Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This book seems to be a predecessor to Bridget Jones's Diary. I enjoyed it very much and identified with the narrator, who never seemed to have things go right for her. The unnamed narrator was very much the center of her family, whose husband seems like a tertiary character, at best. Her troubles with keeping up appearances, keeping the upper hand with her domestic staff, and sending her eldest off to boarding school were unfamiliar territory to me. The changing times kept her constantly questioning herself as to whether her actions qualified her as a "modern" woman.
My only complaint is the animal abuse that took place in this story, something I am finding to be common and wholly unnotable at the time.
My only complaint is the animal abuse that took place in this story, something I am finding to be common and wholly unnotable at the time.
funny
lighthearted
A high 3, no worries. I will miss your wit and dry humor, my provincial lady. What a pleasure it was to read your thoughts.
What a lovely surprise! I really didn't know what to expect from this, but it very witty and entertaining. It centers around the life of a 'Provincial Lady' and her household and aquaintances. There is a fair bit of social criticism, but it is masked with humor and intelligent banter. It's an easy, quick read and well worth it.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
I thought this book was hilarious! I picked it up at a bookstore because I loved the idea of Persephone Press and the all-grey covers. This was a delightful trip through a provincial lady’s life in the UK in 1930 (?). Absolutely love reading things like this and being reminded that humanity at its core is the same as it was 100 years ago. The pompous rich woman, the failure to grow bulbs year after year, the constant thinking of “i should do x y or z … but i won’t.” i loved the annoyance the narrator has at neighbors paired with the occasional insightful thought on the human condition. Quick and enjoyable read!
I could not possibly be any more enthusiastic about this delightful little set of four fictionalized-diary-style books. They are tremendous fun. My family kept wanting me to explain why I was howling with laughter, and then they kept not getting it when I tried to explain. I think you need to be a mother to completely appreciate these. More fun than a barrel of monkeys typing Shakespeare (incidentally, did you know that if monkeys are given typewriters in the hopes of eventually randomly typing Shakespeare, they in fact do not type randomly at all but display a decided preference for the key "S"? Neither did I. LOL
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I just adored the voice of the PL in this diary. It takes you to the heart of a middle class woman’s domestic life in the interwar years. There’s the bossy Lady Boxe, who is her husbands employer, the husband himself, Robert, Ethel the maid (cuts bread and butter too thickly), cook (there’s something wrong with the range) and two children Robin and Vicky.
It’s very much first world problems of the 1920’s but it is full of wit, humour and I just found myself smiling so much as I read!
I just thought her stream of consciousness was spot on, I could really see her sat jotting all this down in the evenings.
I think a few quotes are best for a little review of this book
‘Robert has looked at the range and says nothing wrong whatever. Makes unoriginal suggestion about pulling out dampers. Cook very angry, and will probably give notice.’
‘Have a depressed feeling that this is going to be another case of Orlando about which was perfectly able to talk most intelligently until I read it, and found myself unfortunately unable to understand any of it.’
Snickered ongoingly and occasionally laughed out loud as I read this. Typical diary entry: "(Query: Does motherhood lead to cynicism? This contrary to every convention of art, literature, or morality, but cannot altogether escape conviction that answer may be in the affirmative.)" This is a female counterpart to the inimitable Three Men in a Boat -- strictly for the literary Anglophile.
funny
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No