Typical Pym. An entertaining novel about a single woman of a certain age and the activities of her London neighborhood post WWII. Lots of nosy neighbors, tea drinking, and church committee work. I found this a fun satire of British society, if not particularlly groundbreaking.
Skip to main content
Swap Used Books - Buy New Books at Great Prices!
How To Swap Books
Sign Up
Search 
Kiosk
PBS Market (New Books)
Book Browser
Advanced Search
Books Posted Today
Member Book Reviews
Award Winning Books
NYT Best Sellers
Amazon Best Sellers
Most Traveled Copies
Club Wish List
Login
Community
Discussion Forums
Book Lists
Blog
Donations
Box-O-Books
Maps
The Eclectic Pen
Fun Stuff
Top 100
Pulse of PBS
Spread The Word
Photo Gallery
Recipes
Club Tag Cloud
Member Testimonials
Help Center
Kiosk
PBS Market (New Books)
Go Shopping
Buy Credits
Buy PBS Money
Upgrade Membership
Gift Certificates
Transfer Credits
Search -
Excellent Women
Excellent Women
Author:
Mildred Lathbury is a clergyman's daughter and a mild-mannered spinster in 1950s England. She is one of those "excellent women," the smart, supportive, repressed women who men take for granted. As Mildred gets embroiled in the lives of her new neighbors -- anthropologist Helena Napier and her handsome, dashing husband, Rocky, and J... more »
Author:
Mildred Lathbury is a clergyman's daughter and a mild-mannered spinster in 1950s England. She is one of those "excellent women," the smart, supportive, repressed women who men take for granted. As Mildred gets embroiled in the lives of her new neighbors -- anthropologist Helena Napier and her handsome, dashing husband, Rocky, and J... more »
ISBN-13: 9780060805128
ISBN-10: 0060805129
Publication Date: 1978
Pages: 256
Rating: 13
ISBN-10: 0060805129
Publication Date: 1978
Pages: 256
Rating: 13
4.2 stars, based on 13 ratings
Publisher: Harpercollins Publisher
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette
Members Wishing: 2
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette
Members Wishing: 2
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review
Top Member Book Reviews
Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews
slightly used
Excellent Women is an excellent portrait of spinsterhood in post-war London. Mildred Lathbury is a prime example of the wholesome, friendly woman that others suspect are desperate to get married. Instead, she lives vicariously through her involvement in others' lives. Her comfortable role in her church circles and volunteer work is shaken up by a couple who moves into the flat next door. I have a hard time picturing Mildred as in her early 30s -- it must have been a different time then, with more acceptance of her role as a spinster. I wonder what feminist conscious-raising would have done to Mildred. This was was a light, engaging read from the list of 1001 books you must read before you die.
An "excellent" character sketch of all people essentially British. A nice read!
Very light and enjoyable.
Genres:
