Persephone Books discussion

I just finished this one today--what a fun summer read! Miss Buncle is hilarious. Were there any themes or sections that stood out to anyone?
I thought the relationship between Mr Marvell and Barbara was funny, and brought up an interesting idea--the possibility that one can misunderstand someone else but still get along - for example, on pg 205. Most of the characters misunderstood Mrs Abbott at the beginning--only a few were privileged enough to really get to know her.
Was anyone else disappointed with the ending? It was definitely expected for the time that she should have a baby (and that would be more important than her career). It must be the feminist in me that felt disappointed by the events at the end. The afterword mentioned that although Mrs Abbott mentioned that she wouldn't have any time to write if she had a baby, the author herself had three children and continued to write as her children grew up.
I also found it a little unbelievable that Barbara could just take up writing whenever she wanted and turn out a bestselling book. Maybe it's because I'm used to the modern (and possibly American) idea that one must be educated in their area of specialty and get a degree, and Barbara didn't have any kind of training at all. Is this realistic, do you think?

Gina, great discussion. I also loved the book too.

I see what you are saying on how this story could be looked at from the feminist perspective. I think it made some good points for women and their own motivations and desires though.

Although I didn't read Barbara #1, I'll call it, I gather that Barbara has been on the edge of society in the past -- people not quite accepting her and she not having a direction for herself. I loved that this book showed her coming into her own -- I thought Archway House was symbolic of that. She is living in her own world now. Particularly as she states to Arthur early that she intends to leave, she can't see herself in their current home anymore with the detestable, "ruling" servants. I loved that part of the book. She was coming into her own then.

I also thought it reflected that the people Barbara truly jived with in the new village were women who expected more from life. The vicar's wife was hideous but the other ladies who were discussing politics and important subjects liked her right away (can't think of names). And of course Jerry Cobbe, who had taken the reins and decided a direction for her own life by creating her stables as a business. (And of course in the end, she doesn't become the wealthy heiress, but continues on in the life that makes her happy.)

I don't know what the future holds for Barbara. Maybe since she has written the new novel, but doesn't want it published, just shows she still has the ace up her sleeve. She still has the power if she wants it. And maybe she isn't dismissing her career to motherhood, maybe she is happy of the new phase in her life and is just glad to do that for a while because her marriage to Arthur --and now family-- will make her happy? Not really from a sense of conforming to gender roles perhaps.

I didn't really think her authoring bestsellers was unrealistic, because writing and "success" is so subjective anyway, but I do see your point.

I would love to read the next in the series someday. The story just had a very nice feel about it. A little "Diary of a Provincial Lady," mixed with Emma Woodhouse, mixed with something else. It was a more substantial story and I am glad -- I suppose that is why it was picked by Persephone Books.