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Miss Buncle #2
Miss Buncle, Married
Book by Stevenson, D. E.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1936
258 people are currently reading
1867 people want to read
About the author
D.E. Stevenson
67 books630 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Dorothy Emily Stevenson was a best-selling Scottish author. She published more than 40 romantic novels over a period of more than 40 years. Her father was a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson.
D.E. Stevenson had an enormously successful writing career: between 1923 and 1970, four million copies of her books were sold in Britain and three million in the States. Like E.F. Benson, Ann Bridge, O. Douglas or Dorothy L. Sayers (to name but a few) her books are funny, intensely readable, engaging and dependable.
Dorothy Emily Stevenson was a best-selling Scottish author. She published more than 40 romantic novels over a period of more than 40 years. Her father was a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson.
D.E. Stevenson had an enormously successful writing career: between 1923 and 1970, four million copies of her books were sold in Britain and three million in the States. Like E.F. Benson, Ann Bridge, O. Douglas or Dorothy L. Sayers (to name but a few) her books are funny, intensely readable, engaging and dependable.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 669 reviews
November 10, 2025
D.E. Stevenson is one of my favourite authors, and is placed on a very personal bookshelf with authors like Barbara Pym.
In their own ways and their own times, they all wrote about The Humdrum, The Mundane and The Commonplace without too much fuss and high drama, but with understanding, humour and pitch-perfect characterisation!
This is Book 2 in D.E. Stevenson's "Miss Buncle" Series and while it is not as brilliant as Miss Buncle's Book, it is still great.
For this very reason I was slightly disappointed at first, but on re-reading it, without high expectations this time, I grew much more appreciative, but for me it is not a 5 star read (there was too much time spent on the tiresome child-characters I just couldn't care about, even if Stevenson was trying to prove a point with the endless discussions about them).
Bearing the title in mind, there are no big surprises to the content of the novel, but with the author's usual simple, but totally absorbing story-telling and the masterly characterisation, it just does not matter.
After the successes & trials of Barbara Buncle as an overlooked spinster suddenly turning to a very successful author-in-disguise, we meet her again, happily married to her, but not that happily settled with, her publisher, Arthur Abbott in London.
To remedy the latter situation, they decide to move to the country and Barbara begins hunting for the perfect house at a perfect place, which she happens to find in the small town of Wandlebury where the couple is finally able to set up their imperfectly perfect home.
The new scenery inevitably means a whole set of new characters and D.E. Stevenson's depiction of them is as accurate as it is delightfully entertaining. The way she just manages to sum them up, always hitting the proverbial nail (or a certain character) on the head in a few sentences is (again) fascinating.
Just to give you an example:
"Now, unpopular people with thick skins are usually rather happy people – they go through life quite cheerfully treading on their neighbours’ toes, and bestowing their unwelcome company upon all and sundry, secure in the conviction that everybody likes them – but Mrs Dance, unfortunately for herself, was thin-skinned. She was clever enough to know that people disliked her, but not clever enough to understand the reason for their dislike."
Just as the new background gives the possibility of D.E. Stevenson to shine with her portrayals, it also provides Barbara with plenty of opportunity to study and unconsciously see through people around her. While Barbara thinks she has no imagination, the way she's able to see people for what they really are and not knowing it, it is quite terrifying.
"The strangest thing about Barbara (...) was that although she understood practically nothing, she yet understood everything. She might or might not have ‘an imagination’, but she certainly had an extraordinary power of getting underneath people’s skins. Without being conscious of it herself she was able to sum up a person or a situation in a few minutes. People’s very bones were bare to her – and she had no idea of it.
How could she write of men as she did, with such true insight? She saw them naked (as it were), stripped of all their little subterfuges, their mannerisms, the coverings that they assumed to shield their inadequate souls from the world’s gaze. She saw them naked and calmly limned them so; not aware, in her kind, pleasant mind, that she was giving the show away. "
*some mild spoilers ahead*
Barbara goes on in this new life of hers, not only mentally photographing people's true selves, but also unaware that she's potentially gathering material for a possible new book.
And with that, we come to the point which I did not understand first, but came to accept now: Why did the author "allow" Barbara to write a new book, but then made her decide against publishing it?
The answer is not simply that both she and her husband (as well as D.E.S.) want to avoid the scenario of Book 1, namely that upon the townspeople's reading the book and recognising themselves, they would have to move again somewhere else, though it is a strong deterrent. But somehow I think that the message is stronger: this time Barbara realises that ART IS a powerful weapon. As her lack of imagination forces her to write the absolute truth about people (hence her reluctance to change them so that they get more obscure, because it would change everything about the book in her mind), she also learned the hard lesson in Silverstream that society cannot cope with seeing itself exposed and the true representation of reality, though well-meant, can be very dangerous.
Therefore we have this -for some readers clearly unsatisfactory- rather banal conclusion to the story where we learn that she is pregnant and means to dedicate herself to motherhood.
In their own ways and their own times, they all wrote about The Humdrum, The Mundane and The Commonplace without too much fuss and high drama, but with understanding, humour and pitch-perfect characterisation!
This is Book 2 in D.E. Stevenson's "Miss Buncle" Series and while it is not as brilliant as Miss Buncle's Book, it is still great.
