book, but I wouldn’t say it’s one of my favorites. So not bad but not great. I did relate to Hattie (especially her last few lines) and I was interested the whole time, waiting to see how everything would relate back to the description.
That said, there were a lot of characters and entire sections that while give some background info they had little to do with the plot. I will also say that I did enjoy these parts (when the grandmother/narrator would discuss her life and experiences) and would have maybe liked it more if either the grandmother played a bigger part in the story besides just narrating and musing.
Finally, while the characters all describe themselves as progressive and as feminists, I got frequent misogynistic vibes that I didn’t love.
May 12, 2019
It was surprising and weird - and maybe just about womanhood and its many faces.
December 18, 2016
За слегка помпезным и очень провокативным русским переводом названия стоит очень простое "She May Not Leave" оригинала. "You may leave" - это такая фраза, которой английские аристократы как просто отпускают прислугу, дав ей указания, так и увольняют ее, имея ввиду, что бы через 5 минут тебя и твоих вещей в доме не было. "You may NOT leave" - думаю, смысл понятен.
В аннотации говорится, что книга о семейно паре Хетти и Мартине, которая нанимает няню для их дочери-младенца, но все оборачивается не так, как планировалось. На деле же - это чертовский хорошая семейная сага. История идет от лица Фрэнсис, бабушки молодой женщины Хетти, которая как раз и решает нанять няню, что бы иметь возможность выйти на работу. И вся книга - это история жизни 4-х поколений женщин этой семьи, даже пяти, потому что у Хетти тоже дочь. Семейные трагедии, карьеры, таланты, дети, мужья, друзья - всего этого было ох как много на эти четыре поколения.
Практически до конца книги думала поставить баллов три, потому что ничего кроме воспоминаний о прошлом и довольно очевидной истории Хетти в книге не видела. Последняя страница книги впечатление поменяла очень кардинально - обьяснился и странные решения Хетти, и вообще ее отношения с Мартином. И самое главное - стало понятно, что книга просто о сильной и волевой женщине, и нет разницы как ее зовут, Хатти или Фрэнсис.
В аннотации говорится, что книга о семейно паре Хетти и Мартине, которая нанимает няню для их дочери-младенца, но все оборачивается не так, как планировалось. На деле же - это чертовский хорошая семейная сага. История идет от лица Фрэнсис, бабушки молодой женщины Хетти, которая как раз и решает нанять няню, что бы иметь возможность выйти на работу. И вся книга - это история жизни 4-х поколений женщин этой семьи, даже пяти, потому что у Хетти тоже дочь. Семейные трагедии, карьеры, таланты, дети, мужья, друзья - всего этого было ох как много на эти четыре поколения.
Практически до конца книги думала поставить баллов три, потому что ничего кроме воспоминаний о прошлом и довольно очевидной истории Хетти в книге не видела. Последняя страница книги впечатление поменяла очень кардинально - обьяснился и странные решения Хетти, и вообще ее отношения с Мартином. И самое главное - стало понятно, что книга просто о сильной и волевой женщине, и нет разницы как ее зовут, Хатти или Фрэнсис.
January 27, 2011
I really enjoyed this book.
Fay Weldon's writing style is distinct - it reminded me more of something from the creative non-fiction genre, than a regular fiction book. Each paragraph is self-contained. Almost a mini-chapter. It could be jarring at time, but I thought it was an interesting stylistic device and worked well with the story. There was a precision to the writing that I don't often see (and am not sure it's fair to call it chick lit).
The story was intriguing . .. ultimately about women and domesticity - are some women just born not lead a linear familial life. The main female character Hattie has had a baby with her partner Martyn - they don't get married - which has significance later in the story.
They take in a polish girl with an increasingly mysterious background to serve as nanny . .. and she becomes so integrated in their lives, that "she may not leave"
I may be clueless, but I did not forsee the ending. I don't want to ruin it for anyone - if you're looking for a plot twist on the normal chick lit - definitely check it out.
Fay Weldon's writing style is distinct - it reminded me more of something from the creative non-fiction genre, than a regular fiction book. Each paragraph is self-contained. Almost a mini-chapter. It could be jarring at time, but I thought it was an interesting stylistic device and worked well with the story. There was a precision to the writing that I don't often see (and am not sure it's fair to call it chick lit).
