Jane And Prudence (Virago Modern Classics)

Jane And Prudence (Virago Modern Classics)

by Barbara Pym (Author), Barbara Pym (Author)

Synopsis

Over the years, as Barbara Pym replaced Nancy Mitford, Georgette Heyer, even Jane Austen, as my most loved author, I devoured all her books, but JANE AND PRUDENCE remains my favourite. Even an umpteenth reading this weekend was punctuated by gasps of joy, laughter and wonder that this lovely book should remain so fresh, funny and true to life' Jilly Cooper 'The setting of this very funny novel, one of Barbara Pym's earliest, is an English village where Jane's husband is the newly appointed vicar, and where Prudence will pay Jane a visit and find herself courted by a fatuous young widower. Prudence, at twenty-nine, has achieved nothing in life but a dull research job in London and a string of dud affairs; Jane, now in her forties, was Prudence's tutor at Oxford. Jane cheerfully concedes that she is an incompetent housewife, but she hopes that the move to a rural parish may transform her into a Trollopean vicar's wife, as well as a crafty matchmaker. There are many comic complications here, as Jane learns that matchmaking has as many pitfalls as does housewifery' The New Yorker

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 256
Edition: New Ed
Publisher: Virago
Published: 06 Dec 2007

ISBN 10: 1844084493
ISBN 13: 9781844084494
Book Overview: * Review coverage * Featured on the Virago website

Media Reviews
She's such a wonderful writer and has given me so much pleasure . . . My favourite of all is JANE AND PRUDENCE. It's just brilliant * Jilly Cooper *
I'd sooner read a new Barbara Pym than a new Jane Austen * Philip Larkin *
There is a thrill of humanity through all her work * Shirley Hazzard *
She is the rarest of treasures; she reminds us of the heartbreaking silliness of everyday life * Anne Tyler *
Author Bio
Barbara Pym (1913-80) was born in Shropshire and educated at St Hilda's College, Oxford. When in 1977 the TLS asked critics to name the most underrated authors of the past 75 years, only one was named twice (by Philip Larkin and Lord David Cecil): Barbara Pym. Her novels are characterised by what Anne Tyler has called 'the heartbreaking silliness of everyday life'.