For this very reason I was slightly disappointed at first, but on re-reading it, without high expectations this time, I grew much more appreciative, but for me it is not a 5 star read (there was too much time spent on the tiresome child-characters I just couldn't care about, even if Stevenson was trying to prove a point with the endless discussions about them).
Bearing the title in mind, there are no big surprises to the content of the novel, but with the author's usual simple, but totally absorbing story-telling and the masterly characterisation, it just does not matter.
After the successes & trials of Barbara Buncle as an overlooked spinster suddenly turning to a very successful author-in-disguise, we meet her again, happily married to her, but not that happily settled with, her publisher, Arthur Abbott in London.
To remedy the latter situation, they decide to move to the country and Barbara begins hunting for the perfect house at a perfect place, which she happens to find in the small town of Wandlebury where the couple is finally able to set up their imperfectly perfect home.
The new scenery inevitably means a whole set of new characters and D.E. Stevenson's depiction of them is as accurate as it is delightfully entertaining. The way she just manages to sum them up, always hitting the proverbial nail (or a certain character) on the head in a few sentences is (again) fascinating.
Just to give you an example:
"Now, unpopular people with thick skins are usually rather happy people – they go through life quite cheerfully treading on their neighbours’ toes, and bestowing their unwelcome company upon all and sundry, secure in the conviction that everybody likes them – but Mrs Dance, unfortunately for herself, was thin-skinned. She was clever enough to know that people disliked her, but not clever enough to understand the reason for their dislike."
Just as the new background gives the possibility of D.E. Stevenson to shine with her portrayals, it also provides Barbara with plenty of opportunity to study and unconsciously see through people around her. While Barbara thinks she has no imagination, the way she's able to see people for what they really are and not knowing it, it is quite terrifying.
"The strangest thing about Barbara (...) was that although she understood practically nothing, she yet understood everything. She might or might not have ‘an imagination’, but she certainly had an extraordinary power of getting underneath people’s skins. Without being conscious of it herself she was able to sum up a person or a situation in a few minutes. People’s very bones were bare to her – and she had no idea of it.
How could she write of men as she did, with such true insight? She saw them naked (as it were), stripped of all their little subterfuges, their mannerisms, the coverings that they assumed to shield their inadequate souls from the world’s gaze. She saw them naked and calmly limned them so; not aware, in her kind, pleasant mind, that she was giving the show away. "
*some mild spoilers ahead*
Barbara goes on in this new life of hers, not only mentally photographing people's true selves, but also unaware that she's potentially gathering material for a possible new book.
And with that, we come to the point which I did not understand first, but came to accept now: Why did the author "allow" Barbara to write a new book, but then made her decide against publishing it?
The answer is not simply that both she and her husband (as well as D.E.S.) want to avoid the scenario of Book 1, namely that upon the townspeople's reading the book and recognising themselves, they would have to move again somewhere else, though it is a strong deterrent. But somehow I think that the message is stronger: this time Barbara realises that ART IS a powerful weapon. As her lack of imagination forces her to write the absolute truth about people (hence her reluctance to change them so that they get more obscure, because it would change everything about the book in her mind), she also learned the hard lesson in Silverstream that society cannot cope with seeing itself exposed and the true representation of reality, though well-meant, can be very dangerous.
Therefore we have this -for some readers clearly unsatisfactory- rather banal conclusion to the story where we learn that she is pregnant and means to dedicate herself to motherhood.
June 11, 2019
The sequel to Miss Buncle's Book, Miss Buncle Married, is very good and I enjoyed getting back into her world and reading all about her adventures with her new neighbors and husband's family. It is almost as delightful as the first book and I read it very quickly as I couldn't wait to find out what happened. My only criticism is that it ended much too quickly!
December 13, 2015
If I could do one, tiny small thing for the good of all mankind, I would make the mid-brow, mid-wars English literature a must for everybody. DE Stevenson was a master; the author of the Miss Buncle series is as dry a wit as it comes, along with Nancy Mitford, Stella Gibbons, Angela Thirkell, MJ Farrell, EF Benson. Hilarious stories about English village life brimming with insane characters and the pleasantries of the day. I love this time periods. Any of these authors are literature's Xanax, a more modern day version of Cranford. I parse these books out and read one every three months or so as a special treat--it's not like these authors are writing any more of them. MIss Buncle is hilarious--about a spinster who decided to write a book because she is short of money. Think Evelyn Vaugh books but MUCH moire charming. And no sex. EVER. Barely any kissing. Just good old fashioned falling in love in minutes and then inheriting huge estates. If you love Jane Austen, PLEASE try these books out. Most of these writers were prolific but largely forgotten. And their stuff is AWESOME.
January 6, 2026
What a delightful book to start off 2026. Miss Buncle has married Arthur Abbott. Living in Hampstead Heath, they are expected to entertain and be sociable. To get away from it all, they decide to move. They move to Wandlebury, a small English village, where Barbara Buncle Abbott has discovered her dream home. Barbara sets out to do what she does best- get to know her neighbours. Her talent is seeing them as they truly are.
This book was charming in its depiction of Barbara and Arthur’s marriage. This book was also laugh out loud funny, especially when the marvellous “Marvell” children entered the picture.
I finished this book looking forward to getting to the next book in this series. If you are looking for a cozy, comfort read, do start with #1, Miss Buncle, before you read this one.
Published: 1936
This book was charming in its depiction of Barbara and Arthur’s marriage. This book was also laugh out loud funny, especially when the marvellous “Marvell” children entered the picture.