The story was intriguing . .. ultimately about women and domesticity - are some women just born not lead a linear familial life. The main female character Hattie has had a baby with her partner Martyn - they don't get married - which has significance later in the story.
They take in a polish girl with an increasingly mysterious background to serve as nanny . .. and she becomes so integrated in their lives, that "she may not leave"
I may be clueless, but I did not forsee the ending. I don't want to ruin it for anyone - if you're looking for a plot twist on the normal chick lit - definitely check it out.
January 28, 2015
It's not much of a novel - the letters in my paperback edition were printed so big that I have mistaken it for a special edition for elderly people. The horned wife's passivity mounting in crazed stupidity creates the whole action of the classic story of nanny-gone-naughty and the career-ridden-family-man-constantly-running-around-with-a-hard-on.
I couldn't help but find the mind-sets of most characters racist and the persona of Agnes sience-fictional in her perfection, subtle baseness and ÜBER-neatness.
Someone else mentioned "Waspy" that nails it, too.
I hope to find more inspired work by Fay Weldon, since her writing is flawless.
I couldn't help but find the mind-sets of most characters racist and the persona of Agnes sience-fictional in her perfection, subtle baseness and ÜBER-neatness.
Someone else mentioned "Waspy" that nails it, too.
I hope to find more inspired work by Fay Weldon, since her writing is flawless.
November 8, 2011
I liked the way this book was framed, with Hattie's grandmother Frances telling the story. I liked the way Frances's story intermingled with Hattie's and watching the way the stories looped back on each other and mirrored each other and diverged from each other. That said, I wasn't all that excited by Hattie's own story. It seemed a little cliched and predictable. I'm not sure whether I'd read another Weldon novel based on this one.
December 10, 2012
I had to admit to enjoying two entirely different value systems and priority sets in conflict. What it demonstrates admirably is that children are at the nexus of power relations between men and women. They may serve as pawns, but because they require so much care, they are much more than that. Thus, caregivers figure into the power equation also, and they may find creative ways of asserting their power.
June 4, 2013
I only got a third of the way through. It seemed that family wisdom was not passed on. Indeed they had no wisdom to pass on and each generation of women made the same mistakes picking less than stellar men and having affairs. I read for enjoyment and didn't consider this entertaining more like a chore to get through. Disappointing as I watched Upstairs Downstairs which she wrote the first episode and enjoyed the show.
November 12, 2019
Piszę opinie głownie na smartphonie, także, czasem zdarza się, że smartphone płata figle. Dla tej książki napisałem dwa razy opnię. Wersja pierwsza skasowała mi się, myślałem, że bezpowrotnie, dlatego napisałem drugą. Na szczęście, udało mi się odzyskać wersję pierwszą....
------ Wersja nr 1 --- która napisałem pierwotnie --- skasowała mi się przypadkowo, na szczęscie udało mi się ją odzyskać!
W ogóle nie miałem pojęcia czego spodziewać się po tej książce. Pewnego dnia wchodząc do biblioteki zauważyłem tego audiobooka na półce i po krótkim opisie który znajdował się na tylnej okładce podjąłem decyzje o wypożyczeniu. Kilka wieczorów później postanowiłem przesłuchać kilku pierwszych minut książki, całkowicie nie zakładałem że będę słuchał więcej niż kilka minut. Jednak po przesłuchaniu kilku minut moja uwaga została mocno przyciśnięta i rzutem na taśmę zacząłem słuchać dalej, aż w końcu w przeciągu trzech wieczorów przesłuchałem całość.
Książka natychmiast skojarzyła mi się z inną książka pt. "Zarys dziejów traktora po ukraińsku" Mariny Lewickiej. Chociaż akcja książki "ona może nie odejść" toczy się w innym kontekście niż "zarys dziejów traktora…". Akcja obydwu ksiazek toczy się w Anglii. W obu przypadkach mamy do czynienia ze w rodzinie angielskiej pojawia się kobieta z Europy Wschodniej która zaburza działanie rodziny wykorzystując atrybuty kobiecości na swoją korzyść. W przypadku "ona może nie odejść" mamy do czynienia w młodą parą angielską która w nowoczesny sposób żyje razem, ma dziecko, ale nie bierze ślubu tylko zawiera związek partnerski. On jest redaktorem w czasopiśmie ona rodzi dziecko ale szybko chce wrócić do pracy. Jest to problem praktyczny i aby go rozwiązać para decyduje się na zatrudnienie dziewczyny z Polski, Agnieszki która na zamieszkać z nimi w domu i za sumę 200 funtów tygodniowo zając się dzieckiem. Opowieść pisana jest z perspektywy prababci młodej matki która pozostawia swoje dziecko w opiece dziewczyny z Polski.
