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Something Light
In 1950s London, a career girl decides it’s high time she snared herself a husband, in Margery Sharp’s high-spirited New York Times–bestselling novel
Professional dog photographer Louisa Datchett is indiscriminately fond of men. And men take shocking advantage of her good nature when they need their problems listened to, their socks washed, their prescriptions filled, and employment found. But by the age of thirty, Louisa is tired of constantly being dispatched to the scene of some masculine disaster. It’s all well and good to be an independent woman—and certainly better than being a “timid Victorian wife”)—but the time has come for her to marry, and marry well. With admirable discipline and the dedication she displays in any endeavor involving men, Louisa sets out on her romantic quest.
This vastly entertaining chronicle of the life of a single woman who is both of her time and ahead of it is Margery Sharp at her witty, satirical best.
Professional dog photographer Louisa Datchett is indiscriminately fond of men. And men take shocking advantage of her good nature when they need their problems listened to, their socks washed, their prescriptions filled, and employment found. But by the age of thirty, Louisa is tired of constantly being dispatched to the scene of some masculine disaster. It’s all well and good to be an independent woman—and certainly better than being a “timid Victorian wife”)—but the time has come for her to marry, and marry well. With admirable discipline and the dedication she displays in any endeavor involving men, Louisa sets out on her romantic quest.
This vastly entertaining chronicle of the life of a single woman who is both of her time and ahead of it is Margery Sharp at her witty, satirical best.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1960
172 people are currently reading
684 people want to read
About the author
Margery Sharp
81 books182 followersMargery Sharp was born Clara Margery Melita Sharp in Salisbury. She spent part of her childhood in Malta.
Sharp wrote 26 novels, 14 children's stories, 4 plays, 2 mysteries and many short stories. She is best known for her series of children's books about a little white mouse named Miss Bianca and her companion, Bernard. Two Disney films have been made based on them, called The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under.
In 1938, she married Major Geoffrey Castle, an aeronautical engineer.
Sharp wrote 26 novels, 14 children's stories, 4 plays, 2 mysteries and many short stories. She is best known for her series of children's books about a little white mouse named Miss Bianca and her companion, Bernard. Two Disney films have been made based on them, called The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under.
In 1938, she married Major Geoffrey Castle, an aeronautical engineer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
December 20, 2017
There I was profiling Sharp books as having a Tyler like quality of avoiding 'happily ever after' and here I am writing about one that makes me eat my words. It's all in the name, Something Light. It's a straightforward comedy in which the heroine sets out to become married and one way or another the closer she thinks she is, the further way she finds herself.
She's a 'good sort', an expression which seems to have fallen by the wayside. Indeed Sharp, who had a particular interest in language uses lots of words which might have been faddish at the time but dropped out of use. One in this book is 'Pammies'. They are a type of female, but it isn't clear to me if it is an expression coined by Sharp or a word of the period. I can't see any references to it online.
Fabulously freshly funny.
She's a 'good sort', an expression which seems to have fallen by the wayside. Indeed Sharp, who had a particular interest in language uses lots of words which might have been faddish at the time but dropped out of use. One in this book is 'Pammies'. They are a type of female, but it isn't clear to me if it is an expression coined by Sharp or a word of the period. I can't see any references to it online.
Fabulously freshly funny.
Want to read
September 21, 2020$1.99 Kindle sale, Sept. 21, 2020. This 1960 book sound great for those who like retro reads with a little romance.
August 21, 2020
Vintage Margery Sharp. Something Light, indeed. Just for fun, full of smiles, a perfect read for when the real world is falling apart. The adventures of a Photographer of Dogs, and helper of men in predicaments, who is beginning to feel she has been on the shelf a bit too long.
I loved it. Even if the promised corgis went to Scotland and never put in the promised appearance.
I loved it. Even if the promised corgis went to Scotland and never put in the promised appearance.
January 23, 2024
This was my seventh by Margery Sharp, which I loved. And I am pretty sure I will love (or at least like) all her novels.
"Something Light" was witty, enjoyable, and "sunny", although the main threads/questions were important: a woman's role, the idea of finding a husband, a woman's independence, a happy marriage.
