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A Glass of Blessings
A Glass of Blessings: A Novel | Barbara Pym
97 posts | 41 read | 20 to read
Barbara Pyms early novel takes us into 1950s England, as seen through the funny, engaging, yearning eyes of a restless housewife Wilmet Forsyth is bored. Bored with the everyday routine of her life. Bored with teatimes filled with local gossip. Bored with her husband, Rodney, a civil servant who dotes on her. But on her thirty-third birthday, Wilmets conventional life takes a turn when she runs into the handsome brother of her close friend. Attractive and enigmatic, Piers Longridge is a mystery Wilmet is determined to solve. Rather than settling down, he lived in Portugal, then returned to England for a series of odd jobs. Driven by a fantasy of romance, the sheltered, nave Englishwoman sets out to seduce Piersonly to discover that he isnt the man she thinks he is. As cozy as sharing a cup of tea with an old friend, A Glass of Blessings explores timeless themes of sex, marriage, religion, and friendship while exposing our flaws and foibles with wit, compassion, and a generous helping of love.
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review
led567
Pickpick

This made me smile and made me think. Goodness, things have changed (and thank goodness that includes not everyone wearing fur as they seem to have all done in this). There‘s a lot of depth and perception re human nature here as well as (sly?) humour.

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IndoorDame
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#12Booksof2023 November had a several *almost* five star reads that made a deep impression on me. I‘m picking this one to highlight because it was my first Barbara Pym novel, and I‘m so happy to have been introduced to her by the #hashtagbrigade. I‘m excited to read more of her work, and I can see her becoming a much beloved author in my future. @Andrew65

AnnR It's so fun to see all the different picks for each month among readers. I actually struggled some with this book, I think because of the pretentious snobbery. (It reminded me some of Wharton's novels.) I'll still eventually try another book by Pym though. 🙂 13mo
IndoorDame @AnnR haha, makes sense, I‘m a fan of Wharton😆. And I totally agree, it‘s great fun seeing everyone‘s choices! 13mo
AnneCecilie @AnnR @IndoorDame I love Pym, but haven‘t read any Wharton. Maybe I should give her a try? 13mo
Andrew65 Sounds like an author I need to read. 13mo
IndoorDame @AnneCecilie there‘s been a #whartonbuddyread going on for a year or two now, you could check their hashtag to get a sense of her work, or join them for one of her less well known pieces that they‘ve reading next 13mo
49 likes1 stack add5 comments
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CarolynM
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Pickpick

I was in the mood for a Pym and seeing all the #hashtagbrigade posts made me chose this one. Maybe not quite as good as Excellent Women or Less Than Angels but still very enjoyable. It had me giggling at the juxtaposition of the spiritual and the domestic - the egg and chips tea for the newly converted Roman Catholic being my favourite example.

Ruthiella The re-read with the #HashtagBrigade made me love this one even more the second time around. I find it interesting how Wilmet is not an Excellent Woman, but she kind of does and doesn‘t want to be one. 14mo
LeahBergen And now I‘m feeling like a Pym, too! 🥰 14mo
CarolynM @Ruthiella I think I know what you mean about Wilmet. I wondered how much her service in the Wrens made not quite able to fit the Excellent Woman mould. 14mo
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CarolynM @LeahBergen Which one will you choose? 14mo
LeahBergen I‘ve been reading them in publication order (well, my first was actually Excellent Women but I went back after that) so my next one is No Fond Return of Love. 14mo
LeahBergen And I have my Pym stockpile waiting for me. 😆 14mo
CarolynM @LeahBergen That one is fun. Enjoy! 14mo
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Cuilin
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Thanks for the tag @RamsFan1963

1 Favorite read of November is tagged book not a very popular one but I loved it especially reading with #hashtagbrigade @BarkingMadRead
2 Looking forward to A Christmas Carol #BookedInTime and Great Expectations #RereadingTheClassics @AllDebooks

@TheSpineView

AllDebooks Me too, December is always Dickens time 14mo
TheSpineView 🎄💚❤️📖📚 14mo
BarkingMadRead 😍😍😍 14mo
39 likes3 comments
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Crinoline_Laphroaig
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Pickpick

Why yes I did pour my Thanksgiving champagne out of a flute into this glass because it matched the cover. Thanks for hosting @BarkingMadRead! I find Pym a comfort read. Perfect for this time of year.
🥂🍾 #hashtagbrigade

Ruthiella Perfect! 🥂 14mo
julieclair Love this! 14mo
42 likes2 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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Mehso-so

My actual conclusion about this book is that Pym just isn't for me. I've tried a couple of her books, and I just find her writing to be a little too cynical for me - her humor has a bitter undertone to it that just doesn't work for me. I know a lot of people love her and find her funny, but she just isn't a match for me. This book was... fine. I didn't really like anyone. And I think the reason that everyone on this cover is spilling stuff is ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) because none of them appreciate the glasses of blessings they've been given - they're too busy wishing they had someone else's glass.

Still, it's always a pleasure to read with the #HashtagBrigade and our fearless leader @BarkingMadRead !!
14mo
peanutnine Wow I love that interpretation of the cover! Makes so much sense! 14mo
kspenmoll I too love your cover interpretation.😂I have not read the book so I cannot comment on it 14mo
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BarkingMadRead You‘re totally right! I don‘t mind reading her stuff, but I wouldn‘t reach for it on my own! 14mo
Ruthiella She is a bit of an acquired taste, isn‘t she? But I love her. 14mo
willaful I feel the same. I don't require mushy sentimentality but I'm not fond of cynicism. 14mo
Jinjer That doggie face!!!!! 14mo
Gissy I see a lovely doggy 🐶🤎🖤🤎🖤 14mo
Gissy I see a lovely doggy 🐶🤎🖤🤎🖤 14mo
80 likes9 comments
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AllDebooks
Bailedbailed

I didn't get this library hold until this week, so have missed the #Pemberlittens #Hashtagbrigade buddyread. I did start but couldn't gel with the characters. This is more of a pause rather than a full on bail. I'll try again at a later date.

@StayCurious @BarkingMadRead

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IndoorDame
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While reading the tagged book, I joined the collection of readers who decided I just had to taste lapsang souchong #tea but it‘s not supposed to arrive until the day after tomorrow, so this smoky brew remains a mystery to this reader… 🫖🍵 #humbleharvest @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome ☕️ 🫖 14mo
MrsMalaprop When I worked as a nanny in the UK many years ago, the mum-of-the-house drank it all day long. I couldn‘t stand the taste or smell. Hope you feel differently. 14mo
IndoorDame @MrsMalaprop thanks 😊 should be fun to find out either way 14mo
Eggs Reminds me of cloves-great choice 🤎 14mo
Lizpixie One of my favourite teas!🫖 14mo
51 likes5 comments
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julieclair
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Pickpick

A bored, self-absorbed English housewife reflects on her life, and the lives of her neighbors, in a 1950s village. Nothing much happens, and I didn‘t even particularly like her, but her wry observations kept me chuckling. An enjoyable read.