Nie będę więcej spojlował. Cała historia na koniec mocno się komplikuje. Agnieszka nie robi chyba dobrej reklamy. Mataczy. Raz mówi ze ma męża, który jest artystą reżyserem i ze względu na złą sytuacje finansowa musiała wyjechać do Anglii aby zarabiać pieniądze, potem się okazuje ze wcale męża nie ma, raz wspomina ze pochodzi z Krakowa, potem okazuje się ze z innego miasta i tak dalej.
W książce pojawia się wątek kobiety pochodzącej ze wschodniej Europy jednak motywem przechodzeniem jest sytuacja współczesnej kobiety Angielki. Ponieważ całość pisana jest z perspektywy prababci w pewnym momencie książki pojawia się analiza tego jak wyglądała sytuacja kobiet Angielek na przeciągu ostatnich czterech pokoleń. Między innymi poruszony jest temat iż ostatni moment w historii Anglii kiedy kobiety brały obce kobiety do wychowywania swoich dzieci miał miejsce prawie sto lat temu, i i dziwo po kilkudziesięciu lataj emancypacji sytuacja w XXI się powtarza, kiedy młode Angielki zmuszone są wpuszczać do swoich domów młode operki (au pair) ze wschodniej Europy.
Ciekawostką dla mnie jest to jak brzmi tytuł książki w języku niemieckim. "Morale der Frauen" -- co oznacza moralność kobiet. Całkowicie odbiega to od angielskiego tytułu i polskiego tłumaczenia tytułu ale mocno oddaje główne przesłanie książki -- czyli dylematy moralne z jakimi spotykają się kobiety w różnych sytuacjach życiowych. Książka dość pozytywnie mnie zaskoczyła. Spodobała mi się treści oraz problematyka moralno-społeczna która jest w niej poruszana.
------ Wersja Druga -- Napisana po tym jak skasowała mi się wersja nr 1
Nie wiedziałem czego spodziewać się po tej książce, a w zasadzie audiobooku, którego spontanicznie wypożyczyłem z mojej biblioteki. Przesłuchałem go w wersji niemieckiej. Dodam że tytuł niemiecki odbiega od polskiego i oryginalnego angielskiego tytułu, a brzmi "Die Morale der Frauen" -- co oznacza "Moralność Kobiet".
Narratorem książki jest kobieta w podeszłym wieku, babcia młodej matki imieniem Harriet, której urodziło się niedawno dziewczynka, Kitty. Harriet żyje w związku partnerskim z Martinem, który zawodowo jest zastępcą redaktora naczelnego w jakimś angielskim czasopiśmie.
Harriet i Martin to nowoczesna para Brytyjczyków żyje tylko w związku partnerskim nie czuje potrzeby zawarcia małżeństwa. Narratorka babcia Harriet ma wiele wątpliwości na ten temat, sama wychowała się według innych wartości moralnych i trudno jej zrozumieć standardy moralne młodszego pokolenia.
Harriet po urodzeniu Kitty szybko chce wrócić do pracy zawodowej i tu pojawia się problem. Żłobki są strasznie drogie, jedyna sensowna alternatywa to zatrudnienie au pair z Polski, Agnieszki.
Agnieszka to dwudziestokilkuletnia kobieta pochodząca z Krakowa, ma męża, reżysera który pracuje jako kierowca autobusów. Ze względu na kiepską sytuacje finansową Agnieszka zmuszona jest żyć z mężem na odległość i podejmuje prace w Anglii. Jako au pair może mieszkać za darmo razem z Martinem i Kitty, a tygodniowo zarobić może 200 funtów.
Z biegiem czasu sytuacja wie komplikuje. Nie będę spojlował, ale Przyznam ze świetnie się bawiłem czytając tą historie. Finał bardzo mnie zaskoczył. Wszystko mocno się mocno pogmatwało.
Kobiety spotykają się z wieloma dylematami moralnymi. Książka nie tylko analizuje współczesne dylematy moralne ale również te które miały miejsce we wcześniejszych pokoleniach. Narratorka w pewnym momencie książki opisuje biografie kobiet poszeczegolnych pokoleń jej rodziny.