I simply adore Sharp's style, her mix of light pen and complex, difficult topics. I am going to read many of her stories.
[4-4.5 stars]
"Something Light" was witty, enjoyable, and "sunny", although the main threads/questions were important: a woman's role, the idea of finding a husband, a woman's independence, a happy marriage.
I simply adore Sharp's style, her mix of light pen and complex, difficult topics. I am going to read many of her stories.
[4-4.5 stars]
January 21, 2020
After reading The Unconsoled, I wanted to read something light. So I started looking in my kindle, and there was this book, called of all things, Something Light. It took me a bit to get into it, but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were only a few times when I could tell this book was 50 years old. Otherwise, it read very much as more contemporary women's fiction does. And it was a fun, charming read about a young modern, working woman who's decided to stop taking care of men all the time and just get married. Except the pathway to getting married doesn't go quite as she expected. Right up to the very end. And you know by the end she comes out just fine, too.
I haven't read anything by this author before, but this was a sweet, fun book and I'd be interested in seeing some of her other works at some point.
I haven't read anything by this author before, but this was a sweet, fun book and I'd be interested in seeing some of her other works at some point.
April 29, 2012
An amusing, beautifully written romp of a story - the title describes it perfectly. Louisa Datchett, professional dog photographer and hitherto-contented "single lady" decides that it is time to try out marriage. Her adventures in pursuit of a suitable spouse give Margery Sharp much scope for her gentle (and very funny) satirical societal commentary.
August 17, 2016
A nice light novel as the title says. This made a great sorbet to cleanse my palet after reading A Clash of Kings.
September 10, 2020
I really wanted to love this! The cover was so perfect. But the plot just didn't do it for me. Very disappointed.
April 24, 2018
Good for what ails you. Especially under a Trump administration. Light, funny, well written distraction. Now refreshed and back to fighting fascism!
May 8, 2025
Something Light was exactly what I needed! It’s a lighthearted, delightful read, and the heroine’s antics kept me smiling the whole way through.
September 24, 2016
I do so much enjoy Margery Sharp's novels! Witty, slightly ironic and very intelligently written (I sometimes have to google various literary references and vocabulary words).
Louisa Datchett is a career woman, a professional photographer of dogs. She also likes men, but for her, that entails acting as a surrogate mother for single men who are mostly down on their luck. Then one day, as though struck by a bright light from heaven, she decides that being a married lady is far better than being an independent career woman. "--Considering the average run of independent self-supporting modern women, Louisa honestly believed they’d all be better off with rich husbands."
What follows is a romp wherein Louisa tries to catch one prospective husband after the other. First, she tries out a rich one, but she gives him up to a fluffy widow. Next comes a steady, dependable man, one who never postpones unpleasant tasks like dentist appointments ("In Louisa’s experience, getting a man to the dentist’s was like getting a cat to the vet’s.").
Next she decides that a family man would be just the ticket, but he is the worst of all! ("At last, she’d met a man she positively disliked. She was no longer indiscriminately fond of men.")
So she resigns herself to be a career woman after all, except that she fails to have any commissions. Just when she has been reduced to a diet of bread and margarine, a man -- THE MAN -- catches her.
4 stars!
Louisa Datchett is a career woman, a professional photographer of dogs. She also likes men, but for her, that entails acting as a surrogate mother for single men who are mostly down on their luck. Then one day, as though struck by a bright light from heaven, she decides that being a married lady is far better than being an independent career woman. "--Considering the average run of independent self-supporting modern women, Louisa honestly believed they’d all be better off with rich husbands."
What follows is a romp wherein Louisa tries to catch one prospective husband after the other. First, she tries out a rich one, but she gives him up to a fluffy widow. Next comes a steady, dependable man, one who never postpones unpleasant tasks like dentist appointments ("In Louisa’s experience, getting a man to the dentist’s was like getting a cat to the vet’s.").
Next she decides that a family man would be just the ticket, but he is the worst of all! ("At last, she’d met a man she positively disliked. She was no longer indiscriminately fond of men.")
