Review of 'The Barbara Pym Collection Volume One: A Glass of Blessings / Some Tame Gazelle / and Jane and Prudence' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
"Jane and Prudence" is the story of two very different friends - Jane is in her early 40s, married to a clergyman, and the mother of an 18-year-old daughter, and Prudence is 29 years old, single, and works in an office. Neither of them is truly happy. Jane secretly envies her friend's independence and career (such as it is), and regrets giving up her youthful literary ambitions. For her part, Prudence dreams of being married, though she keeps falling for men who are totally wrong for her.
I had heard of Barbara Pym, but this is the first book by her that I have read. I'm not sure if I want to read any more. Though a well written, light, easy read with often amusing, engaging characters, the story is rather dull and both Jane and Prudence can get quite annoying at times. Prudence is especially self-absorbed and oblivious to …
"Jane and Prudence" is the story of two very different friends - Jane is in her early 40s, married to a clergyman, and the mother of an 18-year-old daughter, and Prudence is 29 years old, single, and works in an office. Neither of them is truly happy. Jane secretly envies her friend's independence and career (such as it is), and regrets giving up her youthful literary ambitions. For her part, Prudence dreams of being married, though she keeps falling for men who are totally wrong for her.
I had heard of Barbara Pym, but this is the first book by her that I have read. I'm not sure if I want to read any more. Though a well written, light, easy read with often amusing, engaging characters, the story is rather dull and both Jane and Prudence can get quite annoying at times. Prudence is especially self-absorbed and oblivious to the point that I wanted to shake her. Her name does not suit her, which was probably the point.
In the end, "Jane and Prudence" didn't really appeal to me, but I gave it three stars because it is well written and occasionally interesting.