One of Pym's most incisive and observational novels. A strange beast, this, flitting between points of view and always so darned ironic, every line left with half of it unspoken, asking the reader to intuit, and do so much of the work, but always led on by the wry human insights Pym seemed to do so well.

Leonora Eyre, independently wealthy (although not absurdly so), seems to feel an emptiness in her life but she can't quite express it. She certainly doesn't understand work, and she's not inclined towards charity, but she is too intelligent to truly enjoy the mundane circularity that weighs down the life of the ordinary person. And, yet, she's not intelligent enough to be an academic, as so many Pym characters are (one gets the sense that her grasp of poetry is half-hearted much of the time). All of this makes her an odd fit for a central character in a Pym, and perhaps this is why I found myself more absorbed by the younger characters who are more my age. James, Phoebe, and - yes - Ned, that American whom many Pymmians consider the greatest villain in her entire oeuvre, although I don't necessarily think he's any more to blame for anything than Leonora is.

This is an affecting and enjoyable read. It's an unusual Pymin that her decision to centre on Leonora puts us at more of a remove than usual from the tertiary characters, and renders James - the second most important character - as secondary himself. But I'll be glad when next Sweet Dove comes up in my Pym rotation, to enjoy its variety from the usual world of musty Pym academe, and for the pleasures she always offers as a novelist. ( )

I am a huge Barbara Pym fan, but this one gets a pan. It was written later in her life and I think she tried to get a different vibe by throwing in some sex, references to cannabis, and a main character who has relationships with both men and women. But the weird thing is that her main character, Leonora, is really just like all the main characters in her earlier novels. So it felt confusing.

Only recommend for Barbara Pym completists. ( )

Was not surprised to find this was written 20 years after the other two Barbara Pyms I have read.

I liked the writing as always, and it certainly held my attention and was an quick and easy read (read in a single day), but... I didn't like any of the characters. I believe that may be the point, but still. I prefer to like at least one character. There was also some of the usual Barbara Pym lack of comment on her own story, where you're not quiiite sure when she's making fun of something or not, which in her other books I quite enjoyed but here just left me a little at sea. ( )

Leonora Aire is the epitome of middle class 1930s/40s woman with time on her hands in Sloane Sq faills in love with young man from Antique shop. Fantastic sly details of social nuances and misfits and snobbery! Wonderful audio rendition by Sheila Hancock.

8.23.19: This novel is rich for analysis from so many angles. Really excited to be presenting on it next month! ( )