I finished this book looking forward to getting to the next book in this series. If you are looking for a cozy, comfort read, do start with #1, Miss Buncle, before you read this one.
Published: 1936
April 6, 2013
Not as superbly clever or as screamingly funny as the first book -- Miss Buncle's writing and her book's relation to the real life of the village added a dimension that pushed that one from good to great -- but still quite witty and entertaining.
The former Miss Buncle and her new husband Mr Abbott move house in order to get out of having to attend bridge parties. Of course, their new town has its own set of local dramas and entanglements and colorful characters.
I wasn't very pleased with the end.
But up till that I enjoyed the book, and many of the character sketches are amazing.
November 1, 2015
If you are a fan of cozy British village tales you will love the very cleverly plotted Miss Buncle's Book. And once you've discovered Miss Buncle you won't be able to resist the sequel, Miss Buncle Married. Not quite up to the first book, but lots of charming characters, amusing situations and deft social satire. I loved seeing how Arthur and Barbara's relationship grows and deepens, even though each will always be to the other (and perhaps to themselves) an enduring and delightful mystery.
One of my male Goodreads friends just rated this two stars, so let me add that this is pretty lightweight, distinctly old-fashioned chick-lit. My alternative to binge-watching BBC costume dramas ;)
One of my male Goodreads friends just rated this two stars, so let me add that this is pretty lightweight, distinctly old-fashioned chick-lit. My alternative to binge-watching BBC costume dramas ;)
September 18, 2025
What fun Miss Buncle, or should I say Mrs. Abbot, is. She cannot help observing her neighbors and unconsciously understanding much more about them than they even understand about themselves. She is so innocent and naive in many ways and so sharp and observant in others, and Stevenson makes that seem perfectly natural.
I seldom laugh aloud while reading. I admit to a slightly strange sense of humor, so not everything that is meant to tickle me does. I have laughed aloud a dozen times in this book.
Mr. Marvell, the painter, when asked why he did not paint his children:
”Trivona, I say, is paintable, but what use is that when she cannot pose for two consecutive minutes without fidgeting? Ambrose could pose for an hour but has the face of a Botticelli angel–My God!” said Mr. Marvell, violently, “I could paint Ambrose with my eyes shut. An art school would leap at Ambrose. Here am I, stuck in the depths of the country with no models to be had for love or money, and God afflicts me with Trivona and Ambrose.”
I found that hysterical.
Mr. Abbott finds himself taken in hand and relocated. The relationship between Barbara Buncle and her new husband is so dear and congenial, each of them trying so hard to please one another. It warms the heart. There are sweeping descriptions of architecture and countryside that are so vivid you feel you have stepped into an English house and gardens and strolled along the streets of an English town.
I must not elaborate on the mischief or the relationships of Miss Buncle herself, because I cannot think of what to say about her that would not give away the plot of this delightful sequel, and nobody wants me to do that! I dare say, if you have already read the first book, you will find Stevenson was up to the task of writing a sequel that rose to the same standard and presented an entirely new cast of characters to laugh at, and dare I say (pun intended), at which to marvel.
I seldom laugh aloud while reading. I admit to a slightly strange sense of humor, so not everything that is meant to tickle me does. I have laughed aloud a dozen times in this book.
Mr. Marvell, the painter, when asked why he did not paint his children:
”Trivona, I say, is paintable, but what use is that when she cannot pose for two consecutive minutes without fidgeting? Ambrose could pose for an hour but has the face of a Botticelli angel–My God!” said Mr. Marvell, violently, “I could paint Ambrose with my eyes shut. An art school would leap at Ambrose. Here am I, stuck in the depths of the country with no models to be had for love or money, and God afflicts me with Trivona and Ambrose.”
I found that hysterical.
Mr. Abbott finds himself taken in hand and relocated. The relationship between Barbara Buncle and her new husband is so dear and congenial, each of them trying so hard to please one another. It warms the heart. There are sweeping descriptions of architecture and countryside that are so vivid you feel you have stepped into an English house and gardens and strolled along the streets of an English town.
I must not elaborate on the mischief or the relationships of Miss Buncle herself, because I cannot think of what to say about her that would not give away the plot of this delightful sequel, and nobody wants me to do that! I dare say, if you have already read the first book, you will find Stevenson was up to the task of writing a sequel that rose to the same standard and presented an entirely new cast of characters to laugh at, and dare I say (pun intended), at which to marvel.
March 1, 2017
The further adventures of Mrs. Barbara Abbott (nee Buncle) as she settles into married life with her husband in a new town in a new house with new neighbors and new stories to tell.
This was both absolutely delightful and just the slightest bit disappointing for me.
I absolutely adored seeing more of Barbara's wide-eyed approach to the world around her, and Arthur's devotion to her was exactly what I thought was missing from the first book. There's this very cozy sensation of roosting to Miss Buncle Married that I both loved and envied: you can tell they have found their home and they're making it theirs, both house and neighborhood and neighbors, too, and it was just a nice feeling of homestead and community and all that rot. Extremely enjoyable.
Except—except... There was a more overt sexism to this book than to Miss Buncle's Book and it kind of soured things for me. And the lack of resolution to the Barbara-writing plotline was just really frustrating. And what was that very strange bit about the voodoo doll? THE HELL? And uggggh the masculine condescension. UGH, I SAY. Absolutely dated but also absolutely gross.