Another fun read with the #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade . Thanks, @BarkingMadRead !

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Daisey
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Pickpick

I didn‘t get to read this as a chapter a day read this month, but I listened to it today and enjoyed it, although not quite as much as Excellent Women. Pym provides a detailed slice of life look at these characters‘ world of 1950s England. Even though I didn‘t particularly like most of the characters, there was just enough humor to keep me invested in the description of their daily lives.

#audiobook

Daisey After listening today, I appreciated going back and perusing all of the #PemberLittens #HashtagBrigade posts about this book. 14mo
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AnneCecilie
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Pickpick

The first Pym I read was with #PemberLittens so when this was a #HashtagBrigade read, I knew I had to join in. I love Pym‘s writing and her ability to see the interesting in the everyday

Wilmet is a 30-something, married woman with no children. She is trying to fill her days with things to do, and in 50s that‘s not always easy

And the cover, at first glimpse I thought the women was holding a Christmas three ornament, but I now I know better

AnneCecilie Thanks for hosting @BarkingMadRead and I loved our discussions. 14mo
BarkingMadRead The egg 🤣🤣🤣 14mo
70 likes2 comments
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rwmg
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Pickpick

Had fun reading a chapter a day with @BarkingMadRead and the #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

(Photo of Husky from wikipedia)

BarkingMadRead Not at all what I imagined, it‘s very cool looking! 1y
Ruthiella Great picture! I imagined an American car from the‘50s, which is of course all wrong. 1y
27 likes2 comments
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eeclayton
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Pickpick

Nothing much happened but I still found the book enjoyable. The character studies were excellent and I loved Pym's soothing way of writing.

Thanks @BarkingMadRead for hosting another fun buddy read, and thanks #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade for your commentary 🙂

BarkingMadRead I‘m glad you liked it!! 1y
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BarkingMadRead
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Ch 23: and they all lived happily ever after? #maryandmariushaveachurch #wilmethasrodney 🤷🏻‍♀️ #thatsaboutit 🤣 #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade have a great December off 🤣 we will pick up on January 1st!

Bookwormjillk Thanks for hosting! Even though this wasn‘t my favorite it was really readable and funny in spots. 1y
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TheBookHippie Omg the picture 🤣🤣🤣🤣. I enjoyed this it was perfect for this month!! Thank you so much!!! 1y
ravenlee Sybil has Arthur and her own house back; Arthur has Sybil and a new sweater; Piers has…a sweater model 😆 1y
Ruthiella @ravenlee 😂😂😂 1y
Ruthiella Thanks a million for hosting! This was such fun. I love Pym‘s sly humor and you highlighted it out beautifully. 👏👏👏 1y
AnnR Ditto what @Bookwormjillk said. Thank you for hosting again @Barkingmadread and looking forward to the 2024 #hashtagbrigade . 1y
BarkingMadRead Yall are the best, have a happy thanksgiving, a happy December, and I‘ll see you in January!! 2024 post coming out tomorrow! 1y
Graciouswarriorprincess Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful holiday season! @BarkingMadRead 1y
Deblovestoread What a fun read made more so by your lovely #hashtags. Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 1y
dabbe There are so many books read with this group this year that A. I had never heard of; B. I had never read; C. I never could have gotten through without this lovely group. And @BarkingMadRead, you are da bomb! You should create a study guide summary sight with just your hashtags; your summaries are way funnier than Shmoop's. Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate. I'm thankful to be part of this fantastic group. 🧡🖤💜 1y
BarkingMadRead @dabbe I‘m so glad you enjoyed it! I definitely read way more books because of the #hashtagbrigade 1y
eeclayton Thanks for hosting @BarkingMadRead I enjoyed it a lot, even though nothing much happened 😁 1y
rwmg Thank you for hosting and allowing me to join in. Looking forward to your next read (unless it's Thomas Hardy who I have loathed ever since we had to read The Mayor of Casterbridge at school 50 years ago). 1y
BarkingMadRead @rwmg no Hardy, our next read is Brother‘s Karamazov in January, it‘s going to take forever 🤣 1y
Bklover Thank you yet again, @BarkingMadRead ! I know for sure that the books we have read this year I wouldn‘t have gotten through alone, nor enjoyed as much. Your hashtags have enriched my reading life!! ❤️❤️❤️ See you in January for the Bros! 1y
BarkingMadRead @bklover #thebros I‘ll have to remember that hashtag 🤣 1y
bthegood thank you for hosting - really enjoyed it! 14mo
Cuilin I absolutely loved this read and so many this year. Thanks to all and of course @BarkingMadRead for the hilarious hashtags 14mo
rubyslippersreads Thanks to our fearless leader @BarkingMadRead for hosting. I really enjoyed this one, even though nothing happened. 😆 14mo
julieclair Nothing happened, and it was delightful! A fun book to cap off a great year of reading together. Thanks for your fearless leadership, @BarkingMadRead ! You are a #treasure ! 14mo
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Librarybelle
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Pickpick

For a book about a lot of little nothings, like a Seinfeld episode, it is Pym‘s writing that kept me interested and focused. Wilmet, our MC and narrator, learns a bit about herself and life through the course of the novel and that life is filled with a “glass of blessings.” There are also parts to this that are surprisingly hilarious, as if Pym sneaks in a punchline. Another great read with #PemberLittens #HashtagBrigade #1958 #192025

Jess_Read_This Love Barbara Pym! She‘s got such a rich way of describing food and beverages in her books too. I often wonder if it was important and meaningful for her to write in a novel due to living in rationing times. 1y
Librarybelle That‘s a good thought, @Jess_Read_This ! I had not thought of that! 1y
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dabbe Hello there, sweet & snuggly kitty! 🖤🐾🖤 1y
rwmg @Jess_Read_This Barbara Pym's sister wrote a cookery book featuring the dishes from the books after Barbara's death 1y
Librarybelle @dabbe ❤️❤️❤️ 1y
Librarybelle @rwmg Thanks for the info! 1y
Jess_Read_This @rwmg Oh! I had no idea! Thank you for sharing this info with me. I need to find of a copy of her cookbook. How neat! 1y
rwmg @Jess_Read_This UK title A La Pym, US title The Barbara Pym Cookbook 1y
rubyslippersreads I like your book rest. 😸 14mo
Librarybelle Thank you, @rubyslippersreads ! 😻 14mo
72 likes11 comments
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peanutnine
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Pickpick

