The Seduction of Mrs. Pendlebury

by Margaret Forster

Stanley and Rose live in Rawlinson Road, Islington, surrounded by younger, smarter families like the Orams. Encroached on by age and affluence, the only answer to their problems, in spite of everything, lies in their fierce and prickly devotion to each other.

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Margaret Forster was educated at the Carlisle and County High School for Girls. From here she won an Open Scholarship to Somerville College, Oxford where in 1960 she was awarded an honours degree in History.

From 1963 Margaret Forster worked as a novelist, biographer and freelance literary critic, contributing regularly to book programmes on television, to Radio 4 and various newpapers and magazines.

Forster was married to the writer, journalist and broadcaster Hunter Davies. They lived in London. and in the Lake District. They had three children, Caitlin, Jake and Flora.

Reviews

[Ms. Smartarse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I spent about two weeks on a book I should have finished in two days. Why? Because 3/4 of it is so dreadfully dull. It's basically just Mrs. Pendlebury going about her anti-social ways, hating everyone around her with a passion. Frankly, I deeply admired Mr. Pendlebury. for all his patience in tolerating his wife's antics.

As for me, I felt depressed during the whole reading experience. Being old and having other people scare you must be terrible. And then as if things were not depressing enough, you start seeing death everywhere.

For a while, I was really happy when Mrs. Pendlebury made her first friend. I was almost picturing myself writing this review in a chiding tone, with something like "Can you imagine that I thought she'd go mad? Whatever made me think that?! *looks at the back cover*"

... and then everything started to happen very quickly and unexpectedly. It took me totally by surprise, rather like Alice Oram must've felt.

As another reviewer mentioned, this is not a book to take with you on a holiday. Nor is it something you should pick up on a whim (like I did), but it is certainly a book worth reading. As depressing as it is, if you manage to get through it, you'll also see the author's brilliant character portrayal.

Score 2.2/5

I hesitate to give it a full 2 out 5, because while I didn't exactly enjoy it, the book did leave quite an impression.

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

I persisted in reading to the end but why?
Yes I know some people are difficult and won't get help. If a book isn't going to entertain or teach it has to at least engage some feeling for a character and offer some insight into the world we share.

To be frank I am surprised this found a publisher.

[Miranda Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A penetrating portrait of an ordinary couple crippled by their fears of others. A depressing but compulsive read

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of us have had a Rose Pendlebury in our lives as a relative or neighbor. She is easily offended, terse, prickly and critical. In this book, Margaret Forster introduces Rose and her husband, Stanley, an elderly couple living in a suburban English neighborhood. They are virtual recluses among young families until new next-door neighbors move in with their toddler, Amy. Surprisingly, Rose is drawn to young children and her relationship with Amy and Amy's mother, Alice, provides a sense of temporary belonging that has been missing. Reading this book, I was reminded of Olive Kitteridge and Hyacinth Bucket on Keeping Up Appearances. Their husbands and Stanley seem to be typical of men married to women with this particular personality disorder - they are submissive, resigned to keeping the peace and and always alert to the nuances of their wives' moods. Margaret Forster has written a sad, poignant story with grace and sympathy.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it was hard to like many of the characters in this story, particularly Rose and Stanley, they were flawed in such a way that made me sympathetic towards them. I wanted to see what would finally happen to them. A lot of the time it was like watching a slow-motion train wreck, however. I'm impressed with Forster's ability to engage a reader in the lives of ordinary, fairly unlikeable characters and make meaning out of that.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, if enjoy could be the right word. A very gripping tale and one that is really quite sad however so well written and so absorbing. I love Margaret Forster and not sure how I missed this one - really would recommend it to others who enjoy well written and thoughtful books. Certainly gave me much to think about.

[Bonita Coons · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had a really hard time getting through this book. It was uninteresting in my opinion and I did not take anything away from having read this book. I would not recommend reading this!

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favouries. I love the realism of Margaret Forster's characters.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me two weeks to read a) because some of it was so engaging that I re read parts and b) I have been poorly.

Margaret Forster always paints such a vivid picture of her characters that you feel you know them inside out. She must really study people and draw on her own experiences to make us believe we know them.