So she resigns herself to be a career woman after all, except that she fails to have any commissions. Just when she has been reduced to a diet of bread and margarine, a man -- THE MAN -- catches her.
4 stars!
January 28, 2015
Something Light was a delight. The main character, Louisa Datchett, is appealing and her story is compelling. She is a bright, resourceful, energetic and likeable young woman. Louisa is searching for a husband, having decided to try marriage. It takes several thoroughly enjoyable encounters before she realizes her search should also involve falling in love. As described by Margery Sharp, I picture Louisa as actress Emma Stone. I wish someone would make that movie! Something Light is, indeed, light, charming and amusing - but with a great deal of insight and excellent writing.
July 24, 2010
The main character was such a delight in her honest, forthright approach to life and her enthusiastic sympathy for everyone she loved. Which was men—all men. So it was so fatalistic that her selflessness unfailingly ended up in her being used by all the men she cared for. Maybe a giver only attracts a taker in life?
December 20, 2015
Exactly as the title describes. Something light and delightful. My second book by Margery Sharp and I suppose I will continue to read her. But, "sagacious Jew." Do I detect a touch of anti-semitism or was it just the times?
July 26, 2010
The Nutmeg Tree is a lot better.
February 22, 2021
3 1/2 stars
This was a tad slow going in the beginning. It took a bit to get accustomed to the rhythm of the language, but once I acclimated it picked up steam. The first 10 pages were a bust, but eventually a comedy of errors ensued and the story became quite humorous and engaging. Hang in there!
This was a tad slow going in the beginning. It took a bit to get accustomed to the rhythm of the language, but once I acclimated it picked up steam. The first 10 pages were a bust, but eventually a comedy of errors ensued and the story became quite humorous and engaging. Hang in there!
October 10, 2018
A bit of an odd book.
December 14, 2021
Quite as frothy as the title suggests, and unfortunately not nearly as end-to-end enjoyable as The Nutmeg Tree. I may have to abandon any plans to fill out a full library of Sharp's adult novels - once it stops raining, this will be deposited in one of the local Lending Libraries.
The true rating is really more like 2.5 stars, but I don't want to drop it down to 2, which I generally only give to books I dislike. I simply didn't like this one as much as I'd hoped.
This time around, Sharp's writing is a little more difficult to follow at points - I think partly because it's littered with "pop culture" references that are too old and too British for me to catch without more context. And honestly, the whole thing feels a bit like something she dashed off in a couple of weeks, in between other obligations, and without a tremendous amount of editing. It's not that it's messily plotted, it's just that there really isn't much substance to any of the characters.
The structure is set up in four parts, and begins with Louisa, dog photographer and lover of men, deciding to get married.
She's a "good sort," which in modern-day terminology would translate to being "one of the boys" or "friendzoned." While she's beautiful and intelligent, as well as wonderfully independent and resourceful, men tend to take her kindness (and resourcefulness on their behalves) for granted. This has never really bothered Louisa, but as she's beginning to get on in years and isn't making a whole lot of money from her photography, the idea of having a wealthy husband take care of her - and provide her with regular, hearty meals - begins to shine with new appeal.
So, being as plucky and optimistic as Sharp tends to write her heroines, she sets off to snag herself a husband. And each section of the book describes one failure.
I did enjoy the first two sections, with a rich older man and a childhood friend who grew up unexpectedly handsome, but the third attempted husband was miserable. That was part of the point; Louisa realized that she'd made a mistake in envisioning a life with him, and decided to swear off men and return to her career after that. But I think I'm just bothered by the whole structure of the book, which is that a woman like Louisa would actually need a strong, sturdy man to hold her life together for her.
While I kinda liked her eventual beau, the ending turned out almost exactly like in The Nutmeg Tree, except with far, far less buildup of the guy himself and the relationship between the two of them. Louisa gets herself into an awful scrape, he scoops her up from the side of the road, and they presumably ride off into the sunset together, after that fade to black.
Frankly, I liked the milkman a lot more, and found their conversations and his genuine interest in her the best part of the book, but I suppose Sharp probably still sticks to ideas of class too much for him to be a possible love interest for a woman like Louisa, as poor as she is. Beyond that, it would've been better if Louisa had been able to expand her career and stand on her own two feet, rather than collapsing into tears and being rescued by the most manly of men.