I very much enjoyed following along with Wilmet's life as she struggled with her restlessness. It was a relaxing story with not much plot but plenty of dry wit and humor. The characters were well-written and entertaining. I'm really liking Barbara Pym as an author, this is the second of her books I've read with the #pemberlittens
Thanks @BarkingMadRead for leading the #hashtagbrigade on this, I've enjoyed the discussions

TheBookHippie She‘s a new I love author! 1y
dabbe 🧡🖤💜 1y
41 likes2 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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Cuilin Is it the same Prudence from Pym‘s novel “Jane and Prudence” ? I read it and I think she did have an affair with a married man. 🤔 I also wondered what Bason had “borrowed” from the antique store so far. Lol (edited) 1y
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BarkingMadRead @Cuilin wouldn‘t that be a fun crossover! And I‘m sure he‘s “borrowed” so so many things 🤣🤣 1y
Bookwormjillk Yeah he borrowed all the good things I‘m sure! 1y
ravenlee @Cuilin the introduction in my copy says it is the same Prudence. 1y
rwmg @cuilin I always had the impression it was the same Prudence 1y
Cuilin @rwmg I love how this novel has characters from her other novels 1y
dabbe Bason and Keith seem to me to be the #comicrelief in this novel. Every time one of them shows up, you know it's going to be a hoot. 🤣 1y
dabbe Thanks for leading the helm again, @BarkingMadRead with your insightful and hilarious hashtags and photos. 🧡🖤💜 1y
Aimeesue What the heck is an egg-shaped beard??? So puzzling. 1y
Bklover @BarkingMadRead Thank you once again for guiding us along with humor and insight. I am finding myself missing Wilmet a bit; she was definitely growing on me 1y
bthegood Thanks for hosting and making this a fun read! 1y
44 likes14 comments
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IndoorDame
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Pickpick

I loved my first Barbara Pym, but at the end of the month I‘m still not sure why. What is it we respond to in a novel when nothing much happens and the characters aren‘t especially likeable? Is it the truth of the character sketches, the writing itself, some tiny piece of our own lives we recognize…? #hashtagbrigaide #pemberlittens @BarkingMadRead

BarkingMadRead The fact that it wasn‘t Tess…. #tessptsd 1y
IndoorDame @BarkingMadRead 🤣🤣🤣👏👏👏 1y
AlaMich Books where nothing happens are my jam. This is one of my favorites. It won the Lost Man Booker Prize, which is a thing I‘m not sure how to explain. 😊 (edited) 1y
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IndoorDame @AlaMich I do often have a fondness for that type of writing. I‘ll check this one out. Thanks! 1y
dabbe Their problems seemed minuscule compared to some of us, too. All Wilmet seemed to be worried about was not finding avenues for her boredom. And I agree with all of the other comments here, too! 🧡🖤💜 1y
IndoorDame @dabbe 💜💜💜 1y
66 likes6 comments
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Bklover
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Pickpick

This was my first Barbara Pym book, and I must say I enjoyed it. If you asked me what it was about, however, I‘d have to say it‘s not about much of anything. It is the story of Wilmet, a married woman in the 50‘s who has become bored with her husband and with her very undemanding life. We see her daily life unfold (I‘d be bored too) and her search for her own “glass of blessings”. Looking forward to more Pym treasures.
#hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead I‘m glad you liked it! Barbara Pym is a great palate cleanser! 1y
dabbe Love how you tied in the title at the end! 🧡🖤💜 1y
Bklover @dabbe 💜💜 1y
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dabbe
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Pickpick

A dash of Wharton's prose, a flourish of Austen's wit, and a bit of spice from Gaskell's CRANFORD, this novel portrays the daily life of a well-to-do married woman living in 1950s London. Subtleness is key here as a complicated plot does not exist; mostly it reads like a well-developed diary of the life of Wilmet Forsyth trying to put meaning into her life. Pym also showcases a muted wit that satirizes the religion and society of the day. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Aimeesue Great review! Nailed it. Are you a Pymphomaniac? 😉 1y
dabbe @Aimeesue I just might be! 🤣🤗🤩 1y
rwmg Excellent cover 1y
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Ruthiella “Muted wit” is a perfect description. 👍 Agreed with @rwmg, that cover is fantastic. @Aimeesue I freely admit I am a Pymphomaniac!😂 1y
dabbe @rwmg @Ruthiella ... it has 1950s written all over it, doesn't it? 🤩🤣🤩 1y
Aimeesue I‘m just looking at that food porcupine in the lower LHC and I‘m AMAZED. 🫣 Well, at least it‘s not jello salad or eggs in aspic 😂 1y
Aimeesue @Ruthiella Our numbers are growing! 😂 (edited) 1y
dabbe @Aimeesue I didn't even see that clearly! 🤩 My grandma used to make lime green jello with LETTUCE bits floating in it for Thanksgiving. 😳 What were people thinking? 🤣🤣🤣 1y
dabbe @Aimeesue 🤣🤩🤗 1y
Aimeesue @dabbe LETTUCE???? AAAAAAAAAAAH! 😂 1y
Bklover @dabbe Were there pears in the jello too? My grandma‘s was in a ring with the green jello ring filled with pears sitting on a bed of lettuce with a big pile of mayonnaise in the middle. By the way your review is spot on. I may just direct my review to yours. 😂😂 1y
bthegood exactly - your review sums it up perfectly - 🙂 1y
batsy Great review. That opening sentence! I must read this. Have only read Excellent Women and loved it. 1y
dabbe @Bklover I do remember the pears! Luckily not the mayo! 🤢🤩🤣 1y
dabbe @bthegood 🧡🖤💜 1y
dabbe @batsy I'll have to add that one to my TBR! 🧡🖤💜 1y
65 likes16 comments
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Graciouswarriorprincess
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Book 161 of the year.