But I did love Jerry and Sam and Arthur and Mrs. Thane and The Archway House and Wandlebury, so I'm feeling forgiving.
This was both absolutely delightful and just the slightest bit disappointing for me.
I absolutely adored seeing more of Barbara's wide-eyed approach to the world around her, and Arthur's devotion to her was exactly what I thought was missing from the first book. There's this very cozy sensation of roosting to Miss Buncle Married that I both loved and envied: you can tell they have found their home and they're making it theirs, both house and neighborhood and neighbors, too, and it was just a nice feeling of homestead and community and all that rot. Extremely enjoyable.
Except—except... There was a more overt sexism to this book than to Miss Buncle's Book and it kind of soured things for me. And the lack of resolution to the Barbara-writing plotline was just really frustrating. And what was that very strange bit about the voodoo doll? THE HELL? And uggggh the masculine condescension. UGH, I SAY. Absolutely dated but also absolutely gross.
But I did love Jerry and Sam and Arthur and Mrs. Thane and The Archway House and Wandlebury, so I'm feeling forgiving.
Read
August 12, 2022Delightful very gentle comedy about Miss Buncle, now Mrs Abbot. Like its heroine, this is soothing, kind, undemanding but with a concealed and very sharp observational edge.
December 5, 2022
Having read the absolutely charming Miss Buncle's Book last year, I was delighted to get my hands on this sequel. I could hardly wait to renew my acquaintance with Barbara Buncle, who is now of course Barbara Abbott. Barbara and Arthur have been married long enough to settle into some patterns and not all of these habits are making them happy. They are going out socializing far too frequently and Barbara dislikes playing bridge. However, each thinks that the other is enjoying themselves and they are resigned to being accommodating spouses. When Arthur suggests that they move out of town to get away from it all, Barbara leaps at the chance. She is intensely gratified when Arthur's cranky house staff aver that they could never leave the city neighbourhood—she gives them their marching orders toute de suite.
Of course the perfect house is located, despite an identity mix-up at the local lawyers' office. Barbara has a grand time getting the house clean, redecorated, and furnished, but the best part seems to be providing a haven for her beloved husband. Ms. Stevenson manages to take the mundane details of life and spin them into gold. Anything that attracts Barbara's interest involves the reader as well.
Barbara isn't an extrovert, she is an observer of humanity. In her quiet way, she is fascinated by the wide variety of humans around her. The children next door show her their prized button collection, declaring that no two are the same. I think Barbara feels the same way about her friends and acquaintances. Stevenson proves herself to have a shrewd view of human nature too. With all the new material from their new location, Barbara finds herself madly writing another book. This time, however, she realizes the consequences of publishing and refuses to let anyone but Arthur read it.
Very nearly as good as the first book, but I was not nearly as pleased with the ending of this one. It was clichéd and rather boring. Endings do not seem to be Ms. Stevenson's strong point.
Of course the perfect house is located, despite an identity mix-up at the local lawyers' office. Barbara has a grand time getting the house clean, redecorated, and furnished, but the best part seems to be providing a haven for her beloved husband. Ms. Stevenson manages to take the mundane details of life and spin them into gold. Anything that attracts Barbara's interest involves the reader as well.
Barbara isn't an extrovert, she is an observer of humanity. In her quiet way, she is fascinated by the wide variety of humans around her. The children next door show her their prized button collection, declaring that no two are the same. I think Barbara feels the same way about her friends and acquaintances. Stevenson proves herself to have a shrewd view of human nature too. With all the new material from their new location, Barbara finds herself madly writing another book. This time, however, she realizes the consequences of publishing and refuses to let anyone but Arthur read it.
Very nearly as good as the first book, but I was not nearly as pleased with the ending of this one. It was clichéd and rather boring. Endings do not seem to be Ms. Stevenson's strong point.
September 12, 2016
This was as delightful as the first. And really dependent on it. Or, at least, I think my enjoyment was materially affected by being familiar with the first book. In a good way, I mean. So read the first. And then read this one; not least because you'd know what you are getting and it is very fine, indeed.
August 30, 2020
4 Stars.
Another charmer!
Another charmer!
July 25, 2020
2.5 stars rounded up.
I found this follow up to Miss Buncle's Book to be a bit of a disappointment. The story moves to a new village and we meet a new cast of characters. I didn't find the characters or the happenings in the village to be interesting or engaging. I found myself skipping pages and my mind wandered.
I am in the minority on this one, so anyone interested in this book, please read other reviews.
I found this follow up to Miss Buncle's Book to be a bit of a disappointment. The story moves to a new village and we meet a new cast of characters. I didn't find the characters or the happenings in the village to be interesting or engaging. I found myself skipping pages and my mind wandered.
I am in the minority on this one, so anyone interested in this book, please read other reviews.
February 1, 2019
Barbara Buncle has now married her publisher, Arthur Abbot. They are happy together, but rather bored of the endless dinner parties and Bridge parties that they are having to attend. In order to avoid offending their friends, they decide to move. After a long search, Barbara eventually finds the perfect house in a lovely village. A whole new wonderful cast of characters are introduced to us. The problem is, will she be able to stop herself from writing a new book?
Not quite as laugh-out-loud funny as the first book, but highly entertaining none-the-less.