And as a sidenote, the dog photographer thing was really kind of odd...why that choice of a career? It mostly seemed like a convenient way for Sharp to sprinkle in jokes about how Louisa sees men and dogs as much the same creatures, and periodically refers to them interchangeably.
Not the worst read; not the best. I'm glad I didn't grab too many of Sharp's books while I was on a buying spree...I think I only have one more on my shelf, and I'll give the rest in my shopping cart a pass.
The true rating is really more like 2.5 stars, but I don't want to drop it down to 2, which I generally only give to books I dislike. I simply didn't like this one as much as I'd hoped.
This time around, Sharp's writing is a little more difficult to follow at points - I think partly because it's littered with "pop culture" references that are too old and too British for me to catch without more context. And honestly, the whole thing feels a bit like something she dashed off in a couple of weeks, in between other obligations, and without a tremendous amount of editing. It's not that it's messily plotted, it's just that there really isn't much substance to any of the characters.
The structure is set up in four parts, and begins with Louisa, dog photographer and lover of men, deciding to get married.
She's a "good sort," which in modern-day terminology would translate to being "one of the boys" or "friendzoned." While she's beautiful and intelligent, as well as wonderfully independent and resourceful, men tend to take her kindness (and resourcefulness on their behalves) for granted. This has never really bothered Louisa, but as she's beginning to get on in years and isn't making a whole lot of money from her photography, the idea of having a wealthy husband take care of her - and provide her with regular, hearty meals - begins to shine with new appeal.
So, being as plucky and optimistic as Sharp tends to write her heroines, she sets off to snag herself a husband. And each section of the book describes one failure.
I did enjoy the first two sections, with a rich older man and a childhood friend who grew up unexpectedly handsome, but the third attempted husband was miserable. That was part of the point; Louisa realized that she'd made a mistake in envisioning a life with him, and decided to swear off men and return to her career after that. But I think I'm just bothered by the whole structure of the book, which is that a woman like Louisa would actually need a strong, sturdy man to hold her life together for her.
While I kinda liked her eventual beau, the ending turned out almost exactly like in The Nutmeg Tree, except with far, far less buildup of the guy himself and the relationship between the two of them. Louisa gets herself into an awful scrape, he scoops her up from the side of the road, and they presumably ride off into the sunset together, after that fade to black.
Frankly, I liked the milkman a lot more, and found their conversations and his genuine interest in her the best part of the book, but I suppose Sharp probably still sticks to ideas of class too much for him to be a possible love interest for a woman like Louisa, as poor as she is. Beyond that, it would've been better if Louisa had been able to expand her career and stand on her own two feet, rather than collapsing into tears and being rescued by the most manly of men.
And as a sidenote, the dog photographer thing was really kind of odd...why that choice of a career? It mostly seemed like a convenient way for Sharp to sprinkle in jokes about how Louisa sees men and dogs as much the same creatures, and periodically refers to them interchangeably.
Not the worst read; not the best. I'm glad I didn't grab too many of Sharp's books while I was on a buying spree...I think I only have one more on my shelf, and I'll give the rest in my shopping cart a pass.
January 16, 2022
Louisa is certain she's going to marry F. Pennon before he has even proposed? I think not. This novel from the cover to the inside, reminded me a little of "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Thank God someone hasn't tried to emulate it now, what with modern contemporary fiction: post 2000, reading like quips on social media with a few joining words thrown in for good measure.
The humor in this novel wasn't wasted on me; although while I've cottoned on to Margery Sharp and appreciate her writings, and plan to read most of the books that she has written; I cannot say with due diligence that this one is precisely my cup of tea. Reason being that it is too light, delicate and frothy and I personally prefer something more richer, deeper and marinaded in philosophical drama. Also, some of her sentences were difficult to sleuth, not only given the language of the times, but at points in the novel they just didn't damn well make any logical sense.