------ Wersja nr 1 --- która napisałem pierwotnie --- skasowała mi się przypadkowo, na szczęscie udało mi się ją odzyskać!
W ogóle nie miałem pojęcia czego spodziewać się po tej książce. Pewnego dnia wchodząc do biblioteki zauważyłem tego audiobooka na półce i po krótkim opisie który znajdował się na tylnej okładce podjąłem decyzje o wypożyczeniu. Kilka wieczorów później postanowiłem przesłuchać kilku pierwszych minut książki, całkowicie nie zakładałem że będę słuchał więcej niż kilka minut. Jednak po przesłuchaniu kilku minut moja uwaga została mocno przyciśnięta i rzutem na taśmę zacząłem słuchać dalej, aż w końcu w przeciągu trzech wieczorów przesłuchałem całość.
Książka natychmiast skojarzyła mi się z inną książka pt. "Zarys dziejów traktora po ukraińsku" Mariny Lewickiej. Chociaż akcja książki "ona może nie odejść" toczy się w innym kontekście niż "zarys dziejów traktora…". Akcja obydwu ksiazek toczy się w Anglii. W obu przypadkach mamy do czynienia ze w rodzinie angielskiej pojawia się kobieta z Europy Wschodniej która zaburza działanie rodziny wykorzystując atrybuty kobiecości na swoją korzyść. W przypadku "ona może nie odejść" mamy do czynienia w młodą parą angielską która w nowoczesny sposób żyje razem, ma dziecko, ale nie bierze ślubu tylko zawiera związek partnerski. On jest redaktorem w czasopiśmie ona rodzi dziecko ale szybko chce wrócić do pracy. Jest to problem praktyczny i aby go rozwiązać para decyduje się na zatrudnienie dziewczyny z Polski, Agnieszki która na zamieszkać z nimi w domu i za sumę 200 funtów tygodniowo zając się dzieckiem. Opowieść pisana jest z perspektywy prababci młodej matki która pozostawia swoje dziecko w opiece dziewczyny z Polski.
Nie będę więcej spojlował. Cała historia na koniec mocno się komplikuje. Agnieszka nie robi chyba dobrej reklamy. Mataczy. Raz mówi ze ma męża, który jest artystą reżyserem i ze względu na złą sytuacje finansowa musiała wyjechać do Anglii aby zarabiać pieniądze, potem się okazuje ze wcale męża nie ma, raz wspomina ze pochodzi z Krakowa, potem okazuje się ze z innego miasta i tak dalej.
W książce pojawia się wątek kobiety pochodzącej ze wschodniej Europy jednak motywem przechodzeniem jest sytuacja współczesnej kobiety Angielki. Ponieważ całość pisana jest z perspektywy prababci w pewnym momencie książki pojawia się analiza tego jak wyglądała sytuacja kobiet Angielek na przeciągu ostatnich czterech pokoleń. Między innymi poruszony jest temat iż ostatni moment w historii Anglii kiedy kobiety brały obce kobiety do wychowywania swoich dzieci miał miejsce prawie sto lat temu, i i dziwo po kilkudziesięciu lataj emancypacji sytuacja w XXI się powtarza, kiedy młode Angielki zmuszone są wpuszczać do swoich domów młode operki (au pair) ze wschodniej Europy.
Ciekawostką dla mnie jest to jak brzmi tytuł książki w języku niemieckim. "Morale der Frauen" -- co oznacza moralność kobiet. Całkowicie odbiega to od angielskiego tytułu i polskiego tłumaczenia tytułu ale mocno oddaje główne przesłanie książki -- czyli dylematy moralne z jakimi spotykają się kobiety w różnych sytuacjach życiowych. Książka dość pozytywnie mnie zaskoczyła. Spodobała mi się treści oraz problematyka moralno-społeczna która jest w niej poruszana.
------ Wersja Druga -- Napisana po tym jak skasowała mi się wersja nr 1
Nie wiedziałem czego spodziewać się po tej książce, a w zasadzie audiobooku, którego spontanicznie wypożyczyłem z mojej biblioteki. Przesłuchałem go w wersji niemieckiej. Dodam że tytuł niemiecki odbiega od polskiego i oryginalnego angielskiego tytułu, a brzmi "Die Morale der Frauen" -- co oznacza "Moralność Kobiet".
