It looks like Gentle Reader and I have been on the same page lately as she recently had a great post on Jane and Prudence which I just finished this week as well. I enjoyed this book so much because I felt like I had walked into the lives of people I knew. And, yes, I would go so far and say I could feel some affinity with Prudence as I was a singleton in my late 20s whereas most of my friends were already married.
If you want to hear more of my thoughts on the book check out my review. I’m looking forward to reading more of Barbara Pym, and if her other books are like this one then I know I won’t be disappointed at all.
But you know what’s funny? I went to Literaturemap, which shows you a connection between authors, and I wanted to see who else would come up when I selected Barbara Pym. Some of the authors the search turned up I had heard of such as Elizabeth Taylor and Anita Brookner. I need to remember to move then up on my list. Some new ones to me were Joan Barfoot and Mollie Panter-Downes, which means I will be doing research on them.
But the one name that stood out that made me laugh was Dorothy L. Sayers. Here I was just the other day saying I wasn’t such a fan. I guess I will have to read another of her books and see if I don’t change my mind. After all Literaturemap said I’d like her too. Heh.
You have the coolest links here. Have a great weekend.
I think we’re “in sync” 🙂 As you know, I liked Jane and Prudence, too–I had forgotten how funny Pym can be, and how she creates such a world in her writing. I’ll have to check out these other authors I haven’t heard of, too…
Thanks for the info, and Literaturemap, which I’d never been to before!
Literaturemap? Oh wow…thanks for that link. And oh…I’ve added the Strand of must visit places in NYC. I’m so psyched about that whole trip not to mention trolling thru the bookstores there.
Also, just had to mention that I related to Prudence, too, for the same reasons you did! And now I also relate to Jane because I feel like such a scatter-brain trying to keep track of all three of my kids’ activities and all my stuff…
I am seeing links in other ways. My bookgroup has selected books that deal with reincarnation and the decline of European society. Also, there is a sci fi element with preoccupation with clones. In my last meeting, I mentioned the M. Atwood book that you gave me, Onyx and Crake. Then, on NPR radio, I heard an interview with a composer who also wrote about his fears of cloning in his work!
Nancy – Glad you liked them. Enjoy your weekend!
Gentle Reader – I really liked your comments on J&P and it was so neat to see the things you picked up on. I really want to read more by Barbara Pym so I’m on the look out for other books. Oh and isn’t Literaturemap fun? I could type in authors all day 🙂
Kisane – You are going to have a blast in NYC. Yes, visit the Strand but don’t forget 3 Lives & Co. Love that little store.
Isabel – Very cool girl. I like seeing the linkage. How was your book group mtg.?
hmmm, all very interesting. I need to go play around on literaturemap!
I need to get around to reading Pym. I’ve never heard of Joan Barfoot, I need to find out more about her.
Christine – Think of all the fun to be had 🙂
Tara – You are in for a treat! I think I’ll go to the bookstore this weekend and maybe I can find some books by these other authors.
I adore Barbara Pym and think I’ve now managed to read everything she’s written. For me, Excellent Women is her best, but she’s regularly fantastic. Do try Barbara Trapido also, Iliana, if you haven’t already, as Brother of the More Famous Jack and Noah’s Ark are similarly humourous, quirky reads.
Litlove – Oh wonderful to hear this! I will definitely be reading more by her. I have heard of Barbara Trapido but haven’t read anything by her — yet! Thank you for the suggestion 🙂
I should give Pym a try! She sounds right up my alley in terms of what I have been reading lately. I read Brother of the More Famous Jack on Litlove’s recommendation and it was very good–I need to read more of her books as well.
Thanks for the tip on literature map. I couldn’t help but notice, however, that some of the associations seem to be pretty odd. In one case it seemed as if the only thing the authors had in common was that most of them were Canadian.
Nancy Pearl of Book Lust fame is the one who turned me onto Pym.