Not quite as laugh-out-loud funny as the first book, but highly entertaining none-the-less.
February 12, 2012
I almost goes without saying that I loved Miss Buncle’s book – I say almost – because there are in the world those who are not aware of the wonderful books published by Persephone and so therefore may not have read Miss Buncle’s book as DE Stevenson books seem pretty hard to come by these days. I received this book for Christmas and have been looking forward to it enormously. It didn’t disappoint, in fact I fairly gulped it down. It looks like a fairly thick Persephone book, one that may have lasted until at least tomorrow night – but alas it was a much quicker read than I had anticipated and the pleasure of reading it all too soon over. I now feel quite bereft that I have finished it so quickly. I would have probably finished it hours ago – had I not deliberately slowed myself down – gone for walk, watched some TV etc.
One of the main delights in this novel for me was in the relationship between Barbara and her husband Arthur Abbott, although sometimes slightly confounded by his dear Barbara – ultimately he gets her in a way that no one else ever has or ever could. I was amused and charmed by how meek little Barbara turns into a veritable lion when she come across something she want so very badly as she wants The Archway House in Wandlebury.
As the Abbotts settle into their new life in Wandlebury, Barbara begins to involve herself in the lives of her neighbours. With her usual quiet perceptiveness she picks up on things; she learns a secret, one she even feels unable to share with Arthur – a secret which causes Barbara no end of worry. Arthur stumbles across an old friend of his from the trenches and Sam Abbott – Arthur’s nephew falls in love. Wandlebury is a wonderful setting – one in which Barbara and Arthur Abbott fit perfectly – they are surrounded by a host of marvellous characters – some wonderfully humorous creations of DE Stevenson, who give Barbara Abbott much to think about and are wonderful fodder for her imagination. Barbara and Arthur are rather afraid of her imagination – after what happened in Silverstream – they realise Barbara’s writing could be dangerous to their happiness.
This book was a complete joy – and I am desperate to read The Two Mrs Abbotts – the third in the series but it is pretty hard to find, and expensive the cheapest on abebooks today being nearly £28. I only hope that following the success of the Miss Buncle books Persephone decide to do the decent thing and put her fans out of their misery.
February 22, 2022
I was having lunch by myself at Panera as I was reading this book, and one particular section tickled me so much that I couldn't restrain my laughter. First I shook silently, then I put the napkin over my mouth to try to suppress my guffaws, then the tears came to my eyes and I just gave up. Let the folks around me think what they may, I HAD to laugh!
The two Miss Buncle books I have read have been delightful! Miss Buncle is a quirky character, a spinster author in the first book who marries her publisher. This second book in the series continues the story of her married life.
As Mr. and Mrs. Abbot settle into a new home and a new community, we meet their new neighbors and are privy to a little matchmaking maneuver that the former Miss Buncle gets entangled in. That's where the humor comes in, and the outcome is quite satisfying.
These books are light reading, wholesome, and perfectly charming!
The two Miss Buncle books I have read have been delightful! Miss Buncle is a quirky character, a spinster author in the first book who marries her publisher. This second book in the series continues the story of her married life.
As Mr. and Mrs. Abbot settle into a new home and a new community, we meet their new neighbors and are privy to a little matchmaking maneuver that the former Miss Buncle gets entangled in. That's where the humor comes in, and the outcome is quite satisfying.
These books are light reading, wholesome, and perfectly charming!
July 3, 2022
La Barbara i l'Arthur, feliçment casats, ja han deixat enrere Silverstream i tots els maldecaps provocats per la publicació de la novel·la de la Barbara. No obstant, els Abbott necessiten un canvi d'aires de debò, una nova llar. La parella comprarà una propietat al poble de Wandlebury, The Archway House, i tindrà el nou començament que es mereix. De la mà de la Barbara coneixerem els seus nous veïns, les seves peculiaritats i les xafarderies que ronden, entre tasses de te i visites de cortesia. Un malentès, però, farà que la Barbara llegeixi un testament al qual no hauria d'haver tingut accés, i tindrà a les seves mans una informació privilegiada que podria capgirar les vides dels habitants d'aquest petit poble que l'acaba d'acollir.
La segona entrega de la senyoreta Buncle manté l'estil fresc, divertit i de lectura ràpida del primer llibre. Alhora, he de reconèixer que és una lectura que ja no sorprèn tant i a la qual se li endevinen molts dels tics. Però el seu estil desenfadat i el seu caràcter ingenu m'han mantingut enganxada i distreta, i aconseguir això en un parell de vols i llargues cues d'espera a l'aeroport és molt meritori. També en destacaria l'evolució de la Barbara, la maduresa i la perspicàcia que adquireix, i els malabarismes de l'autora per mantenir l'essència de la primera entrega i no caure en l'error de fer el mateix llibre.
Si encara no heu descobert la senyoreta Buncle, comenceu pel primer. Si teniu un mal dia, us l'arreglarà.
(LAIA)
La segona entrega de la senyoreta Buncle manté l'estil fresc, divertit i de lectura ràpida del primer llibre. Alhora, he de reconèixer que és una lectura que ja no sorprèn tant i a la qual se li endevinen molts dels tics. Però el seu estil desenfadat i el seu caràcter ingenu m'han mantingut enganxada i distreta, i aconseguir això en un parell de vols i llargues cues d'espera a l'aeroport és molt meritori. També en destacaria l'evolució de la Barbara, la maduresa i la perspicàcia que adquireix, i els malabarismes de l'autora per mantenir l'essència de la primera entrega i no caure en l'error de fer el mateix llibre.
