Excellent Women
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Excellent Women
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Narrated by:
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Jonathan Keeble
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Gerry Halligan
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By:
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Barbara Pym
About this listen
Mildred Lathbury is one of those 'excellent women' who is often taken for granted. She is a godsend, 'capable of dealing with most of the stock situations of life - birth, marriage, death, the successful jumble sales, the garden fete spoilt by bad weather'. As such, she often gets herself embroiled in other people's lives - especially those of her glamorous new neighbours, the Napiers, whose marriage seems to be on the rocks.
One cannot take sides in these matters, though it is tricky, especially as Mildred, teetering on the edge of spinsterhood, has a soft spot for dashing young Rockingham Napier. This is Barbara Pym's world at its funniest and most touching.
©1952 Barbara Pym (P)2011 Hachette DigitalListeners also enjoyed...
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What listeners say about Excellent Women
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- mr
- 13-04-23
Charming account of days gone by
Nothing of any note happens at all and that’s absolutely fine!
Couldn’t help but laugh at some of the outdated concepts and I wondered at times if it’s a parody? Is it?
But yes i so wish today was like these times where everyone had a place/a job to do and was happy with that.
Well worth a read will cheer you up. :)
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 11-12-24
A classic Pym
I've always been a fan of Barbara Pym and that very gentle genre of writing. On this listen, however, I found I had tired a little of the old fashioned storyline. That being said, Pym's wit and humour are always enjoyable.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Laurie's lass
- 26-03-21
Enjoyable but ....
This is an enjoyable read with extremely good characterisations but I felt the narration lacked something. It was played straight and so lost the less obvious subtle levels of irony that are intrinsic in the writing. I also thought that a more clipped enunciation would have been more appropriate to the genteel 50s setting as successfully used by Patricia Hodge or Juliet Stevenson.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Red Rosie
- 17-07-21
A period piece
Pym is as an acute, subtle and witty social observer as Jane Austen. Loved it!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. R.
- 12-10-23
Comforting
Barbara Pyms’ novels are like curling up in front of a fire on a Winters night with a mug of cocoa. Nothing much happens but somehow they still keep you interested. I like the quiet humour and the feeling of a more gentle time.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- J. Edwards
- 01-02-24
lovely writing beautifully read.
It's a perfect match between author and reader. it is enormously enjoyable and I highly recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 26-06-21
Delicious !
This was my first intro to BP and I am now addicted thanks to this wonderful , atmospheric performance. Who knew a world full of vicars, teapots and excellent women could be so intriguing. Thank you!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marianne Caton
- 26-01-21
another world!
I enjoyed this book, though I had to listen on 1.25 speed as I prefer a more clipped tone, which I feel is more in keeping with the strange charm of Barbara Pym's books. They really depict another world! I find them very relaxing to listen to whilst sewing.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gruffalo
- 01-10-23
A Brilliant, Subtle.Book
This is a wonderful novel, clever, subtle, and hunorous. This is a gem of a novel, and the narration is excellent.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Stylo
- 04-02-17
Excellent if rather old fashioned!
What made the experience of listening to Excellent Women the most enjoyable?
It is old fashioned in an entertaining sense. Lovely to listen to the lives of ordinary folks in a bygone era.
What did you like best about this story?
The simplicity of the story. Listening to it was like soaking in a warm bubble bath; pleasantly relaxing.
Which character – as performed by Jonathan Keeble – was your favourite?
Jonathan Keeble did not read Excellent Women!
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
No, it was too bland for strong emotions, but Barbara Pym's observations of ordinary people did make me smile often.
Any additional comments?
I recommend listening to Excellent Women.
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2 people found this helpful