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BarkingMadRead
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rubyslippersreads Very meta of you. 🤣 1y
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Bookwormjillk I cheered when Bason walked in, but then it was kind of boring. New job sounds like a disaster though. Two more days. Will something happen? 1y
Cuilin As non-eventful as this novel is I‘d totally watch the BBC made for tv movie. 🍿 I‘m getting some Grantchester vibes. 1y
peanutnine @Cuilin 💯 would watch that 1y
AnneCecilie I would definitely watch the series. That is what I enjoy about Pym, the everyday is at the center and is interesting enough in and of itself. 1y
TheBookHippie @rubyslippersreads 🤣🤣🤣🤣 1y
TheBookHippie ☕️☕️☕️☕️ 1y
TheBookHippie There‘s something soothing about her writing. 1y
rubyslippersreads @TheBookHippie I feel the same way. 1y
Aimeesue Worst gang ever 🤣🤣🤣 1y
Crinoline_Laphroaig I had to stand there and easedrop! There was nothing else I could do. 🤣 1y
rwmg Rodney and Wilmet's first visit to a gay coffee bar? Is Bason one of Piers's exes? 1y
BarkingMadRead @rwmg I wondered the same thing! 1y
Cuilin @rwmg Bason definitely 🏳️‍🌈 maybe one of Keith‘s perhaps??? 1y
Bklover @TheBookHippie I agree- I love reading this right before bed- very relaxing. 1y
rubyslippersreads The mention of Queen Mary is kind of interesting. Didn‘t she have the same “hobby” as Bason, to the point that people would hide their treasures before she visited? 1y
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bthegood
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Pickpick

A beautifully and perfectly written story that captures the essence of the 1950s for Wilmet who is living with her husband and mother-in-law. The war, during which Wilmet had a job and adventures, is over, the 60s culture of free expression has not hit yet - what is Wilmet to do with her time, her thoughts, her passions. ⬇️

bthegood The story is a book about nothing in particular, Wilmet's daily life - it allows you to feel Wilmet's restlessness with her own situation.
Thank you #hashtagbrigade and @BarkingMadRead.
Make a great day everyone 🍂
(edited) 1y
dabbe You captured the essence perfectly: “a book about ... daily life.“ I had to finish early, too! 🤩 1y
AnneCecilie That is what I love about Pym, she writes about the daily life and makes that interesting 1y
34 likes5 comments
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Ruthiella
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#Pemberlittens #HashtagBrigade

Which one is Marius? 😂 The young guy on the left?

BarkingMadRead 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 1y
peanutnine 😂😂 1y
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BarkingMadRead This is amazing 🤣 1y
Cuilin Hilarious 😂 1y
LeahBergen Ha! 😆 1y
Librarybelle 😂 1y
Bookwormjillk 🤣🤣🤣 1y
rubyslippersreads 🛵😂 (edited) 1y
Deblovestoread Nailed it 🤣 1y
AnnR 😄 👌 1y
dabbe 👏 🤣🤩 1y
bthegood Perfect😂😂 1y
rwmg It would have to be, wouldn't it? 1y
Ruthiella @rwmg We don‘t know when, in Marius‘ long and illustrious career as an Anglican priest the picture was taken! 😂 1y
Bklover 😂😂😂 1y
TheAromaofBooks Priest biker gang 😂 1y
Ruthiella @TheAromaofBooks 😂😂😂 1y
52 likes19 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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Bookwormjillk 🤣🤣🤣 1y
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TheBookHippie 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 1y
dabbe Just blew coffee out of my nose at #randombeestorm. 🤣🤣🤣 1y
Bklover 🤣🤣🤣 1y
AnnR 😁😁😁 1y
Cuilin Lol it really was random??? 1y
BarkingMadRead @Cuilin it was like, chapter is about to end, I need a couple more paragraphs, BEES! 🐝 1y
rubyslippersreads I thought you were supposed to tell the bees when the beekeeper died, not just general confessions from anybody. (My knowledge of bees comes from Larkrise to Candleford on TV, so I‘m not sure how accurate it is. 😏) 1y
BarkingMadRead @rubyslippersreads that‘s what I thought as well 1y
rwmg @rubyslippersreads @BarkingMadRead As per wikipedia, bees should be told of major events - births, marriages, deaths, departures from and returns to the household. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telling_the_bees 1y
34 likes12 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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CatLass007 Are those snapdragons? It‘s really a gorgeous picture. 1y
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CatLass007 Ohhhh. 1y
Ruthiella I laughed when on purposefully neglecting to tell their husbands about Kieth‘s modeling career, Rowena said, “Men are so narrow minded and catty.” 😂 1y
Bookwormjillk Funny when Sybil was telling them to get a new place. 1y
Bklover Go Sybil!!!! 👏👏💍💒 1y
TheAromaofBooks I'm not surprised they are getting married, but I honestly was a little surprised that she kicked them out! I don't know if Rodney and Wilmet can survive without their Sybil buffer! 1y
dabbe Sybil reminds me of Mame or Cary Grant's mom in NORTH BY NORTHWEST. What a hoot! And what will Wilmeet and Noddy say to each other now? 🤣 1y
rubyslippersreads Well, Noddy and Wilmet have been mooching off Sybil for quite awhile. 😂 1y
AnneCecilie Another twist I didn‘t see coming, I guess I‘m just easily fooled 1y
Cuilin @Ruthiella I laughed too. 1y
40 likes14 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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TheBookHippie I‘ll be back when the kindle charges 😂😂😂😂😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😳 1y
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Cuilin Nothing ever happens, nothing happens at all, the needle returns to the start of the song, and we all sing along like before. And we‘ll all be lonely tonight and lonely tomorrow 🎶 1y
dabbe A book about nothing. Yep, that about sums it up. 🤣 1y
Bookwormjillk Why do we always pick books where either someone die‘s every chapter or nothing happens. There is no happy medium with this group 🤣 1y
rubyslippersreads I think this was the dullest chapter so far. 1y
bthegood The constant “nothingness“ of the chapters makes me feel Wilmet's restlessness - 😖 1y
Bklover Can you put me back on the tag list? 1y
BarkingMadRead @Bklover absolutely 1y
35 likes11 comments
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Cuilin
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What I was thinking, while reading chapter 18 lol
“ you can‘t do that in the Church of England, you can‘t say “You must have tea and cake with the vicar, or you die.” You can‘t have extreme points of view”
Cake or death, that‘s an easy question. Eh cake please, very well give him cake”.

IndoorDame 👏👏👏😂😂😂 1y
LiteraryinPA Great reference! I love Eddie Izzard. 1y
Cuilin @LiteraryinLawrence thanks, same. 1y
Cuilin @IndoorDame 🙏 😆 1y
dabbe Sheer awesomeness. 🤩🤩🤩 1y
36 likes5 comments
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AnneCecilie
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‘Will your colleague be at home this afternoon?‘ I asked, as we stood on an island amid a swirl of trolley buses.
‘My colleague?‘
‘The person you share the flat with.‘

[…]

‘You always said you that I lived with a colleague. But aren‘t we all colleagues, in a sense, in the this grim business log getting through life as best we can?‘

(Are we finally getting our suspicions confirmed?)