Si encara no heu descobert la senyoreta Buncle, comenceu pel primer. Si teniu un mal dia, us l'arreglarà.
(LAIA)
June 25, 2021
The sequel to Miss Buncle's Book is just as charming and delightful as its predecessor. Barbara and her husband must move away from Silverstream because their friends and neighbors keep inviting them to bridge parties and they don't know how else to get out of the constant round of social obligations without hurting or offending them. Barbara searches high and low for a new house and community to move to and finally finds her perfect place: Decrepit and neglected Archway House in Wandlebury.
We are treated to amusing and insightful descriptions of her new neighbors and their quirks, a nice little romance, domestic dilemmas, and comic situations. Plus a brilliant new book about her new neighbors by "John Smith"! Which will never be published to the dismay of her publisher husband. "I should be terrified," said Barbara with a shudder. "They would recognize themselves and we should have to leave."
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
Mr. Pinthorpe fitted a key in the lock and opened the door....Barbara thought that the house seemed to welcome the sun, it had been empty and darkened for so long; and the sun seemed to be glad to be welcomed back, it streamed in through the tall windows onto the bare floors, it explored the walls from which the faded paper hung down in curling strips. The dust floated in the air, it eddied and swirled...so that the whole place seemed full of golden smoke...."This is my house," she said, and sat herself down on the broad window seat in a possessive manner.
We are treated to amusing and insightful descriptions of her new neighbors and their quirks, a nice little romance, domestic dilemmas, and comic situations. Plus a brilliant new book about her new neighbors by "John Smith"! Which will never be published to the dismay of her publisher husband. "I should be terrified," said Barbara with a shudder. "They would recognize themselves and we should have to leave."
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
November 8, 2016
I enjoyed this book just as much as I did the first--maybe a little more, as there's a more unified plot. Miss Buncle, now Mrs. Abbott, takes it into her head to buy a run-down house in a little village so as to get away from the constant social demands of her and her husband's friends in town. She's also sworn off writing, particularly since she likes her new home and is afraid of having to move away if she publishes another book about her neighbors. But she hasn't sworn off observing, and once again we get a novel full of delightful, quirky characters and interesting interactions between them.
I loved Mr. Abbott's nephew Sam, though his falling in love was telegraphed strongly--actually, I think that was part of the appeal, drawing him so strongly as a man about town just waiting for the right girl without knowing it. And Jerry, the "right girl," was just as engaging. Barbara Abbott, though, is still the main draw, and her innocence that passes for arch cleverness fascinated me. The ending was just right: I hope there's another Miss Buncle book, because these are sweet and satisfying and I'm enjoying them immensely.
I loved Mr. Abbott's nephew Sam, though his falling in love was telegraphed strongly--actually, I think that was part of the appeal, drawing him so strongly as a man about town just waiting for the right girl without knowing it. And Jerry, the "right girl," was just as engaging. Barbara Abbott, though, is still the main draw, and her innocence that passes for arch cleverness fascinated me. The ending was just right: I hope there's another Miss Buncle book, because these are sweet and satisfying and I'm enjoying them immensely.
June 29, 2023
Delicioso también como el primero.
Qué maravilla de historias escribe esta autora. Son deliciosas a la par que tienen su miga en cuanto a desarrollo de personajes y al contexto social.
Una gran pena que no haya casi libros suyos traducidos de tantos como escribió.
Qué maravilla de historias escribe esta autora. Son deliciosas a la par que tienen su miga en cuanto a desarrollo de personajes y al contexto social.
Una gran pena que no haya casi libros suyos traducidos de tantos como escribió.
December 3, 2021
Tras leer El libro de la señorita Buncle este verano y disfrutarlo enormemente por su narrativa distendida, irónica y divertida, decidí que quería continuar con esta trilogía. Esta segunda parte titulada “El matrimonio de la señorita Buncle”, fue publicada en 1936 y continúa la historia que se desarrollaba en la entrega anterior.
Barbara Buncle, ahora felizmente recién casada y cansada de vivir en la ciudad decide, con su marido mudarse a la Casa del Arco. Esta se encuentra en un pueblecito llamado Wandelbury, donde definitivamente se aleja de las cenas aburridas y de sus vecinos entrometidos. Allí Barbara descubrirá un secreto por error de una de sus vecinas y la trama girará en torno a eso.
Sin lugar a dudas leer a Stevenson es placentero, agradable y supone pasar un buen rato amable y que no implica un gran esfuerzo lector. Pero al cambiar de pueblo, también perderemos al antiguo elenco de personajes que tan maravillosos me resultaron. Además en esta segunda parte, al contrario que con la primera, he sentido cierto aburrimiento con algunos pasajes y desagrado en general con un personaje. Aparte creo que la protagonista, pierde su gracia tan particular y de esta manera se difumina.
En cuanto a la trama de este relato, debo decir que no captó mi atención ni mi interés, y como he mencionado con anterioridad, los nuevos fichajes me han resultado mucho menos interesantes, pero mi mayor problema ha sido con el señor Abbott, no me ha gustado su personalidad y menos la persona en la que se ha convertido Barbara después de su matrimonio.
