Written by Barbara Pym⭐ ⭐
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The blurb:
Jane And PrudenceOver the years, as Barbara Pym replaced Nancy Mitford, Georgette Heyer, even Jane Austen, as my most loved author, I devoured all her books, but JANE AND PRUDENCE remains my favourite. Even an umpteenth reading this weekend was punctuated by gasps of joy, laughter and wonder that this lovely book should remain so fresh, funny and true to life' Jilly Cooper
'The setting of this very funny novel, one of Barbara Pym's earliest, is an English village where Jane's husband is the newly appointed vicar, and where Prudence will pay Jane a visit and find herself courted by a fatuous young widower. Prudence, at twenty-nine, has achieved nothing in life but a dull research job in London and a string of dud affairs; Jane, now in her forties, was Prudence's tutor at Oxford. Jane cheerfully concedes that she is an incompetent housewife, but she hopes that the move to a rural parish may transform her into a Trollopean vicar's wife, as well as a crafty matchmaker. There are many comic complications here, as Jane learns that matchmaking has as many pitfalls as does housewifery' The New Yorker
Short Stories
Romance
Humour
My thoughts:
I was expecting a witty account of rural life, but found this story rather dull. Nothing important or thought-provoking happens throughout.
It is set in the early 1950s, where food shortages after the war were still common, and rationing could depend on personal status in the community. The vicar and the Member of Parliament seemingly deserving to receive better cuts of meat than the rest of the village.
Jane and Prudence also reminds the reader that values were very different back then. A woman was expected to marry, stay at home and look after her husband. Jane, however, is incapable of anything practical in that respect, and often reflects that she should have made more of her educational opportunities instead of trying to fit in with her husband's vocation. I feel in some respects she envies Prudence, who is approaching thirty and still single, having had a number of admirers, none of whom considered marriage with her, and who often daydreams of affairs with unattainable men. At the start of the book, Prudence is imagining being the object of her boss Arthur Grampion's affections.
Jane and Prudence are opposites and it is hard to fathom why their friendship works. Their lifestyles have nothing in common. Jane was Prudence's tutor at Oxford and is some fifteen years her senior. Jane has no interest in fashion, or even smart attire, whilst Prudence is immaculate in her presentation.
It is definitely a book of its own time, filled with quirky characters, and values of yesteryear. It was easy enough to read, but didn't hold my attention.
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