Ruthiella I think so! Great picture. 😃 1y
dabbe Most definitely! And I agree with @Ruthiella ... awesome pic! 🤩 1y
AnnR 👍😁 1y
Bklover Finally!!! 1y
49 likes4 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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Ch 17: Willmet has tea with Piers #athisflat #andwemeetkeith 🏳️‍🌈 #howdoesshenotseeit #poorkeith check out @rwmg ‘s latest post for a glimpse at what Keith might look like! #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade
#ps #ialmostusedapicofprofessorlupin #iwentwithkeithsroominstead #vangogh #irises

IndoorDame I was betting that‘s who Piers lived with, but I‘m not surprised she‘s oblivious. She lives in such a separate world, and in the 50s I think it really might not occur to her. 1y
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rwmg I'm not sure what Wilmet is more taken aback by, that Keith is a man or that he is “common“. And if this is her being protective and maternal, I'd hate to get on her bad side. 1y
AnnR I was looking at @rwmg 's post and thinking, I wouldn't want to have been part of that social circle. The snooty ones judge the 'common' ones. Just horribly pretentious. 1y
BarkingMadRead @AnnR so pretentious! I am not a fan! 1y
peanutnine @AnnR and the fact that she gets upset when he calls her out on it 🙄 1y
AnnR @BarkingMadRead - I think the pretentiousness is why I'm having issues connecting with the characters and the book overall. It's hard to feel emotionally caught up in any of their circumstances or cheer anyone on. (edited) 1y
BarkingMadRead @AnnR the fact that‘s it‘s fluffy is its saving grace right now 🤣 #tessptsd 1y
Bookwormjillk I hope this ends with everyone but Wil in Portugal living their best lives while Wil stays at home looking at her trees realizing she‘s not the main character in everyone else‘s life. 1y
AnnR @barkingmadread 👍😬😁 Fluffy! Perfect description. 1y
Cuilin You know, Wilmet could have reacted a lot worse. This was a time of major social change, and yet Piers is still living a life of risk. This was a time when someone as heroic as Alan Turing could be arrested for “gross indecency”. If we look at Wilmet through our modern eyes, we can hold her in contempt, but for that time I think she‘s doing really well. 1y
Cuilin @Bookwormjillk she may be the main character in this novel, but not in their lives!!! 1y
BarkingMadRead @Cuilin oh for sure, secrecy was key. I feel like Piers wants her to know but also doesn‘t want to tell her 1y
Cuilin @BarkingMadRead @AnnR you know for all the snobby and snootiness the novel‘s redeeming quality for me is the fact that it completely lacks hustle culture. I‘m loving it‘s fluffy gentleness. 1y
TheBookHippie @Cuilin I agree for the times it‘s pretty good. And for some being common was lower than 🏳️‍🌈 which is another conversation. I also agree the no hustle. As for pretentious it‘s how it was it wouldn‘t seem unusual to us. Wait until people see how hateful our time we are living in now. 😳 1y
TheBookHippie Love the fluff still getting over Tess.. oy 1y
Cuilin @TheBookHippie 💯 (edited) 1y
Cuilin @BarkingMadRead this is why I like Wilmet, because he knows that his secret is safe with her. Under all that upper class pretentiousness she‘s actually a decent sort. 1y
AnneCecilie I‘m not surprised at all that Wilmet was surprised at Piers “colleague”, she has after all met Piers colleagues at the press. Keith and the colleagues at the press are probably very different. (edited) 1y
dabbe @Cuilin Proven by the fact that she states she feels matronly/motherly over Keith. She seems worried about him--even more than Piers. 1y
rwmg @Cuilin @BarkingMadRead Yes, Piers was taking a big risk letting Wilmet into his life that much. Both Piers and Keith could go to prison. It was only the year before “A Glass of Blessings“ that the Wolfenden Report recommended the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality and it wasn't till 1967 that it actually happened. 1y
Bklover @Cuilin At the end of the chapter when she went to bed I actually felt sorry for her. 1y
rubyslippersreads I have “the novels of Miss Goudge” on my shelf, so I don‘t know what that says about me. 😂 1y
Cuilin @rwmg exactly. I‘m always surprised that it took till ‘67 for it to be decriminalized. 1y
Cuilin @Bklover she needs a purpose of her own. Bit of a lost soul is our Wilmet. 1y
Cuilin @rubyslippersreads lol. I thought it was really weird when she said she couldn‘t be bothered looking at their books. That‘s the first thing I do when I go into somebody‘s house. Lol 1y
Crinoline_Laphroaig @Cuilin I always look at people's books! 1y
rubyslippersreads @Cuilin @Crinoline_Laphroaig The worst is when they—gasp—don‘t have any books! 😳 1y
ravenlee It seems Wilmet cares a whole lot more that Piers isn‘t hopelessly in love with her and trying to seduce her than that he has a “roommate.” She might not have a problem with him being gay but she‘s disappointed and insulted that he doesn‘t want to have an affair with her. 1y
38 likes31 comments
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rwmg
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BarkingMadRead Amazing 🤣 1y
AnnR @rwmg -Nice post! Keith? Hmmm.... Definitely fashions from another time period. 😬 (edited) 1y
bthegood YES!! 😂 1y
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Cuilin Love it!!! 1y
Ruthiella Could be! 😂 1y
TheBookHippie Oh yes!!!! 1y
Deblovestoread Looks right to me! 😂 1y
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 1y
Bklover Looks perfect!!😅 1y
32 likes9 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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Bookwormjillk This whole thing is weird 🤣 1y
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Cuilin Oh my gosh the conversation in the market by the cereal had me 😆 then Bason humming “all things bright and beautiful” plus the discussion about what books should be put out for Mary. This chapter was hilarious. 1y
TheAromaofBooks Rodney - “wouldn't she rather have the worst bed?“ 😂 1y
BarkingMadRead @TheAromaofBooks seriously. 🙄 1y
Bklover My favorite was Wilmet: “It seemed a pity I should have to lie, almost as if I were doing something wrong”. 😯😳😯😳 1y
BarkingMadRead @Bklover these people all suck 🤣🤣 1y
TheAromaofBooks Like I understand Wilmet feeling like she's kind of useless/she's never really “LIVED“ but... that doesn't justify cheating on your husband because some other guy makes you feel “needed“! I just 🙄 🙄 🙄 1y
Aimeesue @Cuilin Yes! (And I hummed along!) 😂 1y
dabbe @TheAromaofBooks And Piers ain't the guy to cheat with--I feel at some point things are going to get real awkward between Wilmet and Piers. 😱 1y
Bklover @dabbe No kidding!🏳️‍🌈 1y
Crinoline_Laphroaig My main question from last two chapters is How did the Preist afford a Faberge egg? 1y
ravenlee @Crinoline_Laphroaig there was a mention in an earlier chapter that he comes from money. 1y
ravenlee @TheAromaofBooks right? Girl, get yourself a part-time job, join Mary in her “good works,” there are options available. Have an affair with your best friend‘s brother (or husband)? Not really on that list! 1y
TheAromaofBooks @ravenlee - Right?? I have very little patience with people, in fiction or real life, who sit around complaining about how bored they are. My word, talk about the easiest problem in the world to solve! 1y
ravenlee @TheAromaofBooks there‘s a meme somewhere about how adult literature is “alas, I am overcome with ennui. Perhaps I will cheat on my wife to relieve the boredom.” While YA is “let‘s overthrow the evil patriarchy and build a better world for ourselves!” Apparently whomever made the meme knew Wilmet! 😆 1y
39 likes18 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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Bklover Same question. Where was Rodney?? These people are so weird. 1y
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Bklover Also he comes home and she doesn‘t ask him a single thing about his day. She has absolutely no interest in Rodney! 1y
Aimeesue Sybil does know! I think he was with Rowena 😂 1y
BarkingMadRead @Aimeesue that would be amazing #wifeswap 1y
AnnR These characters aren't very likeable. My reaction to them is similar to the characters in many of Edith Wharton's novels. 1y
Bklover @Aimeesue That would be perfect wouldn‘t it?!😆 1y
Bookwormjillk @Aimeesue ha! Perfect! Sybil knows all. 1y
dabbe @AnnR I so agree! I think I've mentioned more than once how these people make me think of the Gilded Age New York society snobs. Just living their elegantly rich but humdrum lives. 1y
33 likes10 comments
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AnneCecilie
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After reading chapter 15, this cover‘s meaning is beginning to be a little bit clearer to me.