En definitiva, no puedo decir que considere que esta novela no me haya gustado pues es imposible no disfrutar del estilo narrativo de D. E. Stevenson, pero sin duda no está a la altura de su anterior libro. Obviamente seguiré leyendo la trilogía y otras obras de esta escritora pero creo que dejaré un tiempo para volver a ella con más ganas y con esta lectura menos reciente.
Barbara Buncle, ahora felizmente recién casada y cansada de vivir en la ciudad decide, con su marido mudarse a la Casa del Arco. Esta se encuentra en un pueblecito llamado Wandelbury, donde definitivamente se aleja de las cenas aburridas y de sus vecinos entrometidos. Allí Barbara descubrirá un secreto por error de una de sus vecinas y la trama girará en torno a eso.
Sin lugar a dudas leer a Stevenson es placentero, agradable y supone pasar un buen rato amable y que no implica un gran esfuerzo lector. Pero al cambiar de pueblo, también perderemos al antiguo elenco de personajes que tan maravillosos me resultaron. Además en esta segunda parte, al contrario que con la primera, he sentido cierto aburrimiento con algunos pasajes y desagrado en general con un personaje. Aparte creo que la protagonista, pierde su gracia tan particular y de esta manera se difumina.
En cuanto a la trama de este relato, debo decir que no captó mi atención ni mi interés, y como he mencionado con anterioridad, los nuevos fichajes me han resultado mucho menos interesantes, pero mi mayor problema ha sido con el señor Abbott, no me ha gustado su personalidad y menos la persona en la que se ha convertido Barbara después de su matrimonio.
En definitiva, no puedo decir que considere que esta novela no me haya gustado pues es imposible no disfrutar del estilo narrativo de D. E. Stevenson, pero sin duda no está a la altura de su anterior libro. Obviamente seguiré leyendo la trilogía y otras obras de esta escritora pero creo que dejaré un tiempo para volver a ella con más ganas y con esta lectura menos reciente.
July 27, 2013
Barbara Buncle is now Barbara Abbott, living in Hamstead Heath with her beloved husband Arthur. Barbara feels stifled by the society they keep and intimidated by the servants. When she learns that Arthur feels the same way, they make immediate plans to move. However, finding the right place to live is nearly impossible. With their social engagements called off, Arthur gets into a groove and Barbara feels him settling into a routine she isn't comfortable with. She has learned a few things about herself since publishing her first book and learns to stand up for herself. She falls in love with the village of Wandlebury which could appear in a scene from Dickens. Upon her arrival, she's met by a strange solicitor who appears to have mistaken Barbara for someone else. She becomes privy to private information and the solicitor is deeply embarrassed. He tries to warn Barbara off the house but she falls in love with the place immediately. She sees a cozy home and Arthur sees a dump needing a lot of money pumped into it to make it work. Because he loves his wife, he agrees to buy the house for her and she pays to fix it up. Barbara quickly becomes a part of village life meeting a cast of new quirky characters who would be just perfect for a new "John Smith" book... if she were going to write one, that is... which she's not! The case of mistaken identity comes back to haunt her as her husband's young nephew falls in love with a local girl. Barbara tries to interfere with the romance with good reason and the results are unexpected and quite comical.
I didn't find this story as charming as the first. It starts off really slow and I had a hard time getting into it. Once the Abbotts move to Wandlebury, the story gets more interested. The characters are really off-the-wall and this time, the stereotypes are limited to one marriage-hating miserly old lady, three very wild children and an eccentric artist. Towards the end the plot gets funnier, but the predictable and saccharine ending turned me off a bit. I was expecting something a little more funny and off the wall and less of a moral tale. I still enjoyed the book though and would recommend it to Miss Buncle fans.
I didn't find this story as charming as the first. It starts off really slow and I had a hard time getting into it. Once the Abbotts move to Wandlebury, the story gets more interested. The characters are really off-the-wall and this time, the stereotypes are limited to one marriage-hating miserly old lady, three very wild children and an eccentric artist. Towards the end the plot gets funnier, but the predictable and saccharine ending turned me off a bit. I was expecting something a little more funny and off the wall and less of a moral tale. I still enjoyed the book though and would recommend it to Miss Buncle fans.
January 19, 2018
D.E. Stevenson really knows how to create endearing characters. This is such a fun, enchanting story, that makes one wish they could live in Wandlebury and experience first hand the places and people who live there.
February 28, 2024
A lively and entertaining sequel to Miss Buncle's Book! This story has the same silly, lighthearted and endearing feel as the first book in the series. It was wonderful to revisit Mrs. Barbara Abbot and her husband as they move into a new home and resettle their lives.
Even though the Mrs. Tim series is my favorite, I still found so much to like in this second novel. Some of the situations are highly ridiculous and maddening, but also fun. If you don't mind miscommunication and somewhat unbelievable circumstances, you'll love this book.
Suggestion: Resist listening to the audio book version until you've read the book. I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I'd read it first and listened to it another time. Personally, the narrator's voice grated on my nerves after a while.
I highly recommend this book if you're in the mood for a light book with lots of chuckles.
ALERT!
SLIGHT SPOILER AHEAD....
The ending was a huge surprise and I must have completely misread or imagined Barbara's age when reading Miss Buncle's Book. Did anyone else feel this way?