It had the pace of leaving me on the edge of my seat. A likely outcome is dangled in front of your nose, like a teabag, then just as quickly withdrawn. If you don't mind being amused in thus such a manner, then you may remain with it 'til its very end to see if Louisa gets herself a rich husband.
I was going to snipe also at the fact that the divisions within each chapter were annoying; however, putting all sniping aside, I really started to warm to this one by page 34. Sharp has created something so warm, spirited and generous within these pages that it is difficult not to be swept along with the story. However, when we get to the story of Mr Clark, it begins to unravel again. It started to seem a little on the lazy side and not really well thought out. Sharp could have made much more of this section of the story.
Still, it was a good effort, witty and it ended nicely. I look forward to reading more of her novels in the near future.
The humor in this novel wasn't wasted on me; although while I've cottoned on to Margery Sharp and appreciate her writings, and plan to read most of the books that she has written; I cannot say with due diligence that this one is precisely my cup of tea. Reason being that it is too light, delicate and frothy and I personally prefer something more richer, deeper and marinaded in philosophical drama. Also, some of her sentences were difficult to sleuth, not only given the language of the times, but at points in the novel they just didn't damn well make any logical sense.
It had the pace of leaving me on the edge of my seat. A likely outcome is dangled in front of your nose, like a teabag, then just as quickly withdrawn. If you don't mind being amused in thus such a manner, then you may remain with it 'til its very end to see if Louisa gets herself a rich husband.
I was going to snipe also at the fact that the divisions within each chapter were annoying; however, putting all sniping aside, I really started to warm to this one by page 34. Sharp has created something so warm, spirited and generous within these pages that it is difficult not to be swept along with the story. However, when we get to the story of Mr Clark, it begins to unravel again. It started to seem a little on the lazy side and not really well thought out. Sharp could have made much more of this section of the story.
Still, it was a good effort, witty and it ended nicely. I look forward to reading more of her novels in the near future.
January 30, 2020
Obviously I like Louisa. Margery Sharp had a knack for characters who don't appear to notice any pressure to conform or behave. If there is any gossip or any former school friends who think she's fast, it doesn't come up. Louisa simply makes up her own mind about things & has a good time.
It did leave me wondering, though. In the 50s authors were often discreet in women's novels. If you wanted to believe that a woman never went beyond kissing there was no evidence to the contrary, and if you wanted to read other things between the lines you could do that too.
So. When the story says Louisa was fond of men, does that mean she was fond of sex? I feel like the social norms here will just remain hidden for the rest of time. At the beginning, I think readers would have been expected to interpret her morals using their own experience - read between the lines or don't, depending on what norms you were exposed to. But much of the plot involves Louisa actually living in one or another man's house with him & there's never a whisper of dishonorable conduct.
It's refreshing. I think. Or maybe it was fantasy. Who knows?
It did leave me wondering, though. In the 50s authors were often discreet in women's novels. If you wanted to believe that a woman never went beyond kissing there was no evidence to the contrary, and if you wanted to read other things between the lines you could do that too.
So. When the story says Louisa was fond of men, does that mean she was fond of sex? I feel like the social norms here will just remain hidden for the rest of time. At the beginning, I think readers would have been expected to interpret her morals using their own experience - read between the lines or don't, depending on what norms you were exposed to. But much of the plot involves Louisa actually living in one or another man's house with him & there's never a whisper of dishonorable conduct.
It's refreshing. I think. Or maybe it was fantasy. Who knows?
January 27, 2023
A pretty entertaining book about a woman Louisa who, after 10 years as a photographer of dogs, decides she wants to get married. Maybe it had to do with wanting someone to take care of her, since she was living pretty sparsely. It was easy to figure out early on that she was going to be foiled at every step. She falls in love (so she thinks) with different men, but then they either reject her or she them. She finally decides to go back to her job more heartily, but then that is foiled too.
Louisa seems to make friends easily especially those of the male persuasion. Most of those men lean on her for advice and help. She is a very outgoing individual and good at conversation. Her neighbors are her friends, and so is the milkman and the nearby merchants.
She is a woman who isn't long thwarted by circumstances usually, but after quite a few let-downs, she seems to give up. Then along comes a friend.
