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Excellent Women
Excellent Women
Author: Barbara Pym
Mildred Lathbury is a clergyman's daughter and a mild-mannered spinster in 1950s England. She is one of those "excellent women," the smart, supportive, repressed women who men take for granted. As Mildred gets embroiled in the lives of her new neighbors -- anthropologist Helena Napier and her handsome, dashing husband, Rocky, and J...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780060805128
ISBN-10: 0060805129
Publication Date: 1978
Pages: 256
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 13

4.2 stars, based on 13 ratings
Publisher: Harpercollins Publisher
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette
Members Wishing: 2
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Excellent Women on
Helpful Score: 1
Typical Pym. An entertaining novel about a single woman of a certain age and the activities of her London neighborhood post WWII. Lots of nosy neighbors, tea drinking, and church committee work. I found this a fun satire of British society, if not particularlly groundbreaking.
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reviewed Excellent Women on + 7 more book reviews
slightly used
reviewed Excellent Women on + 289 more book reviews
Excellent Women is an excellent portrait of spinsterhood in post-war London. Mildred Lathbury is a prime example of the wholesome, friendly woman that others suspect are desperate to get married. Instead, she lives vicariously through her involvement in others' lives. Her comfortable role in her church circles and volunteer work is shaken up by a couple who moves into the flat next door. I have a hard time picturing Mildred as in her early 30s -- it must have been a different time then, with more acceptance of her role as a spinster. I wonder what feminist conscious-raising would have done to Mildred. This was was a light, engaging read from the list of 1001 books you must read before you die.
reviewed Excellent Women on + 3 more book reviews
An "excellent" character sketch of all people essentially British. A nice read!
cujimmy avatar reviewed Excellent Women on + 4 more book reviews
Very light and enjoyable.


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