Ruthiella Indeed! 😃 1y
BarkingMadRead Omg 😳 and now we see the light…. Or the 🥚 1y
peanutnine Love when that happens! 1y
50 likes3 comments
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rwmg
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Chapter 15
Piers seemed to live in a dark wasteland beyond Shepherd's Bush and I could only guess what that might be like.

@BarkingMadRead
@Dabbe
#pemberlittens

BarkingMadRead This map is awesome, thanks for sharing!! 1y
TheBookHippie Oh my word!!! Thanks for sharing! 1y
bthegood 🙂 👍 1y
34 likes3 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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TheBookHippie 😬 #itsfineitllworkout 😵‍💫🫣 1y
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Bookwormjillk So many things in this chapter. What is Piers up to? Does going to Rome mean becoming Catholic? If so is it really that easy to switch religions like that? #Confused 1y
BarkingMadRead @Bookwormjillk I wouldn‘t think it would be so easy to switch, but I‘m not sure! Seems a little fickle to me 🤣 1y
CatLass007 Going to Rome does not mean becoming Catholic. In order for someone to become Catholic they do have to go through some sort of religious training. My Mom was Catholic but my Dad wasn‘t. They started attending a class together in order for my Dad to learn about the religion. My Mom had hoped he would convert but he never did. 1y
Bookwormjillk @CatLass007 that‘s why I was confused- my husband is Catholic and I‘m not. I‘ve had to do a lot just so we could get married. To think I could have just taken a trip instead 🤣 1y
Cuilin I was raised Roman Catholic, I guess I‘m technically called a lapsed Catholic but yes, you can convert to Catholicism. It‘s actually pretty easy thing to do. You can take classes but many have converted on their deathbed, Oscar Wilde being one. 1y
CatLass007 My Mom was 27 and my Dad was 30 when they got married. When I turned 24 Mom said “Congratulations, you‘re an old maid in the eyes of the church!” She then explained that if she had remembered that when she and Daddy got married, all the hoops they had to jump through would have been waived. Craziness. @Bookwormjillk (edited) 1y
Cuilin The term “going to Rome”, said by an Anglican would mean converting to Roman Catholicism. (edited) 1y
Cuilin @CatLass007 my in-laws faced the same issue. He had to promise that the children would be raised Catholic. 🙄 1y
Bookwormjillk @Cuilin thanks! In my Church I‘d have to take 8 weeks of classes, get a sponsor, and go to confession. I like the church and I‘ve been going for 20 years but no thanks to all that! 1y
Cuilin @Bookwormjillk I hear you. It seems harder to convert in America than it does in Ireland. 🤷‍♀️ 1y
CatLass007 @Cuilin I didn‘t know that about the phrase “Going to Rome.” Interesting. My Dad had to promise that we would be raised Catholic. I‘m glad he didn‘t have to promise that we would remain Catholic. LOL. My brother hasn‘t attended any church in years. I am a member of a very progressive Presbyterian church. I do like Pope Francis because he doesn‘t seem as rigid as his predecessors. But it‘s really just a matter of degrees, no doctrinal changes. 1y
Cuilin @CatLass007 agreed re: Pope. I haven‘t attended in years. I miss the community, but I can‘t be part of some thing that excused so much abuse. 1y
CatLass007 @Cuilin Did you say you live in Ireland? I know in the States we have so many options for the type of community in which we choose to belong. I would imagine in Ireland there would be fewer options. But I never thought about it until just now. 1y
Cuilin @CatLass007 I grew up in Ireland but now live in New Hampshire. 1y
CatLass007 @Cuilin I bet that‘s a big difference. 1y
rwmg For those wondering what the fuss about the Church of South India was about, Wikipedia has some information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_South_India#Origins 1y
dabbe You'd think I would have looked up some of this stuff since I didn't get it, but no, I had to look up the #pinkblancmange. Perfect photo, @BarkingMadRead. And thanks for the info above, @Cuilin, @CatLass007, @Bookwormjillk, and @rwmg! You save me extra research! 🤩 1y
CatLass007 @dabbe 📚👍🏾 1y
Cuilin @dabbe the beauty of buddy reads, right? 1y
dabbe @CatLass007 🤩🤗😃 1y
dabbe @Cuilin YES! 🤩🤗😘 1y
BarkingMadRead @dabbe it‘s funny what attracts our attention 🤣 I had to know what it looked like 🤣 1y
Aimeesue I would absolutely eat all the currants off that pink blancmange. Looooooove them! 1y
rwmg @dabbe Pym mentions the S. India church quite often but I'd never been able to find out anything about it before. It was obviously a big deal in high church circles at the time but almost completely forgotten about now 1y
bthegood @dabbe I also did not look it up but wondered about it - thanks for the info @rwmg - 🙂 1y
40 likes28 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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CatLass007 The woman on the right bears a likeness to my Mom. 1y
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BarkingMadRead @CatLass007 that‘s amazing 1y
TheBookHippie The picture 😂😂😂😂 their expressions 😂😂😂😂😂 all I keep thinking in my head is gossipy church folk 🤷🏻‍♀️😂😵‍💫👀🤦🏻‍♀️ 1y
BarkingMadRead @TheBookHippie it was the first one to pop up, I don‘t usually get this lucky! My Google game is strong, but not always this strong 🤣🤣🤣 1y
CatLass007 I think it‘s mostly the nose and somewhat the mouth. 1y
Cuilin I‘m putting this🏳️‍🌈 here for Piers because that‘s that‘s what I‘m picking up. Anybody else? @Bklover 1y
TheBookHippie @Cuilin 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈 1y
BarkingMadRead @Cuilin for sure!!! 1y
TheAromaofBooks My favorite part was that she's mad because her husband didn't read her mind and bring her home a present. 🙄 🙄 🙄 1y
Bookwormjillk @TheAromaofBooks and then she used that as an excuse to think about other men 1y
Bklover @Cuilin Yes!!🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈 1y
julieclair I think it was Piers' lover who answered the phone. 🏳️‍🌈 And what the heck, Wilmet? Miffed that Harry hasn't asked you for another date! This woman really is something. 1y
rwmg Catherine Oliphant from “Less Than Angels“ re-cycling her life experience 😁 1y
dabbe @Cuilin #fersure 🏳️‍🌈💚🏳️‍🌈 1y
dabbe And the conversation between Rowena and Wilmet about Harry? Just a wee bit awkward. Though the way these women talk to each other (well, the men, too, for that matter) reminds me of Wharton's upper class New Yorkers in the Gilded Age. The pic for today NAILED it, @BarkingMadRead! 🤩 1y
Aimeesue Perfect pic! 😂 1y
38 likes19 comments
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ravenlee
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Better late than never, I suppose, but I‘m finally starting this one. It‘s been a busy few weeks (hooray for gigs! But they‘re eating my reading time) and I‘ve been trying to finish library books. Maybe I can catch up to the #hashtagbrigade #buddyread