Even though the Mrs. Tim series is my favorite, I still found so much to like in this second novel. Some of the situations are highly ridiculous and maddening, but also fun. If you don't mind miscommunication and somewhat unbelievable circumstances, you'll love this book.
Suggestion: Resist listening to the audio book version until you've read the book. I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I'd read it first and listened to it another time. Personally, the narrator's voice grated on my nerves after a while.
I highly recommend this book if you're in the mood for a light book with lots of chuckles.
ALERT!
SLIGHT SPOILER AHEAD....
The ending was a huge surprise and I must have completely misread or imagined Barbara's age when reading Miss Buncle's Book. Did anyone else feel this way?
November 14, 2019
The quirky cast of characters had me giggling nonstop. This book actually reminded me of another delightfully eccentric favorite of mine, I Capture the Castle. Now I understand why so many people adore D.E. Stevenson; consider me part of the fan club.
March 25, 2020
I feel deeply aggrieved by the very last page or two of this book, but otherwise I immensely enjoyed it. So, I shall put on my big-girl pants and give it the five stars it deserves and not go on the feminist tirade building up inside me. At least, not in the non-spoiler-y part of this review.
Here is the tirade if you wish it:
Anyway, this is a charming book. It is not quite as well pulled together as the first one, and certainly lacking some of the first book's charm. At the same time, it also doesn't have quite so many side-stories which I think helps keeps things tighter. It is still quite cozy and satisfying. Stevenson does an amazing job with characters and you truly feel like you are reading about people you might know in real life. Except also not, because this was written 80+ years ago.
It is a comfortable, mostly satisfying sort of book and the threads all tie together in a most comfortable manner.
Here is the tirade if you wish it:
Anyway, this is a charming book. It is not quite as well pulled together as the first one, and certainly lacking some of the first book's charm. At the same time, it also doesn't have quite so many side-stories which I think helps keeps things tighter. It is still quite cozy and satisfying. Stevenson does an amazing job with characters and you truly feel like you are reading about people you might know in real life. Except also not, because this was written 80+ years ago.
It is a comfortable, mostly satisfying sort of book and the threads all tie together in a most comfortable manner.
December 22, 2021
Una lectura muy 'cozy' como se suele decir. Es de esos libros en los que te apetece quedarte, te lo pasas genial y te olvidas de las preocupaciones diarias.
He llegado a él con una crisis lectora de meses y me lo he bebido en dos días (literal). Ahora ya tengo en mente ponerme con el tercero de la trilogía y así mantener el ansia lectora.
He llegado a él con una crisis lectora de meses y me lo he bebido en dos días (literal). Ahora ya tengo en mente ponerme con el tercero de la trilogía y así mantener el ansia lectora.
March 18, 2013
In fact, I liked Miss Buncle's Book better. I wish I could give Miss Buncle Married 41/2 stars. I enjoyed it a lot but not quite as much as the first one.
I'd love to be able to read the third book in the series, if I could find it reasonably priced. Or in a library.
I'd love to be able to read the third book in the series, if I could find it reasonably priced. Or in a library.
April 21, 2018
Perhaps not quite as good as the first book but Barbara Buncle, now Mrs. Abbott, still manages to see into the hearts of her new neighbors.
October 8, 2020
" 'I like the name,' said Arthur. 'I like the name of the book very much indeed. It goes very well with The Pen Is Mightier -- and is quite in the "John Smith" tradition. You will make a lot of money out of the book, Barbara.'
" 'But it musn't be published!' cried Barbara, sitting bolt upright in bed and gazing at him with horror-stricken eyes. 'I never meant it to be published.'
" 'Not published?' exclaimed her publisher in amazement.
" 'No, no, no -- how could you think it, Arthur?'
" 'But why -- '
" 'Because we should have to leave Wandlebury. We should have to leave The Archway House, and it would break my heart ... They would recognize themselves, and we should have to leave. And, even if they didn't, I should always be thinking that they were going to, and I should never have another peaceful moment. You've no idea what it was like at Silverstream -- the strain nearly wore me out.' "
~~front flap
Another delightful, charming "nothing much ever happens" (although really it does) sort of book, set in England between the wars, with all the charm and sweetness of English village life: tea, and walking to town with a basket on one's arm for the shopping, and gossip. So relaxing to slip into another world -- one that doesn't include war or racism or urban blight or poverty. Escapism I know, but still very compelling.
And I've just discovered that there are two sequels!
" 'But it musn't be published!' cried Barbara, sitting bolt upright in bed and gazing at him with horror-stricken eyes. 'I never meant it to be published.'
" 'Not published?' exclaimed her publisher in amazement.
" 'No, no, no -- how could you think it, Arthur?'
" 'But why -- '
" 'Because we should have to leave Wandlebury. We should have to leave The Archway House, and it would break my heart ... They would recognize themselves, and we should have to leave. And, even if they didn't, I should always be thinking that they were going to, and I should never have another peaceful moment. You've no idea what it was like at Silverstream -- the strain nearly wore me out.' "
~~front flap
Another delightful, charming "nothing much ever happens" (although really it does) sort of book, set in England between the wars, with all the charm and sweetness of English village life: tea, and walking to town with a basket on one's arm for the shopping, and gossip. So relaxing to slip into another world -- one that doesn't include war or racism or urban blight or poverty. Escapism I know, but still very compelling.
And I've just discovered that there are two sequels!
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