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trin's review against another edition
2.0
Gotta two-star this as I remember literally nothing about it.
katiegilley's review against another edition
4.0
This was a funny and quick read. It's set in North Oxford and centers around a group of neighbors. To me, it showcased human curiosity and how quickly rumors spread and grow. One of the most successful things about this novel was Pym's ability to portray the thought processes of the characters. returnreturnGood fun for anyone who likes cozy English novels and wants a good laugh.
daggerandrosae's review
4.0
I had to read this for uni but honestly it turned out to be better than I expected!
(also, there was an asexual character in a comic novel written in 1940? amazing)
(also, there was an asexual character in a comic novel written in 1940? amazing)
laila4343's review
4.0
Love Barbara Pym!
Read my review here:
http://justdosomethingalready.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-crampton-hodnet-by-barbara.html
Read my review here:
http://justdosomethingalready.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-crampton-hodnet-by-barbara.html
jacki_f's review against another edition
4.0
I discovered Barbra Pym about three years ago when I read Excellent Women. I love her books! They are meandering stories about decent, practical, often overlooked women who pitch in with whatever needs doing and observe the goings on around them. Her novels invariably feature curates, jumble sales, endless cups of tea, academics, anthropologists and badly behaved men. They are also very amusing.
Pym was popular in the 1950s but fell out of favour. She was almost forgotten until she was heralded in a list of the century's underrated authors. Suddenly her books went back into print, and her next novel was on the Booker Prize shortlist in 1977. Crampton Hodnet was one of the first books that she wrote in 1940, but it wasn't published until 1985.
Pym was good at many things but book titles wasn't one of them - they are almost always awful and Crampton Hodnet sounds so unappealing! It refers to an imaginary place where a character claims to have been one afternoon, when put on the spot and needing to come up with something quickly. The main story is about an Oxford don who falls for one of his pupils and the ensuing scandal in his North Oxford circle. The book's focus is on Jessie Morrow, an unmarried lady's companion in her mid 30s. I adored her.
If you haven't read any Barbara Pym novels I would start with Excellent Women, but if you enjoyed that, this is a terrific one to follow up with.
Pym was popular in the 1950s but fell out of favour. She was almost forgotten until she was heralded in a list of the century's underrated authors. Suddenly her books went back into print, and her next novel was on the Booker Prize shortlist in 1977. Crampton Hodnet was one of the first books that she wrote in 1940, but it wasn't published until 1985.
Pym was good at many things but book titles wasn't one of them - they are almost always awful and Crampton Hodnet sounds so unappealing! It refers to an imaginary place where a character claims to have been one afternoon, when put on the spot and needing to come up with something quickly. The main story is about an Oxford don who falls for one of his pupils and the ensuing scandal in his North Oxford circle. The book's focus is on Jessie Morrow, an unmarried lady's companion in her mid 30s. I adored her.
If you haven't read any Barbara Pym novels I would start with Excellent Women, but if you enjoyed that, this is a terrific one to follow up with.
littletaiko's review
4.0
Time spent with a Pym novel is usually time well spent and this time was no exception. One of her earliest books that wasn't published until after her death it might not be her most polished but it's still full of the great character studies that her novels usually have.
mcr1955's review
5.0
Such a pleasure to re-connect with Barbara Pym after several decades. Very beautiful written characters, especially the main one, Miss Morrow. Most of her wit and brilliant observations are internal... a person who passes by unseen, but has a very fascinating inner life. Not much plot / action, just very witty and intelligent narrative - my favorite sort of story.
softstarrynights's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
In anticipation of reading a biography of this author, The Adventures of Miss Barbara Pym, I decided I might get more out of that book if I read some of her books. So here we are.
Crampton Hodnet is a comedy of manners set in 1940s North Oxford and follows a varying cast of characters and their romantic entanglements.
I didn’t know what to expect from Barbara Pym, so little did I know I was in for an absolute treat. Pym creates this very close knit society which sort of revolves around Miss Doggett, a spinster who lives with her companion, Miss Morrow. I always enjoy a book that focuses on a small slice of society and this was no exception.
The narrative revolves around these romantic entanglements but also who knows about said romantic entanglements. It’s exceedingly gossipy and I devoured it. She flits from one perspective to another just as easily as a little starling. Initially this was a bit jarring because there’s nothing other than a paragraph break to signify this. Was it a bit consuming? Sometimes, yes. On the other hand I loved how it balanced the perspectives and kept you on your toes. It also means that you can have a multitude of conversations going on at once. The changes in perspective mean that you get a real insight into what people are and aren’t saying, and how that affects the other person. Hopefully that make sense. If not, then it’s 100% my fault, not Barbara Pym’s.
There is something about this book that feels like the perfect Sunday afternoon. Rain outside, nowhere to go, and hot drink, a slice of cake, and Crampton Hodnet to keep you company. Sounds like bliss to me
Crampton Hodnet is a comedy of manners set in 1940s North Oxford and follows a varying cast of characters and their romantic entanglements.
I didn’t know what to expect from Barbara Pym, so little did I know I was in for an absolute treat. Pym creates this very close knit society which sort of revolves around Miss Doggett, a spinster who lives with her companion, Miss Morrow. I always enjoy a book that focuses on a small slice of society and this was no exception.
The narrative revolves around these romantic entanglements but also who knows about said romantic entanglements. It’s exceedingly gossipy and I devoured it. She flits from one perspective to another just as easily as a little starling. Initially this was a bit jarring because there’s nothing other than a paragraph break to signify this. Was it a bit consuming? Sometimes, yes. On the other hand I loved how it balanced the perspectives and kept you on your toes. It also means that you can have a multitude of conversations going on at once. The changes in perspective mean that you get a real insight into what people are and aren’t saying, and how that affects the other person. Hopefully that make sense. If not, then it’s 100% my fault, not Barbara Pym’s.
There is something about this book that feels like the perfect Sunday afternoon. Rain outside, nowhere to go, and hot drink, a slice of cake, and Crampton Hodnet to keep you company. Sounds like bliss to me