Ruthiella You can catch up easy, I think! 👍 It‘s a page turner in its own kind of gentle way. 1y
BarkingMadRead What a pretty cover!!! You should be able to catch up, the chapters go by so fast! 1y
37 likes2 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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TheBookHippie 😳😳😳😳😳 1y
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TheAromaofBooks I was genuinely a big shocked by his “I deserved more“ attitude! What even! He only knew her for like a month!? 1y
Bklover I‘m curious as to why he brought it up at all, since he seems to want to do something personal with it rather than “spectacular”. 1y
Ruthiella 740 was lot of money in 1955! He could‘ve done a number of good things with it. 1y
Deblovestoread I was shocked too! Didn‘t seem normal after such a short acquaintance. 1y
Aimeesue You really have to love the way he justifies probably needing to spend the money on himself AND blaming it on her 😂 1y
Bookwormjillk I‘d gladly take 500 pounds. What the heck? And a Mary sighting. Yay! 1y
rwmg I looked it up. 500 pounds in 1958 would be 14,400 pounds today. Obviously one couldn't do any good with that amount. 1y
BarkingMadRead @rwmg 🤣🤣🤣 1y
dabbe And Ransome keeps calling Mary a “fine“ lady. What did go on in that house indeed? And I wonder if he's called RANSOM for a reason. 🤔 1y
bthegood I wonder if Larry David read Pym - this seems to be a book about nothing - yet it is so beautifully written, so witty, and the characters so real I love it! 1y
BarkingMadRead @bthegood I have thought the same thing more than once! 1y
julieclair Is it possible Ransome isn't really a priest? 1y
BarkingMadRead @julieclair it kind of makes you wonder, right? 1y
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BarkingMadRead
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Ruthiella That centerpiece must have been awful. 😂 1y
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BarkingMadRead @Ruthiella a bunch of dead crap in a bowl is what I‘m picturing 1y
Crinoline_Laphroaig I want pancakes now! 🥞 1y
Bookwormjillk So is Mary just gone then? 1y
BarkingMadRead @Bookwormjillk she‘s off to the nunnery, I wonder if we will see her again! 1y
Bookwormjillk @BarkingMadRead I hope so I‘m kind of invested. I want to see her wearing her pearls living her best life. 1y
rwmg @bookwormjillk @barkingmadread It may not be what we would want but ATM the nunnery is her best life. 1y
Bklover Anyone think it interesting that Piers brought up Oscar Wilde? (edited) 1y
Cuilin @Bklover yes, I‘m seeing some queer coding for sure. The quarrel and falling out with the room mate. I think his sister knows. Of course I could be completely wrong. 1y
Bklover @Cuilin I‘m just glad you‘re seeing it too! It would explain some things, like you mentioned. And if we‘re wrong, at least there‘s two of us! 1y
julieclair @Bklover @Cuilin There are three of us! (edited) 1y
dabbe @Bklover Yes! And today Wilmet brought up the idea that she wonders who Piers's roommate is. Could he be? He's always moody and unhappy, and it's 1952. I wonder. 🤔 1y
dabbe @Bklover Now three! 🙋🏼‍♀️ 1y
Bklover @julieclair @dabbe At least we can all be right or wrong together!😊 1y
41 likes18 comments
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Crinoline_Laphroaig
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My fluffy new reading spot for
#Pemberlittens #HashtagBrigade 📖
@BarkingMadRead

BookNAround That looks so comfy cozy! 1y
DieAReader ❤️‍🔥🤓Looks super comfy!! 1y
BarkingMadRead Ohhhhh I love it! 1y
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Ruthiella Adorable! 😍 1y
MatchlessMarie Lovely!! 1y
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 1y
marleed I love it! 1y
48 likes7 comments
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rwmg
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(not my photo, taken from google images)

A Shrove Tuesday dinner party with pancakes brings revelations but some mysteries remain.

A glimpse of Prudence.

@BarkingMadRead
#pemberlittens

Ruthiella Excellent work spotting Prudence. I think Reverend Hoccleve from Some Tame Gazelle is also mentioned near the beginning? I love the idea that all Pym‘s characters exist in her universe. 1y
rwmg @Ruthiella In chapter 9, Wilmet is musing about sermons and mentions a distant cousin of her mother's, Archdeacon Hoccleve, who used to take as his text quotations from our greater English poets. 1y
28 likes2 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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Ch 10: Wilmet doesn‘t like Mary‘s plans until Mary‘s brother gets mad about it #asifthisisascandal #dudeobviouslyneverreadtess 🙄 #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

Bookwormjillk Lol Tess sure would put this in perspective, 1y
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Bklover @Bookwormjillk That‘s true. Wilmet is so funny getting all defensive for Mary. Personally if I were Mary I‘d be doing something I want to do, so maybe this is what she wants!! 1y
TheBookHippie No lies spoken. Tess is a perspective in and of itself. 1y
AnneCecilie I didn‘t see that twist coming. 1y
i.besteph Hi! I was off Litsy for a while so I need some serious catching up to do. Could you please tag me on your next read? I‘d love to join! (edited) 1y
BarkingMadRead @i.besteph welcome back! I‘ll add you to the hashtag brigade list, I tag everyone before we move on to the next book and you can opt in or out each time! 1y
Bookwormjillk @AnneCecilie same I thought she was going to marry the priest 1y
dabbe I think the hottie priest is still going to fit into the equation. Mary will be like Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. She'll try to be a nun, but ... shoot, I would have dropped whomever I was dating just to be with 36-year-old Christopher Plummer. 🤣 1y
rwmg Waving to Julian and Winifred Mallory 1y
BarkingMadRead @dabbe that would be amazing 1y
Aimeesue @AnneCecilie Me either! 1y
Ruthiella @rwmg Yup! Another Excellent Women Easter egg. 👍 1y
47 likes14 comments
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AnneCecilie
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As we came up to the clergy house I saw the notice about not ringing unless on urgent business. But there was hardly time to consider whether we should ring or not, for the moment we set foot on the doorstep I noticed a curtain at a ground floor window being flicked aside and heard footsteps within. Evidently Mr Bason had been watching for our arrival in a rather Cranfordian way.

Librarybelle I loved this paragraph! 1y
Ruthiella I also clocked that reference! How wonderful that I got to read Cranford with the #Pemberlittens recently, or I would‘ve missed it! 1y
dabbe I marked it as well and thought how much more learned I have become since reading with the #hashtagbrigade! 🤩 1y
TheBookHippie @dabbe I had that same thought!! 1y
52 likes4 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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rwmg A Faberge egg sold for USD4,760 in 1949, so just how much money does Father Thames have? 1y
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BarkingMadRead @rwmg I was thinking the same thing! 1y
Bookwormjillk Stirring the pot about the cassock again, and the drama about the flowers. Ugh! 1y
peanutnine @Bookwormjillk the flower exchange was so awkward! Like, "here's a wet bouquet for you to take, don't worry, they're fresh" ? 1y
Bookwormjillk @peanutnine I'm guessing it was hard to get fresh flowers in post war London, but why is everything such a struggle with these people? 1y
rubyslippersreads The clergymen (and Bason) seem like a bunch of mean girls. 😆 1y
Cuilin @rwmg right? Rodney certainly picked up on that. 1y
Cuilin @Bookwormjillk the cassock drama, when will it end? Seriously petty but funny. (edited) 1y
Cuilin The Cranford reference was apt. I liked how Rodney and Wilmet burst out laughing when they left. You get to see the relationship in a different light. 1y
Deblovestoread @Cuilin I was glad for that, too. Their relationship seems pretty cold. @rubyslippersreads 💯 1y
Crinoline_Laphroaig I'm caught up! Really enjoying. Appreciated the Excellent Women update. Piers guilt tripping. 🙄. Also I don't think Wilmet actually regrets not having children. She just doesn't have the guts to say it. So instead she says what's expected of her that she feels useless. 1y
TheAromaofBooks I loved the reference to Bason acting “Cranfordian“ by watching out the door for their arrival 😂 And surely the good Father will have to find someplace else to live now that Mary's mother has passed on??? 1y
julieclair @TheAromaofBooks Maybe he‘ll move in with Wilmet and Rodney and Sybil! 😳😂 1y
rwmg Can we just take a moment to acknowledge that Wilmet is related to the Archdeacon? 1y
TheBookHippie @rwmg My thoughts too!!! 1y
Bklover @Cuilin I‘m caught up again- I too was happy to see Wilmer and Rodney laughing together. Their relationship isn‘t great, but it doesn‘t really seem like anyone‘s is! 1y
36 likes18 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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Librarybelle Do you think Wilmet is clueless about these men? She‘s getting gifts and invites to lunch and flirtations from not her husband. I want to see how this evolves! And yes…I‘m pretty suspicious of Ransome and his actions with Mary… (edited) 1y
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BarkingMadRead @Librarybelle i don‘t think she‘s entirely clueless, but i also wonder if she realizes they don‘t just want to hang out with her, that they have an endgame 1y
Bookwormjillk @Librarybelle clueless or just bored? 1y
Librarybelle @BarkingMadRead @Bookwormjillk I think she may realize something is up with Piers. 1y
Ruthiella @Librarybelle I think she is aware and enjoys the attention. But she‘s not necessarily looking for an affair, just flirting. 1y
Aimeesue @Ruthiella I agree. She‘s bored and likes the attention but also wants to have plausible deniability. “Oh, heavens! I thought he just needed someone to have lunch with!” 1y
rwmg I'm coming to think she is how Emma would have turned out if there had been no Mr Knightly 1y
Librarybelle Haha, I guess I just need to read this a bit more carefully…I was not really picking up on any of that! @Ruthiella @Aimeesue @rubyslippersreads 😳 1y
bthegood @Librarybelle @BarkingMadRead @Ruthiella @Aimeesue @rwmg @Bookwormjillk @rubyslippersreads - I agree with the idea that Wilmet knows what she is doing, she enjoys the attention. I do think her mother-in-law is also aware of what is going on! I had not thought Ransome was shady - until now!! 1y
Bookwormjillk @rwmg so true! 1y
AnneCecilie The introduction to my book actually compares this to Emma, and I do see some parallels @rwmg 1y
julieclair @rwmg @AnneCecilie Interesting comparison. But I like Emma immeasurably more than I like Wilmet. 1y
41 likes15 comments
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AnneCecilie
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But in the meantime there was the excitement, which I still felt, of the Christmas post arriving two or three times a day in the week before Christmas Day.

[Those were the days. We get post every other day. Picture is found online]

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BarkingMadRead
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TheBookHippie Omg the picture and #iagree 1y
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BarkingMadRead @TheBookHippie I was looking for 1950s cards and couldn‘t resist 🤣 1y
TheBookHippie @BarkingMadRead it‘s fantastic!!! 1y
tpixie Live this photo!!! ♥️🎁♥️🎁♥️ 1y
rwmg Meat rationing only ended in 1954, hence Wilmet's focus on it during her lunch with Harry. 1y
Cuilin Oh my gosh that surprise gift and quote too. Wilmet will need to avail of the confessional at this rate. “Did you speak in Portuguese?” Sybil knows what‘s up!! 1y
BarkingMadRead @Cuilin nothing gets past Sybil! @rwmg I wondered about that, I thought that might be why (edited) 1y
kspenmoll Such color! Festive photo! I‘m trying not to read comments because my books still has not arrived. 1y
julieclair @Cuilin But… the hottie priest will probably be in the confessional! 😂 And… I totally agree about Sybil… she‘s pretty savvy. 1y
Bookwormjillk Nothing gets past Sybil 1y
Ruthiella @rwmg That is one aspect that I love about Pym‘s books: the time capsule look at postwar London and particularly the details about food. 1y
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