Narratorem książki jest kobieta w podeszłym wieku, babcia młodej matki imieniem Harriet, której urodziło się niedawno dziewczynka, Kitty. Harriet żyje w związku partnerskim z Martinem, który zawodowo jest zastępcą redaktora naczelnego w jakimś angielskim czasopiśmie.
Harriet i Martin to nowoczesna para Brytyjczyków żyje tylko w związku partnerskim nie czuje potrzeby zawarcia małżeństwa. Narratorka babcia Harriet ma wiele wątpliwości na ten temat, sama wychowała się według innych wartości moralnych i trudno jej zrozumieć standardy moralne młodszego pokolenia.
Harriet po urodzeniu Kitty szybko chce wrócić do pracy zawodowej i tu pojawia się problem. Żłobki są strasznie drogie, jedyna sensowna alternatywa to zatrudnienie au pair z Polski, Agnieszki.
Agnieszka to dwudziestokilkuletnia kobieta pochodząca z Krakowa, ma męża, reżysera który pracuje jako kierowca autobusów. Ze względu na kiepską sytuacje finansową Agnieszka zmuszona jest żyć z mężem na odległość i podejmuje prace w Anglii. Jako au pair może mieszkać za darmo razem z Martinem i Kitty, a tygodniowo zarobić może 200 funtów.
Z biegiem czasu sytuacja wie komplikuje. Nie będę spojlował, ale Przyznam ze świetnie się bawiłem czytając tą historie. Finał bardzo mnie zaskoczył. Wszystko mocno się mocno pogmatwało.
Kobiety spotykają się z wieloma dylematami moralnymi. Książka nie tylko analizuje współczesne dylematy moralne ale również te które miały miejsce we wcześniejszych pokoleniach. Narratorka w pewnym momencie książki opisuje biografie kobiet poszeczegolnych pokoleń jej rodziny.
May 16, 2009
The British Daily Telegraph calls this a "A witty, wicked, lethally elegant novel." Despite Fay Weldon's skillful prose, I found it wasn't disturbing, but was instead rather predictable and flat.
An au pair is employed by a young couple to take care of their new baby.
Who particularly cares: none of the characters are especially likable, and the ending is soon apparent.
An au pair is employed by a young couple to take care of their new baby.
Who particularly cares: none of the characters are especially likable, and the ending is soon apparent.
September 7, 2007
My second quirky Weldon novel. I liked it, then questioned it and ultimately thought it was more complex than what appeared on the surface. It would be great to discuss with a group of women and the British publisher's site poses a few good discussion questions.
March 5, 2009
Despite being really easy to read, I only managed to go through short spurts with this book. After finally finishing it, I wished I had just read it one sitting. I think I might've missed out on what could've been a 5-star for me! I loved the ending!
November 15, 2010
Мне очень понравился слог, что в последнее время редкость. Прочитала книгу за день неделю назад и все еще думаю о героях... Как часто семья и карьера заставляют сделать выбор, который для женщины является более сложным. Отлично описана тревожная атмосфера лжи и недомолвок в жизни Хетти.
October 13, 2013
I thought about it a long time after I'd finished reading it. The conclusion was disturbing and seemed to point to the Catch-22 for women who have to choose between mutually exclusive, diametrically opposed paths in life. Also made me think of the price women pay for love and family.
February 17, 2023
I'd heard that Fay Weldon's later works are less feminist in tone bit I couldn't find evidence of that here. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it and plenty of quotable bits to talk about at the book club too.
October 11, 2007
Funny and pretty charming book about motivations.
September 23, 2008
Well-written and gripping even as it made me thoroughly uncomfortable. The sort of disturbing story you can't get out of your head. I wish I hadn't read it.
March 8, 2009
I really enjoyed this. I did wonder why it was told from the point of view of the grandmother but it turns out there is a very good reason. A very cleverly written Fay Weldon!
December 30, 2009
Weldon at her most waspish and cynical describing the affairs of a bunch of characters all as unlikeable as each other. An easy and entertaining read, but nothing special.
April 10, 2012
Not the best book I've ever read, but I made it to the end without getting bored!
February 6, 2014
Wow, I love this book. Don't you love when the unexpected happens in a novel? I was quite shocked by the outcome, really.
(I also don't understand why this doesn't have better reviews.)
(I also don't understand why this doesn't have better reviews.)
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