We must remember that this book was first published in 1974, so over 50 years ago when writing styles were different. Nowadays it’s all chick lit and finish as fast as you can. It made me smile to read that the Pendlebury’s received an offer for the princely sum of £27,000 for their house in Islington and they thought they had made a fortune!

It seemed that Rose Pendlebury had softened towards her neighbours and little Amy and had found happiness but then everything changed.

A great read and I will add this book to my collection of “not for the charity shop”.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Margaret Forster's early novels in my twenties and loved them, but this title passed me by at the time. It starts off well, Forster was a great story teller. Written and set in the middle 1970s it has dated in style and attitudes, but I often find going back to mid 20th century authors a refreshing change. But there's a disturbing change about half way through, with the main character seemingly succumbing to a form dementia and allientating herself from everyone around her. I continued hoping for some sympathetic resolution, but things events just seem to escalate with Rose's behaviour becoming more and more bizarre. I found the ending odd to say the least. Maybe I am missing the point somewhere, but I would find it hard to recommend.

[Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know those books - which are few and far between - which you remember for a while after and then memories pop up and you wonder whatever happened to those characters - even though they are fictional? Well, this is such a book. I found myself telling someone about Mrs Pendlebury and Alice as if I knew them from down the road! The characters are so well portrayed - I've yet to be disappointed by a Forster book.
Why do I love the book so much? Because I understood the thoughts and motivations between the characters as well as within themselves. The ending is really interesting - I wondered what would happen - and rather than spoil it here, I'll say, I was very satisfied!

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to make of this book or whether my comments will be fair but the way Rose Pendlebury is portrayed makes me wonder if Ms Forster had had any experience with a person with mental illness. Or what mental illness she was trying to portray. Was it bi-polar (previously called schizophrenia)?
Moreso, what was the author's intention putting Alice next door to Rose? And how did the 'friendship and hope' that Alice's daughter Amy brings to the plot have anything to do with the outcome? I really don't know.
It seems to me that Alice probably needed as much therapy as Rose, and maybe even more, after finding out that Rose and Stanley had done a runner to the seaside!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Margaret Forsters work but this is the first I ever read and favourite.
Mrs Pendlebury is an old woman who lives with her long suffering husband Stanley.
The story starts when a new couple with a young child move in next door and expose Mrs Pendleburys neuroses and fears surrounding her own life and children and her codependent and miserable relationship with her husband.
Margaret Forster has a way of describing real life multifaceted personalities in such a way that feel raw and real that no other author captures in quite the same way.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sad but gripping and fascinating story of mental health. I first read this in 1978 when I was near in age to the young neighbour Alice. And now I have read it when I am nearer to Mrs Pendlebury with different insights to bring. It has stood the test of time and reminds me why I went on to read everything that Margaret Forster wrote. One of my favourite authors.

[Geoff Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written book that depicts a vivid picture of an old couple and their younger neighbours. Not a lot happens but the detailed picture of a very dissatisfied old women with a difficult character is a marvel, along with her interactions with her husband, neighbours and relations all beuatifully depicted.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very good I lived through the situation described in this novel with my parents although they were in their nineties not seventies. Although depressing I recommend it as the situation could happen to any of us.

[Christine Ranson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the great character description and the twist and turns. Quite a long reading process…quite sad in places. dealing/coping with mental stress with different age groups. Not humorous like it said on the cover 🙃

[Jacqueline Chimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure about a proper review but I can’t believe anyone would give it less than 5 stars

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good writing and the characters are so well described, with their motivations. But not an easy read.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been another star if it hadn’t been so sad! Four stars for sure up until the last few chapters. Crochety women I am here for you all - Granny Weatherwax, Mara Johns (Angels and Men), Eleanor (Oliphant), and now Rose Pendlebury. Fab read for a random free book from a neighbour.

[Ms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never knew this writer before discovering her in a library shelf display. She writes easy prose which is nonetheless moving. This is the story of an elderly lady and her neighbour, but more than that her relationship with the world. I read the book in three days and thoroughly enjoyed the characters and story. I shall be seeking out more of her work.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something didn't sit quite right with me and this book. I enjoyed it and was happy to read it to the end but I found the characters a little bit inconsistent and petty. I was disappointed as Margaret Forster is a favourite of mine.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling story. As usual Margaret Forster reflects on real-life and emotions common to us all.

[Sue Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read.