Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. I think the audio format worked against me. The reader was excellent, but she had such a posh accent, and never telegraphed a punchline by changing her tone. I'm sure I missed at least two-thirds of the laughs. I'd like to read the next one in the series, but maybe I should switch to print.
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Read the first volume of this for uni and really enjoyed it. If I get through the rest of the books on my reading list I'll definitely read the other three.
A very great pleasure to read, only falling short of 4-ness because of a lack of strong narrative thrust, and a lack of emotion, which even if just a soupçon is necessary (I was touched that Benson's Lucia was able to pull off her garden party in the end of Queen Lucia, for instance).
The 1st-person diary seems to be a marvelous instrument for comic writing. I think my favourite specimen is Lorelei's journal in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, but in the hands of a gifted comic writer it generally works quite well. The Provincial Lady can join the ranks (indeed, she did so many years ago, I just didn't know about it) of such luminaries as Adrian Mole and Screwtape.
One tiny quibble: there are illustrations (at least in my version) which contribute nothing, but seem like they ought to, as though I would see the portrait of whomever and laugh mightily, "ha ha, that's just what so-and-so would look like!" ... and yet they pretty much all seem like tidy well-dressed people for the period, so are not just pointless, but are in fact dragging down the more exciting depiction of them I was holding in my imagination. Not sure the point of these! Ignore them, and go with the image in your mind. (And I understand 20s fashion and the period very well. It's not like I'm unable to identify what they're wearing and what a contemporary might think of them).
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
The 1st-person diary seems to be a marvelous instrument for comic writing. I think my favourite specimen is Lorelei's journal in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, but in the hands of a gifted comic writer it generally works quite well. The Provincial Lady can join the ranks (indeed, she did so many years ago, I just didn't know about it) of such luminaries as Adrian Mole and Screwtape.
One tiny quibble: there are illustrations (at least in my version) which contribute nothing, but seem like they ought to, as though I would see the portrait of whomever and laugh mightily, "ha ha, that's just what so-and-so would look like!" ... and yet they pretty much all seem like tidy well-dressed people for the period, so are not just pointless, but are in fact dragging down the more exciting depiction of them I was holding in my imagination. Not sure the point of these! Ignore them, and go with the image in your mind. (And I understand 20s fashion and the period very well. It's not like I'm unable to identify what they're wearing and what a contemporary might think of them).
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
Laughed out loud at least ten times. Very charming, and I even got a little bit of a chill, because I am pretty sure the Provincial Lady could never have predicted how her ending would strike a reader in the year 2020.
This book had funny moments but in thinking about it overall, can only be recorded as an obligation. I am saddened because it was gifted to me by a Dear Friend who enjoyed it enough to purchase a copy for me, which I AM very grateful for. Despite the fact that I could not like it, I do not wish to dissuade D.F. from doing the same on any future occasion. One blot on her otherwise spotless record shall go entirely unnoticed by me, excepting in this review, where I am compelled to be honest (as the Provincial Lady NEVER is).
This reader is definitely ill suited to enjoy the day to day domesticity of the book: Depressing - verging on abusive by modern standards. Reflect that I am grateful not to be British, and in particular, not British during the 30's. I did my best to attempt to appreciate it in the context in which it was created, but unlike an Austen Novel, which at least has ups and downs, the monotony of the diary - accurate or satirical - made it read like the stacks of bills that are always on the mind of the Provincial Lady. I am too personally haunted by the spectre of poverty to enjoy her unease about overdrawn bank accounts and polite conflicts with service providers over billing.
Furthermore, I was prevented from enjoyment by the constant French to be figured out from context or looked up, and a format which made hard work of understanding the most basic situations: Why do people keep asking her to speak to them? What does her husband DO all day? Why does she insist on so many ridiculous things, like bulbs, picnics, and social work. All of the lives and activities in the book are cut off abruptly, with no ending...just as a diary would in life, I suppose, but it did not give me any satisfaction to have made it through the book in its entirety.
This reader is definitely ill suited to enjoy the day to day domesticity of the book: Depressing - verging on abusive by modern standards. Reflect that I am grateful not to be British, and in particular, not British during the 30's. I did my best to attempt to appreciate it in the context in which it was created, but unlike an Austen Novel, which at least has ups and downs, the monotony of the diary - accurate or satirical - made it read like the stacks of bills that are always on the mind of the Provincial Lady. I am too personally haunted by the spectre of poverty to enjoy her unease about overdrawn bank accounts and polite conflicts with service providers over billing.
Furthermore, I was prevented from enjoyment by the constant French to be figured out from context or looked up, and a format which made hard work of understanding the most basic situations: Why do people keep asking her to speak to them? What does her husband DO all day? Why does she insist on so many ridiculous things, like bulbs, picnics, and social work. All of the lives and activities in the book are cut off abruptly, with no ending...just as a diary would in life, I suppose, but it did not give me any satisfaction to have made it through the book in its entirety.
A funny and light read. A between-the-wars Bridget Jones. So many of her witty and astute reflections of people, life & parenting still ring true nearly a century later. Enjoyed the historic detail of daily life in this period for upper middle class woman in countryside.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
ONE OF MY TOP 4 FAVORITE read-in-2021 BOOKS!
Absolutely delightful. Reads like an introvert's compendium of uncharitable thoughts at having to deal with other humans. All of it delivered with poise, wit, and spice. Truly a fun read from beginning to end, and made me laugh out loud repeatedly. Great cast of characters, many of whom I swear I have encountered in my own life. I especially love the ever-unamused Robert, haughty Lady B., and Mrs. Woe-Is-Me Blenkinsop.
For anyone who can't scare up a print copy of this little gem: you can read it (and the follow-ups) for free at http://gutenberg.net.au/plusfifty-a-m.html
Absolutely delightful. Reads like an introvert's compendium of uncharitable thoughts at having to deal with other humans. All of it delivered with poise, wit, and spice. Truly a fun read from beginning to end, and made me laugh out loud repeatedly. Great cast of characters, many of whom I swear I have encountered in my own life. I especially love the ever-unamused Robert, haughty Lady B., and Mrs. Woe-Is-Me Blenkinsop.
For anyone who can't scare up a print copy of this little gem: you can read it (and the follow-ups) for free at http://gutenberg.net.au/plusfifty-a-m.html