Louisa seems to make friends easily especially those of the male persuasion. Most of those men lean on her for advice and help. She is a very outgoing individual and good at conversation. Her neighbors are her friends, and so is the milkman and the nearby merchants.
She is a woman who isn't long thwarted by circumstances usually, but after quite a few let-downs, she seems to give up. Then along comes a friend.
July 4, 2021
What a challenge has appeared before the heroine Louisa! She likes men, and they like her. Still, there are hints that all of them treat her more as a buddy-in-dress and an ear to listen. Possibly special benefits have been included in the package. Yet, one day she decides it's time to change and marry someone. I don't blame her for any hiccups in her plan, indeed, husband-hunting is a daunting business. So many possibilities, so many variables to take under consideration. Luckily for her, she's learned from the best, Enid.
Personally, after her third "failure", I've grown tired of the plot. Instead of putting her through one encounter after another, I'd love Sharpe to develop the "keeper" better. On the other hand, the book made me chuckle here and there. I also like the heroine.
Enjoyable, comfy read.
Personally, after her third "failure", I've grown tired of the plot. Instead of putting her through one encounter after another, I'd love Sharpe to develop the "keeper" better. On the other hand, the book made me chuckle here and there. I also like the heroine.
Enjoyable, comfy read.
July 7, 2018
I was looking for something light to read on a little summer getaway and came across this title in the used book store. How could I resist something so aptly labeled? I saw that it was copyright 1960, read a few paragraphs and liked the tone, so I grabbed it. It’s a fun, silly read. Predictable and even trite, but read it with grace as it is a product of the times in which it was written. Still has some funny moments and even a couple sharp observations. Considering the investment involved—a couple hours of reading time—it was not a bad pick. Charming and vintage and British...just don’t expect anything enlightened or profound.
February 1, 2022
This was the light read the title promises -- a fun start to a new year of reading. Canine photographer Louisa comes to the realisation she's fed up of being a caretaker for the men in her life (mostly emotionally needy neighbours) and decides to get married as soon as possible. She experiences some mismatches along the way, but each experience teaches her a valuable lesson about what she's looking for in a relationship.
September 26, 2016
It took me so long to get through this book. I really just hated it, but I cannot stop reading a book once I start it, I feel like I owe it to the author. I skipped over half of this book as the main character was just clueless in what she wants out of the life and all she was able to do was bounce to one high-rolling suitor after another in an attempt to find love. This book was awful.
December 1, 2019
Something Light had lots of charming moments. Unfortunately those moments were all too brief compared with the overall book. I felt like there was a lot more humor to be had and the end happened very abruptly. I enjoyed the writing style so I'll likely try another of the author's books, but this one just left a lot on the table.
March 16, 2011
Fun, amusing read, with clever turns of phrase. I love the wry commentary on the freedom of being a femme sole who is answerable to no one juxtaposed with the reality that the femme sole also has no one backing her up. I plan to read more Margery Sharpe.
Read
July 24, 2011Something Light about says it - Sharp can be better than this, pleasant though it was in parts. Too much obvious romance-tropery - I saw the end coming from the point the dour Scots architect appeared
October 4, 2016
Can't wait to read more of this author's books!
Favorite Quotes:
"At last, she'd met a man she positively disliked."
"'I never remember a woman', recalled Mr. McAndrew, 'annoying me more.'"
"In my view, the man's part is to provide and cherish, not to be taken care of like a bairn."
Favorite Quotes:
"At last, she'd met a man she positively disliked."
"'I never remember a woman', recalled Mr. McAndrew, 'annoying me more.'"
"In my view, the man's part is to provide and cherish, not to be taken care of like a bairn."
September 8, 2016
Sweetly daft
Another of those wonderful fantasies where a woman simply waves a delicate hand and Mr Right obligingly just pops in from nowhere to whisk her away from her realistic problems into wealthy matrimony. Fun and almost unendurably banal.
Another of those wonderful fantasies where a woman simply waves a delicate hand and Mr Right obligingly just pops in from nowhere to whisk her away from her realistic problems into wealthy matrimony. Fun and almost unendurably banal.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews