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Patricia Brent, Spinster
Patricia Brent is upset after overhearing her neighbors discussing her lack of dates. Determined to prove them wrong, she tells them that she is having dinner with her fiancé on the following evening. When they show up to the restaurant to see what he looks like, Patricia is forced to coerce a young man into pretending he is there for her.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1918
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631 people want to read
About the author
Herbert George Jenkins
56 books7 followersHerbert George Jenkins (1876 – 8 June 1923) was a British writer and the owner of the publishing company Herbert Jenkins Ltd. which published many of P.G. Wodehouse's novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
December 2, 2016
3.5 stars. This is a witty, somewhat fluffy British romance written in 1918. There's a meet-cute: Patricia Brent, a secretary in her twenties, lives in a boarding house with a bunch of rather catty gossips. One night she overhears a couple of them snidely commenting on her lack of dates. Incensed, she announces that she won't be at dinner the next night: she'll be going out to dinner with her fiancé.
It causes a sensation, and Patricia is quite pleased. She heads out to have dinner on her own, but she made the mistake of telling them where she was supposed to have dinner. When she sees a couple of the worst gossips there watching her, she impulsively finds a man sitting on his own and convinces him to act like he's with her. It works like a charm. The only problem is, this young man falls for her in the course of their evening, and now he doesn't want to disappear from Patricia's life.
Patricia was raised by a man-hating aunt, plus (this being 1918) she's mortified about the way she and Lord Peter Bowen met. Finding out he's a lord somehow makes it even worse. In fact, no matter what Peter does, she gets angry with him. Could she be mistaking feelings of attraction for anger? Hmmm.
On the plus side is better-than-usual writing, and some of the secondary characters are absolutely delightful, especially the father-in-law of the MP Patricia works for, Peter's sister (who decides to take things into her own hands with her brother's problematic romance), and Peter himself. Sometimes the author, Herbert Jenkins, has a wonderful way with words. A couple of my favorite quotes:
But it's less than 200 pages, and there are some cute and funny moments in it if you like old-fashioned romances. The WWI era makes for an interesting setting, especially since it was actually written at the time. It's worth a read if you're into old-fashioned romances.
This is out of copyright, so it's a freebie on Amazon.
It causes a sensation, and Patricia is quite pleased. She heads out to have dinner on her own, but she made the mistake of telling them where she was supposed to have dinner. When she sees a couple of the worst gossips there watching her, she impulsively finds a man sitting on his own and convinces him to act like he's with her. It works like a charm. The only problem is, this young man falls for her in the course of their evening, and now he doesn't want to disappear from Patricia's life.
Patricia was raised by a man-hating aunt, plus (this being 1918) she's mortified about the way she and Lord Peter Bowen met. Finding out he's a lord somehow makes it even worse. In fact, no matter what Peter does, she gets angry with him. Could she be mistaking feelings of attraction for anger? Hmmm.
On the plus side is better-than-usual writing, and some of the secondary characters are absolutely delightful, especially the father-in-law of the MP Patricia works for, Peter's sister (who decides to take things into her own hands with her brother's problematic romance), and Peter himself. Sometimes the author, Herbert Jenkins, has a wonderful way with words. A couple of my favorite quotes:
Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe was Miss Wangle's toady; but she wrapped her venom in Christian charity, thus making herself the more dangerous of the two.Patricia's run-ins with her formidable aunt:
"Well, Aunt Adelaide," she continued, turning to Miss Brent, "this is an unexpected pleasure. How is it you are dissipating in town?"On the minus side are occasional grating statements about the sexes; typical for a hundred years ago, but still (example: "Bowen had not mentioned where he intended to take her, and Patricia was glad. She was essentially feminine, and liked having things decided for her, the more so as she invariably had to decide for herself."). My biggest issue was that Patricia's stubbornness and pride were really tiresome after a while, especially when she sometimes gets mean-spirited about it. The whole plot rests on her resisting a romance with a fantastic guy who's head over heels for her, and it just got old.
"I want to speak to you, Patricia. Is there a quiet corner where we shall not be overheard?" Miss Wangle started, Mrs. Craske-Morton rose hurriedly and made for the door. Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe looked uncomfortable. Miss Brent's directness was a thing dreaded by all who knew her.
* * *
"Where did I meet him, Aunt Adelaide?" she remarked indifferently. "Oh! I picked him up in a restaurant; he looked nice."
"Patricia, how dare you say such a thing before me." A slight flush mantled Miss Brent's sallow cheeks. All the proprieties, all the chastities and all the moralities banked up behind her in moral support.
But it's less than 200 pages, and there are some cute and funny moments in it if you like old-fashioned romances. The WWI era makes for an interesting setting, especially since it was actually written at the time. It's worth a read if you're into old-fashioned romances.
This is out of copyright, so it's a freebie on Amazon.
March 28, 2017
Humor inglés a tope :D
Me ha recordado a esas películas clásicas de enredos tipo 'La fiera de mi niña' que tanto me gustan :)
Me ha recordado a esas películas clásicas de enredos tipo 'La fiera de mi niña' que tanto me gustan :)
September 6, 2017
A cute romance. It's set in the early 1900's so we have to look past all the sexism. Besides you can't smack a fictional character upside the head no matter how much we want.
I assume the author was trying to bring up her intense pride as a barrier to her romance with the handsome and sweet young lord. But he brought her across as a bitch intent on not being made to look ridiculous.
Most of the humor fell flat but there were a few good scenes. Some of the side characters were a bit interesting. But not worth wasting time on. Too many amazing books out there. I kept going with it because the narrator saved what she could of it, and I kept hoping for a twist at the end. 🤷♀️
I assume the author was trying to bring up her intense pride as a barrier to her romance with the handsome and sweet young lord. But he brought her across as a bitch intent on not being made to look ridiculous.
Most of the humor fell flat but there were a few good scenes. Some of the side characters were a bit interesting. But not worth wasting time on. Too many amazing books out there. I kept going with it because the narrator saved what she could of it, and I kept hoping for a twist at the end. 🤷♀️
November 29, 2016
Just what I needed to get out of a reading slump!
This book was delightful!
Patricia Brent little knew that when she announced to her nosey neighbors she was engaged, that they would spy on her to see if it was really so. Dreading them finding out her lie she grabs the first man in uniform she sees at a restaurant and pulls him into her tale.
Lieutenant Peter Bowen's interest is peaked by his sudden 'fiancee', especially when she expects him to forget all about her after their dinner; something he has no intention of doing.
What follows is an amusing account Lord Peter Bowen's attempts to win Patricia, and her determination that it can't be because of their embarrassing meeting. When Bowen brings in reinforcements, they plot how to convince Patricia...
Special thanks to my friend Alisha for recommending this to me! I loved it, Patricia was comical in her dismay at what she'd done, and the conversations were clever as well the characterization. It put me in such a good mood that I stated laughing at a dinner gone-wrong scene and couldn't stop. Highly recommended!
This book was delightful!
Patricia Brent little knew that when she announced to her nosey neighbors she was engaged, that they would spy on her to see if it was really so. Dreading them finding out her lie she grabs the first man in uniform she sees at a restaurant and pulls him into her tale.
Lieutenant Peter Bowen's interest is peaked by his sudden 'fiancee', especially when she expects him to forget all about her after their dinner; something he has no intention of doing.
What follows is an amusing account Lord Peter Bowen's attempts to win Patricia, and her determination that it can't be because of their embarrassing meeting. When Bowen brings in reinforcements, they plot how to convince Patricia...
Special thanks to my friend Alisha for recommending this to me! I loved it, Patricia was comical in her dismay at what she'd done, and the conversations were clever as well the characterization. It put me in such a good mood that I stated laughing at a dinner gone-wrong scene and couldn't stop. Highly recommended!
July 15, 2020
Ambientada en Londres en 1918 en plena Primera Guerra Mundial, Patricia Brent de unos 27 años, soltera, es secretaria de un miembro de la Cámara de los comunes, vive en una pensión con un grupo de personas bastante maliciosas, cotillas y metomentodos, aburridas que lo único que tienen que hacer es observar al resto de habitantes de la casa y criticar. Una noche, Patricia, escucha a un par de ellos comentar sarcásticamente su falta de citas. Patricia fue criada, e influenciada por una tía amargada solterona que odia a los hombres y no siente la necesidad de tener novio, marido o formar una familia. Pero al escuchar este comentario se indignada, anuncia que no va a cenar a la noche siguiente en la pensión que saldrá a cenar con su prometido, pero cometió el error de decirles dónde se suponía que cenaría. Cuando llega al restaurante ve a un par de los peores clientes de la pensión, allí mirándola, encuentra a un hombre sentado y lo convence para actuar como si estuviera con ella. Funciona a las mil maravillas. El único problema es que este joven se enamora de ella en el curso de la noche y ahora no quiere desaparecer de la vida de Patricia.
La trama gira en torno a Patricia y al hecho de haberse educado odiando a los hombres como pareja y encontrarse en ese momento con uno con el que puede ser feliz.
En el lado positivo están los personajes secundarios son absolutamente encantadores, el suegro del jefe de Patricia, la hermana de Peter, tomando decisiones que no le corresponden, la tía personaje insoportable, insufrible, acosador, manipulador perfectamente desarrollado.
Lleno de momentos divertidos de humor inglés, liosos, enredos, conversaciones ingeniosas y personajes divertidos, una relación amorosa, sátira social, el escritor consigue que la gente pueda tener una vida casi normal en plena guerra y lo normal en los libros ambientados en esa época es que sean tristes y trágicos.
Este libro es maravilloso, encantador y agradable con muchos personajes brillantes y citas del autor soberbias.
El libro es de De época editorial de la colección Tesoros de época, con una cuidadísima edición.
Mi reseña en Youtube:
https://youtu.be/X7pYsQ9Z8GE
La trama gira en torno a Patricia y al hecho de haberse educado odiando a los hombres como pareja y encontrarse en ese momento con uno con el que puede ser feliz.
En el lado positivo están los personajes secundarios son absolutamente encantadores, el suegro del jefe de Patricia, la hermana de Peter, tomando decisiones que no le corresponden, la tía personaje insoportable, insufrible, acosador, manipulador perfectamente desarrollado.
Lleno de momentos divertidos de humor inglés, liosos, enredos, conversaciones ingeniosas y personajes divertidos, una relación amorosa, sátira social, el escritor consigue que la gente pueda tener una vida casi normal en plena guerra y lo normal en los libros ambientados en esa época es que sean tristes y trágicos.
Este libro es maravilloso, encantador y agradable con muchos personajes brillantes y citas del autor soberbias.
El libro es de De época editorial de la colección Tesoros de época, con una cuidadísima edición.
Mi reseña en Youtube:
https://youtu.be/X7pYsQ9Z8GE
November 11, 2022
I really like this book and I have given it five stars because of:
1) the humor - in witty conversations and funny characters (well chosen)
2) a charming love story
3) the writer's observant eye - it is a marvelous social satire
4) the way the story which took place in the time at the end of IWW was described - I mean, it is new to me that people then could have almost normal life, those times remind me rather of tragedy and sadness. Here I have different perspective - very interesting experience.
This book is engaging, lovely, enjoyable with many brilliant characters. Take the style of Regency witty romance and put it in the story which takes place in 1918 and you have this novel.
My special thanks for Tweety and Alisha Trenalone. I have read it thanks to you.
And if you know similar book (so sweet romances taking place in the beginning of XX century) - please suggest them to me.
1) the humor - in witty conversations and funny characters (well chosen)
Circumstances might alter, thrones totter, but Miss Brent's decisions would remain unshaken
"we women are all as unreasonable as the Income Tax"
2) a charming love story
She put her cool hands to her hot cheeks, wondering why her heart should show so little regard for her feelings
3) the writer's observant eye - it is a marvelous social satire
4) the way the story which took place in the time at the end of IWW was described - I mean, it is new to me that people then could have almost normal life, those times remind me rather of tragedy and sadness. Here I have different perspective - very interesting experience.
This book is engaging, lovely, enjoyable with many brilliant characters. Take the style of Regency witty romance and put it in the story which takes place in 1918 and you have this novel.
My special thanks for Tweety and Alisha Trenalone. I have read it thanks to you.
And if you know similar book (so sweet romances taking place in the beginning of XX century) - please suggest them to me.
September 15, 2015
I enjoyed this book a great deal despite it showing its age occasionally. Written in 1918, it's the story of a woman well on the road to spinsterhood who steps off that road in a fit of pique and catches the eye of a wonderful young man who has a hard time taking no for an answer. The story is charming and the characters are fun and dynamic (if somewhat idealized in a British classist kind of way).
While I had a good time with the book, some markers of the era are telling and a little off-putting. One of the early chapters, for example, is an exposition-heavy background on Patricia that is so very early 20th century. Worse, though, is the unthinking misogyny that sneaks in on authorial wings and describes certain unflattering characteristics as essentially feminine. This happens frequent enough to be intrusive, though not so often that I found it terribly annoying. Interestingly, while Jenkins' female characters occasionally fulfill their ascribed roles, they also frequently flout them--and in ways that work to refute the author's own narrative assertions (which would have been terribly clever if I thought he'd done it on purpose). In short, while it seems that Jenkins has some unflattering assumptions about female motivations, he's an astute-enough observer that his female characters are more solid than expected given that bias.
Unrelated historical detail: It was interesting to stumble upon Herbert Jenkins' biography that connects his publishing company with P.G. Wodehouse. It turns out that he published many of Wodehouse's novels and, in retrospect, you can kind of see how this book has a touch of Wodehouse flavor (in a non-derivative or lame way).
While I had a good time with the book, some markers of the era are telling and a little off-putting. One of the early chapters, for example, is an exposition-heavy background on Patricia that is so very early 20th century. Worse, though, is the unthinking misogyny that sneaks in on authorial wings and describes certain unflattering characteristics as essentially feminine. This happens frequent enough to be intrusive, though not so often that I found it terribly annoying. Interestingly, while Jenkins' female characters occasionally fulfill their ascribed roles, they also frequently flout them--and in ways that work to refute the author's own narrative assertions (which would have been terribly clever if I thought he'd done it on purpose). In short, while it seems that Jenkins has some unflattering assumptions about female motivations, he's an astute-enough observer that his female characters are more solid than expected given that bias.
Unrelated historical detail: It was interesting to stumble upon Herbert Jenkins' biography that connects his publishing company with P.G. Wodehouse. It turns out that he published many of Wodehouse's novels and, in retrospect, you can kind of see how this book has a touch of Wodehouse flavor (in a non-derivative or lame way).
April 15, 2020
Una comedia romántica al más puro estilo inglés.
La primera mitad de la novela ha conseguido sacarme más de una carcajada y, aunque la segunda parte haya sido más seria, no por eso ha dejado de gustarme.
Una historia que te atrapa desde el principio y unos personajes entrañables, divertidos, cotillas, porque ante todo estamos en una pequeña comunidad muy pero que muy cotilla.
Sin duda mi personaje favorito ha sido el señor Triggs.
Muy recomendable.
PopSugar 2020, un libro situado en una ciudad donde se hayan celebrado Juegos Olímpicos.
La primera mitad de la novela ha conseguido sacarme más de una carcajada y, aunque la segunda parte haya sido más seria, no por eso ha dejado de gustarme.
Una historia que te atrapa desde el principio y unos personajes entrañables, divertidos, cotillas, porque ante todo estamos en una pequeña comunidad muy pero que muy cotilla.
Sin duda mi personaje favorito ha sido el señor Triggs.
Muy recomendable.
PopSugar 2020, un libro situado en una ciudad donde se hayan celebrado Juegos Olímpicos.
August 17, 2023
Come mi sono divertita!
Un romanzo delizioso, frizzante, colorato, divertente e impavido. E ogni tanto ci vuole anche questo.
Un romanzo delizioso, frizzante, colorato, divertente e impavido. E ogni tanto ci vuole anche questo.
February 10, 2017
I couldn’t help but make connections between this Lord Peter and the more famous one created by Dorothy Sayers. The comparisons were entirely favorable. Intelligent, kind, persistent, recognized as “different” by other members of their class…these were some of the qualities that the two Peters share.
This book is set during World War I in London. Interestingly enough, the war doesn’t figure too much into the story, except when it makes a “guest appearance” near the end.
Patricia lives at a boarding-house. One day she overhears two of her fellow boarders (rather catty women) gossiping about her and pitying her lonely life. She is so irritated by this that at dinner she announces that on the following night she will be dining out with her fiancé. Her neighbors are shocked, and for a moment she is gratified at having silenced them. But then they bombard her with questions, and she rashly invents more details about her imaginary fiancé. By the end of the night she wishes she hadn’t done it. Not wanting to be found out, she decides to go ahead and dine out the next night. But some of her fellow boarders follow her in a taxi to the restaurant (these are some seriously pathetic people!) because they want to know more about this man who seems to have appeared out of nowhere.
When Patricia realizes she has this unwanted audience, she appeals to the first young man she sees and asks him to play along. He rises to the occasion and proves to be a very nice dinner companion. She is able to explain to him what is going on, and they proceed to have a very enjoyable evening. When he takes her back to her house, she just wants to forget this embarrassing episode and be done with it, but he is beginning to be smitten. Within a short time, it is clear he wants their fake engagement to be real. He attempts to see her again, which she discourages, even though she can’t deny that she really likes him. I mean, he is super polite, kind, easy to talk to and considerate.
The problem in her mind is that the way they met, and her behavior (in basically throwing herself upon the mercy of a stranger) were totally unacceptable. It’s something a “nice” girl wouldn’t have done, and she’s worried that he might try to take advantage of the situation. So she’s already being pretty hard on herself for that, and when she finds out that he’s not just a run-of-the-mill soldier, but a “lord,” she’s even more convinced that they really cannot possibly be together. It’s a little hard to explain her feelings, because it’s not the usual story of money and social status being the problem (although those things are part of it). It’s more that she feels that their whole acquaintance is tainted by the unorthodox and embarrassing way that it started, and she is sure it wouldn’t be right to build a foundation on that, given societal norms of the day. Also, she never really had much affection or warmth while she was growing up, so she can’t quite fathom the way that Peter feels towards her.
So, it’s a really great story, and there are some stellar supporting characters including Peter’s sister the vivacious Lady Tanagra, his friend the enigmatic Godfrey, and Patricia’s employer’s father-in-law, the simple and sincere Mr. Triggs. These three combine to surreptitiously help Patricia realize that she just might care about Peter after all.
Another memorable Edwardian romance. Drama and comedy combine for a book that I really couldn't put down.
Also I just found out that the author was in charge of publishing some of P.G. Wodehouse's books. Another point in his favor.
This book is set during World War I in London. Interestingly enough, the war doesn’t figure too much into the story, except when it makes a “guest appearance” near the end.
Patricia lives at a boarding-house. One day she overhears two of her fellow boarders (rather catty women) gossiping about her and pitying her lonely life. She is so irritated by this that at dinner she announces that on the following night she will be dining out with her fiancé. Her neighbors are shocked, and for a moment she is gratified at having silenced them. But then they bombard her with questions, and she rashly invents more details about her imaginary fiancé. By the end of the night she wishes she hadn’t done it. Not wanting to be found out, she decides to go ahead and dine out the next night. But some of her fellow boarders follow her in a taxi to the restaurant (these are some seriously pathetic people!) because they want to know more about this man who seems to have appeared out of nowhere.
When Patricia realizes she has this unwanted audience, she appeals to the first young man she sees and asks him to play along. He rises to the occasion and proves to be a very nice dinner companion. She is able to explain to him what is going on, and they proceed to have a very enjoyable evening. When he takes her back to her house, she just wants to forget this embarrassing episode and be done with it, but he is beginning to be smitten. Within a short time, it is clear he wants their fake engagement to be real. He attempts to see her again, which she discourages, even though she can’t deny that she really likes him. I mean, he is super polite, kind, easy to talk to and considerate.
The problem in her mind is that the way they met, and her behavior (in basically throwing herself upon the mercy of a stranger) were totally unacceptable. It’s something a “nice” girl wouldn’t have done, and she’s worried that he might try to take advantage of the situation. So she’s already being pretty hard on herself for that, and when she finds out that he’s not just a run-of-the-mill soldier, but a “lord,” she’s even more convinced that they really cannot possibly be together. It’s a little hard to explain her feelings, because it’s not the usual story of money and social status being the problem (although those things are part of it). It’s more that she feels that their whole acquaintance is tainted by the unorthodox and embarrassing way that it started, and she is sure it wouldn’t be right to build a foundation on that, given societal norms of the day. Also, she never really had much affection or warmth while she was growing up, so she can’t quite fathom the way that Peter feels towards her.
So, it’s a really great story, and there are some stellar supporting characters including Peter’s sister the vivacious Lady Tanagra, his friend the enigmatic Godfrey, and Patricia’s employer’s father-in-law, the simple and sincere Mr. Triggs. These three combine to surreptitiously help Patricia realize that she just might care about Peter after all.
Another memorable Edwardian romance. Drama and comedy combine for a book that I really couldn't put down.
Also I just found out that the author was in charge of publishing some of P.G. Wodehouse's books. Another point in his favor.
December 12, 2017
Enjoyable, fluffy and short comedy of errors from 1918 - almost a 100-year-old. :)
It can be downloaded free from Project Gutenberg https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/33353 and is still a kindle freebie on Amazon.
It can be downloaded free from Project Gutenberg https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/33353 and is still a kindle freebie on Amazon.
May 30, 2022
I had never heard of Jenkins or of this novel but Simon from Stuck in a Book blog, and Tea or Books podcast, recommended it. As ‘advertised’, this is a delight.
This 1918 romantic comedy features a spinster (early 20s) who lies about having a fiancee to her boarding-house fellow ‘guests’ with unexpected results. It is absurd and silly, and yet works. I particularly enjoyed the secondary characters, such as Bowen’s whirlwind of a sister and the endearing Mr Triggs :O)
This 1918 romantic comedy features a spinster (early 20s) who lies about having a fiancee to her boarding-house fellow ‘guests’ with unexpected results. It is absurd and silly, and yet works. I particularly enjoyed the secondary characters, such as Bowen’s whirlwind of a sister and the endearing Mr Triggs :O)
April 23, 2020
Me ha gustado mucho!
Una comedia de enredos, ligera y exquisita.
Con unos personajes secundarios maravillosos y una protagonista muy genuina.
Fenomenal!
Una comedia de enredos, ligera y exquisita.
Con unos personajes secundarios maravillosos y una protagonista muy genuina.
Fenomenal!
December 10, 2016
I feel like a Scrooge giving this three stars when my friends liked it so much more, but the truth is, Patricia annoyed me to the point where I didn't see what Bowen could possibly see in her. I think I was taking it all too seriously when it was supposed to be a farce but I guess that's my current mood. (Diets are no good for anyone!)
I do think that in the hands of Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison this could have been a hit.
I do think that in the hands of Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison this could have been a hit.
July 1, 2022
Che sia sul grande schermo, o tra le pagine di un libro, poche cose riescono a sorprendermi in positivo quanto una commedia realmente ben fatta: perché, nonostante le apparenze, quello dell’intrattenimento disimpegnato è un terreno assai scivoloso, e accade spesso che chi vi si dedica inciampi nella banalità, nel luogo comune o, peggio ancora, nel cattivo gusto.
Se tuttavia è vero che far sorridere con garbo e intelligenza è generalmente prerogativa di pochi eletti (e al giorno d’oggi sarebbe più corretto dire di pochissimi!), è altrettanto vero che tra i principali depositari di quest’arte vi sono gli inglesi, da sempre maestri di arguzia, stile, e di quella dote preziosissima e non comune meglio nota come autoironia.
Pubblicato nel 1918 e solo di recente tradotto in italiano grazie ad Elliot Edizioni, Patricia Brent, zitella, simpatica commedia degli equivoci dal taglio cinematografico, ne è uno dei più chiari esempi.
La protagonista – Patricia, appunto – è una ventiquattrenne brillante, colta, seria, e non priva di attrattive fisiche: una ragazza, insomma, con tutte le carte in regola per avere successo.
Nel 1917, però, in un’Inghilterra ancora intrisa di morale tradizionale, e minacciata dallo spettro dei dirigibili che solcano i cieli, le opportunità per una donna sono davvero poche, soprattutto nel caso in cui si tratti di un’orfana, sprovvista di mezzi, e – cosa ancor più grave – zitella.
Peccato che Patricia, educata da una zia bigotta e incapace di slanci affettivi, secondo il principio per cui “Gli uomini sono tutti bestie”, di amori e matrimoni non ne voglia proprio sapere; e così, nonostante la giovane età, conduce un’esistenza austera e solitaria, sgobbando da mattina a sera come segretaria di un politico inetto, e trascorrendo il tempo libero nell’ambiente soffocante della pensione in cui alloggia da quando, tre anni prima, ha lasciato la provincia per guadagnarsi da vivere a Londra.
Una sera, ascoltando per caso una conversazione tra due anziane coinquiline, Patricia si accorge di essere l’oggetto della loro commiserazione, e colta da un improvviso scatto d’orgoglio tipico della sua natura impulsiva, annuncia con finta disinvoltura che il giorno seguente cenerà fuori col fidanzato.
Lo stupore dei pensionanti è grande, ma la frettolosa bugia si risolverebbe senza ulteriori conseguenze, se la sera dopo, messa alle strette dalla “fortuita” presenza in ristorante delle due discrete signore, la ragazza non fosse costretta a chiedere a un giovane militare seduto a un tavolo, di recitare la parte dell’innamorato.
Talvolta, però, la realtà può superare la finzione, e così quando il falso pretendente – che, per inciso, è in verità un facoltoso lord – immedesimatosi fin troppo bene nel ruolo, si ostinerà a proseguire la commedia, Patricia si troverà intrappolata in una serie di rocamboleschi fraintendimenti e mezze verità da cui liberarsi risulterà assai arduo… e forse, in fondo in fondo, neanche del tutto desiderabile.
Una soggetto originale e improbabile, una narrazione fluida e vivace, e la cornice rassicurante e tipicamente british di una rispettabile pensione londinese: tali sono gli ingredienti di cui Herbert Jenkins – scrittore eclettico e prolifico, ed editore noto soprattutto per aver pubblicato i libri di P.G. Wodehouse – si serve per confezionare questo godibilissimo romanzo che, proprio come un buon film della vecchia scuola, malgrado la non più verde età anagrafica, non perde un briciolo del suo smalto, e riesce ancora a soddisfare il gusto di quel pubblico che cerca lo svago e il romanticismo senza per questo voler incorrere nella trivialità o nella stucchevolezza.
Non ha bisogno di accenti chiassosi Jenkins: il suo è lo humour sottile e mai sopra le righe della tradizione britannica, quell’ironia cortese e a volte malinconica che si riflette nei tanti personaggi con cui, nel corso delle pagine, impariamo a familiarizzare, e che a fine lettura, come spesso accade, dispiace lasciarsi alle spalle.
Conosciamo così l‘insopportabile zia Adelaide – “l’unica parente in vita” di Patricia, come lei stessa ama ricordarci – perennemente scandalizzata dalla lingua affilata della sua irriverente nipote; il simpatico signor Triggs, anziano vedovo dallo spiccato senso dell’umorismo, ancora profondamente legato al ricordo della moglie; la brillante Lady Tanagra, sorella (del sedicente fidanzato) e amica premurosa, nonché popolarissima socialite dalle inesauribili risorse…
Il ritratto più riuscito risulta però quello della monotona quotidianità degli ospiti della Galvin House, per i quali le vicissitudini amorose della nostra Patricia saranno destinate a rimanere
“L’unico incancellabile raggio di sole nel grigiore delle loro vite”.
È proprio all’umanissima e contraddittoria figura di Patricia – ben delineata tanto sul piano comportamentale quanto a livello psicologico – che l’autore affida la morale di fondo del suo romanzo: l’importanza di essere onesti con se stessi e di saper cogliere le occasioni che la vita offre, imparando, quando necessario, a mettere da parte l’orgoglio.
Spiritoso, romantico, e caratterizzato, a dispetto dell’imperante leggerezza, da una prosa elegante e mai noiosa, Patricia Brent, zitella poggia su una struttura semplice ma solida, che inizia a vacillare lievemente soltanto in prossimità dell‘epilogo, vale a dire quando Jenkins, cedendo alla tentazione di compiacere facilmente il lettore, opta per degli espedienti fin troppo scontati e forse non all’altezza dei capitoli precedenti.
Un errore che, tuttavia, gli si può perdonare senza alcuno sforzo, perché, indipendentemente dalla via attraverso cui vi si giunga, il lieto fine in questo caso era d’obbligo, e se la verosimiglianza a volte latita… Che importa?
Il bello della letteratura, in fondo, è anche questo.
>>> Qui LA RECENSIONE SUL BLOG
Se tuttavia è vero che far sorridere con garbo e intelligenza è generalmente prerogativa di pochi eletti (e al giorno d’oggi sarebbe più corretto dire di pochissimi!), è altrettanto vero che tra i principali depositari di quest’arte vi sono gli inglesi, da sempre maestri di arguzia, stile, e di quella dote preziosissima e non comune meglio nota come autoironia.
Pubblicato nel 1918 e solo di recente tradotto in italiano grazie ad Elliot Edizioni, Patricia Brent, zitella, simpatica commedia degli equivoci dal taglio cinematografico, ne è uno dei più chiari esempi.
La protagonista – Patricia, appunto – è una ventiquattrenne brillante, colta, seria, e non priva di attrattive fisiche: una ragazza, insomma, con tutte le carte in regola per avere successo.
Nel 1917, però, in un’Inghilterra ancora intrisa di morale tradizionale, e minacciata dallo spettro dei dirigibili che solcano i cieli, le opportunità per una donna sono davvero poche, soprattutto nel caso in cui si tratti di un’orfana, sprovvista di mezzi, e – cosa ancor più grave – zitella.
Peccato che Patricia, educata da una zia bigotta e incapace di slanci affettivi, secondo il principio per cui “Gli uomini sono tutti bestie”, di amori e matrimoni non ne voglia proprio sapere; e così, nonostante la giovane età, conduce un’esistenza austera e solitaria, sgobbando da mattina a sera come segretaria di un politico inetto, e trascorrendo il tempo libero nell’ambiente soffocante della pensione in cui alloggia da quando, tre anni prima, ha lasciato la provincia per guadagnarsi da vivere a Londra.
Una sera, ascoltando per caso una conversazione tra due anziane coinquiline, Patricia si accorge di essere l’oggetto della loro commiserazione, e colta da un improvviso scatto d’orgoglio tipico della sua natura impulsiva, annuncia con finta disinvoltura che il giorno seguente cenerà fuori col fidanzato.
Lo stupore dei pensionanti è grande, ma la frettolosa bugia si risolverebbe senza ulteriori conseguenze, se la sera dopo, messa alle strette dalla “fortuita” presenza in ristorante delle due discrete signore, la ragazza non fosse costretta a chiedere a un giovane militare seduto a un tavolo, di recitare la parte dell’innamorato.
Talvolta, però, la realtà può superare la finzione, e così quando il falso pretendente – che, per inciso, è in verità un facoltoso lord – immedesimatosi fin troppo bene nel ruolo, si ostinerà a proseguire la commedia, Patricia si troverà intrappolata in una serie di rocamboleschi fraintendimenti e mezze verità da cui liberarsi risulterà assai arduo… e forse, in fondo in fondo, neanche del tutto desiderabile.
Una soggetto originale e improbabile, una narrazione fluida e vivace, e la cornice rassicurante e tipicamente british di una rispettabile pensione londinese: tali sono gli ingredienti di cui Herbert Jenkins – scrittore eclettico e prolifico, ed editore noto soprattutto per aver pubblicato i libri di P.G. Wodehouse – si serve per confezionare questo godibilissimo romanzo che, proprio come un buon film della vecchia scuola, malgrado la non più verde età anagrafica, non perde un briciolo del suo smalto, e riesce ancora a soddisfare il gusto di quel pubblico che cerca lo svago e il romanticismo senza per questo voler incorrere nella trivialità o nella stucchevolezza.
Non ha bisogno di accenti chiassosi Jenkins: il suo è lo humour sottile e mai sopra le righe della tradizione britannica, quell’ironia cortese e a volte malinconica che si riflette nei tanti personaggi con cui, nel corso delle pagine, impariamo a familiarizzare, e che a fine lettura, come spesso accade, dispiace lasciarsi alle spalle.
Conosciamo così l‘insopportabile zia Adelaide – “l’unica parente in vita” di Patricia, come lei stessa ama ricordarci – perennemente scandalizzata dalla lingua affilata della sua irriverente nipote; il simpatico signor Triggs, anziano vedovo dallo spiccato senso dell’umorismo, ancora profondamente legato al ricordo della moglie; la brillante Lady Tanagra, sorella (del sedicente fidanzato) e amica premurosa, nonché popolarissima socialite dalle inesauribili risorse…
Il ritratto più riuscito risulta però quello della monotona quotidianità degli ospiti della Galvin House, per i quali le vicissitudini amorose della nostra Patricia saranno destinate a rimanere
“L’unico incancellabile raggio di sole nel grigiore delle loro vite”.
È proprio all’umanissima e contraddittoria figura di Patricia – ben delineata tanto sul piano comportamentale quanto a livello psicologico – che l’autore affida la morale di fondo del suo romanzo: l’importanza di essere onesti con se stessi e di saper cogliere le occasioni che la vita offre, imparando, quando necessario, a mettere da parte l’orgoglio.
Spiritoso, romantico, e caratterizzato, a dispetto dell’imperante leggerezza, da una prosa elegante e mai noiosa, Patricia Brent, zitella poggia su una struttura semplice ma solida, che inizia a vacillare lievemente soltanto in prossimità dell‘epilogo, vale a dire quando Jenkins, cedendo alla tentazione di compiacere facilmente il lettore, opta per degli espedienti fin troppo scontati e forse non all’altezza dei capitoli precedenti.
Un errore che, tuttavia, gli si può perdonare senza alcuno sforzo, perché, indipendentemente dalla via attraverso cui vi si giunga, il lieto fine in questo caso era d’obbligo, e se la verosimiglianza a volte latita… Che importa?
Il bello della letteratura, in fondo, è anche questo.
>>> Qui LA RECENSIONE SUL BLOG
May 11, 2014
Every now and then a book comes along that is s true surprise and joy. A book you want to tell everyone about, Patricia Brent, Spinster is such a one for me. I really shouldn’t have been surprised that this was such a delight, having first heard about it from Stuckinabook and immediately going in search of a copy of it. I was delighted therefore, when my cheap, ex-library edition from Abebooks turned out to have such an attractive 1970’s dust jacket.
Living the shabbily genteel existence of a paying guest at the Galvin House Residential Hotel, is attractive twenty four year old Patricia Brent. Secretary to a “rising” politician with an absurdly socially ambitious wife, Patricia is lonely and stifled by life. One day Patricia over hears a conversation between a couple of her fellow residents – a spiteful couple of “old cats”, called Miss Wangle and Mrs Mosscrop-Smythe – pitying Patricia’s loneliness, with some relish. Humiliated and furious at what she overhears, in a moment of some madness Patricia announces at dinner that she won’t be in for dinner the next day. Her announcement is greeted by some small amazement, which leads to utter incredulity when Patricia further reveals that she will in fact be dining with her fiancé, a Major recently returned from France, at the Quadrant. Patricia of course will be doing no such thing, for there is no such person.
Horrified by her recklessness and terrified her lie will be revealed to all, Patricia feels she has no option but to dress herself up the next day, and go off in a taxi to the Quadrant.
“As she stood before the mirror, wondering what she should wear for the night’s adventure, she recalled a remark of Miss Wangle’s that no really nice-minded woman ever dressed in black and white unless she had some ulterior motive. Upon the subject of sex-attraction Miss Wangle posed as an authority, and hinted darkly at things that thrilled Miss Sikkum to ecstatic giggles, and Mrs Mosscrop-Smythe to pianissimo moans of anguish that such things could be.
With great deliberation Patricia selected a black charmeuse costume that Miss Wangle had already confided to the whole of Galvin house was at least two and a half inches too short; but as Patricia explained to Mrs Hamilton, if you possess exquisite fitting patent boots that come high up the leg, it’s a sin for the skirt to be too long. She selected a black velvet hat with a large white water-lily on the upper brim”
Her plan to enjoy a dinner she can little afford and return to Galvin House, having for once dined out, apparently with a man, and put an end to any pitying looks and whispers. However what Patricia hadn’t reckoned on, was that Miss Wangle and Mrs Mosscrop-Smythe with one of their other Galvin House acolytes in tow in the form of Mr Bolton – would follow her in their own taxi – arriving at the Quadrant at exactly the same time as her. Walking into the Quadrant grill-room Patricia is desperate for her deception to remain undiscovered, so spotting a young staff officer sitting alone, she hurries up to him and asks him to play along – that she will explain all later. This then, is how Patricia meets Lieut-Col. Lord Peter Bowen, DSO, MC. What ensues from Patricia’s reckless deceit and her involvement of this complete stranger – who is instantly charmed by her – is pure delightful entertainment.
Lord Peter is enchanted by Patricia, Patricia is horrified by her own actions, mortified to be thus compromised, and the whole of Galvin house are agog. With her employer’s salt of the earth father-in-law, Peter’s wise and adorable sister and their good friend Godfrey being drawn into the confusion, along with Patricia’s disapproving aunt, life becomes very complicated very quickly. A collection of wonderfully endearing characters help to move the story along perfectly, as each of them instantly love Patricia and seem to only want the best for her. Buttoned up “sole-surviving” relative Aunt Adelaide who is hilariously interfering and constantly scandalised, and all the old cats at Galvin house are somehow made slightly more bearable by association with all these new fairy-tale friends of Patricia’s.
For anyone who enjoyed Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and The Making of a Marchioness – this book is a must; it is an effervescent little gem, a feel good little fairy tale to be read with a wry smile. There is much that is unlikely in this little tale – and that is probably why it works so well in a way, of course no- one could possibly act in the way Patricia does and get away with it – her lie would be discovered in ten minutes in real life. So what! It is impossible not to be swept up in the charm and innocent romance of this novel. Patricia Brent, Spinster is yet another book that could so easily have been lost to us, if it weren’t for readers and bloggers sharing their joy in the discovery of it. I would love to see this one being re-issued, and I think I know just the people to do it. However you may be interested to know that there are still affordable second hand copies out there – if I were you I’d get clicking.
Living the shabbily genteel existence of a paying guest at the Galvin House Residential Hotel, is attractive twenty four year old Patricia Brent. Secretary to a “rising” politician with an absurdly socially ambitious wife, Patricia is lonely and stifled by life. One day Patricia over hears a conversation between a couple of her fellow residents – a spiteful couple of “old cats”, called Miss Wangle and Mrs Mosscrop-Smythe – pitying Patricia’s loneliness, with some relish. Humiliated and furious at what she overhears, in a moment of some madness Patricia announces at dinner that she won’t be in for dinner the next day. Her announcement is greeted by some small amazement, which leads to utter incredulity when Patricia further reveals that she will in fact be dining with her fiancé, a Major recently returned from France, at the Quadrant. Patricia of course will be doing no such thing, for there is no such person.
Horrified by her recklessness and terrified her lie will be revealed to all, Patricia feels she has no option but to dress herself up the next day, and go off in a taxi to the Quadrant.
“As she stood before the mirror, wondering what she should wear for the night’s adventure, she recalled a remark of Miss Wangle’s that no really nice-minded woman ever dressed in black and white unless she had some ulterior motive. Upon the subject of sex-attraction Miss Wangle posed as an authority, and hinted darkly at things that thrilled Miss Sikkum to ecstatic giggles, and Mrs Mosscrop-Smythe to pianissimo moans of anguish that such things could be.
With great deliberation Patricia selected a black charmeuse costume that Miss Wangle had already confided to the whole of Galvin house was at least two and a half inches too short; but as Patricia explained to Mrs Hamilton, if you possess exquisite fitting patent boots that come high up the leg, it’s a sin for the skirt to be too long. She selected a black velvet hat with a large white water-lily on the upper brim”
Her plan to enjoy a dinner she can little afford and return to Galvin House, having for once dined out, apparently with a man, and put an end to any pitying looks and whispers. However what Patricia hadn’t reckoned on, was that Miss Wangle and Mrs Mosscrop-Smythe with one of their other Galvin House acolytes in tow in the form of Mr Bolton – would follow her in their own taxi – arriving at the Quadrant at exactly the same time as her. Walking into the Quadrant grill-room Patricia is desperate for her deception to remain undiscovered, so spotting a young staff officer sitting alone, she hurries up to him and asks him to play along – that she will explain all later. This then, is how Patricia meets Lieut-Col. Lord Peter Bowen, DSO, MC. What ensues from Patricia’s reckless deceit and her involvement of this complete stranger – who is instantly charmed by her – is pure delightful entertainment.
Lord Peter is enchanted by Patricia, Patricia is horrified by her own actions, mortified to be thus compromised, and the whole of Galvin house are agog. With her employer’s salt of the earth father-in-law, Peter’s wise and adorable sister and their good friend Godfrey being drawn into the confusion, along with Patricia’s disapproving aunt, life becomes very complicated very quickly. A collection of wonderfully endearing characters help to move the story along perfectly, as each of them instantly love Patricia and seem to only want the best for her. Buttoned up “sole-surviving” relative Aunt Adelaide who is hilariously interfering and constantly scandalised, and all the old cats at Galvin house are somehow made slightly more bearable by association with all these new fairy-tale friends of Patricia’s.
For anyone who enjoyed Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and The Making of a Marchioness – this book is a must; it is an effervescent little gem, a feel good little fairy tale to be read with a wry smile. There is much that is unlikely in this little tale – and that is probably why it works so well in a way, of course no- one could possibly act in the way Patricia does and get away with it – her lie would be discovered in ten minutes in real life. So what! It is impossible not to be swept up in the charm and innocent romance of this novel. Patricia Brent, Spinster is yet another book that could so easily have been lost to us, if it weren’t for readers and bloggers sharing their joy in the discovery of it. I would love to see this one being re-issued, and I think I know just the people to do it. However you may be interested to know that there are still affordable second hand copies out there – if I were you I’d get clicking.
April 19, 2020
Pues no estuvo mal, entretenido y me sacó una risas por ahi. La primera parte se me hizo mas amena que la segunda; a la protaginista la quise ahorcar varias veces (un poco insufrible la pobre). Peter y Tan me gustaron más, son muy agradables. Los personajes secundarios son bastante buenos, me divertí un poco con algunos, pero de verdad se les ocurría cada cosa... y el Obispo a ese lo traigo atravesado por culpa de la sobrina jajajajaja
Pues es una lectura fácil y amena
Pues es una lectura fácil y amena
September 20, 2016
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I think that I am on a kick to read some more of these older novels. This was my second one in a row and I’m going to look for another one to start. No sex, no violence, no swearing… just pleasant characters that I can enjoy spending some time with.
I became curious when I got to the end of the book and saw a list of novels entitled Herbert Jenkins’ Shilling Library. What in the world? So of course I had to look it up!
Unfortunately, I couldn’t locate anything about Herbert Jenkins’ Shilling Library. As best I could discover, Herbert Jenkins was a London publisher who also published some cheaper novels for the price of one shilling. [Interesting... because for much of the 19th century, British book publishers sold novels at very high prices – a guinea and a half (31 shillings and 6 pence) per title, the equivalent of a week’s salary for a highly-paid, skilled worker in London. In terms of modern buying power, a guinea and a half approximates today’s publisher’s list price for three or four new hardback novels.]
I also found this description:
Methuen’s Shilling Library, like their Shilling Novels and Cheap Novels, were cheap novels printed and bound with a minimum investment by the publisher. There is significant overlap in the Shilling Library and Shilling Novels and they may basically be the same series with different names. Some of the Shilling Library titles also list the series as Methuen’s Shilling Books.
So I’m still very curious. I’ve never before heard of a Shilling Library. Are these "good" books or just cheap books? Can anyone out there help me?
I became curious when I got to the end of the book and saw a list of novels entitled Herbert Jenkins’ Shilling Library. What in the world? So of course I had to look it up!
Unfortunately, I couldn’t locate anything about Herbert Jenkins’ Shilling Library. As best I could discover, Herbert Jenkins was a London publisher who also published some cheaper novels for the price of one shilling. [Interesting... because for much of the 19th century, British book publishers sold novels at very high prices – a guinea and a half (31 shillings and 6 pence) per title, the equivalent of a week’s salary for a highly-paid, skilled worker in London. In terms of modern buying power, a guinea and a half approximates today’s publisher’s list price for three or four new hardback novels.]
I also found this description:
Methuen’s Shilling Library, like their Shilling Novels and Cheap Novels, were cheap novels printed and bound with a minimum investment by the publisher. There is significant overlap in the Shilling Library and Shilling Novels and they may basically be the same series with different names. Some of the Shilling Library titles also list the series as Methuen’s Shilling Books.
So I’m still very curious. I’ve never before heard of a Shilling Library. Are these "good" books or just cheap books? Can anyone out there help me?
October 5, 2019
Estos días me apetecía un libro cortito y que no llegara a 300 páginas, y que fuera super ligero. Pues dí con el libro correcto. Tiene muchísimo humor, los personajes de entorno de la protagonista (tanto en la pensión como su jefe) son un show, y me encanta que sea una historia que es tan una comedia romántica. Y sinceramente, no sé porqué no le han hecho una adaptación (película o mini serie). Ya tan solo por la escena del panecillo volador valdría la pena hacerla. Dios, qué carcajadas me ha provocado este libro, en serio, no exagero.
Obviamente, no todo es bueno. Lamentablemente, se hacen un par de comentarios sobre las mujeres que son muy desacertados y se nota que esto fue escrito hace 100 AÑOS. Frases como “Utilizaba su ojo femenino para ver, y su cerebro masculino para juzgar” o “Como mujer que era, jamás se detenía a preguntarse lo que de verdad sentía o lo que francamente anhelaba. Sus pensamientos giraban en círculo, retomando inevitablemente a la irritante pregunta «¿Qué es lo que realmente piensa sobre mí?»”. Y hay muchos otros más. Claro, a ver, esto fue publicado en 1918 y se palpa mucho que aún estaba ese pensamiento de “las mujeres son totalmente emocionales, y los hombres son totalmente racionales”.
A pesar de esto, admito que es una historia muy divertida, romántica, y con la Primera Guerra Mundial como telón de fondo, y que incluso se siente muy real en una escena en concreto del libro.
En resumen, que cuando es apetezca reír mucho y un libro cortito, este debe ser vuestro elegido.
Obviamente, no todo es bueno. Lamentablemente, se hacen un par de comentarios sobre las mujeres que son muy desacertados y se nota que esto fue escrito hace 100 AÑOS. Frases como “Utilizaba su ojo femenino para ver, y su cerebro masculino para juzgar” o “Como mujer que era, jamás se detenía a preguntarse lo que de verdad sentía o lo que francamente anhelaba. Sus pensamientos giraban en círculo, retomando inevitablemente a la irritante pregunta «¿Qué es lo que realmente piensa sobre mí?»”. Y hay muchos otros más. Claro, a ver, esto fue publicado en 1918 y se palpa mucho que aún estaba ese pensamiento de “las mujeres son totalmente emocionales, y los hombres son totalmente racionales”.
A pesar de esto, admito que es una historia muy divertida, romántica, y con la Primera Guerra Mundial como telón de fondo, y que incluso se siente muy real en una escena en concreto del libro.
En resumen, que cuando es apetezca reír mucho y un libro cortito, este debe ser vuestro elegido.
February 3, 2022
Patricia Brent is upset after overhearing her neighbors discussing her lack of dates. Determined to prove them wrong, she tells them that she is having dinner with her fiancé on the following evening. When they show up to the restaurant to see what he looks like, Patricia is forced to coerce a young man into pretending he is there for her.
I explained the plot to my roommate and she went: "You sure like that storyline, don't you?"
Yes, yes I do. The 1918 publishing date was just the icing on the cake. I love a vintage romance.
Unfortunately, this one swung a little...too vintage. I blame a male writing a female POV. The sexist commentary on her womanly indecisiveness left me inclined to throw something. It just kept going on and on. Much like the plot. I suppose from a sheer number of pages, it was fine. But as the only plot point was the quirkiness of side-characters and the pride of the heroine, it felt much too long.
Pity. This had much potential.
I explained the plot to my roommate and she went: "You sure like that storyline, don't you?"
Yes, yes I do. The 1918 publishing date was just the icing on the cake. I love a vintage romance.
Unfortunately, this one swung a little...too vintage. I blame a male writing a female POV. The sexist commentary on her womanly indecisiveness left me inclined to throw something. It just kept going on and on. Much like the plot. I suppose from a sheer number of pages, it was fine. But as the only plot point was the quirkiness of side-characters and the pride of the heroine, it felt much too long.
Pity. This had much potential.
January 5, 2017
Los comienzos de un género. Muy divertida
http://entremontonesdelibros.blogspot...
http://entremontonesdelibros.blogspot...
December 18, 2015
Very enjoyable
Prior to discovering this book, I had never heard of Patricia Brent, Spinster. Not had I the foggiest idea whom author Herbert George Jenkins was but now that I've read this book I shan't forget it and I want to read more by this author. I was immediately drawn into this story and upon being swiftly introduced to this cast of colorful characters I was intrigued and entertained. This delightful romance reads like a film. So descriptive and precise are the details of the cast and the locations by trip of the imagination the reader is whisked away to Galvin House, The Quadrant Hotel and Grill Room and The office of Mr. Bonser, the settings of this charming book.
Patricia Brent is single young woman working as a secretary to a member of parliament in London. She has one surviving relative her strict aunt Adelaide. And so for freedom sake she lives on her own in a very reputable boarding hotel called Galvin House. Galvin House is filled with the most interesting, eccentric and nosey people of young and old. Patricia seems the most normal of them all but she was boring. Out of concern and a bit of meddling her neighbors nagged her about her spinsterhood. They felt as she was the youngest residents she should be dating or married by now in her mid twenties. Patricia tired of this so one day she decided to invent a fiancée. She made a big production of going to a restaurant and planned to dine alone and then return home. She hoped that in her absence this would get them off her back. But little did she know her meddling neighbors would follow her to the same restaurant to witness her date. What could she do? The jig would be up! She saw a man sitting at a table alone and asked him to play along. This is the beginning of of the romance. The persistence. The cat and mouse chase. The hit and almost miss. You must read this book to learn the rest. I'm sure you will be pleased.
4 stars. I really enjoyed it. I listened to an audiobook and the reader was also very good. Which definitely helps. The romance is sweet. Lord Peter will make you smile. The cast of characters are at times so bungling and ridiculous, I laughed out loud a quite a few times. I would love for someone to take this in hand and make it into a quirky period film. It would be perfect.
Prior to discovering this book, I had never heard of Patricia Brent, Spinster. Not had I the foggiest idea whom author Herbert George Jenkins was but now that I've read this book I shan't forget it and I want to read more by this author. I was immediately drawn into this story and upon being swiftly introduced to this cast of colorful characters I was intrigued and entertained. This delightful romance reads like a film. So descriptive and precise are the details of the cast and the locations by trip of the imagination the reader is whisked away to Galvin House, The Quadrant Hotel and Grill Room and The office of Mr. Bonser, the settings of this charming book.
Patricia Brent is single young woman working as a secretary to a member of parliament in London. She has one surviving relative her strict aunt Adelaide. And so for freedom sake she lives on her own in a very reputable boarding hotel called Galvin House. Galvin House is filled with the most interesting, eccentric and nosey people of young and old. Patricia seems the most normal of them all but she was boring. Out of concern and a bit of meddling her neighbors nagged her about her spinsterhood. They felt as she was the youngest residents she should be dating or married by now in her mid twenties. Patricia tired of this so one day she decided to invent a fiancée. She made a big production of going to a restaurant and planned to dine alone and then return home. She hoped that in her absence this would get them off her back. But little did she know her meddling neighbors would follow her to the same restaurant to witness her date. What could she do? The jig would be up! She saw a man sitting at a table alone and asked him to play along. This is the beginning of of the romance. The persistence. The cat and mouse chase. The hit and almost miss. You must read this book to learn the rest. I'm sure you will be pleased.
4 stars. I really enjoyed it. I listened to an audiobook and the reader was also very good. Which definitely helps. The romance is sweet. Lord Peter will make you smile. The cast of characters are at times so bungling and ridiculous, I laughed out loud a quite a few times. I would love for someone to take this in hand and make it into a quirky period film. It would be perfect.
April 28, 2019
پاتریشیای تنها
هربرت جن کنیز
پاتریشیا دختر زیباروی بیست و چهار ساله ای است که در کوکی پدر و مادر خود را از دست داده و تنها در پانسیون گالوین زندگی میکند
روزی به صورت اتفاقی صدای افراد ساکن پانسیون به گوشش میرسد که او را دختری منزوی و تنها خطاب میکنند که هیچ مردی در زندگی اش نیست و تا کنون توجه هیچ مردی را به خود جلب نکرده و این امر سبب میشود پاترشیا به فکر نقشه ای بیفتد که این نقشه سرنوشت زندگی وی را دگرگون میسازد...
این کتاب متعلق به دوران جوانی مادرم بود و من آن را در نوجوانی خواندم. در آن زمان از نظر مادرم کتاب برای سن من مناسب نبود و پنهان نگاه داشته می شد و من از سر کنجکاوی زیاد که به دلیل عکس دختر زیباروی جلد کتاب و آرامش منظره اطرافش بود مصرانه هر زمان مادر در منزل نبود به سراغ چمدان انتهای کمد مادر رفته و کتاب را می خواندم
اولین رمان عاشقانه ای که خواندم که هنوز برایم یک خاطره بسیار شیرین است
هربرت جن کنیز
پاتریشیا دختر زیباروی بیست و چهار ساله ای است که در کوکی پدر و مادر خود را از دست داده و تنها در پانسیون گالوین زندگی میکند
روزی به صورت اتفاقی صدای افراد ساکن پانسیون به گوشش میرسد که او را دختری منزوی و تنها خطاب میکنند که هیچ مردی در زندگی اش نیست و تا کنون توجه هیچ مردی را به خود جلب نکرده و این امر سبب میشود پاترشیا به فکر نقشه ای بیفتد که این نقشه سرنوشت زندگی وی را دگرگون میسازد...
این کتاب متعلق به دوران جوانی مادرم بود و من آن را در نوجوانی خواندم. در آن زمان از نظر مادرم کتاب برای سن من مناسب نبود و پنهان نگاه داشته می شد و من از سر کنجکاوی زیاد که به دلیل عکس دختر زیباروی جلد کتاب و آرامش منظره اطرافش بود مصرانه هر زمان مادر در منزل نبود به سراغ چمدان انتهای کمد مادر رفته و کتاب را می خواندم
اولین رمان عاشقانه ای که خواندم که هنوز برایم یک خاطره بسیار شیرین است
May 24, 2017
After hearing the neighbor cats say mean things, Patricia Brent announces she will be dining out with her fiance the next evening. This is obviously scandalous! So when some of the neighbor cats follow her to dinner, Patricia accosts the first single military man she finds. He turns out to be Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Peter Bowen, hot to trot.
1. This was pretty entertaining? I liked Patricia, even with her ridiculous pride, and Peter with his schmoopy-eyed dedication and the silly plot to get them together. I liked Tan! And Peggy! And Mr. Twiggs! It was just a lot of fun.
2. But that sexism, though.
3. Like this book shows its age pretty bad. And it's gross?? But luckily the bits are small enough that it's not a horrible negative? I guess?
4. ALSO NOT ENOUGH KISSING. AS PER FRICKIN' USUAL.
1. This was pretty entertaining? I liked Patricia, even with her ridiculous pride, and Peter with his schmoopy-eyed dedication and the silly plot to get them together. I liked Tan! And Peggy! And Mr. Twiggs! It was just a lot of fun.
2. But that sexism, though.
3. Like this book shows its age pretty bad. And it's gross?? But luckily the bits are small enough that it's not a horrible negative? I guess?
4. ALSO NOT ENOUGH KISSING. AS PER FRICKIN' USUAL.
March 23, 2017
Deliciosa comedia feelgood. Publicada en los años posteriores a la Primera Guerra Mundial, se nota que se hace un esfuerzo por los personajes frívolos y divertidos. Fuera de contexto histórico, tal vez sea poco creíble, pero es entretenida.
April 14, 2020
Popsugar Reading Challenge #50: Un libro cuyo protagonista tenga veintitantos años
El libro me ha gustado, me saco un par de risas. Es un libro ligero y facil de leer.
El libro me ha gustado, me saco un par de risas. Es un libro ligero y facil de leer.
July 5, 2015
This novel was originally published in 1918 when a woman in her 20s was considered a spinster. Fed up with the gossips at her boarding house, Patricia Brent makes up a fictional fiance to shut them all up. When the old catty gossips follow her to the location of her "date," Patricia is stuck. Seeing an available young soldier sitting alone, she seizes the opportunity to extend her lie a little longer. Peter Bowen is enchanted with Patricia and her tall tale. He would love to make it a reality but after their first meeting, she avoids him like the plague. Embarrassed by her lie and too proud to accept what she believes is Peter's pity, Patricia tries her hardest to keep away from Peter. Then Peter gets his sister involved and no one is a match for Tan's intelligence and enthusiasm.
This is a cute story in the vein of Jane Austen in terms of social satire. The writing style isn't as elegant or witty as Jane Austen but it is subtly funny in parts. The plot goes on a little too long and the courtship a little too one-sided. You really have to accept the idea of love at first sight for this to work.
I felt sorry for Patricia because I understand how she feels. Not married? How come? Don't you want to get married? To hear this and bear with it day after day is more than any mortal can bear. I completely get Patricia's motive for lying to her housemates. She had my sympathy and understanding the entire book even though I was rooting for Peter to win her over.
The secondary characters are vastly appealing. The spiteful old gossips are typical of the Victorian period when women had nothing better to do than talk about past glories and long dead high-placed relatives. My personal favorite character is her boss' father-in-law. A former builder, this widowed gentleman has money and charm aplenty. He's so kind and very funny. He reminded me of a nicer version of Eliza Doolittle's father in My Fair Lady. Peter's sister Tan is also a favorite. She is intelligent, beautiful, witty and an all around good person. She and Peter are very close and she handles the slighting of her brother very well. Her friend Peggy is also delightful. She's very charming. Peter is the least developed of all the secondary characters. Some of the story is from his point-of-view but it doesn't really get inside his head and tell us what he's feeling. He's hurt by Patricia's rejection of him but it isn't completely clear why he's so in love with her when all she does is spurn him. The other characters say that the more he's thwarted, the more he wants something. That doesn't sound like a good basis for a relationship to me, but somehow it works and I wanted him to succeed.
Content: Kisses only, an air raid/bomb drops on a nearby street but the characters are isolated from the bloodhshed. There are some veiled mentions of PTSD and some wounded soldiers in a hospital setting. Until the last third, you barely know what year it is.
This is a cute story in the vein of Jane Austen in terms of social satire. The writing style isn't as elegant or witty as Jane Austen but it is subtly funny in parts. The plot goes on a little too long and the courtship a little too one-sided. You really have to accept the idea of love at first sight for this to work.
I felt sorry for Patricia because I understand how she feels. Not married? How come? Don't you want to get married? To hear this and bear with it day after day is more than any mortal can bear. I completely get Patricia's motive for lying to her housemates. She had my sympathy and understanding the entire book even though I was rooting for Peter to win her over.
The secondary characters are vastly appealing. The spiteful old gossips are typical of the Victorian period when women had nothing better to do than talk about past glories and long dead high-placed relatives. My personal favorite character is her boss' father-in-law. A former builder, this widowed gentleman has money and charm aplenty. He's so kind and very funny. He reminded me of a nicer version of Eliza Doolittle's father in My Fair Lady. Peter's sister Tan is also a favorite. She is intelligent, beautiful, witty and an all around good person. She and Peter are very close and she handles the slighting of her brother very well. Her friend Peggy is also delightful. She's very charming. Peter is the least developed of all the secondary characters. Some of the story is from his point-of-view but it doesn't really get inside his head and tell us what he's feeling. He's hurt by Patricia's rejection of him but it isn't completely clear why he's so in love with her when all she does is spurn him. The other characters say that the more he's thwarted, the more he wants something. That doesn't sound like a good basis for a relationship to me, but somehow it works and I wanted him to succeed.
Content: Kisses only, an air raid/bomb drops on a nearby street but the characters are isolated from the bloodhshed. There are some veiled mentions of PTSD and some wounded soldiers in a hospital setting. Until the last third, you barely know what year it is.
December 1, 2016
No conocía ni al autora ni el título de esta novela hasta que d'Época anuncio su publicación. Me encanta poder conocer nuevos libros gracias a esta editorial y en esta ocasión me he hecho con una novela que no conocía y que al final ha terminado siendo una gran lectura.
Patricia Brent, solterona es una historia con humor, romance y que a mí me ha servido para acercar un poco a esa época de principios del siglo XX que, la verdad, no conozco mucho porque no suelo leer novelas de ese momento histórico.
En la historia se puede ver cómo Patricia vive lo que significa ser soltera, y eso que ha conseguido ser independiente con su trabajo, pero la vida no es todo lo interesante que le gustaría. Por una parte, su trabajo no la estimula y por otro la cotidianidad de la casa de huéspedes en la que vive la saca de quicio. No obstante, a pesar de sus logros personaljes, la mayoría de la gente se lamenta de que siga soltera y se preguntan por qué. Cuando ella se da cuenta de esto es cuando comienza todo y es a través de una mentira. Al principio no le parece una mentira muy grande, solo debe ir al restaurante después de decirles a los demás que cenará con su prometido, pero cuando se da cuentan de que la han seguido, las cosas se complican. No voy a contar nada más sobre la trama porque creo que parte de la gracia es llegar a la historia sin saber más, tener esa curiosidad de como resolverá el problema en el que está metida Patricia.
Estamos ante una historia de enredo que se disfruta mucho, tiene humor, romance, personajes entrañables... Realmente no esperaba que me enganchase tanto pero así ha sido y la he disfrutado un montón. Creo que es, además, una lectura muy accesible y entretenida para cualquiera, así que se puede recomendar libremente.
La edición está muy cuidada, como todas las publicaciones de esta editorial y las ilustraciones a todo color son un lujo. No puedo más que estar feliz de haberle dado una oportunidad a esta lectura, la recordaré con mucho cariño.
Patricia Brent, solterona es una historia con humor, romance y que a mí me ha servido para acercar un poco a esa época de principios del siglo XX que, la verdad, no conozco mucho porque no suelo leer novelas de ese momento histórico.
En la historia se puede ver cómo Patricia vive lo que significa ser soltera, y eso que ha conseguido ser independiente con su trabajo, pero la vida no es todo lo interesante que le gustaría. Por una parte, su trabajo no la estimula y por otro la cotidianidad de la casa de huéspedes en la que vive la saca de quicio. No obstante, a pesar de sus logros personaljes, la mayoría de la gente se lamenta de que siga soltera y se preguntan por qué. Cuando ella se da cuenta de esto es cuando comienza todo y es a través de una mentira. Al principio no le parece una mentira muy grande, solo debe ir al restaurante después de decirles a los demás que cenará con su prometido, pero cuando se da cuentan de que la han seguido, las cosas se complican. No voy a contar nada más sobre la trama porque creo que parte de la gracia es llegar a la historia sin saber más, tener esa curiosidad de como resolverá el problema en el que está metida Patricia.
Estamos ante una historia de enredo que se disfruta mucho, tiene humor, romance, personajes entrañables... Realmente no esperaba que me enganchase tanto pero así ha sido y la he disfrutado un montón. Creo que es, además, una lectura muy accesible y entretenida para cualquiera, así que se puede recomendar libremente.
La edición está muy cuidada, como todas las publicaciones de esta editorial y las ilustraciones a todo color son un lujo. No puedo más que estar feliz de haberle dado una oportunidad a esta lectura, la recordaré con mucho cariño.
August 2, 2017
Light but enjoyable romance. The interesting thing is that this was actually written in 1918, not like the many contemporary authors that write period romance. The downside is that not only the characters had traditional and old-fashioned ideas about gender, but that the author added them in random places.
I wasn't completely convinced by the main couple and their motivations, I'm not sure Patricia was only proud or moral, even if I try to understand the values of her time. Even so, I identified with her in several moments, specially in her contradictions (I'm not sure if that's good thing or not). Peter seemed nice but I wasn't completely convinced why he was attracted to her and why he was so persistant. I think the enjoyment of the story depends heavily if you find his behavior endearing or the classic "a Lady doesn't mean "No" when she says it". I decided not to be too analytical and follow the road and, in the end, I enjoyed the plot.
The dialogue is smart and full of humor. Some of the best parts were the interactions between the secondary characters, specially Lady Tanagra, Mr. Triggs and all the paying guests at Galvin. Once they find Peter is a Lord, social expectations affect their actions in a comic way. The social division isn't really explored but it wasn't use to mock the working class character either.
There were moments when I felt this story could be a nice play or even a musical.
I wasn't completely convinced by the main couple and their motivations, I'm not sure Patricia was only proud or moral, even if I try to understand the values of her time. Even so, I identified with her in several moments, specially in her contradictions (I'm not sure if that's good thing or not). Peter seemed nice but I wasn't completely convinced why he was attracted to her and why he was so persistant. I think the enjoyment of the story depends heavily if you find his behavior endearing or the classic "a Lady doesn't mean "No" when she says it". I decided not to be too analytical and follow the road and, in the end, I enjoyed the plot.
The dialogue is smart and full of humor. Some of the best parts were the interactions between the secondary characters, specially Lady Tanagra, Mr. Triggs and all the paying guests at Galvin. Once they find Peter is a Lord, social expectations affect their actions in a comic way. The social division isn't really explored but it wasn't use to mock the working class character either.
There were moments when I felt this story could be a nice play or even a musical.
October 14, 2013
This is a light, fluffy, and very enjoyable read.
It is 1918 in London. Patricia Brent is, as the title says, a spinster. She lives in a dismal boarding house and works as secretary to a would-be rising politician. And one evening, when she overhears some of the other boarders pitying her for her manless state, she has had enough. She invents a fiancé. And then she goes out, supposedly to dinner with him - but the said boarders follow her to get a look at him. What's a girl to do? Why, bounce up to the first bloke in uniform she sees and get him to pretend to be her betrothed, of course!
This being the sort of book it is, the bloke in question is Lord Peter Bowen, young, rich, and single, and quite ready to fall in love with a pretty and audacious young woman. And the rest of the book is concerned with his attempts to make Patricia return his love.
The love story is, taken all in all, fairly predictable, if rather sweet. The real joy of this book is in the secondary characters: the gossipy, vaguely pathetic inmates of the boarding house; Mr Triggs, Patricia's boss' gloriously vulgar father in law; Lady Tanagra, Peter's sister; Patricia's awful Aunt Adelaide (her "only surviving relative"); and various other friend-and-relations.
It all adds up to the perfect read for when you want something sweet and fun and not too mentally taxing.
It is 1918 in London. Patricia Brent is, as the title says, a spinster. She lives in a dismal boarding house and works as secretary to a would-be rising politician. And one evening, when she overhears some of the other boarders pitying her for her manless state, she has had enough. She invents a fiancé. And then she goes out, supposedly to dinner with him - but the said boarders follow her to get a look at him. What's a girl to do? Why, bounce up to the first bloke in uniform she sees and get him to pretend to be her betrothed, of course!
This being the sort of book it is, the bloke in question is Lord Peter Bowen, young, rich, and single, and quite ready to fall in love with a pretty and audacious young woman. And the rest of the book is concerned with his attempts to make Patricia return his love.
The love story is, taken all in all, fairly predictable, if rather sweet. The real joy of this book is in the secondary characters: the gossipy, vaguely pathetic inmates of the boarding house; Mr Triggs, Patricia's boss' gloriously vulgar father in law; Lady Tanagra, Peter's sister; Patricia's awful Aunt Adelaide (her "only surviving relative"); and various other friend-and-relations.
It all adds up to the perfect read for when you want something sweet and fun and not too mentally taxing.
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